CSCS Personal Protective Equipment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require of employers?
- To provide PPE as the first line of defence
- To provide suitable PPE free of charge where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means (Correct answer)
- To allow workers to buy their own PPE
- To provide PPE only to full-time employees
Correct answer: To provide suitable PPE free of charge where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means
The PPE at Work Regulations 1992 require employers to provide suitable PPE free of charge to employees where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. PPE should be the last resort after other control measures.
Question 2: What does the CE marking on PPE indicate?
- It was made in China or Europe
- It conforms to the essential health and safety requirements set out in European regulations (Correct answer)
- It has been approved by the HSE
- It is the cheapest option available
Correct answer: It conforms to the essential health and safety requirements set out in European regulations
The CE marking indicates that the PPE conforms to the essential health and safety requirements of the relevant European Product Directive. Since Brexit, the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) marking is used for the GB market.
Question 3: What is the UKCA marking and when is it required?
- It replaces the CSCS card
- It is the UK Conformity Assessment marking required for PPE sold in Great Britain post-Brexit (Correct answer)
- It is a quality award
- It is only needed for imported PPE
Correct answer: It is the UK Conformity Assessment marking required for PPE sold in Great Britain post-Brexit
The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) marking replaced the CE marking for PPE placed on the market in Great Britain after Brexit. It confirms the product meets UK safety standards. CE marking remains valid in Northern Ireland.
Question 4: Under the hierarchy of control, where does PPE sit?
- First — use PPE before anything else
- Last — only use PPE when other controls are not reasonably practicable (Correct answer)
- Third — after elimination and engineering controls
- PPE is not part of the hierarchy
Correct answer: Last — only use PPE when other controls are not reasonably practicable
PPE sits at the bottom of the hierarchy of control (Eliminate → Substitute → Engineering controls → Administrative controls → PPE). It should only be used as a last resort when other measures cannot adequately control the risk.
Question 5: Who is responsible for maintaining PPE in good working condition?
- The worker only
- The employer must ensure PPE is maintained, and the worker must use and store it properly (Correct answer)
- The PPE manufacturer
- The HSE
Correct answer: The employer must ensure PPE is maintained, and the worker must use and store it properly
Under the PPE at Work Regulations, employers must ensure PPE is properly maintained, stored, and replaced when necessary. Workers have a duty to use PPE as instructed, report defects, and store it correctly.
Question 6: What type of safety boots are typically required on a UK construction site?
- Any waterproof boots
- Safety boots with steel or composite toe caps and midsole protection, rated to S3 or equivalent (Correct answer)
- Wellington boots
- Trainers with ankle support
Correct answer: Safety boots with steel or composite toe caps and midsole protection, rated to S3 or equivalent
Construction sites typically require safety boots rated to at least S3 standard, which includes toe cap protection (200 joules), penetration-resistant midsole, water resistance, and an energy-absorbing heel.
CSCS Personal Protective Equipment 1
What does the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require of employers?