ECS - 5. Health and Hygene

Exposure to asbestos fibres may cause which one of the following?

• Dermatitis

• Asthma

• Glandular fever

• Asbestosis

Answer explanation

Exposure to asbestos fibres may cause asbestosis, not dermatitis, asthma, or glandular fever.

Asbestos is suspected in the workplace, during renovation do you:

• Remove it

• Paint it

• Ignore it

• Seek guidance immediately

Answer explanation

Seek guidance immediately

Which of the following statements about asbestos is TRUE?

• Asbestos is not really a hazard to health

• White asbestos is safe to use

• All asbestos can be a hazard to health

• Only brown and blue asbestos are a hazard to health

Answer explanation

All asbestos can be a hazard to health because exposure to any type of asbestos fibers can lead to serious health issues such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.

While working you discover material you think could be asbestos. What should you do?

• Clear any dust and fragments, put them in a bin then carry on working

• Inform the site nurse

• Stop working immediately and report your suspicions to your supervisor

• Dampen the material to prevent further dust being created, then carry on working

Answer explanation

Stop working immediately and report your suspicions to your supervisor

Can you tell by the smell of a product whether it is likely to cause harm?

• No

• Only within an enclosed space

• Yes

• Only if you have been trained

Answer explanation

No, the smell of a product does not indicate whether it is likely to cause harm.

How would you recognise a hazardous substance?

• By a symbol on the container

• By its smell

• The colour of the label on the container

• It will be in a suitable container

Answer explanation

By a symbol on the container

Which of the following does NOT cause skin problems?

• Bitumens

• Solvents

• Asbestos

• Epoxy resins

Answer explanation

Asbestos does NOT cause skin problems, unlike Bitumens, Solvents, and Epoxy resins which can lead to skin issues.

When an assessment of hazardous substances has been carried out under the COSHH Regulations, the risks and control measures should be explained to:

• The operatives using the substance

• All employees on site

• The accounts department

• The person in charge of the stores

Answer explanation

When an assessment of hazardous substances has been carried out under the COSHH Regulations, the risks and control measures should be explained to the operatives using the substance.

If your hands are very dirty, what should you use to get them clean?

• White Spirit

• Paraffin

• Soap and water

• Thinners

Answer explanation

If your hands are very dirty, you should use soap and water to get them clean. This is the most effective way to remove dirt and bacteria from your hands.

The presence of rats on site creates a risk of catching Weil’s disease. What is the EASIEST PRACTICAL MEASURE that you can take to discourage the presence of rats?

• Avoid leaving scraps of food lying about

• Lay traps containing rat poison

• Contact the local Environmental Health Officer

• Bring a large cat on site

Answer explanation

To discourage the presence of rats, the easiest practical measure is to avoid leaving scraps of food lying about, as it removes a food source that attracts rats.