CSCS - Construction Skills Certification Scheme Environmental Awareness Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: While excavating on a site, an operative discovers a slow-worm, which is a protected species. What is the correct and legal first step to take?
- Carefully move it to a nearby field.
- Stop work in the immediate area and inform the site supervisor. (Correct answer)
- Cover it over with a bucket to keep it safe.
- Continue working but avoid the specific spot where it was found.
Correct answer: Stop work in the immediate area and inform the site supervisor.
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure, or take protected species, which includes slow-worms. Therefore, all work that could cause harm must cease immediately, and the situation must be reported to the supervisor who can then seek expert advice.
Question 2: A construction site is located next to a residential area. Under which Act can the local authority impose limits on working hours to control noise pollution?
- The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
- The Environmental Protection Act 1990
- The Control of Pollution Act 1974 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The Control of Pollution Act 1974
The Control of Pollution Act 1974, specifically Section 60, gives local authorities the power to serve a notice that imposes requirements on how construction work is carried out to minimise noise, including specifying the hours during which work may be conducted.
Question 3: During refuelling of a generator, a significant amount of diesel is spilt onto unpaved ground. What is the correct sequence of actions to take immediately?
- Notify the supervisor, contain the spill, clean it up.
- Clean it up with absorbent granules, contain the spill, notify the supervisor.
- Stop the source of the spill, contain it using a spill kit, then notify the supervisor. (Correct answer)
- Cover the spill with earth, notify the supervisor, then arrange for cleanup.
Correct answer: Stop the source of the spill, contain it using a spill kit, then notify the supervisor.
The immediate priority is to prevent the situation from getting worse by stopping the source. The second step is to contain the spill to prevent it from spreading further into the ground or towards drains. Once the spill is controlled, the supervisor must be notified to implement the full clean-up and reporting procedure.
Question 4: Which of the following is a key legal requirement under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 regarding waste produced on a construction site?
- All waste must be sent to the nearest landfill site.
- A Waste Transfer Note must be completed for every load of non-hazardous waste that leaves the site. (Correct answer)
- Waste can only be removed from the site during nighttime hours.
- The client is solely responsible for all waste disposal.
Correct answer: A Waste Transfer Note must be completed for every load of non-hazardous waste that leaves the site.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 introduced the 'Duty of Care' for waste. This requires a Waste Transfer Note (WTN) to be completed and signed by both the person handing over the waste and the person collecting it. This document provides a clear audit trail for where the waste is going.
Question 5: A site manager is setting up a new project. To minimise the site's environmental impact, which of the following practices is considered MOST sustainable?
- Ordering extra materials to ensure there are no shortages.
- Using mains electricity instead of diesel generators where possible. (Correct answer)
- Washing all tools and equipment with running water at the end of each day.
- Using general waste skips for all types of construction waste.
Correct answer: Using mains electricity instead of diesel generators where possible.
Using mains electricity is significantly more energy-efficient and produces fewer carbon emissions and less local pollution (noise, fumes) compared to running diesel generators. This is a key principle of sustainable construction and energy conservation on site.
Question 6: When storing liquids such as fuel or oil in a 205-litre drum inside a secondary containment system (a bund), what is the minimum required capacity of the bund according to UK regulations?
- Exactly 100% of the drum's volume.
- At least 110% of the drum's volume. (Correct answer)
- At least 50% of the drum's volume.
- At least 125% of the drum's volume.
Correct answer: At least 110% of the drum's volume.
UK environmental regulations require that secondary containment, such as a bund or spill pallet, must be able to hold at least 110% of the volume of the single largest container stored within it. This ensures that even a catastrophic failure of the container can be fully contained.
CSCS - Construction Skills Certification Scheme Environmental Awareness Questions and Answers
While excavating on a site, an operative discovers a slow-worm, which is a protected species.
What is the correct and legal first step to take?