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ECS Test 12

Mock Tests > ECS Test 12

You have 30 minutes to answer 50 multiple choice ECS Test questions. You need 43 out of 50 to pass. You can review your answer after each question or wait until the end of the test for your result. Good luck!

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1. What can help to prevent harm to the environment from oil spillages? Give one answer
A A supply of water to flush the spill away
B Cover the spillage with soil
C Store oils in an area that can catch any spills, such as a bund or a drip tray.
D Turning liquid containers upside down so the top can't come off
Correct Answer: C Store oils in an area that can catch any spills, such as a bund or a drip tray.
Explanation: The use of a bund (fully walled storage area) or a drip tray will help any spillage to be contained in a small area for clear up. Any spillage could get into the ground or drains, which is likely to be an offence under environmental legislation.
2. What are fire-stops designed to do? Give one answer
A Close the fire doors automatically
B Delay the passage of fire and smoke through openings in walls and floors
C Estinguish a fire
D Protect services (such as wiring systems) against fire damage
Correct Answer: B Delay the passage of fire and smoke through openings in walls and floors
Explanation: Fire-stops are designed to maintain the fireproofing of a wall or floor assembly. Fire-stopping delays the spread of fire and, generally, the spread of smoke as well.
3. If you discover a hole or gap in a fire rated wall or floor that has not been fire-stopped, what should you do? Give one answer
A Cover the hole or gap with insulating tape
B Ignore it unless it is causing a draught
C Report it to your supervisor without delay
D Use decorators' sealant to fill the gap
Correct Answer: C Report it to your supervisor without delay
Explanation: Supervisors need to be made aware of any observed inadequacies in fire-stopping - which can undermine fire precautions catastrophically during the construction of buildings and on their completion. Only a limited range of products are suitable and they must be correctly applied to provide the required degree of fire-stopping.
4. Optical fibre cable remnants should not be left lying around on site because: Give one answer
A Laser beams still exist in the cut pieces
B They are toxic
C They can be hot and burn upon contact
D They can pierce the skin or eyes
Correct Answer: D They can pierce the skin or eyes
Explanation: Fibre fragments can enter the bloodstream and cause infections in the skin or eyes. All fibre waste, particularly small pieces, should be placed in suitable receptacles.
5. Why should the end of an optical fibre cable never be pointed towards your own or anyone else's eyes? Give one answer
A The beam can bore a hole through the skin
B The beam can damage the eyes
C The beam can transfer a strong electric current
D The colour of the beam is very hypnotic
Correct Answer: B The beam can damage the eyes
Explanation: Exposure to light sources such as lasers or highly concentrated visible or infrared light beams, associated with the testing or use of optical fibres, can cause damage to the eyes, or even blindness.
6. You need to clean up some oil that has leaked from machinery onto the ground. What is the right way to do this? Give one answer
A Put it under some off-cuts so that the oil cannot be seen
B Put the oily contaminated soil into a suitable container that takes hazardous waste
C Put the oily contaminated soil into the general waste skip
D Wash the oil away with water and detergent
Correct Answer: B Put the oily contaminated soil into a suitable container that takes hazardous waste
Explanation: Oil-contaminated wastes are classified as hazardous/special waste in waste legislation. The Hazardous Waste Regulations (Special Waste Regulations in Scotland) require such waste to be properly segregated or otherwise treated, and then recovered or disposed of in an approved way. Following the other options would be an offence under waste legislation.
7. Which of the following is NOT best practice from a sustainability point of view? Give one answer
A Looking after the people working on or near the site
B Protecting the environment
C Saving materials, fuel, water and energy
D Sending unused and waste copper cables to landfill
Correct Answer: D Sending unused and waste copper cables to landfill
Explanation: Option D) would be wasting a valuable natural resource (copper) that could be effectively recovered for later use or recycling. Reusing or recycling copper has less environmental impact than mining and extracting new copper reserves.
8. The specific effects on the human body of a major electric shock are one of the following: Give one answer
A Broken bones
B Burns and cardiac arrest
C Chest pains
D Dermatitis
Correct Answer: B Burns and cardiac arrest
9. What action should you take if a workmate gets an electric shock? Give one answer
A Cut off the power and call for help
B Dial 999 and ask for the fire brigade
C Phone the electricity board immediately
D Try to pull them to safety
Correct Answer: A Cut off the power and call for help
Explanation: If you can switch the power off, the electric hazard will be removed. First aid assistance will then probably be required. Do not touch someone who is still in contact with live electrical cables as you could also receive an electric shock.
10. For all live working activities it is necessary to: Give one answer
A Be accompanied
B Carry out a risk assessment as required by the EAW Regulations.
C Keep your fingers crossed
D Wear rubber gloves only
Correct Answer: B Carry out a risk assessment as required by the EAW Regulations.
