Personal Protective Equipment and Site Hazards
This domain tests two linked ideas: how risk is controlled in the right order, and which hazards actually put construction workers in hospital. Examiners look for the hierarchy of control and for PPE used as a last line of defence rather than a substitute for engineering controls.
Hierarchy of control
Eliminate the hazard, substitute something safer, apply engineering controls (guards, extraction, edge protection, segregation), then administrative controls (training, rotation, permits), and only then PPE. PPE protects one person, only while it is worn, and only if it fits.
PPE rules (General Application Regulations 2007)
- The employer provides PPE free of charge, maintains it and trains you in its use.
- You must wear it, check it before use, report damage or loss, and not misuse it.
- Site minimum in Ireland: hard hat, high-visibility vest and safety boots. Task-specific: gloves, goggles or face shield, hearing protection, respiratory protection, harness, chemical-resistant gloves.
Main site hazards
Falls from height are the biggest single cause of deaths; others are plant and site traffic, falling objects, excavation collapse, electricity and overhead lines, noise, dust (silica from cutting concrete or stone), hazardous substances (read the CLP label and safety data sheet), manual handling and confined spaces.
Worked example
Cutting blocks with a disc cutter: hazards are respirable crystalline silica, noise, flying fragments and hand-arm vibration. Controls: water suppression or on-tool extraction, FFP3 respiratory protection with a fit test and clean-shaven face, ear defenders, eye and face protection, gloves, task rotation, a trained operator and a 110V tool.
Traps
Treating hi-vis as protection from being struck - segregation is the real control; assuming a dust mask works without fit testing; skipping PPE because the job is 'only two minutes'.