Electrical Safety and Hand Held Tools and Equipment Questions For Operatives

For section C: Safety of the CSCS Test for operatives you will need to have a knowledge of Electrical Safety and Hand Held Tools and Equipment. Here below we have 33 questions on this subject for you to revise.

These will give you an idea of all the questions you will need to know for the real exam.

If you would like to take a full 50 question CSCS mock test click here.

Electrical Safety and Hand Held Tools and Equipment Questions

1. On building sites, the recommended safe voltage for electrical equipment is:

12 volts

230 volts

24 volts

110 volts

Question 1 of 33

2. You should use a RCD (residual current device) with 230 volt tools because it:

quickly cuts off the power if there is a fault

lowers the voltage

makes the tool run at a safe speed

saves energy and lowers costs

Question 2 of 33

3. Untidy leads and extension cables are responsible for many trips and lost work time injuries What TWO things should you do to help?

Keep cables and leads close to the wall and not in the middle of the floor or walkway

Unplug the nearest safety lighting and use these sockets instead

Tie any excess cables and leads up into the smallest coil possible

Run cables and leads above head height and over the top of doorways and walkways rather than across the floor

Make sure your cables go where you want them to and not worry about others

Question 3 of 33

4. The Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) label on a power tool tells you:

who tested the tool before it left the factory

its earth-loop impedance

when the tool was made

when the next safety check is due

Question 4 of 33

5. How do you check if a RCD (residual current device) connected to a power tool is working?

Switch the tool on and off

Press the test button on the RCD (residual current device)

Run the tool at top speed to see if it cuts out

Switch the power on and off

Question 5 of 33

6. It is safe to work close to an overhead power line if:

it is not raining

you do not touch the line for more than 30 seconds

you use a wooden ladder

the power is switched off

Question 6 of 33

7. If an extension cable has a cut in its outer cover, you should:

put electrical tape around the damaged part

report the fault and make sure no-one else uses the cable

put a bigger fuse in the cable plug

check the copper wires aren't showing in the cut and then use the cable

Question 7 of 33

8. Someone near you is using a rotating laser level What, if any, is the health hazard likely to affect you?

None – if used correctly they are safe

Burning of the skin, similar to sunburn

Gradual blindness

Skin cancer

Question 8 of 33

9. Look at these statements about power tools Which one is true?

Always carry the tool by its cord

Always leave the tool plugged in when you check or adjust it

Always unplug the tool by pulling its cord

Always unplug the tool when you are not using it

Question 9 of 33

10. Someone near you is using a disc-cutter to cut concrete blocks What THREE immediate hazards are likely to affect you?

Dermatitis

Flying fragments

Vibration white finger

High noise levels

Harmful dust in the air

Question 10 of 33

11. You need to run an electrical cable across an area used by vehicles What TWO things should you do?

Run the cable at head height

Cover the cable with scaffold boards

Put up a sign that says ‘Ramp ahead’

