☣️ Hazardous Substances & Asbestos

1. What is the main purpose of a COSHH assessment?

1. To identify the health risks from hazardous substances and decide the controls needed to prevent or reduce exposure
2. To work out how much a substance costs to buy and store
3. To record how many workers are on site each day
4. To plan the order in which jobs will be finished

A COSHH assessment identifies the hazardous substances involved, who might be harmed and how, and the control measures needed to prevent or adequately control exposure. Source: COSHH 2002

2. When should a COSHH assessment for a task be reviewed?

1. When the work changes, a new substance is introduced or there is reason to think it is no longer valid
2. Only once, on the day the company was first set up
3. Never, because the original assessment always stays correct
4. Only after someone has already been made ill

A COSHH assessment must be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a significant change to the work, a new substance, or evidence that it is no longer valid. Source: COSHH 2002, Regulation 6

3. You have been given a task but cannot find a COSHH assessment for the hazardous substance you must use. What should you do?

1. Do not start work and ask your supervisor for the assessment and safe method
2. Start work and hope it is similar to a product you have used before
3. Guess the controls based on the smell of the product
4. Use less of the substance so an assessment is not needed

You should not begin work with a hazardous substance until a suitable COSHH assessment is in place and you know the controls required. Source: COSHH 2002

4. According to the COSHH control hierarchy, what is the most effective way to control exposure to a hazardous substance?

1. Eliminate the substance or substitute it with a less hazardous one
2. Issue everyone with a dust mask
3. Tell workers to hold their breath
4. Put up a warning sign and carry on as normal

The most effective control is to remove the hazard altogether or replace it with something less hazardous; PPE and RPE are the last resort. Source: COSHH 2002 (control hierarchy)

5. You must cut paving slabs that create silica dust. Which control should be tried before relying on a dust mask?

1. Using water suppression or on-tool extraction to stop the dust getting into the air
2. Working faster so the job is over sooner
3. Standing slightly further back from the cut
4. Doing the cutting on a windy day so the dust blows away

Engineering controls such as water suppression or on-tool dust extraction come before RPE in the hierarchy because they stop dust being created or capture it at source. Source: COSHH 2002; HSE guidance on construction dust

6. Which everyday construction task is most likely to release harmful respirable crystalline silica?

1. Dry-cutting concrete, stone or bricks
2. Carrying timber boards by hand
3. Painting a wall with water-based emulsion
4. Fitting plastic guttering

Cutting, grinding or drilling materials such as concrete, stone, bricks and sandstone releases fine respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and lung cancer. Source: COSHH 2002; HSE guidance on silica

7. What is the workplace exposure limit (8-hour time-weighted average) for respirable crystalline silica?

1. 0.1 mg/m³
2. 1.0 mg/m³
3. 5 mg/m³
4. 10 mg/m³

The workplace exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica is 0.1 mg/m³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average; exposure should be kept as low as reasonably practicable. Source: COSHH 2002; EH40 Workplace exposure limits

8. What is the workplace exposure limit (8-hour time-weighted average) for hardwood dust?

1. 3 mg/m³
2. 0.1 mg/m³
3. 5 mg/m³
4. 15 mg/m³

Hardwood dust has a workplace exposure limit of 3 mg/m³ over 8 hours; it is also a respiratory sensitiser and can cause nasal cancer. Source: COSHH 2002; EH40 Workplace exposure limits

9. What does local exhaust ventilation (LEV) do?

1. It draws contaminated air, dust or fumes away at the point where they are produced
2. It blows fresh air around the whole site for comfort
3. It heats the work area in cold weather
4. It measures noise levels near machinery

LEV is an engineering control that captures dust, fumes or vapour at or near the source before they can be breathed in. Source: COSHH 2002; HSE guidance HSG258

10. How often must local exhaust ventilation (LEV) used to control hazardous substances normally be thoroughly examined and tested?

1. At least every 14 months by a competent person
2. Only when it stops working completely
3. Once every ten years
4. Never, once it has been installed

LEV systems must be thoroughly examined and tested at least every 14 months (more often for some processes) to make sure they still control exposure effectively. Source: COSHH 2002, Regulation 9

11. You notice the dust extraction (LEV) on your tool does not seem to be drawing the dust away. What should you do?

1. Stop and report the fault so it can be checked, rather than carrying on
2. Carry on because the mask will deal with any dust
3. Tape over the warning light and finish the job
4. Remove the extraction hood to work faster

Faulty LEV must be reported and put right; relying on RPE alone is not acceptable when the engineering control has failed. Source: COSHH 2002; HSE guidance HSG258

12. Why must tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) be face-fit tested?

1. To make sure it seals properly to the wearer's face so contaminated air cannot leak in
2. To check the wearer can still smell the substance through it
3. To prove the mask is the right colour for the site
4. To confirm the wearer has paid for the equipment

