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Work Equipment

Mock Tests > Work Equipment

You need 20 out of 24 to pass the Work Equipment 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. Your supervisor asks you to use a powered hand-tool which has a rotating blade. You notice that the guard is missing from the blade. What do you do? Give one answer
A Contact the manufacturer of the tool
B Inform your supervisor that the tool is unsafe and that the guard must be replaced before it is used
C Try to make an improvised guard yourself
D Use the tool anyway, you haven't had an accident with it before
Correct Answer: B Inform your supervisor that the tool is unsafe and that the guard must be replaced before it is used
Explanation: It is essential that supervisors are aware of faulty or damaged equipment.
2. 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.
3. When should visual checks of portable hand-held equipment be made by the user? Give one answer
A Each time it is used
B Monthly
C Weekly
D When a replacement is needed
Correct Answer: A Each time it is used
Explanation: The user needs to be satisfied that the tool has no obvious defect before use.
4. What precaution should you take before adjusting an electrical tool? Give one answer
A Check the lead is not twisted or knotted
B Disconnect from the power source
C Wear safety footwear with steel toecaps
D Wear the correct personal protective equipment
Correct Answer: B Disconnect from the power source
Explanation: Do not adjust tools which could still be live or operate.
5. An electric drill is to be used. Before use, who should carry out a check on the tool? Give one answer
A Electrician
B Foreman
C Storeman
D User
Correct Answer: D User
Explanation: The user needs to be satisfied that the tool has no obvious defect before use.
6. What action should you take if an electric drill cuts out while you are using it? Give one answer
A Put it back into the tool box
B Remove it from use and tell your supervisor
C Shake it about a bit
D Switch the power off and on
Correct Answer: B Remove it from use and tell your supervisor
Explanation: The drill may be faulty. If so, tell your supervisor and remove the drill from service.
7. If an electric drill gives off blue smoke from the motor, you should: Give one answer
A Pour water over it
B Stop work for 30 minutes
C Switch it off and report it
D Use a CO2 extinguisher
Correct Answer: C Switch it off and report it
Explanation: Defective electric hand tools must not be used. Stop what you are doing and inform your supervisor.
8. How often should user (visual) checks be carried out on portable electrical equipment? Give one answer
A At least once a year
B Every day
C Every time you use it
D Once a week
Correct Answer: C Every time you use it
Explanation: All items of portable electrical equipment should be visually checked for safety by the user before being put into use.
9. 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.
10. What is the preferred nominal voltage for portable hand tools on construction sites? Give one answer
A 110 volts
B 12 volts
C 230 volts
D 24 volts
Correct Answer: A 110 volts
Explanation: 110 volt reduced low voltage systems are strongly preferred for the supply to such equipment.
11. What is the preferred nominal voltage for local lighting up to 2 kW on construction sites? Give one answer
A 110 volts
B 230 volts
C 400 volts
D 55 volts
Correct Answer: A 110 volts
Explanation: 110 volt reduced low voltage systems are strongly preferred for the supply to such equipment.
12. What is the recommended maximum voltage for portable hand lamps when working in confined or damp locations? Give one answer
A 110 volts
B 230 volts
C 400 volts
D 50 volts
Correct Answer: D 50 volts
Explanation: Where the environment is damp, or restricting and conductive, the magnitude of any electric shock will be higher than under normal conditions. Hand lamps in such locations should therefore be supplied from a SELV (separated extra-low voltage) system, i.e. having a maximum voltage of 50 volts and which is electrically separated from earth.
13. If you only have a mains voltage (230 V) hand drill and you want to use it on a construction site which only has yellow (110 V) socket-outlets, what should you do? Give one answer
A Cut the plug off and fit a yellow one instead
B Make up an extension cable with a yellow plug on one end and a standard socket on the other end
C Obtain a 110 V drill or a cordless one for the work
D Use a transformer to boost the voltage
Correct Answer: C Obtain a 110 V drill or a cordless one for the work
Explanation: Electrical equipment must not be modified or operated at voltages other than their design voltage.
14. What is most commonly used to reduce 230 volts to 110 volts on site? Give one answer
A Circuit breaker
B Residual current device
C Step-down generator
D Transformer
Correct Answer: D Transformer
Explanation: A transformer, usually coloured yellow, will transform 230 volts (mains voltage) down to a relatively safe 110 volts.
15. 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.
16. If an extension cable is to be run across a site road, what action should you take? Give one answer
A Don't do anything to protect the cable
B Lay the cable over wooden boards
C Place a rubber protection ramp over it and put up a sign stating 'Ramp Ahead'
D Throw wooden boards over it
Correct Answer: C Place a rubber protection ramp over it and put up a sign stating 'Ramp Ahead'
Explanation: It is essential that the cable is protected from damage caused by passing traffic. A sign will warn road traffic of the ramp.
17. To operate a powered hand tool you must be: Give one answer
A 16 years old or over
B 18 years old or over
C 21 years old or over
D Trained and competent
Correct Answer: D Trained and competent
Explanation: There are no general age restrictions in legislation relating to the use of work equipment. Any person using work equipment, however, must be competent to do so, which will require initial and refresher training.
18. If you are about to use a power tool and discover the guard is missing, you should: Give one answer
A Make up a temporary guard yourself
B Not use the tool until a proper guard has been fitted
C Use the tool but try to work quickly
D Use the tool but work carefully and slowly
Correct Answer: B Not use the tool until a proper guard has been fitted
Explanation: Visual checks should be carried out before using equipment. Any faults should be reported immediately and rectified before use.
19. What do the letters SWL stand for? Give one answer
A Safe working level
B Safe working load
C Satisfactory weight limit
D Satisfactory working limit
Correct Answer: B Safe working load
Explanation: Machinery and accessories for lifting loads should be clearly marked to indicate their safe working loads.
20. 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.
21. What hazard is created when the head of a cold chisel 'mushrooms'? Give one answer
A Damage to the hammer head
B Flying steel splinters
C Reduced striking area
D Softens the impact
Correct Answer: B Flying steel splinters
Explanation: This question is looking for the 'hazard', which is the situation that can cause harm to people.
22. Any damaged equipment must be: Give one answer
A Labelled as
B Locked up so no one can use it
C Reported to your supervisor
D Thrown away immediately
Correct Answer: C Reported to your supervisor
Explanation: It is essential that supervisors are aware of faulty or damaged equipment.
23. The electric drill you are about to use has a faulty on/off switch. What action should you take? Give one answer
A Find another machine and carry on working
B Stop work and inform your supervisor
C Tape the switch on to keep it running and carry on working
D Try and fix the fault
Correct Answer: B Stop work and inform your supervisor
Explanation: It is essential that supervisors are aware of faulty or damaged equipment.
24. The power hand tool you are about to use has burn marks visible on the cable. What should you do? Give one answer
A Carry on and get the job done
B Obtain another machine and carry on, but don't tell anyone
C Tape over the affected area and continue
D Tell your supervisor about the defect and do not use the tool
Correct Answer: D Tell your supervisor about the defect and do not use the tool
Explanation: It is essential that supervisors are aware of faulty or damaged equipment.