Occupational Safety, Health and Environment
Occupational Safety, Health and Environment tests hazard identification and control on construction sites. Expect questions on PPE, scaffolding, excavation, electrical safety, fire prevention, first aid, dust and noise, waste management and the legal duties of employers and workers.
Core safety controls
- PPE: helmet, safety shoes, high-visibility vest, gloves, goggles and hearing protection as required. PPE is the last line of defence, not the first.
- Scaffolding: stable base, adequate sole plates, guardrails, toe boards and proper access; never use incomplete scaffolds.
- Excavation: shore or slope deep trenches, keep spoil and plant away from edges, provide ladder access and check for underground services.
- Electrical safety: use residual-current protection, inspect leads, keep temporary wiring off wet ground and lock out before repair.
- Health and environment: control dust with water or extraction, limit noise exposure, provide drinking water and toilets, and segregate construction waste.
Worked example
A task is rated likelihood 4 and severity 3 on a 5-point scale. Risk score = 4 × 3 = 12. If the site policy treats scores above 9 as high risk, work must not start until controls reduce the score. Adding a guardrail might reduce likelihood to 2, giving 2 × 3 = 6, which is acceptable with monitoring.
Traps
Do not treat PPE as a substitute for engineering controls; do not allow workers in unsupported deep trenches; do not ignore housekeeping and waste segregation; and remember that safety duties apply to employers, supervisors and workers.