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General Health and Safety at Work

Mock Tests > General Health and Safety at Work

You need 34 out of 40 to pass the General Health and Safety at Work ECS Test. There is no time limit for this test. 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. Where should you look for Official advice on health and safety matters? Give one answer
A A professionally approved guide book on regulations
B A set of health and safety guidelines provided by suppliers
C Guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive
D The health and safety rules as laid down by the employer
Correct Answer: C Guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive
Explanation: The HSE is the UK enforcing body and its guidance can be regarded as 'official'
2. Regulations that govern health and safety on construction sites: Give one answer
A Apply only to inexperienced workers
B Apply only to large companies
C Are mandatory (that is, compulsory)
D Do not apply during 'out of hours' working
Correct Answer: C Are mandatory (that is, compulsory)
Explanation: The requirements of health and safety law are mandatory, and failure to follow them can lead to prosecutions.
3. Which of the following statements is correct? Give one answer
A All employees must take reasonable care, not only to protect themselves but also their colleagues
B Employees have no responsibility for Health and Safety on site
C Only the client is responsible for safety on site
D The duty for health and safety falls only on the employer
Correct Answer: A All employees must take reasonable care, not only to protect themselves but also their colleagues
Explanation: This is a legal requirement under Section 7 of the Health & Safety at Work Act.
4. Who of the following would you expect to be responsible for managing health and safety on site? Give one answer
A Foreman
B HSE Inspector
C Main sub-contractor
D Your employer
Correct Answer: D Your employer
Explanation: The responsibility for management of health and safety at work rests with the employer.
5. 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.
6. In the context of a risk assessment, what do you understand by the term risk? Give one answer
A An unsafe act or condition
B Any work activity that can be described as dangerous
C Something with the potential to cause injury
D The likelihood that harm from a particular hazard will occur
Correct Answer: D The likelihood that harm from a particular hazard will occur
Explanation: Hazard and risk are not the same. Risk reflects the chance of being harmed by a hazard
7. Who would you expect to carry out a risk assessment on your working site? Give one answer
A A competent person
B A visiting HSE Inspector
C The CDM Co-ordinator
D The construction project designer
Correct Answer: A A competent person
Explanation: A risk assessment must be conducted by a 'competent person'.
8. What is a HAZARD? Give one answer
A An accident waiting to happen
B Something with the potential to cause harm
C The likelihood of something going wrong
D Where an accident is likely to happen
Correct Answer: B Something with the potential to cause harm
Explanation: Examples of hazards include: a drum of acid, breeze blocks on an elevated plank; cables running across a floor.
9. What must be done before any work begins? Give one answer
A Assessment of risk
B Emergency plan
C Geological survey
D Soil assessment
Correct Answer: A Assessment of risk
Explanation: This is a legal requirement of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
10. Complete the following sentence: A risk assessment Give one answer
A Is a means of analysing what might go wrong
B Is a piece of paper required by law
C Isn't particularly useful
D prevents accidents
Correct Answer: A Is a means of analysing what might go wrong
Explanation: Risk assessment involves a careful review of what can cause harm and the practical measures to be taken to reduce the risk of harm.
11. Why would your supervisor ask you to read the method statement and risk assessment before you start your next job? Give one answer
A As someone has taken the time and trouble to write them, you might as well read them
B He thinks you have got nothing better to do
C He wouldn't, he thinks they are a waste of time
D They contain information on how to carry out the job in a safe manner
Correct Answer: D They contain information on how to carry out the job in a safe manner
Explanation: The supervisor must, by law, keep workers advised of significant risks, and control measures.
12. What do the blue and white health and safety signs tell you? Give one answer
A The hazards in the area
B Things you must do
C Things you must not do
D Where the nearest fire exit is
Correct Answer: B Things you must do
Explanation: Blue and white signs show a 'mandatory' requirement.
13. What colours are fire exit signs? Give one answer
A Blue and white
B Green and white
C Red and white
D Red and yellow
Correct Answer: B Green and white
Explanation: The colours are prescribed in the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations.
14. What is the main colour on a safety sign stating that you must NOT do something? Give one answer
A Blue
B Green
C Red
D Yellow
Correct Answer: C Red
Explanation: Prohibitory signs are round and feature a black pictogram on a white background with red edging and diagonal line.
15. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations require the colour coding of signs. What colours are used on a sign indicating a warning, for example "Fork-lift trucks operating"? Give one answer
A Blue and white
B Green and white
C Red and white
D Yellow and black
Correct Answer: D Yellow and black
Explanation: Warning signs are triangular and feature a black pictogram on a yellow background with black edging.
16. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations require the colour coding of safety signs. What colours are used on a sign indicating a prohibited activity, for example "No access for pedestrians"? Give one answer
A Blue and white
B Green and white
C Red, black and white
D Yellow and black
Correct Answer: C Red, black and white
Explanation: Prohibitory signs are round and feature a black pictogram on a white background with red edging and diagonal line.
17. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations require the colour coding of safety signs. What colours are used on a sign indicating a mandatory activity, for example "Safety helmets must be worn"? Give one answer
A Blue and white
B Green and white
C Red, black and white
D Yellow and black
Correct Answer: A Blue and white
Explanation: Mandatory signs are round and feature a white pictogram on a blue background.
18. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations require the colour coding of safety signs. What colours are used on a sign indicating a safe condition, for example "First Aid kit"? Give one answer
A Blue and white
B Green and white
C Red, black and white
D Yellow and black
Correct Answer: B Green and white
Explanation: Emergency escape and first-aid signs are rectangular or square and feature a white pictogram on a green background.
