Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety
Hazard categories
Candidates must scan for falls from height, falling objects, structural collapse, electrical contact (overhead lines), ground instability, public interface, manual handling, and weather (wind, ice, lightning). Recognize exclusion zones below work, overhead power line clearance distances, and public protection such as fans, netting, and hoarding.
Risk controls
Apply the hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, engineer (guardrails, netting, toe boards), administrate (permits, signage, tool-box talks), and PPE last. A permit to work may be needed near live services or for hot works. Housekeeping - removing loose materials, stacking boards, clearing access - prevents trips and falling objects.
Traps in questions
- Choosing PPE as the first control rather than last resort.
- Ignoring falling-object risk when the question focuses only on the person on the platform.
- Missing public protection when the scaffold abuts a footpath.
- Assuming wind is only a problem during erection; it also affects sheeted scaffolds and incomplete structures.
- Overlooking overhead lines; contact can occur even without touching if the voltage is high.
Rule of thumb
For every scaffold scenario, ask: who can fall, what can fall, what can collapse, what can be struck, and who else is exposed (public, other trades)?
Worked example
A scaffold is erected beside a busy pavement with tools being passed up. Controls: a fan or debris netting and toe boards to contain objects, a covered walkway for pedestrians, an exclusion zone beneath the lift, and a tool lanyard/bag for passing materials - not merely hard hats for the public.