Workplace Safety and Housekeeping
This domain covers hazard identification, PPE, safe access, dust and noise control, electrical safety, manual handling, and housekeeping. The exam tests whether you can spot a hazard, choose a control that matches the risk, and keep the work area from becoming a trip or fire hazard.
Core rules
- Apply the hierarchy of controls: eliminate or substitute the hazard first, then engineer controls, then administrative controls, with PPE as the last line.
- Wear the PPE required by the task: hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, dust mask or respirator, gloves, and safety footwear.
- Inspect scaffolds and access before use; never remove guardrails or toe boards.
- Use wet cutting or dust extraction for masonry saws, and never dry sweep silica dust.
- Keep walkways clear, stack materials safely, remove offcuts, and store flammable liquids in marked containers.
- Use residual-current protection or ground-fault protection on portable electrical tools.
Worked example
A worker is cutting concrete hollow blocks with a dry cut-off saw. Dust fills the area, and the cord lies across a walkway. The hazard is respirable silica plus a trip and electrical risk. The control is to move the cutting to a ventilated area, use wet cutting or extraction, wear a suitable respirator and eye protection, route the cord overhead or protect it, and barricade the dust zone. The reasoning is that PPE alone does not remove the dust cloud or the cord hazard; engineering and housekeeping controls come first.
Traps
- Dry sweeping dust instead of damping or vacuuming it.
- Overloading a scaffold with block pallets.
- Removing a saw guard for a “quick cut.”
- Using a damaged extension cord because the task is short.
Key points
- Use the hierarchy of controls, not PPE alone.
- Wet cut or extract dust when cutting masonry.
- Inspect scaffolds and access before use.
- Keep walkways clear and stack materials safely.
- Protect portable tools with RCD or GFCI protection.