CITB Construction Methods — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of excavation shoring?
- To prevent the collapse of excavation walls and protect workers inside (Correct answer)
- To provide shade for workers
- To store excavated material
- To mark the boundaries of the excavation
Correct answer: To prevent the collapse of excavation walls and protect workers inside
Shoring systems support the walls of an excavation to prevent cave-ins, which can trap and kill workers in seconds.
Question 2: What is a banksman on a construction site?
- A trained person who guides vehicle and crane movements using hand signals or radio (Correct answer)
- A financial officer for the project
- A person who manages the site entrance
- A worker who maintains embankments
Correct answer: A trained person who guides vehicle and crane movements using hand signals or radio
A banksman is trained to guide the movement of vehicles and cranes, especially during reversing or lifting operations where the operator has limited visibility.
Question 3: What is the purpose of temporary works in construction?
- To provide temporary support structures needed during construction that will be removed when permanent works are complete (Correct answer)
- To create temporary office space
- To provide temporary parking
- To build temporary roads only
Correct answer: To provide temporary support structures needed during construction that will be removed when permanent works are complete
Temporary works include structures like formwork, falsework, and propping that support the permanent structure during construction and are removed once it can support itself.
Question 4: What precautions must be taken before excavation near underground services?
- Survey and locate all underground services using plans and cable locators before digging (Correct answer)
- No special precautions are needed
- Just dig carefully
- Only check for water pipes
Correct answer: Survey and locate all underground services using plans and cable locators before digging
Before excavation, all underground services (gas, electric, water, telecom) must be identified using utility plans and electronic detection equipment to prevent strikes.
Question 5: What is the purpose of dewatering in construction?
- To remove groundwater from an excavation to allow work to proceed in dry conditions (Correct answer)
- To water plants on the site
- To clean construction equipment
- To flush drainage systems
Correct answer: To remove groundwater from an excavation to allow work to proceed in dry conditions
Dewatering removes water from excavations using pumps and wells, allowing construction work to proceed below the water table in dry conditions.
Question 6: What are the key considerations when working near overhead power lines?
- Maintain safe clearance distances, use barriers and goalpost height restrictors, and consider alternative routes (Correct answer)
- No special precautions are needed if work is below the lines
- Only crane operators need to be concerned
- Just wear rubber gloves
Correct answer: Maintain safe clearance distances, use barriers and goalpost height restrictors, and consider alternative routes
Working near overhead lines requires maintaining safe distances, physical barriers to prevent equipment contact, and planning to avoid the area entirely if possible.
CITB Construction Methods
What is the purpose of excavation shoring?