Construction Tools, Equipment and Safety Practices
What this domain tests
The exam asks you to name and use hand tools for masonry, carpentry and plumbing, to know the plant used on site, and to apply safety rules that prevent falls, cuts, electrical shocks and collapse.
Core rules and concepts
- Masonry tools: trowel, spirit level, plumb bob, mason's square, line and pins, straight edge, wooden float, mortar pan.
- Carpentry tools: ripsaw (along the grain), crosscut saw (across the grain), jack plane, bevel-edged chisel, mallet, try square, marking gauge.
- Plumbing tools: pipe wrench, die and stock, hacksaw, plunger, caulking chisel.
- Equipment: concrete mixer, needle vibrator, hoist, plate compactor, water level.
- Scaffolding: putlog scaffolding uses the wall as one support; independent scaffolding stands on its own base plates. Working platform planks must be full-thickness, closely laid and tied.
- Ladder rule: keep the base about one-quarter of the height from the wall (75°), and extend the ladder 1 m above the landing.
- PPE: helmet, safety shoes, gloves, goggles, ear plugs, and full-body harness for work above 2 m.
Worked example
A ladder is to reach a 3.6 m landing. Base distance = 3.6 ÷ 4 = 0.9 m. Ladder length = √(3.6² + 0.9²) = √13.77 = 3.71 m. Add 1 m projection above the landing = 4.71 m, so a 5 m ladder is issued. Show the 1:4 rule and the 1 m extension separately for full marks.
Traps that cost marks
Confusing putlog with independent scaffolding; forgetting the 1 m ladder extension; leaving tools on the platform edge; using a wooden ladder painted over so cracks are hidden; assuming a harness matters below 2 m but ignoring guard rails.