CITB Specialists Respiratory Hazards & COSHH 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does COSHH stand for?
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (Correct answer)
- Construction Occupational Safety and Health Handbook
- Control of Site Hazards and Health Regulations
- Chemical and Operational Safety and Health Handbook
Correct answer: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. These regulations require employers to assess and control exposure to hazardous substances including chemicals, dusts, fumes, and biological agents.
Question 2: What is the first step in a COSHH assessment?
- Identify all substances used or generated that are hazardous to health (Correct answer)
- Immediately eliminate all hazardous substances from site
- Provide PPE before any assessment is undertaken
- Contact the HSE for guidance
Correct answer: Identify all substances used or generated that are hazardous to health
The first step in a COSHH assessment is identifying all hazardous substances used in or generated by the work, including chemicals used, dusts generated, and fumes produced. You cannot control what you have not identified.
Question 3: What is respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and why is it hazardous?
- Fine silica dust particles small enough to reach the lungs, causing silicosis, lung cancer, and COPD (Correct answer)
- A crystalline form of silica used as a cutting abrasive only
- A hazardous liquid chemical in concrete admixtures
- A gas released during concrete curing
Correct answer: Fine silica dust particles small enough to reach the lungs, causing silicosis, lung cancer, and COPD
Respirable crystalline silica consists of particles small enough (under 10 micrometres) to be inhaled deep into the lungs. It causes silicosis (irreversible lung scarring), lung cancer, and COPD. High-risk tasks include cutting, grinding, or drilling masonry, concrete, and sandstone.
Question 4: What RPE (respiratory protective equipment) is required for high-silica dust exposure tasks?
- FFP3 half-mask or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) as a minimum (Correct answer)
- A paper dust mask (FFP1) is adequate for silica
- A standard surgical mask provides sufficient protection
- Only forced extraction is required — no RPE is needed
Correct answer: FFP3 half-mask or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) as a minimum
High-silica dust exposure requires at minimum an FFP3 half-mask respirator. For heavy exposures (e.g., dry cutting granite), a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) may be required. Lower-rated masks (FFP1, FFP2) do not provide adequate protection.
Question 5: What is the hierarchy of control measures in a COSHH assessment?
- Eliminate, substitute, enclose, extract (LEV), general ventilation, then RPE as a last resort (Correct answer)
- PPE first as it is the most reliable control
- Signage then PPE
- COSHH only requires RPE and safe storage
Correct answer: Eliminate, substitute, enclose, extract (LEV), general ventilation, then RPE as a last resort
COSHH follows the same hierarchy as general risk control: eliminate the substance, substitute with something less hazardous, enclose the process, use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to capture contaminants at source, improve general ventilation, then RPE as a last resort.
Question 6: What information does a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provide for a COSHH assessment?
- Hazard identification, composition, exposure limits, control measures, PPE requirements, first aid, storage, and disposal (Correct answer)
- Only the emergency telephone number
- Only the product name and supplier details
- Only the storage temperature requirements
Correct answer: Hazard identification, composition, exposure limits, control measures, PPE requirements, first aid, storage, and disposal
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS, formerly MSDS) provides comprehensive information about a substance in 16 standardised sections, covering hazard identification, composition, physical properties, occupational exposure limits, control measures, PPE requirements, first aid, and disposal.
CITB Specialists Respiratory Hazards & COSHH 1
What does COSHH stand for?