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Plant and site transport questions for the CSCS test

8 free questions on Plant and site transport, from section D. High risk activities. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

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Question 1

Easier ·Link to this question (question 1)

A banksman is guiding a lorry as it reverses into the site. Part way back, the driver can no longer see the banksman.

What should the driver do?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Use the mirrors and finish the reverse alone
  2. B. Stop immediately
  3. C. Keep reversing slowly until the banksman appears again
  4. D. Sound the horn and keep going
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. The lorry has a banksman because the driver can't see everything. Stop and wait.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says if drivers lose sight of the banksman or signaller they should stop immediately.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. The banksman may be in the lorry's path. The driver must stop until they can see the banksman again.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. A horn doesn't tell the driver where the banksman or anyone else is.

Explanation

If a driver loses sight of the banksman, they must stop straight away. Banksmen stand where they can be seen and are out of the vehicle's path.

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Question 2

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

Your site uses forward-tipping dumpers to move spoil to a skip by a deep excavation.

Which two help prevent serious dumper accidents? (Choose two.)

Choose two answers.

  1. A. Loading the skip high so fewer trips across the site are needed
  2. B. Letting any worker drive it, as dumpers are easy to use
  3. C. Roll-over protection, with the driver wearing a seat belt
  4. D. Wheel stops at a safe distance from the edge of the excavation
Show the answer and explanation

Answers: C, D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Loads must not block the driver's view. Overloading also makes overturning more likely.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Drivers must be trained, competent and authorised for the dumper they are using.
  • C. Right: Right. Most dumper deaths involve the driver being crushed when it overturns. Roll-over protection and a seat belt keep the driver inside the protected zone.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says provide wheel stops to stop dumpers going over the edge when tipping.

Explanation

Dumpers must have roll-over protection, drivers must wear seat belts and be trained, loads must not block the view, and wheel stops must be used at edges.

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Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

The excavator driver has just changed the bucket using a semi-automatic quick hitch.

What must happen before digging starts again?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Nothing, as the hitch locks itself
  2. B. The driver taps the bucket on the ground to see if it falls off
  3. C. A banksman stands under the bucket to watch it
  4. D. The safety pin is put in and the bucket checked as locked
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. A semi-automatic hitch does not fully lock itself. The pin must be fitted.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. This is not a proper check, and anyone nearby is at risk if it does fall.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. No one should stand under or near a bucket that might not be secure.
  • D. Right: Right. Semi-automatic hitches need a pin inserted to lock the connection. If it isn't, the bucket can fall off and kill someone nearby.

Explanation

After changing an attachment, make sure the quick hitch is properly locked, with any safety pin fitted, before work starts. Stay clear of the bucket.

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Question 4

Easier ·Link to this question (question 4)

You are walking across an area of site where diggers and dumpers are working.

What should you be wearing to help drivers see you?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. High-visibility clothing
  2. B. Dark clothing, so you stand out against the sand
  3. C. Ear defenders, so you are not distracted by the noise
  4. D. Nothing special, as drivers will look out for you
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says high-visibility clothing should be worn wherever vehicles or plant are working on site. Also use the marked walkways.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Dark clothing makes you harder to see, especially in poor light.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Ear defenders may be needed in noisy areas, but they don't help drivers see you.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Drivers have blind spots and may not see you. Hi-vis and separate walkways keep you safer.

Explanation

Wear hi-vis wherever plant or vehicles are working, use the pedestrian routes, and stay out of blind spots.

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Question 5

Easier ·Link to this question (question 5)

Your site is being laid out. Dumpers, lorries and workers on foot all need to move around it.

What is the best way to keep people safe?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Tell drivers to sound the horn at every corner
  2. B. Only allow people on foot at weekends
  3. C. Separate routes for people and vehicles
  4. D. Let everyone share one route and take extra care
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Horns help, but people and vehicles should be kept apart.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. People need safe routes whenever they are on site.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says provide separate routes for pedestrians to keep them away from vehicles, with barriers or guard-rails where needed.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Mixing people and vehicles on the same route is a major cause of accidents.

Explanation

Keep people and vehicles apart, with separate routes, barriers and marked crossing points.

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Question 6

Easier ·Link to this question (question 6)

The pedestrian route on your site has to cross the haul road used by dumpers.

What should be provided where they cross?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Nothing, as people can look both ways
  2. B. A sign telling drivers to speed up
  3. C. A gap in the fence anywhere along the road
  4. D. A clearly marked, protected crossing point
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Drivers may not see people, and noise can hide vehicles. A proper crossing is needed.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Speed makes accidents more likely and more serious.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Crossings should be at set, marked places so drivers know where to expect people.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says where routes meet, crossing points should be clearly marked, protected and equipped.

Explanation

Where people have to cross vehicle routes, provide clearly marked, protected crossing points.

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Question 7

Medium ·Link to this question (question 7)

A telehandler driver needs to move a pallet of blocks across rough ground to the other side of the site.

How should the load be carried?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Low down, not raised, while the machine is moving
  2. B. Raised high, so the driver can see under it
  3. C. Raised, as long as the driver goes slowly
  4. D. With a worker standing on the forks to steady it
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says moving with a raised load is dangerous and should be avoided at all times. Travel with the load low.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. A raised load makes the telehandler much more likely to tip over.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Even slowly, a raised load on rough ground can overturn the machine.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Nobody should ride on the forks or the load.

Explanation

Never travel with a raised load on a telehandler. Keep the load low, and use the machine only on suitable ground.

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Question 8

Medium ·Link to this question (question 8)

Lorries delivering to your site have to reverse in through a narrow gate, past where people work.

What would reduce the risk most?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Leaving the gate open all day
  2. B. A one-way route so lorries don't need to reverse
  3. C. Telling lorry drivers to reverse faster
  4. D. Asking workers near the gate to listen for the reversing alarm
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. An open gate doesn't remove the reversing risk.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says remove the need for reversing where possible, for example with one-way systems.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Faster reversing makes accidents more likely.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Alarms help, but removing the need to reverse is far safer.

Explanation

The best way to deal with reversing is to avoid it, with one-way systems. Where it can't be avoided, use trained banksmen and keep people clear.

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