Health and Welfare Flashcards
7 cards from real SMSTS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Health and Welfare flashcards as text
What is the daily hand-arm vibration exposure limit value (ELV) that must not be exceeded under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005?
Answer: 5.0 m/s²
The daily hand-arm vibration exposure limit value is 5.0 m/s², which must never be exceeded as it represents an unacceptable risk of permanent health damage.
What is the first step in the COSHH hierarchy of controls when dealing with a hazardous substance on a construction site?
Answer: Eliminate the use of the hazardous substance entirely
Elimination — removing the hazardous substance entirely or substituting it with a safer alternative — is the first and most effective step in the COSHH hierarchy of controls.
Which part of the body is primarily affected by whole-body vibration (WBV) in construction workers operating mobile plant?
Answer: The lower back and spine
Whole-body vibration primarily affects the lower back and spine, and is caused by sitting on vibrating mobile plant such as dumpers, excavators, and forklift trucks on rough terrain.
How frequently must welfare facilities on a construction site be inspected and maintained under CDM 2015?
Answer: Regularly and as often as necessary to keep them clean and in good repair
CDM 2015 requires welfare facilities to be kept clean and in good repair at all times, meaning inspection frequency must be sufficient to maintain this standard throughout the project.
What is the primary benefit of occupational health monitoring for construction workers regularly exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust?
Answer: Early detection of respiratory conditions before they become irreversible
Occupational health monitoring for silica dust allows early identification of conditions such as silicosis before they progress to severe, irreversible lung disease, enabling timely intervention.
What must a COSHH assessment identify in relation to hazardous substances used on a construction site?
Answer: The risks from hazardous substances and the control measures needed to prevent harm
A COSHH assessment must identify the health risks from each hazardous substance and specify the control measures required to prevent or adequately control worker exposure.
Which of the following is a characteristic symptom of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)?
Answer: Blanching (whitening) of the fingers in cold conditions
Finger blanching — whitening or pallor of the fingers triggered by cold — is a hallmark symptom of HAVS (also called vibration white finger), caused by damage to blood vessels and nerves from prolonged vibration tool use.