CSCS Personal Protective Equipment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who is responsible for replacing PPE that has become damaged or worn out on a construction site?
- The worker must buy their own replacement
- The employer must provide replacement PPE free of charge (Correct answer)
- The site safety officer at the worker's expense
- The union representative
Correct answer: The employer must provide replacement PPE free of charge
Under UK law, employers must provide and replace PPE free of charge when it is no longer serviceable.
Question 2: What class of high-visibility vest provides the highest level of conspicuity for road construction workers?
- Class 1
- Class 2
- Class 3 (Correct answer)
- Class 4
Correct answer: Class 3
Class 3 hi-vis garments offer the greatest visibility with the most retroreflective material and background fabric coverage.
Question 3: A worker notices their safety helmet has a crack after dropping it. What should they do?
- Continue using it if the crack is minor
- Cover the crack with tape and carry on
- Replace the helmet immediately (Correct answer)
- Report it to the HSE directly
Correct answer: Replace the helmet immediately
A cracked helmet must be replaced immediately because its structural integrity is compromised and it will not protect against impact.
Question 4: Which type of glove offers the best protection when working with sharp sheet metal?
- Latex disposable gloves
- Cut-resistant gloves rated to EN 388 (Correct answer)
- Standard leather work gloves
- Nitrile chemical-resistant gloves
Correct answer: Cut-resistant gloves rated to EN 388
Cut-resistant gloves rated to EN 388 are specifically tested and certified to protect against cutting hazards from sharp edges.
Question 5: Safety footwear with the designation 'SB' means it provides which minimum protection?
- Steel toecap and midsole protection
- Steel toecap protection only (Correct answer)
- Slip resistance and ankle support only
- Full waterproof protection with toecap
Correct answer: Steel toecap protection only
SB-rated safety footwear provides only the basic steel toecap impact protection without additional features.
Question 6: When should a dust mask (FFP2) be replaced on a construction site?
- At the end of every week
- Only when it becomes visibly torn
- When it becomes difficult to breathe through or is damaged (Correct answer)
- After 40 hours of cumulative use
Correct answer: When it becomes difficult to breathe through or is damaged
An FFP2 mask should be replaced when breathing resistance increases significantly or when the mask is physically damaged or contaminated.
Question 7: Eye protection marked with 'EN 166' on a construction site means it has been tested to which standard?
- The European standard for personal eye protection (Correct answer)
- A US ANSI certification for impact resistance
- A British-only standard for chemical splash protection
- An international standard for UV radiation only
Correct answer: The European standard for personal eye protection
EN 166 is the European standard that sets the framework requirements for all types of personal eye protection equipment.
CSCS Personal Protective Equipment 2
Who is responsible for replacing PPE that has become damaged or worn out on a construction site?