11. When working in a confined space, such as a sewer, what danger may occur? Give one answer
A Boredom
B Build up of harmful gases
C Getting wet through
D Not enough time for the job to be done
Correct Answer: B Build up of harmful gases
Explanation: Sewer gases can be inflammable and suffocating.
12. Why may young people be more at risk on site? Give one answer
A There is no requirement to provide PPE to young people
B There is no specific legislation applying to them
C They are inexperienced and may not recognize danger
D They are usually left to work alone to gain experience
Correct Answer: C They are inexperienced and may not recognize danger
Explanation: Health and Safety guidance lists young people as often being 'at particular risk', due to their lack of practical experience.
13. When do special precautions need to be taken when working near overhead electric power lines? Give one answer
A Only if cranes etc. are being used
B Only if plant has to pass under the lines
C Only if someone could touch a line with their bare hands
D Whenever work areas will be near or beneath the lines
Correct Answer: D Whenever work areas will be near or beneath the lines
Explanation: Actual contact with a power line is not necessary to result in an electric shock as a close approach may allow 'flashover' to occur. HSE publication GS6 gives advice on procedures to avoid such danger.
14. Under the Electricity at Work Regulations, live working is considered: Give one answer
A As entirely acceptable
B Never to be allowed
C Only to be allowed in exceptional circumstances
D To be normally permitted
Correct Answer: C Only to be allowed in exceptional circumstances
Explanation: Extra controls must be employed, including training, supervision and use of suitable tools and protective equipment.
15. Hand and power tools must be: Give one answer
A In the company's colours
B Made available when needed
C Suitable for the task and regularly inspected
D The best that you can buy
Correct Answer: C Suitable for the task and regularly inspected
Explanation: Tools must not create a risk to the user or others. This means they must be suitable and kept in good condition. This requires inspection before use.
16. What is the preferred nominal voltage for portable hand lamps for general use on construction sites? Give one answer
A 110 volts
B 150 volts
C 230 volts
D 400 volts
Correct Answer: A 110 volts
Explanation: 110 volt reduced low voltage systems are strongly preferred for the supply to such equipment.
17. When using an extension cable reel, which of the following statements is correct? Give one answer
A Do not exceed the reeled or unreeled rating as appropriate
B Leave as much as possible coiled up on the reel
C Only uncoil what you need
D Uncoil it fully every time
Correct Answer: A Do not exceed the reeled or unreeled rating as appropriate
Explanation: The rating of a partially unreeled extension cable is much lower than when fully unreeled. Overheating of the cable will occur if the rating is exceeded. Care should also be taken to prevent extension cables becoming a tripping hazard.
18. If you have to work at height and it is not possible to erect a scaffold, or use any other type of working platform or mobile elevating work platform, then you should: Give one answer
A Wear a harness and lanyard at all times
B Work without fall protection at all times when no one else is about
C Work without fall protection, provided the weather is not too windy
D Work without fall protection, provided you have a mate with you
Correct Answer: A Wear a harness and lanyard at all times
Explanation: The harness will greatly reduce the likelihood of injury if you fall.
19. Half the deaths on construction sites are caused by which one of the following? Give one answer
A Electrical misuse
B Falls from heights
C Misuse of plant and machinery
D Working in trenches/confined spaces
Correct Answer: B Falls from heights
Explanation: This is shown by HSE statistics.
20. Under what circumstances do the Work at Height Regulations permit a stepladder to be used on site? Give one answer
A At any time
B Never - stepladders are banned
C Only when a risk assessment shows that safer alternatives have been ruled out and the task is of low risk and of short duration
D Provided you can't fall 2 metres or more
Correct Answer: C Only when a risk assessment shows that safer alternatives have been ruled out and the task is of low risk and of short duration
Explanation: The WAH Regulations have not banned the use of ladders or stepladders, but they should be used sensibly.
21. Who should operate plant and equipment on site? Give one answer
A An employee holding a full driving license
B Any experienced employee
C Only people over 18 years of age
D Trained and authorised employees only
Correct Answer: D Trained and authorised employees only
Explanation: Never operate plant or equipment unless you have been trained and are authorised to do so.
22. What should you do immediately if you get a small cut on a finger whilst at work? Give one answer
A Ask your employer to report it to the HSE
B Carry on working
C Get first-aid
D Just wash it clean
Correct Answer: C Get first-aid
Explanation: It is important to obtain first-aid to prevent further harm (e.g. through infection). It should also be recorded in the accident book (BI 510).
