CITB Specialists Specialist Safety Regulations — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, who has the primary duty to plan, manage, and monitor the construction phase on a project with more than one contractor?
- The client
- The principal contractor (Correct answer)
- The principal designer
- The site supervisor
Correct answer: The principal contractor
Under CDM 2015, the principal contractor is responsible for planning, managing, monitoring, and coordinating the construction phase when there is more than one contractor. The client appoints them, but the day-to-day management duty falls on the principal contractor.
Question 2: What is the maximum period a specialist contractor can work at height from a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) before a written rescue plan must be in place?
- There is no grace period; a rescue plan must always be in place before work begins (Correct answer)
- 30 minutes
- 1 hour
- The duration of the task
Correct answer: There is no grace period; a rescue plan must always be in place before work begins
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require that a rescue plan is in place before any work at height begins, including MEWP operations. There is no grace period — rescue arrangements must be planned and ready from the outset.
Question 3: A specialist supervisor discovers that a subcontractor's operatives do not hold valid CSCS cards. What is the correct course of action?
- Allow them to work under close supervision until cards arrive
- Stop the operatives from working and report the issue to the principal contractor (Correct answer)
- Issue temporary site passes and continue work
- Check if they have equivalent qualifications and allow work to proceed
Correct answer: Stop the operatives from working and report the issue to the principal contractor
CSCS cards verify that workers have the required training and qualifications. Operatives without valid cards should not be permitted to work on site. The specialist supervisor must stop the work and escalate the matter to the principal contractor for resolution.
Question 4: Which regulation specifically requires employers to carry out noise assessments where specialist operations may expose workers to harmful noise levels?
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Correct answer)
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
- The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
Correct answer: The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 specifically require employers to assess noise exposure, provide hearing protection, and implement noise control measures. The lower exposure action value is 80 dB(A) and the upper value is 85 dB(A).
Question 5: Under RIDDOR 2013, which of the following incidents involving a specialist contractor must be reported to the HSE?
- A worker cuts their finger requiring a plaster
- A near-miss where a load nearly falls from a crane but no one is injured
- A worker is incapacitated for more than 7 consecutive days due to a work-related injury (Correct answer)
- A worker slips but is not injured and returns to work immediately
Correct answer: A worker is incapacitated for more than 7 consecutive days due to a work-related injury
Under RIDDOR 2013, an over-7-day incapacitation (where a worker is unable to perform their normal duties for more than 7 consecutive days, not counting the day of the accident) must be reported to the HSE. Minor injuries and near-misses without specified dangerous occurrences do not require RIDDOR reporting.
Question 6: What must a specialist supervisor ensure is in place before any hot work (welding, cutting, grinding) begins on a construction site?
- A verbal agreement from the site manager
- A hot work permit with fire watch arrangements (Correct answer)
- An email confirmation from the client
- A toolbox talk certificate signed by all operatives
Correct answer: A hot work permit with fire watch arrangements
Hot work requires a formal hot work permit system that identifies the hazards, control measures, and fire watch arrangements. A fire watch must be maintained during and for a specified period after the work to detect any smouldering materials. Verbal agreements alone are insufficient.
CITB Specialists Specialist Safety Regulations
Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, who has the primary duty to plan, manage, and monitor the construction phase on a project with more than one contractor?