Exams / HS&E Operatives / Respiratory risks and silica dust / Question 3
HS&E Operatives practice question: Respiratory risks and silica dust (3 of 7) B. Occupational health A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
Last verified October 2026 against HSE guidance and the law ·How we write our questions
At the end of a day of cutting and drilling, the floor is covered in fine dust.
What is the best way to clean it up?
Choose one answer.
A A. Blow it away with a leaf blowerB B. Leave it, as it will settle overnightC C. Use a suitable vacuum cleaner or wet brushingD D. Sweep it up with a dry brushShow the answer and explanation Answer: C
A. Wrong: Wrong. Blowing the dust spreads it into the air and onto other people.B. Wrong: Wrong. It will be stirred up again when people walk through. Clean it up properly.C. Right: Right. HSE says dry sweeping can make a lot of dust compared with vacuuming or wet brushing.D. Wrong: Wrong. Dry sweeping puts the fine dust back into the air, where you can breathe it in.Explanation Clean up construction dust with a suitable vacuum or by wet methods, not by dry sweeping.
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