CSCS Test Questions - Dust and Fumes

These 40 CSCS test questions on dust and fumes (respiratory risks) will help you prepare for the CSCS Health, Safety and Environment Test by focusing on the dangers linked to construction dust, fumes, vapours, gases, and other airborne hazards. Understanding how these substances affect health is essential to reduce respiratory risk and work safely on site.

The questions cover important topics such as silica dust, asbestos, occupational asthma, diesel exhaust emissions, hazardous gases, confined spaces, and the correct use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE). You’ll also be tested on face-fit testing, dust suppression methods, extraction systems, selecting suitable RPE, and practical ways to minimise exposure to harmful substances during construction work.

A few questions will require two or three correct answers; these are marked in blue. You must select all correct answers to get a point for those questions; choosing at least one incorrect answer will mark the question as incorrect. The pass mark is 35 out of 40.

1. You discover bird nests and droppings in the area where work is due to take place. What should you do?

Remove the birds yourself and relocate them

Wait until the birds leave before resuming work

Continue working carefully around the nests

Stop work, avoid disturbing the area, and seek guidance from a supervisor

Question 1 of 40

2. Why should workers using a half-mask respirator be clean shaven where the mask seals against the face?

Facial hair increases the chance of skin irritation from the mask

Facial hair causes filters to become blocked more quickly

Beards and stubble can prevent the respirator from forming a proper seal

A clean-shaven face extends the life of the respirator

Question 2 of 40

3. Water suppression is particularly effective for which of the following activities?

Breaking or chiselling concrete using pneumatic tools

Grinding steel surfaces

Cutting steel with a disc cutter

Cutting plywood sheets

Question 3 of 40

4. Which of the following activities is least likely to generate silica dust?

Cutting paving slabs, bricks, kerbs, or stone

Cutting timber or plywood sheets

Chasing out mortar joints or sweeping construction debris

Breaking up concrete floors and screeds

Question 4 of 40

5. When using a cut-off saw on concrete, how should water be applied to control dust?

Wet the concrete before starting and stop the water once cutting begins

Apply water for the initial cut only, then continue dry cutting

Keep water flowing throughout the entire cutting operation

Use water only for the first half of the cut

Question 5 of 40

6. A construction operative has spent many years working around concrete dust. What symptom are they most likely to experience?

Blurred eyesight

Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath

Hearing difficulties

Severe headaches

Question 6 of 40

7. Which of the following materials is most likely to release harmful vapours during use?

Adhesive or glue products

Dust

Wet concrete

Rubber

Question 7 of 40

8. Hydrogen sulphide can be released from decaying organic matter. Which two statements about this gas are correct? (Select two answers)

Exposure to high concentrations can cause a person to lose consciousness

It can be safely identified using a naked flame

It is a harmless naturally occurring gas

The gas can affect your ability to detect smells, making it especially dangerous

Question 8 of 40

9. Based on the PPE shown, which health condition is the worker most at risk of developing?

cscs test dust

Dermatitis

Nasal cancer caused by inhaling dust particles

Skin cancer

Tetanus

Question 9 of 40

10. You have been issued with a basic dust mask, but the task involves exposure to hazardous fumes. What should you do?

Wear the dust mask and complete the work as quickly as possible

Start the task without a mask and take regular fresh-air breaks

Wear two dust masks together to improve protection

Do not begin the task until suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE) has been provided

Question 10 of 40

11. Why should dust created during cutting, grinding, or similar work activities be controlled and prevented from becoming airborne

It reduces the amount of cleaning needed afterwards

Many types of construction dust can be harmful when inhaled

Dust extraction makes power tools work faster

Dust control removes the need for machine guards

Question 11 of 40

12. How frequently should face-fit testing for respiratory protective equipment be repeated?

At regular intervals to ensure the mask still fits correctly

Only when a problem is noticed

Whenever a worker changes shifts

Each time work starts on a different site

Question 12 of 40

13. You are required to use respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for a task involving hazardous chemicals, but no suitable RPE has been provided. What should you do?

Smell the substance first to check whether it is harmful

Complete the task as quickly as possible to minimize exposure

Do not start the task until you have the correct RPE and appropriate instruction or training

Begin work and take frequent breaks to limit exposure

Question 13 of 40

14. When selecting respiratory protective equipment (RPE), what is the most important factor to check?

The colour of the respirator

The overall weight of the equipment

That it forms an effective seal against the face

Whether smells can still be detected while wearing it

Question 14 of 40

15. Which statement best describes the effects of repeated exposure to low levels of dust?

Dust exposure at low levels is harmless

It strengthens the body's natural resistance to dust

The damage can develop gradually over a long period of time

Any health effects will be noticed immediately

Question 15 of 40

16. Who is permitted to enter a confined space?

Only licensed machine operators

Anyone who has completed an apprenticeship

Site managers and supervisors only

People who have the required training, competence, and authorisation

Question 16 of 40

17. Which two materials are most likely to generate silica dust when cut using a powered blade? (Select two answers)

Paving flags or slabs

Timber

Plastic pipework

Concrete blocks

Question 17 of 40

18. A task requires cutting or grinding materials with a power tool. Which two methods are most effective for reducing dust? (Select two answers)

Attach suitable dust extraction or collection equipment to the tool

Use water suppression or wet-cutting techniques

Wear a dust mask only

Keep the workplace tidy

Carry out the task more slowly

Question 18 of 40

19. Why is it good practice to dampen down rubble before clearing it from inside a building?

To speed up the clean-up process

To remove insects that may be present

To keep the work area tidy

To reduce the amount of airborne dust created

Question 19 of 40

20. You are about to carry out a task that is likely to generate dust. What is the safest approach?

Refuse to carry out the task because all dust is dangerous

Carry out the work in short bursts, as regular breaks will remove the risk from dust inhalation

Use suitable dust-control measures and wear any required personal protective equipment (PPE)

Begin work immediately because dust exposure cannot cause serious health issues

Question 20 of 40

21. When carrying out drilling, grinding, sanding, or cutting activities, what combination of controls provides the best protection against dust-related health problems?