23. Approximately 70 workers each year die on construction sites, the main cause of this is: Give one answer
A Being run over by plant
B Excavation collapse
C Falls from height
D Fire
Correct Answer: C Falls from height
24. Ladders should not be painted because: Give one answer
A Regular repainting will be necessary
B The paint may cover a defect or damaged part of the ladder
C The paint may not be suitable on metal parts of the ladder
D The paint will make them slippery to use
Correct Answer: B The paint may cover a defect or damaged part of the ladder
25. When discharging carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, the nozzle: Give one answer
A Becomes very cold
B Becomes very hot
C Becomes warm
D Doesn't change temperature
Correct Answer: A Becomes very cold
Explanation: The expansion of CO2 gas coming out of the nozzle causes rapid cooling.
26. Which types of fire extinguishers should be used on electrical fires? Give one answer
A Carbon dioxide and dry powder
B Dry powder and foam
C Foam and water
D Water and carbon dioxide
Correct Answer: A Carbon dioxide and dry powder
Explanation: Liquids should not be used, since they may conduct electricity.
27. A workmate burns their hand on a piece of very hot metal. What should you do first? Give one answer
A Cover the burn with something dry
B Put their hand in cold water if it is available
C Rub some cream or Vaseline into the burn
D Warn other people about the piece of hot metal
Correct Answer: B Put their hand in cold water if it is available
Explanation: Burns need immediate and sustained cooling
28. An employee has a fall and is obviously unconscious. What is the FIRST thing you should do? Give one answer
A Find out if there were any witnesses
B Put them in the recovery position
C Send someone for the first-aider
D Try to protect them from any further injury
Correct Answer: C Send someone for the first-aider
Explanation: Competent first-aid treatment is essential, and should be summoned immediately.
29. You are most likely to catch Weil's disease (Leptospirosis) if you: Give one answer
A Drink water from a standpipe
B Fix showers or baths
C Work near air conditioning units
D Work near wet ground, waterways or sewers
Correct Answer: D Work near wet ground, waterways or sewers
Explanation: Anyone who is exposed to rat urine is at risk, particularly sewer workers and farmers. Those in contact with canal or river water are also at risk.
30. If you discover a fire at work, what should you do first: Give one answer
A Raise the alarm and warn fellow workers
B Run around looking for an alarm to sound
C Telephone 999
D Use a fire extinguisher to put it out
Correct Answer: A Raise the alarm and warn fellow workers
Explanation: Raising the alarm will reduce the risk to others, particularly if the fire spreads.
31. What is a fire assembly point? Give one answer
A A place where fire extinguishers are kept
B A place where the fire brigade goes to
C The place to go when the fire alarm sounds
D The place where the fire alarm is
Correct Answer: C The place to go when the fire alarm sounds
Explanation: It is essential that people go to a place of safety, where supervisors or fire marshals know where they are, in the event of a fire.
32. When would it be appropriate to wear a bump-cap instead of a safety helmet? Give one answer
A In warm weather
B In warm weather
C When there is no foreseeable risk of injury from falling or swinging objects
D When working on a ladder
Correct Answer: C When there is no foreseeable risk of injury from falling or swinging objects
Explanation: Industrial scalp protectors (bump caps) can protect against striking fixed obstacles, scalping or entanglements. They do not provide suitable protection against falling or swinging objects.
33. Which of the following statements about asbestos is TRUE? Give one answer
A All forms of asbestos can cause fatal diseases.
B Asbestos is not really a hazard to health
C Only brown and blue asbestos are a hazard to health
D White asbestos is safe to use
Correct Answer: A All forms of asbestos can cause fatal diseases.
Explanation: All forms of asbestos can cause fatal diseases.
34. The presence of rats on site creates a risk of catching Weil's disease. What is the EASIEST PRACTICAL MEASURE that you can take to discourage the presence of rats? Give one answer
A Avoid leaving scraps of food lying about
B Bring a large cat on site
C Contact the local Environmental Health Officer
D Lay traps containing rat poison
Correct Answer: A Avoid leaving scraps of food lying about
Explanation: The easiest solution is to avoid leaving food around, since this is what attracts vermin.
35. Which one of the following should you do if your personal protective equipment (PPE) is damaged? Give one answer
A Carry on working
B Obtain new equipment when available
C Reduce the amount of time you use it
D Report to your Supervisor without delay
Correct Answer: D Report to your Supervisor without delay
Explanation: Employees are required to report any defective PPE to their employer (PPE at Work Regulations 1992, Regulation 7)
36. When MUST an employer provide their employees with personal protective equipment (PPE)? Give one answer
A Every 5 years
B If the client or main contractor specifies it in the contract
C Twice a year
D When they may be exposed to a risk to their health & safety which cannot be controlled another way
Correct Answer: D When they may be exposed to a risk to their health & safety which cannot be controlled another way
Explanation: As required by regulation 4 of the PPE Regulations.
37. If it is necessary for an employee to use personal protective equipment, who has a duty to provide it? Give one answer
A The employee
B The employer
C The principal contractor
D The trade union
Correct Answer: B The employer
Explanation: This is a requirement of the PPE at Work Regulations 1992 (Regulation 4).
