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Welfare facilities on site questions for the CSCS test

7 free questions on Welfare facilities on site, from section B. Occupational health. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

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Question 1

Easier · choose 2 ·Link to this question (question 1)

A small housing site is setting up its welfare cabin.

Which two must be provided for the workers? (Choose two.)

Choose two answers.

  1. A. Showers for everyone, whatever work they do on site
  2. B. Washbasins with warm water, soap and towels
  3. C. A place where workers can eat, drink and rest
  4. D. A canteen that serves cooked hot meals at lunchtime
Show the answer and explanation

Answers: B, C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Showers are needed where the work is particularly dirty, such as some demolition work, not on every site.
  • B. Right: Right. Washing facilities must have running hot and cold, or warm, water, soap and towels or dryers, next to the toilets.
  • C. Right: Right. There should be a room where workers can sit, eat and drink, and somewhere to store and dry clothing.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Workers need somewhere to eat and a way to boil water or heat food, not a canteen with cooked meals.

Explanation

Every site needs toilets, washbasins with hot and cold or warm water, soap and towels, a place to rest, eat and drink, and somewhere to store and dry clothing.

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Question 2

Medium ·Link to this question (question 2)

On a new site, the only place to wash your hands is a cold-water tap by the gate, a long way from the toilets.

Is this good enough?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. No, because washbasins should be next to the toilets
  2. B. No, because every worker must have their own washbasin
  3. C. Yes, because cold water still gets your hands clean
  4. D. Yes, because welfare only matters once the site is busy
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says washing facilities should be next to the toilets and have hot and cold, or warm, water, soap and a way to dry your hands.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Washbasins can be shared. What matters is that there are enough of them, with the right facilities, in the right place.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Cold water alone does not shift cement, oil or other substances well. Washbasins need hot and cold, or warm, running water.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Workers need proper welfare facilities whenever they are on site, not just when it is busy.

Explanation

Washbasins must be next to the toilets, with hot and cold (or warm) running water, soap and towels or dryers.

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Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

A large housing site has a principal contractor and many subcontractors.

Who must make sure welfare facilities are in place for the whole job?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. The principal contractor
  2. B. Each worker, by bringing their own
  3. C. The local council
  4. D. Nobody until the site has more than 50 workers
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says principal contractors must make sure welfare is provided from the start of the project until it finishes.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Welfare must be provided for workers, not by them.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. The council doesn't provide welfare on construction sites.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Everyone on site needs welfare facilities, however many people are working.

Explanation

Everyone on site must have access to toilets, washing, changing, eating and rest facilities. The principal contractor makes sure they are there for the whole job.

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Question 4

Easier ·Link to this question (question 4)

It is a hot day and there is no drinking water on site.

What does health and safety law say?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Water from any outside tap on site will do
  2. B. Your employer must provide drinking water
  3. C. Drinking water only has to be provided in winter
  4. D. Workers must always bring their own
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Not every tap is safe to drink from. Drinking water must be clean and clearly marked.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says employers must provide toilets, washing facilities and drinking water.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Drinking water must be available all year round.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Your employer must provide drinking water.

Explanation

Your employer must provide drinking water, as well as toilets and washing facilities.

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Question 5

Easier ·Link to this question (question 5)

It has rained all day and your work clothes are soaked.

What welfare facility should the site have for this?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Nothing, as you should go home to change
  2. B. A spare set of clothes for everyone
  3. C. Somewhere to store and dry clothing
  4. D. A washing machine for each worker
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Drying and changing facilities are part of site welfare.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. The site must provide somewhere to dry and store clothes, not spare clothes.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says sites need an area for securely storing clothing and for drying wet items.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Workers need somewhere to dry and store clothes, not their own washing machine.

Explanation

Sites need somewhere to change, and to store and dry clothing, as well as toilets, washing and rest areas.

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Question 6

Medium ·Link to this question (question 6)

A new site is deciding what toilets to provide.

What does HSE say is best where it is possible?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Portable chemical toilets in every case
  2. B. A nearby public toilet
  3. C. No toilets if the job lasts less than a month
  4. D. Flushing toilets connected to mains water and drainage
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. HSE says chemical toilets should only be used where other options aren't possible.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. The site must provide its own toilets.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Toilets must be provided however long the job lasts.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says flushing toilets connected to mains water and drainage are expected where possible. Portable chemical toilets are a last resort.

Explanation

Use mains-connected flushing toilets where possible. Chemical toilets are a last resort, and all toilets must be kept clean.

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Question 7

Easier ·Link to this question (question 7)

The site toilets and washbasins are getting very muddy and dirty by lunchtime each day.

What does HSE say?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. They need cleaning more often
  2. B. Cleaning once a week is enough
  3. C. Workers have to put up with it on a building site
  4. D. They only need cleaning before an inspection
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says toilets and washing facilities need regular cleaning, and on muddy sites daily cleaning may not be enough.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Toilets on a busy, muddy site need cleaning much more often.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Welfare facilities must be kept clean and usable.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. They must be kept clean for the people using them every day.

Explanation

Toilets and washing facilities must be kept clean, lit and ventilated. On muddy sites they may need cleaning more than once a day.

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