Wear any disposable respirator available

Use dust extraction or water suppression together with suitable FFP3-rated RPE

Wear FFP3-rated respiratory protective equipment only

Use dust extraction or water suppression and wear a dust mask

Question 21 of 40

22. How should respiratory protective equipment (RPE) be classified for disposal if it has been contaminated during use?

Hazardous waste requiring special disposal procedures

Recyclable waste

General site waste

Organic or biodegradable waste

Question 22 of 40

23. A particle-filter respirator is designed to protect against which of the following?

Airborne dust, particles, and fibres

Harmful gases

Atmospheres with insufficient oxygen

Chemical vapours

Question 23 of 40

24. Apart from asbestos exposure, which workplace substance is responsible for the greatest amount of work-related ill health among construction workers?

Vapours from paints, solvents, and resins

Silica dust

Diesel engine exhaust emissions

Dust from wood and MDF products

Question 24 of 40

25. What is the most likely consequence of using RPE that does not fit properly?

The respirator will quickly become damaged

The equipment will break more easily

It may fail to provide adequate protection from contaminants

It will filter a greater volume of air

Question 25 of 40

26. Which two factors can interfere with the seal of respiratory protective equipment (RPE)? (Select two answers)

Scars or skin irregularities where the mask seals against the face

Cosmetic make-up

Earrings

Facial hair such as beards or heavy stubble

Wearing a hearing aid

Question 26 of 40

27. Which two filter categories are commonly used in respiratory protective equipment (RPE)? (Select two answers)

Aroma filters

Sound filters

Particle or dust filters

Gas and vapour filters

Moisture filters

Question 27 of 40

28. Which of the following can increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer?

Spending time in sunlight

Exposure to vibration from tools

Breathing in hazardous dust over time

Contact with steam

Question 28 of 40

29. A worker is cutting concrete with a petrol-powered disc cutter close to members of the public. Which two immediate dangers could affect nearby pedestrians? (Select two answers)

Flying debris and particles

Noise exposure

Harmful airborne dust

Electric shock

Question 29 of 40

30. When working around construction dust, what approach should workers take?

Dust is safe if it doesn't cause immediate symptoms

Dust is usually safe when working outdoors

Treat all dust as potentially harmful unless proven otherwise

Assume dust presents no risk unless warned about it

Question 30 of 40

31. During drilling, grinding, sanding or cutting activities, where are dust concentrations likely to be highest?

In a large open indoor area

Outside when there is little wind

In a small enclosed room

Outside during windy conditions

Question 31 of 40

32. What should you do if you come across a large amount of old bird droppings and nesting material in your work area?

Continue working while avoiding the contaminated area

Stop work and inform a supervisor so appropriate cleaning or decontamination can be arranged

Sweep the material into a waste bag and dispose of it immediately

Check for live birds and continue working if none are present

Question 32 of 40

33. Which two situations are most likely to result in higher levels of dust exposure? (Select two answers)

Working with dry materials that create airborne dust

Using powered tools without dust extraction equipment

Using hand tools in open air

Using power tools fitted with an extraction system

Working with damp materials

Question 33 of 40

34. Which two factors should be considered when selecting the correct type of respiratory protective equipment (RPE)? (Select two answers)

The concentration of hazardous substances in the atmosphere

Whether the worker prefers to wear it

Whether the RPE is made from rubber or plastic

The type of hazardous substance being encountered

How long ago a hazardous spill occurred

Question 34 of 40

35. Which of the following is a common cause of occupational asthma?

Skin contact with hazardous materials

Regularly breathing in harmful dust, fumes, or vapours

Frequent exposure to loud workplace noise

Contact with rat urine while at work

Question 35 of 40

36. What is the most effective way to reduce exposure to dust when using a power tool?

Stand downwind of the dust cloud

Complete the task as quickly as possible

Carry out the work only in wet weather

Prevent dust from becoming airborne by using suitable controls

Question 36 of 40

37. Engine-powered equipment is operating within a deep excavation. What additional safety measure should be provided?

No extra safety measure is required

Extra trench covers

Atmospheric or gas monitoring equipment

Additional wheel stops

Question 37 of 40

38. Asbestosis develops after prolonged exposure to asbestos. Which area of the body is primarily affected by this disease?

Hands

Brain

Feet

Lungs

Question 38 of 40

39. The worker shown is wearing only the PPE shown in the image while drilling into a wall. What is the most significant risk?

cscs test dust

Breathing in harmful dust particles

Developing a back injury from poor posture

Reduced visibility caused by fogged-up eye protection

Difficulty hearing instructions from colleagues

Question 39 of 40

40. Which statement about respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is correct?

Workers are expected to buy their own RPE

Employers must provide suitable RPE free of charge when it is needed for work

The cost should be shared between employer and employee

Employers can charge workers for RPE when it is required

Question 40 of 40

CSCS Test Questions – Dust and Fumes

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