CSCS Excavation Test

1 votes, 5 avg

HS&E TEST

Excavations and Confined Spaces

1 / 27

What is the main reason for having a person positioned immediately outside a confined space while work is taking place inside it?

To supervise the work inside the confined space

To check compliance with the method statement

To carry out a risk assessment for the work

To start the rescue plan if there is an emergency

2 / 27

What do guard-rails around the top of an excavation prevent?

Rainwater running off the ground at the top and into the trench

People falling into the trench and being injured

The sides of the trench collapsing

Toxic gases collecting in the bottom of the trench

3 / 27

What equipment should be used when digging near to underground electrical services?

An excavator

A pick and fork

An insulated spade

A jack hammer

4 / 27

What three things should you do before entering a confined space that has sludge at the bottom?

Put on a disposable dust mask

Make sure that the space has been tested for gas

Throw something into the sludge to see how deep it is

Identify what the sludge is

Have the correct training

5 / 27

What is the main cause of people dying while working in a confined space?

Cold conditions leading to hypothermia

Too much oxygen

Presence of methane

Lack of oxygen

6 / 27

Why is methane gas dangerous in confined spaces? Give two answers

It makes you hyperactive

You will not be able to see because of the dense fumes

It can explode

It makes you dehydrated

You may not have enough oxygen to breathe

7 / 27

You are in a deep trench. A lorry backs up to the trench and the engine is left running. What should you do?

Put on ear defenders to cut out the engine noise

Ignore the problem, as the lorry will soon drive away

Get out of the trench quickly

See if there is a toxic gas meter in the trench

8 / 27

Work in a confined space usually needs a risk assessment, a method statement and what other safety document?

A permit to enter

A written contract for the work

An up-to-date staff handbook

A company health and safety policy

9 / 27

What is it likely to mean if the soil gives off a strange smell when digging?

The ground has been used to grow crops in the past

The soil has been excavated before

The ground could be contaminated

The soil contains a lot of clay

10 / 27

What should you do if you see the side supports move when you are working in an excavation?

Work in another part of the excavation instead

Make sure that you and other workers get out quickly

Keep working and watch to see if they move again

Nothing. The sides are expected to move all the time

11 / 27

What is the safest way to get into and out of a deep excavation?

Use a fixed staircase

Use the shoring or trench supports

Use an excavator bucket

Use the buried services as steps

12 / 27

When should an excavation be battered back or stepped?

If there is a risk of the sides falling in, regardless of depth

If it is more than 5 m deep

If there is water in the bottom of the trench

If any buried services cross the excavation

13 / 27

When working in a confined space, what is it a sign of if there is a smell of rotten eggs?

Methane

Oxygen

Hydrogen sulphide

Carbon dioxide

14 / 27

What should you do if you are in a confined space when the gas alarm sounds?

Get out of the confined space immediately

Carry on working but do not use electrical tools

Switch off the alarm

Carry on working but take plenty of breaks in the fresh air

15 / 27

What is the most important reason why people should be trained and competent before they are allowed to enter a confined space?

Confined spaces never contain breathable air

Confined space entrants need to understand the potential hazards

Confined spaces are only found on house-building sites

Confined spaces always contain flammable or explosive gases

16 / 27

Which of these is the most accurate way to confirm the exact location of buried services?

Trial holes

Survey drawings

Cable plans

Architect drawings

17 / 27

At what point should excavations be inspected?

Only if there is spare time to do so

At the start of each shift, or after events that might affect stability

Immediately after reaching maximum depth and once a week after this

At the beginning and end of every weekday

18 / 27

What is the main hazard when working in an excavation?

Crushing, if the sides are not supported

Breathing-in hazardous dust from the earth

Cuts and abrasions from the trench sides

Trips and falls due to the space restriction

19 / 27

What might happen if the level of oxygen drops below 8% in a confined space?

You might get dehydrated

You could become unconscious

There is a high risk of fire or explosion

Your hearing could be affected

20 / 27

What should you do if your permit to work in a confined space will run out before you finish the task you are carrying out?

Ask your supervisor to change the date on the permit

Hand the permit over to the next shift

Leave the confined space before the permit runs out

Carry on working until the job is finished

21 / 27

Identify which of the following is best suited for accessing an excavation.

A secured ladder

A step ladder

A cherry picker

A harness and pulley

22 / 27

What should you do if you are in a deep trench and you start to feel dizzy?

Make sure that you and any others get out quickly and report it

Sit down in the trench and take a rest

Carry on working and hope that the feeling will go away

Get out, let your head clear and then go back in again

23 / 27

What should you do if you have to work in a confined space but there is no rescue plan?

Assume that a rescue team or plan is not necessary and do the job

Carry out the job in short spells

Get someone to stand at the opening with a rope

Do not enter until a rescue plan is in place

24 / 27

According to the guidance on underground service pipes, what does a yellow service pipe carry?

Gas

Electricity

Water

Telecoms

25 / 27

What does it mean if a run of coloured marker tape is found when digging?

The soil is contaminated and you must wear respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

There is a buried service and further excavation must be carried out with care

The excavation now requires side supports

There are buried human remains and you must tell your supervisor

26 / 27

What must happen before each shift starts when working in an excavation?

A supervisor should stay in the excavation for the first hour

A supervisor should watch from the top for the first hour

A competent person must inspect the excavation

Someone must go in and sniff the air to see if it is safe

27 / 27

What is the best course of action to take if a buried cable is hit and damaged when digging?

Move the cable out of the way and carry on digging

Do not touch the cable, stop work and report it

Dig around the cable or dig somewhere else

Wait 10 seconds and then move the cable out of the way

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Why is Excavation and Confined Spaces Safety Important?

Working in excavations and confined spaces presents significant risks, including cave-ins, toxic gases, and oxygen deficiency. Without proper safety measures, these environments can lead to serious injuries or fatalities. The CSCS Excavation and Confined Spaces Test ensures that workers understand the hazards and follow essential safety procedures.

What Will You Learn in This Test?

This test evaluates your knowledge of excavation and confined space hazards, safe work practices, and legal regulations. By taking this test, you will learn:

The dangers associated with excavations and confined spaces
How to use protective systems like trench supports and shoring
The importance of ventilation and atmospheric testing in confined spaces
Safe entry and exit procedures for confined spaces
Employer and employee responsibilities under UK safety laws

Key Topics Covered:

Excavation Hazards – Cave-ins, falling materials, and water accumulation.
Confined Spaces Risks – Lack of oxygen, toxic fumes, and fire hazards.
Protective Measures – Shoring, shielding, and proper ventilation.
Safe Entry and Exit Procedures – The use of permits, PPE, and communication.
Emergency Response – Procedures for rescuing workers in confined spaces.
Legal Responsibilities – Compliance with the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Why Take This Test?

Reduce the risk of excavation and confined space accidents by following safety protocols.
Stay compliant with UK health and safety regulations.
Improve workplace safety by understanding best practices for working in hazardous environments.

Prepare for the CSCS Excavation and Confined Spaces Test today to enhance site safety and protect lives!