19. Why should regular inspections of the workplace take place? Give one answer
A To check that all employees are present
B To check that everyone is doing their job
C To check whether the working environment is safe
D To prepare for a visit from an HSE Inspector
Correct Answer: C To check whether the working environment is safe
Explanation: The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations require that routine inspections of workplaces are carried out to ensure that preventative and protective measures are in place and effective.
20. 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.
21. What do the letters CDM stand for? Give one answer
A Construction (Demolition Management) Regulations
B Construction (Design and Management) Regulations
C Control of Dangerous Materials Regulations
D Control of Demolition and Management Regulations
Correct Answer: B Construction (Design and Management) Regulations
Explanation: The CDM Regulations impose duties to manage construction projects, ensure physical safeguards are provided to prevent danger during such projects and that adequate welfare facilities are provided.
22. Identify one method of enforcing regulations that are available to the Health and Safety Executive: Give one answer
A Health Notice
B Improvement Notice
C Increasing insurance premiums
D Obstruction Notice
Correct Answer: B Improvement Notice
Explanation: Improvement notices require action to achieve standards which meet health and safety law.
23. What happens if a Prohibition Notice is issued by an Inspector of the local authority or the HSE? Give one answer
A The work can continue if adequate safety precautions are put in place
B The work can continue, provided a risk assessment is carried out
C The work in hand can be completed, but no new work started
D The work that is subject to the notice must cease
Correct Answer: D The work that is subject to the notice must cease
Explanation: The work activity covered by a prohibition notice must cease, until the identified danger is removed.
24. 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.
25. A Prohibition Notice means: Give one answer
A The work must stop immediately
B When you finish the work you must not start again
C Work is to stop for that day only
D Work may continue until the end of the day
Correct Answer: A The work must stop immediately
Explanation: The work activity covered by the prohibition notice must cease, until the identified danger is removed.
26. In what circumstances can an HSE Improvement Notice be issued? Give one answer
A By warrant through the police
B If there is a breach of legal requirements
C Only between Monday and Friday on site
D Through the prosecution office
Correct Answer: B If there is a breach of legal requirements
Explanation: Improvement notices require action to achieve standards which meet health and safety law.
27. What is an "Improvement Notice"? Give one answer
A A notice from the client to the principal contractor to speed up the work
B A notice issued by a Building Control Officer to deepen foundations
C A notice issued by an HSE/local authority Inspector to enforce compliance with health and safety legislation
D A notice issued by the site principal contractor to tidy up the site
Correct Answer: C A notice issued by an HSE/local authority Inspector to enforce compliance with health and safety legislation
Explanation: Improvement notices require action to achieve standards which meet health and safety law.
28. If a Health and Safety Executive Inspector issues a "Prohibition Notice", this means that: Give one answer
A Specific work activities, highlighted on the notice, must stop
B The HSE must supervise all work from then on
C The HSE must supervise the work covered by the notice
D The Site Manager can choose whether or not to ignore the notice
Correct Answer: A Specific work activities, highlighted on the notice, must stop
Explanation: Prohibition notices are intended to Stop activities which can cause serious injury.
29. 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).
30. Who is responsible for signing a Company Safety Policy? Give one answer
A Company Safety Officer
B Company Secretary
C Managing Director
D Site Manager
Correct Answer: C Managing Director
Explanation: The Health and Safety at Work Act requires the most senior member of management to sign the health and safety policy statement.
31. Which one of the following must be in a company's written Health and Safety Policy: Give one answer
A Aims and objectives of the company
B Company Director's home address
C Name of the Health and Safety Adviser
D Organization and arrangements in force for carrying out the health and safety policy
Correct Answer: D Organization and arrangements in force for carrying out the health and safety policy
Explanation: This is a specific requirement of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
32. Employers have to produce a written Health and Safety Policy statement when: Give one answer
A A contract commences
B The HSE notifies them
C The safety representative requests it
D They employ five people or more
Correct Answer: D They employ five people or more
Explanation: This is a specific requirement of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
33. Companies employing five or more people must have a written Health and Safety Policy because: Give one answer
A The HSAWA 1974 requires it
B The Social Security Act requires it
C The principal contractor gives them work on site
D The trade unions require it
Correct Answer: A The HSAWA 1974 requires it
34. What do the letters HSE stand for? Give one answer
A Health and Safety Examiner
B Health and Safety Executive
C Health and Safety Exercise
D Highly Safe Electrician
Correct Answer: B Health and Safety Executive
Explanation: The Health and Safety Executive was established under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
35. 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.
36. The Health and Safety at Work Act requires employers to provide what for their employees? Give one answer
A A safe place of work
B Adequate rest periods
C Payment for work done
D Suitable transport to work
Correct Answer: A A safe place of work
Explanation: This is a specific requirement of Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
37. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and any regulations made under the Act are: Give one answer
A Advisory to companies and individuals
B Legally binding
C Not compulsory, but should be complied with if convenient
D Practical advice for the employer to follow
Correct Answer: B Legally binding
Explanation: The requirements of health and safety law are mandatory and failure to follow them can lead to prosecution.
38. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which of the following have a duty to work safely? Give one answer
A All people at work
B Employees only
C Employers only
D The general public
Correct Answer: A All people at work
Explanation: Employers, employees and the self-employed all have duties to work safely under the Act.
39. 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.
40. What do the letters ACoP stand for? Give one answer
A Accepted Code of Practice
B Accepted Code of Provisions
C Approved Code of Practice
D Approved Condition of Practice
Correct Answer: C Approved Code of Practice
Explanation: An ACOP is a code of practice approved by the Health and Safety Executive (or the Health and Safety Commission prior to April 2008).