38. You have witnessed a serious accident on your site and are interviewed by an HSE inspector. Should you: Give one answer
A Ask your supervisor what you should say to the inspector
B Co-operate fully with the inspector and tell him exactly what you saw
C Don't tell him anything
D Tell the inspector what your mates say you should tell him
Correct Answer: B Co-operate fully with the inspector and tell him exactly what you saw
Explanation: This is good practice, but it can also be an offence to withhold important information from an inspector.
39. Which is the correct way to lift a load? Give one answer
A Keep feet apart and bend back
B Keep feet together and bend back
C Squat near load, bend back and use leg muscles
D Squat near to the load, keeping the back as straight as possible and using leg muscles
Correct Answer: D Squat near to the load, keeping the back as straight as possible and using leg muscles
Explanation: Handling techniques which allow the use of relatively strong leg muscles rather than those of the back are preferable.
40. What immediate action should you take if you suffer an injury through carrying a load? Give one answer
A Advise your doctor of your injury
B Carry on working as best you can
C Tell your supervisor or employer
D Tell your working companion
Correct Answer: C Tell your supervisor or employer
Explanation: All injuries must be recorded in the Company accident book (BI 510).
41. A workmate tells you that he witnessed an accident the previous day and the victim was taken to hospital. He asks you for advice on what he should do. Do you tell him to: Give one answer
A Say nothing to anyone in case he gets someone in trouble
B Speak to the site nurse about what he saw
C Telephone the hospital to find out how the injured person is
D Tell his supervisor that he saw what happened
Correct Answer: D Tell his supervisor that he saw what happened
Explanation: If the supervisor is aware of an accident he can take steps to prevent a recurrence. The employer also has legal duties to report certain incidents to the enforcing authority.
42. Which is the part of your body MOST LIKELY to be injured during a manual handling activity which involves moving a heavy load? Give one answer
A Back
B Chest
C Forearms
D Knees
Correct Answer: A Back
Explanation: HSE statistics show that most manual handling injuries are to the back.
43. Where a load has to be lifted manually, what is the employer required to do by law? Give one answer
A Assess the risk of the task
B Assess the time the job will take
C Calculate the cost of the exercise
D Determine the number of people required
Correct Answer: A Assess the risk of the task
Explanation: This is a specific requirement of the Manual Handling Operations regulations 1992.
44. Which of the following would NOT make a load easier to handle manually Give one answer
A Painting it a bright colour
B Providing suitable handles or hand grips
C Reducing its weight
D Securing the load so that it does not shift unexpectedly
Correct Answer: A Painting it a bright colour
45. Which of the following is correct for risk assessment? Give one answer
A It is a good idea but not essential
B It is a good idea but not essential
C Must always be done
D Only required on major jobs
Correct Answer: C Must always be done
Explanation: There is a legal requirement for all work to be suitably risk assessed.
46. How can you help to prevent accidents? Give one answer
A Don't report them
B Know how to get help quickly
C Know where the first-aid kit is kept
D Report any unsafe conditions
Correct Answer: D Report any unsafe conditions
Explanation: Action to improve safety can only be taken if the risk is known about. Employees have a duty of care to other employees.
47. A Health and Safety Executive Inspector can? Give one answer
A Only visit if accompanied by the principal contractor
B Only visit if they have made an appointment
C Only visit to interview the site manager
D Visit at any time
Correct Answer: D Visit at any time
Explanation: Inspectors have a range of powers, including the right to visit premises at any time.
48. Employers are required to provide information to their employees on their health and safety rights and responsibilities and how to get advice by: Give one answer
A Displaying a poster or giving them leaflets approved by the HSE
B E-mailing the information to them
C Making them read the company health and safety policy
D Telling them verbally when they start work for them
Correct Answer: A Displaying a poster or giving them leaflets approved by the HSE
Explanation: This is a requirement of the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations (as amended).
49. The Health and Safety Executive is: Give one answer
A Part of the National Health Service
B Part of the police force
C The jury in health and safety court cases
D The regulatory body for the promotion of health and safety at work
Correct Answer: D The regulatory body for the promotion of health and safety at work
Explanation: The Health and Safety Executive is part of the Department for Work and Pensions.
50. What is the MAXIMUM penalty that a Higher Court, can currently impose for a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act? Give one answer
A Unlimited fine and two years imprisonment
B £1,000 fine and six months imprisonment
C £15,000 fine and three years imprisonment
D £20,000 fine and two years imprisonment
Correct Answer: A Unlimited fine and two years imprisonment
Explanation: A Lower Court can impose a fine of up to £20,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment for certain offences. The potential fine in a Higher Court, however, is unlimited and the term of imprisonment can be up to 2 years.