A face-fit test confirms the mask matches the wearer's face shape and seals correctly; without a good seal, contaminated air leaks in around the edges. Source: COSHH 2002; HSE guidance INDG479

13. Why can wearing a beard or heavy stubble be a problem when using a tight-fitting mask?

1. Facial hair stops the mask sealing to the face, letting contaminated air leak in
2. It makes the mask too heavy to wear
3. It changes the colour of the filter
4. It has no effect at all on protection

Facial hair across the seal prevents a tight-fitting mask from sealing properly; a clean-shaven face or loose-fitting powered RPE is needed instead. Source: COSHH 2002; HSE guidance INDG479

14. Wet cement and concrete can harm the skin mainly because they are:

1. Corrosive and can cause burns as well as dermatitis
2. Radioactive
3. Highly flammable
4. A breathing hazard only, never a skin hazard

Wet cement is strongly alkaline and corrosive; prolonged skin contact can cause serious chemical burns as well as irritant and allergic dermatitis. Source: COSHH 2002; HSE guidance on cement

15. You are laying blocks and wet mortar keeps getting inside your gloves and onto your knees. What is the best action to protect your skin?

1. Wear suitable waterproof gloves and knee protection, and wash any cement off the skin promptly
2. Carry on, as cement cannot harm healthy skin
3. Rub barrier cream on after the burns appear
4. Rinse your skin with more cement to toughen it up

Prolonged contact with wet cement causes burns and dermatitis, so suitable waterproof PPE and prompt washing of any contact are needed to protect the skin. Source: COSHH 2002; HSE guidance on cement

16. Which of the following is an early warning sign of occupational dermatitis on the hands?

1. Dry, red, itchy or cracked skin
2. A sudden loss of hearing
3. Aching joints after lifting
4. Watering of the eyes only

Dermatitis typically begins with dry, red, itchy, scaly or cracked skin; reporting it early and improving controls can prevent it becoming severe. Source: COSHH 2002; HSE guidance on dermatitis

17. Which of the following are the three main types of asbestos used in construction?

1. Chrysotile (white), amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue)
2. Granite, limestone and sandstone
3. Copper, lead and zinc
4. Pine, oak and beech

The three main types of asbestos are chrysotile (white), amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue); all three are hazardous if their fibres are released. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012; HSE guidance

18. Which statement about the different types of asbestos is correct?

1. All types of asbestos are dangerous and there is no safe type
2. Only blue asbestos is harmful; white asbestos is completely safe
3. Brown asbestos can be handled freely without any controls
4. Asbestos is only dangerous if more than one type is present

There is no safe type of asbestos; chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite can all cause fatal disease, so all must be treated as dangerous. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012; HSE guidance

19. What is the difference between a management survey and a refurbishment and demolition survey for asbestos?

1. A management survey covers normal occupation; a refurbishment and demolition survey is more intrusive and needed before such work
2. They are two names for exactly the same survey
3. A management survey is only for new buildings
4. A refurbishment and demolition survey is less thorough than a management survey

A management survey locates asbestos to manage it during normal use, while a more intrusive refurbishment and demolition survey is required before refurbishment or demolition disturbs the structure. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012; HSG264

20. Who has the legal 'duty to manage' asbestos in non-domestic premises?

1. The person or organisation responsible for maintenance and repair of the premises (the duty holder)
2. Any visitor who happens to notice it
3. The fire brigade
4. Whoever last worked in the building

The duty to manage falls on the duty holder, usually the owner or whoever is responsible for maintenance and repair, who must find and manage any asbestos present. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 4

21. Which of the following asbestos jobs is most likely to be licensed work requiring an HSE-licensed contractor?

1. Removing asbestos sprayed coatings or thermal pipe lagging
2. Drilling a single hole in asbestos cement with controls
3. Removing a small piece of intact asbestos cement gutter
4. Cleaning up a few intact vinyl floor tiles

Higher-risk work such as removing sprayed coatings, lagging and most asbestos insulating board is licensed work that must be done by an HSE-licensed contractor. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 8

22. Lower-risk asbestos jobs that are not licensed but still need precautions and, in some cases, notification, are known as:

1. Non-licensed work, including notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW)
2. Domestic-only work that needs no controls
3. Fully exempt work with no rules at all
4. Licensed work carried out by anyone

Lower-risk tasks are non-licensed work; some of these are notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW), which still require notification, training, records and health surveillance. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

23. How must waste that contains asbestos be dealt with on site?

1. Double-bagged or wrapped, clearly labelled as asbestos and disposed of as hazardous waste at a licensed site
2. Put in the general waste skip with the rubble
3. Burned on site to destroy the fibres
4. Left for the next contractor to remove

