Free practice · ECS HS&E

ECS health and safety practice test

Fifteen free practice questions for the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental assessment, with at least one from every topic in the test. Try each one, then open the answer to read the explanation.

The full course has revision questions on every topic and timed mock tests, so you go into the real assessment knowing the format.

Question 1 · General Health and Safety at Work
What does CDM stand for, as in the CDM Regulations?
1. AConstruction (Demolition Management) Regulations
2. BConstruction (Design and Management) Regulations
3. CControl of Dangerous Materials Regulations
4. DControl of Demolition and Management Regulations
Show the answer
Answer: B. The CDM Regulations set out how construction projects must be planned and managed safely, including physical safeguards and proper welfare facilities.
Question 2 · Manual Handling Operations
A lifting task could cause injury. What should you consider first?
1. AWhat the weight of the load is
2. BWhere to hold the load when lifting
3. CWhether the load needs to be lifted at all
4. DHow to lift the load
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Answer: C. The best way to control lifting risks is to avoid the lift altogether if you can. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 put avoidance first.
Question 3 · Reporting Accidents
You're injured during a manual handling task. What should you make sure of?
1. AThe injury is recorded
2. BYou get help and carry on working
3. CYou take time off work
4. DYou get paid for the job
Show the answer
Answer: A. Every injury at work should be recorded in the accident book (BI 510).
Question 4 · Personal Protective Equipment at Work
You're working in dusty conditions. Which of these gives the LEAST protection?
1. ACompressed airline breathing helmet
2. BHalf mask dust respirator
3. CPositive pressure powered respirator
4. DSelf-contained breathing apparatus
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Answer: B. HSE guidance on respiratory protective equipment (HSG53) lists protection factors. A half-mask dust respirator gives the lowest of these four.
Question 5 · Health and Hygiene
Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause which of these?
1. AAsbestosis
2. BDermatitis
3. CAsthma
4. DGlandular fever
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Answer: A. Asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, as well as other diseases including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Question 6 · Fire and Emergency
Construction sites must have emergency routes. What must they provide?
1. ASafe passage to the rest area
2. BSafe passage to a secure place of safety
3. CSafe passage to the ground from height
4. DSafe passage to the open air
Show the answer
Answer: B. Emergency routes must lead people safely to a secure place of safety.
Question 7 · Work at Height
What causes the most deaths on construction sites?
1. AChemical burns
2. BFalling from height
3. CSolvent inhalation
4. DVehicle movements
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Answer: B. Other hazards can kill or injure too, but falls from height cause the most deaths.
Question 8 · Work Equipment
What does SWL stand for?
1. ASatisfactory weight limit
2. BSafe working load
3. CSafe working level
4. DSatisfactory working limit
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Answer: B. Lifting machinery and accessories should be clearly marked with their safe working load.
Question 9 · Special Site Hazards
Why can a confined space be dangerous to work in?
1. AThere may not be sufficient working space
2. BAir in the space may be unbreathable due to poisonous gas
3. CTemperature and poor ventilation may affect the worker
4. DAll of the hazards mentioned
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Answer: D. Confined spaces can have many hazards at once: little room, unbreathable or poisonous air, heat and poor ventilation.
Question 10 · Electrotechnical
Under the Electricity at Work Regulations, what should a responsible person do when deciding whether live work is justified?
1. ADo as the client demands
2. BCarry out a risk assessment
3. COnly work dead
4. DOnly work live
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Answer: B. Carry out a risk assessment to identify the risks, and how they'll be controlled.
Question 11 · Environmental
On site, you need to get rid of some waste liquid containing oil, and you're not sure how. What should you do?
1. APour it onto the ground, it will soak away
2. BDispose of it in a sealed container into the site skip
3. CAsk your supervisor about the correct way to deal with this waste
4. DTake it outside and set light to it
Show the answer
Answer: C. Hazardous waste must be stored and separated properly, then taken away by an authorised waste carrier. Oil getting into the ground or drains, or burning waste on site, can be an offence.
Question 12 · General Health and Safety at Work
Which of these is an enforcement tool the HSE can use?
1. AObstruction Notice
2. BHealth Notice
3. CImprovement Notice
4. DIncreasing insurance premiums
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Answer: C. An Improvement Notice orders the duty holder to put things right so they meet health and safety law.
Question 13 · Fire and Emergency
You discover a fire. What should you do?
1. ARaise the alarm
2. BCarry on working if it is safe to do so
3. CExtinguish the fire without raising the alarm
4. DLeave it because you will get the blame
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Answer: A. Raising the alarm protects everyone else, especially if the fire spreads.
Question 14 · Work at Height
Which type of accident kills the most construction workers?
1. AElectrical accident
2. BTrench collapses
3. CFalling from heights
4. DBeing hit by falling objects
Show the answer
Answer: C. Falls from height are the biggest single cause of fatal accidents in construction.
Question 15 · Electrotechnical
What should the normal way of working on electrical equipment be?
1. AWearing insulated gloves
2. BUsing insulated tools
3. CLive working
4. DDead working
Show the answer
Answer: D. Dead working is the norm. Work on or near live conductors should only rarely be allowed.

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