Cover the cable with a protective ramp

Wrap the cable in yellow tape so that drivers can see it

Question 11 of 33

12. You need to use an air-powered tool Which of these is NOT a hazard?

Airborne dust and flying fragments

Leaking hoses

Hard-arm vibration

Electric shock

Question 12 of 33

13. You must be fully trained before you use a cartridge-operated tool Why?

Using one can cause dermatitis

They operate like a gun and can be dangerous in inexperienced hands

They are heavy and could cause manual handling injuries

They have exposed electrical parts

Question 13 of 33

14. To operate a powered hand tool, you must be:

over 16 years old

21 years old or over

trained and competent

over 18 years old

Question 14 of 33

15. What is the main danger if you use a chisel or bolster with a 'mushroomed' head?

The shaft of the chisel will bend when you hit it

It will damage the face of the hammer

You will have to sharpen the chisel more often

It will shatter and send fragments flying into the air

Question 15 of 33

16. You need to work near an electrical cable The cable has bare wires What should you do?

Push the cable out of the way so that you can start work

Quickly touch the cable to see if it is live

Check there are no sparks coming from the cable and then start work

Tell your supervisor and keep well away

Question 16 of 33

17. What are the TWO main areas of visual inspections you should carry out before each use of a power tool?

Check if there is an upgraded model available

Check the carry case isn't broken

Check the manufacturer's label hasn't come off

Check switches, triggers and guards are adjusted and work correctly

Check the power lead, plug and casing are in good condition

Question 17 of 33

18. Most cutting and grinding machines have guards What are the TWO main functions of the guard?

To give you a firm handhold

To balance the machine

To stop fragments flying into the air

To stop you coming into contact with the blade or wheel

To stop materials getting onto the blade or wheel

Question 18 of 33

19. You need to use a 230 volt item of equipment How should you protect yourself from an electric shock?

Put up safety screens around you

Wear rubber boots and gloves

Use a portable RCD (residual current device)

Use a generator

Question 19 of 33

20. If the guard is missing from a power tool you should:

use the tool but try to work quickly

try to make another guard

not use the tool until a proper guard has been fitted

use the tool but work carefully and slowly

Question 20 of 33

21. Why should you try to use battery-powered tools rather than electrical ones?

They will not give you hand-arm vibration

They will not give you an electric shock

They are cheaper to run

They do not need to be tested or serviced

Question 21 of 33

22. If you need to use a hand tool or power tool on site it must be:

the right tool for the job and inspected at the start of each week

bought from a builders merchant

the right tool for the job and inspected before you use it

made in the UK

Question 22 of 33

23. When do you need to check tools and equipment for damage?

Every day

At least once a year

Each time before use

Once a week

Question 23 of 33

24. Why do building sites use a 110 volt electricity supply instead of the usual 230 volt domestic supply?

It is less likely to kill you

It is safer for the environment

It moves faster along the cables

It is cheaper

Question 24 of 33

25. The colour of a 110 volt power cable and connector should be:

yellow

blue

red

black

Question 25 of 33

26. What is the best way to protect an extension cable while you work, as well as minimising trip hazards?

Cover the cable with pieces of wood

Cover the cable with yellow tape

Run the cable by the shortest route

Run the cable above head height

Question 26 of 33

27. If the head on your hammer comes loose you should:

stop work and get the hammer repaired or replaced

tell the other people near you to keep out of the way

keep using it but be aware that the head could come off at any time

find another heavy tool to use instead of the hammer

Question 27 of 33

28. If you need to use a power tool with a rotating blade, you should:

adjust the guard to expose the maximum amount of blade

adjust the guard to expose just enough blade to let you do the job

remove the guard but wear leather gloves to protect your hands

remove the guard so that you can clearly see the blade

Question 28 of 33

29. Do you need to inspect simple hand tools like trowels, screwdrivers, saws and hammers?

Yes, if they have not been used for a couple of weeks

Only if someone else has borrowed them

No, never

Yes, they should be checked each time you use them

Question 29 of 33

30. You need to use an extension cable What TWO things must you do?

Check the whole cable and connectors for damage

Clean the whole cable with a damp cloth

Uncoil the whole cable

Only check the cable you need for damage

Only uncoil the length of cable you need

Question 30 of 33

31. Before you adjust an electric hand tool you should:

put tape over the ON/OFF switch

switch it off but leave the plug in the socket

do nothing in particular

switch it off and remove the plug from the socket

Question 31 of 33

32. You are using electric equipment when it cuts out You should:

pull the electric cable to see if it is loose

switch off the power and look for signs of damage

switch the power off and on a few times

shake it to see if it will start again

Question 32 of 33

33. It is dangerous to run an abrasive wheel faster than its recommended top speed Why?

The motor could burst into flames

The wheel will get clogged and stop

The safety guard cannot be used

The wheel could shatter and burst into many pieces

Question 33 of 33

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Electrical Safety and Hand Held Tools and Equipment Questions For Operatives

Electrical Safety and Hand Held Tools and Equipment Questions

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