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Demolition and dismantling questions for the CSCS test

7 free questions on Demolition and dismantling, from section D. High risk activities. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

Last verified against HSE guidance and the law ·How we write our questions

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Question 1

Easier ·Link to this question (question 1)

A building next to your work area is being demolished, and there is an exclusion zone around it. The quickest route to the welfare cabin goes through the zone.

What should you do?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Go through quickly when the machines stop
  2. B. Go through, as long as you stay close to the scaffold
  3. C. Go through if you are wearing a safety helmet
  4. D. Go the long way round and stay out of the zone
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. A structure can collapse even when the machines are not working.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. HSE says a scaffold does not reduce the size of an exclusion zone. It may not stop falling debris.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. A helmet won't protect you from a falling wall. Stay out of the zone.
  • D. Right: Right. The exclusion zone is set so that debris from a planned or accidental collapse stays inside it. Only authorised people may enter.

Explanation

Never enter a demolition exclusion zone unless you are authorised. The zone is there to keep you clear of falling debris and collapse.

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Question 2

Medium ·Link to this question (question 2)

A client wants an old factory knocked down.

What must the client give the demolition contractor about asbestos before the work starts?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. A refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey
  2. B. Nothing, as asbestos is dealt with after demolition
  3. C. A list of the factory's former workers
  4. D. A photo of the building from the outside
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says the client must give the contractor a refurbishment or demolition survey, so any asbestos can be found and dealt with before demolition.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Demolishing a building with asbestos in it would release fibres. It must be found and removed first.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. That doesn't tell the contractor where asbestos is.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Asbestos is often hidden inside a building. A proper survey is needed.

Explanation

Before demolition, the client must provide a refurbishment and demolition survey, plus information such as live services. Asbestos must be dealt with before the building comes down.

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Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

You are stripping out the inside of a building. A row of steel props is holding up a floor above, and they are in your way.

What should you do?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Remove them if the floor above looks strong enough
  2. B. Leave them and ask your supervisor
  3. C. Take out one prop at a time and watch for movement
  4. D. Move them a little to one side so you can work
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. You can't tell if a structure is safe by looking at it. Only a competent person can decide.
  • B. Right: Right. Temporary supports are designed by a competent person and must be removed only as the designer says. Removing them early could cause a collapse.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. A floor can collapse without warning. Props are only removed as planned by a competent person.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Props are put in a set place to carry the load. Moving them could make the floor unstable.

Explanation

Alteration and demolition work must be planned by competent people. Never remove props or temporary supports unless the temporary works plan says so.

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Question 4

Medium ·Link to this question (question 4)

A contractor is planning to demolish a three-storey building.

What does HSE say about the demolition method?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. It only needs to be agreed by the neighbours
  2. B. There is no need for a method on small buildings
  3. C. It must be written down by a competent person
  4. D. It can be decided by the machine driver on the day
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Neighbours may need informing, but the method must be planned by a competent person.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. All demolition needs a planned method.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says the demolition method must be written by a competent person, and planned so there can be no uncontrolled collapse.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Demolition must be planned in advance by a competent person.

Explanation

Demolition must be planned and written down by a competent person, so the structure comes down in a controlled way.

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Question 5

Medium ·Link to this question (question 5)

Two demolition jobs on the same street use different methods: one by hand and one with a high-reach machine.

What decides the size of each exclusion zone?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. It is always exactly 10 metres
  2. B. How many workers are on site
  3. C. Whether there is a scaffold around the building
  4. D. The demolition method being used
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. There is no fixed size. It depends on the method.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. The zone depends on how far debris could travel, which depends on the method.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. HSE says a scaffold does not allow the exclusion zone to be made smaller.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says the size of exclusion and debris zones depends on the demolition technique being used.

Explanation

Exclusion zones are sized for the demolition method, so debris from a planned or accidental collapse stays inside them.

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Question 6

Medium ·Link to this question (question 6)

A building being demolished is right next to a busy pavement.

What must the demolition plan consider?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Whether a collapse could throw material outside the site
  2. B. Only the safety of the demolition workers
  3. C. Only how quickly the job can be finished
  4. D. Nothing, as the public should keep away
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says you have a duty to protect people affected by demolition, and the risk assessment should consider whether a collapse could send material outside the site.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. The public and neighbours must be protected too.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Speed must not come before safety.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. The contractor must protect the public, not rely on them keeping away.

Explanation

Demolition plans must protect the public, including from material falling outside the site.

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Question 7

Medium ·Link to this question (question 7)

A wall is going to be taken out to open up two rooms in an old house.

What should happen before the work starts?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Put one prop under the ceiling, wherever it fits
  2. B. A competent person surveys it and plans any support
  3. C. Knock it out and watch to see whether the ceiling above sags
  4. D. Nothing, as internal walls never hold anything up
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Temporary supports must be designed by a competent person for the loads involved.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says a competent person should do a full survey and assessment of the structure, and decide the method and design of temporary supports.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. That could cause a sudden collapse. The work must be planned first.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Many internal walls carry floors or roofs above.

Explanation

Before alteration or demolition, a competent person must survey the structure and design any temporary support.

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