Exams / HS&E Operatives / Electrical safety on site / Question 4
HS&E Operatives practice question: Electrical safety on site (4 of 7)
C. Safety 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 against HSE guidance and the law ·How we write our questions
You plug a power tool into a socket that has a residual current device (RCD).
What should you do before using the tool?
Choose one answer.
- AA. Wet your hands to see if it trips
- BB. Unscrew the RCD and look inside
- CC. Press the RCD's test button to check it trips
- DD. Nothing, as an RCD makes the tool completely safe
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C
- A. Wrong: Wrong. Never test electrical safety on yourself.
- B. Wrong: Wrong. Only a competent electrician should open electrical equipment.
- C. Right: Right. HSE says the user should test a plug-in or socket RCD before use by pressing its test button.
- D. Wrong: Wrong. HSE says an RCD is only a secondary safeguard. You still need to check the tool and cable.
Explanation
Test an RCD with its test button before use. It is a back-up safeguard, so still check the tool, plug and cable.
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