Asbestos waste is hazardous waste; it must be securely double-bagged or wrapped, labelled and taken only to a licensed disposal site, never mixed with general waste. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012; Hazardous Waste Regulations

24. A chemical label shows a pictogram of a dead tree and a dead fish. What does this warn you about the substance?

1. It is hazardous to the environment and must not be allowed to reach drains, soil or watercourses
2. It is safe to pour onto the ground
3. It is only a fire hazard
4. It must be stored in direct sunlight

The environment pictogram (dead tree and fish) warns that the substance is dangerous to aquatic life and the wider environment, so it must be contained and disposed of correctly. Source: CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008; HSE guidance

25. In which type of building is asbestos most likely to be found?

1. Any building built or refurbished before the year 2000
2. Only buildings constructed after 2010
3. Only buildings made entirely of timber
4. Only modern steel-framed office blocks

Asbestos was widely used in construction until it was fully banned in the UK in 1999, so any building built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos-containing materials. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012); HSE guidance

26. Why is asbestos dangerous to health?

1. It is highly flammable and can explode
2. Breathing in its fibres can cause serious lung diseases including cancer
3. It gives off a strong toxic smell when disturbed
4. It causes immediate burns to the skin on contact

When asbestos materials are disturbed they release tiny fibres which, if breathed in, can cause fatal lung diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012); HSE guidance

27. Which of the following building elements could contain asbestos?

1. Plastic window frames fitted last year
2. Asbestos insulating board (AIB) used for ceiling tiles and partitions
3. Modern double-glazed glass units
4. Newly laid concrete foundations

Asbestos insulating board (AIB) was commonly used for ceiling tiles, wall partitions and fire protection, and is one of the most frequently found ACMs in older buildings. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012); HSE guidance

28. Where might you find asbestos used as pipe lagging?

1. Around hot water and heating pipes for insulation
2. Inside electrical sockets
3. Underneath floorboards as a damp barrier only
4. Wrapped around timber roof joists for strength

Asbestos was widely used as thermal lagging around heating and hot water pipes and boilers; this type is among the most dangerous as it can release fibres very easily. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012); HSE guidance

29. Which common roofing material may contain asbestos?

1. Corrugated cement roof sheets
2. Modern clay roof tiles
3. Lead flashing
4. PVC guttering installed recently

Asbestos cement was commonly used to make corrugated roofing and wall sheets, often found on garages, sheds and industrial buildings. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012); HSE guidance

30. You are about to start refurbishment work in an office built in 1985. What should be available to tell you where asbestos is located in the building?

1. A verbal assurance from another worker that it is safe
2. An asbestos register or refurbishment/demolition survey
3. The building's fire evacuation plan
4. A copy of the original architect's business card

Duty holders must manage asbestos and provide an asbestos register or survey identifying the location and condition of ACMs before work begins. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), Regulation 4

31. Which of these textured decorative coatings may contain asbestos?

1. Modern emulsion paint
2. Textured wall and ceiling coatings (such as 'Artex'-type finishes)
3. Fresh plaster skim applied this week
4. Wood varnish

Older textured decorative coatings, commonly known by brand names such as Artex, frequently contained asbestos and can release fibres if sanded or scraped. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012); HSE guidance

32. While drilling a wall you uncover a grey fibrous board you think might be asbestos. What should you do first?

1. Carry on quickly to finish before fibres spread
2. Stop work immediately, do not disturb it further and report it
3. Break a piece off to take home and identify
4. Paint over it to seal the fibres in

If you suspect you have found asbestos you must stop work immediately, leave the area undisturbed and report it so it can be assessed by a competent person. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012); HSE guidance

33. Which of the following could contain asbestos in an older domestic property?

1. The water in the cold tank
2. Floor tiles and the bitumen adhesive used to fix them
3. The copper hot water pipes themselves
4. Modern laminate flooring

Vinyl/thermoplastic floor tiles and their black bitumen adhesive commonly contained asbestos and are still found in many older buildings. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012); HSE guidance

34. Can you tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it?

1. Yes, asbestos is always bright blue and obvious
2. No, you usually cannot tell by sight and it must be tested or assumed to contain asbestos
3. Yes, asbestos always feels warm to the touch
4. Yes, it can always be identified by its smell

You cannot reliably identify asbestos by sight; suspect materials must be sampled and tested by a competent person or treated as if they contain asbestos. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012); HSE guidance

35. You have completed an asbestos awareness course. What does this training qualify you to do?

1. Remove all types of asbestos without a licence
2. Recognise where asbestos may be and avoid disturbing it, but not to work on or remove it
3. Carry out licensed asbestos removal of pipe lagging
4. Test materials to confirm they contain asbestos

Asbestos awareness training helps workers recognise and avoid disturbing ACMs; it does not qualify anyone to work on or remove asbestos, which requires further specific training. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), Regulation 10