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Housekeeping and site access questions for the CSCS test

7 free questions on Housekeeping and site access, from section C. Safety. 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)

Extension leads for several power tools are lying across the main corridor on the floor you are working on.

What is the best way to deal with this?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Tell people to step over the leads carefully
  2. B. Cover the leads with loose boards
  3. C. Leave them, as they will be moved at the end of the day
  4. D. Run the leads at high level, or use cordless tools
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. People still trip, especially when carrying materials. Remove the hazard instead.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Loose boards create a new trip hazard and can hide damage to the cables.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Slips and trips are among the most common injuries on site. Deal with the hazard now.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says run cables at high level, especially along corridors, or use cordless tools so no cables are needed.

Explanation

Keep walkways clear. Run cables at high level or use cordless tools, and keep your work area tidy.

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Question 2

Medium · choose 2 ·Link to this question (question 2)

It is the end of the working day on a site next to a housing estate.

Which two should be done before everyone leaves? (Choose two.)

Choose two answers.

  1. A. Take the access ladders off scaffolds and out of excavations
  2. B. Immobilise plant and, if possible, lock it in a compound
  3. C. Leave the keys in the plant so the first person in can start it
  4. D. Leave the site gate open for an early delivery
Show the answer and explanation

Answers: A, B

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says remove access ladders so that children and others can't climb onto scaffolds or into excavations.
  • B. Right: Right. Plant left with keys in, or not locked away, can be started or played on by trespassers.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Keys must be removed so no one else can start the plant.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. The site must be secured at the end of the day to keep people out. Arrange deliveries for when someone is there.

Explanation

Secure the site at the end of every day: close the gates and fencing, remove access ladders, and immobilise and lock away plant.

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Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

A scaffold runs along the front of a building, next to a busy pavement.

Which of these helps stop materials falling onto people walking past?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Only working on the scaffold when the pavement is quiet
  2. B. Toe boards, brick guards and netting on the scaffold
  3. C. A warning sign on the scaffold telling people to look up
  4. D. Asking the workers to be extra careful near the edge
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Even one person walking past can be hurt. The protection must be in place all the time.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says on scaffolds you can stop objects falling outside the site with toe boards, brick guards and netting. Fans or covered walkways may also be needed.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. A sign does not stop anything falling. Physical protection is needed.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Care helps, but objects still fall. The scaffold must have physical protection.

Explanation

Make sure nothing can fall outside the site boundary. Toe boards, brick guards, netting, fans and covered walkways all help.

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Question 4

Easier ·Link to this question (question 4)

A walkway across your site goes past stacks of materials and through a dark area under a slab.

What does HSE say a walkway should have?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Nothing special, as workers know the way
  2. B. Only a sign at each end
  3. C. Clear marking, good lighting and a good surface
  4. D. Materials stored along it so they are easy to reach
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Many slips and trips happen on poorly kept routes.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Signs help, but the route also needs to be clear, lit and in good condition.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says walkways should be clearly marked, signed and lit, with good conditions underfoot.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. HSE says don't store materials where they block access routes.

Explanation

Keep walkways clearly marked, well lit, even underfoot and free of materials and cables.

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Question 5

Easier ·Link to this question (question 5)

At the end of your task you have offcuts, packaging and tools lying around your work area.

Whose job is it to tidy up?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. The cleaner, at the end of the week
  2. B. The site manager
  3. C. Nobody, as it is a building site
  4. D. Yours
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Waiting a week leaves trip and fire hazards for everyone else.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. The site manager sets standards, but everyone tidies their own area.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. A messy site causes slips, trips and fires. Keep it tidy.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says sites should be kept clean and orderly, and everyone should keep their own work and storage areas tidy.

Explanation

Good housekeeping is everyone's job. Clear up as you go and put waste in the right skip.

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Question 6

Medium ·Link to this question (question 6)

A site is being set up on a busy street in a town centre.

What kind of boundary does HSE say is typical in populated areas?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. A 2-metre-high small mesh fence or hoarding
  2. B. A line of tape at waist height
  3. C. Signs only, with no fence
  4. D. No boundary, so the public can see the work
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says in populated areas this typically means a two-metre high small mesh fence or hoarding around the site.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Tape won't keep people, especially children, out of the site.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Signs alone won't stop people getting in.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. The principal contractor must take reasonable steps to stop unauthorised people getting in.

Explanation

In populated areas, sites are usually surrounded by a 2-metre fence or hoarding to keep the public out.

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Question 7

Easier ·Link to this question (question 7)

A pallet of bricks has been dropped in the middle of the corridor that leads to the fire exit.

What should happen?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Leave it until the bricklayers need it
  2. B. It should be moved so the route is clear
  3. C. Leave it, as people can squeeze past
  4. D. Put a sign on it saying "Mind the bricks"
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Escape routes must be kept clear at all times.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says don't store materials where they block access routes or could get in the way of an emergency escape.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. In an emergency, people may be rushing or in smoke. The route must be clear.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. A sign doesn't clear the route.

Explanation

Never store materials on access or escape routes. Plan deliveries so materials go to a proper storage area.

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