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. 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 1 of 40

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

Rubber

Wet concrete

Dust

Adhesive or glue products

Question 2 of 40

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

Frequent exposure to loud workplace noise

Contact with rat urine while at work

Skin contact with hazardous materials

Regularly breathing in harmful dust, fumes, or vapours

Question 3 of 40

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

Use dust extraction or water suppression and wear a dust mask

Wear any disposable respirator available

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

Wear FFP3-rated respiratory protective equipment only

Question 4 of 40

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

Exposure to vibration from tools

Spending time in sunlight

Breathing in hazardous dust over time

Contact with steam

Question 5 of 40

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

Breaking up concrete floors and screeds

Cutting paving slabs, bricks, kerbs, or stone

Cutting timber or plywood sheets

Chasing out mortar joints or sweeping construction debris

Question 6 of 40

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

Extra trench covers

Atmospheric or gas monitoring equipment

Additional wheel stops

No extra safety measure is required

Question 7 of 40

8. 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

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

Begin work immediately because dust exposure cannot cause serious health issues

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

Question 8 of 40

9. 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

Reduced visibility caused by fogged-up eye protection

Difficulty hearing instructions from colleagues

Developing a back injury from poor posture

Question 9 of 40

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

Using power tools fitted with an extraction system

Working with dry materials that create airborne dust

Working with damp materials

Using hand tools in open air

Using powered tools without dust extraction equipment

Question 10 of 40

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

Cutting plywood sheets

Cutting steel with a disc cutter

Breaking or chiselling concrete using pneumatic tools

Grinding steel surfaces

Question 11 of 40

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

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

Continue working carefully around the nests

Remove the birds yourself and relocate them

Wait until the birds leave before resuming work

Question 12 of 40

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

Blurred eyesight

Severe headaches

Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath

Hearing difficulties

Question 13 of 40

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

Diesel engine exhaust emissions

Silica dust

Dust from wood and MDF products

Vapours from paints, solvents, and resins

Question 14 of 40

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

Plastic pipework

Paving flags or slabs

Concrete blocks

Timber

Question 15 of 40

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

A clean-shaven face extends the life of the respirator

Facial hair causes filters to become blocked more quickly

Facial hair increases the chance of skin irritation from the mask

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

Question 16 of 40

17. 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)

Harmful airborne dust

Flying debris and particles

Electric shock

Noise exposure

Question 17 of 40

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

Hazardous waste requiring special disposal procedures

Organic or biodegradable waste

General site waste

Recyclable waste

Question 18 of 40

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

Hands

Lungs

Feet

Brain

Question 19 of 40

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

Wear two dust masks together to improve protection

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

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

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

Question 20 of 40

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

Outside during windy conditions

Outside when there is little wind

In a large open indoor area

In a small enclosed room

Question 21 of 40

22. 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 is a harmless naturally occurring gas

It can be safely identified using a naked flame

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

Question 22 of 40

23. 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 23 of 40

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

cscs test dust

Nasal cancer caused by inhaling dust particles

Skin cancer

Dermatitis

Tetanus

Question 24 of 40

25. Who is permitted to enter a confined space?

People who have the required training, competence, and authorisation

Anyone who has completed an apprenticeship

Only licensed machine operators

Site managers and supervisors only

Question 25 of 40

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

The respirator will quickly become damaged

It may fail to provide adequate protection from contaminants

It will filter a greater volume of air

The equipment will break more easily

Question 26 of 40

27. 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

Keep water flowing throughout the entire cutting operation

Use water only for the first half of the cut

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

Question 27 of 40

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

Atmospheres with insufficient oxygen

Harmful gases

Airborne dust, particles, and fibres

Chemical vapours

Question 28 of 40

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

Carry out the work only in wet weather

Prevent dust from becoming airborne by using suitable controls

Complete the task as quickly as possible

Stand downwind of the dust cloud

Question 29 of 40

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

Facial hair such as beards or heavy stubble

Wearing a hearing aid

Scars or skin irregularities where the mask seals against the face

Earrings

Cosmetic make-up

Question 30 of 40

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

The overall weight of the equipment

That it forms an effective seal against the face

The colour of the respirator

Whether smells can still be detected while wearing it

Question 31 of 40

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

To remove insects that may be present

To keep the work area tidy

To reduce the amount of airborne dust created

To speed up the clean-up process

Question 32 of 40

33. 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?

Begin work and take frequent breaks to limit exposure

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

Smell the substance first to check whether it is harmful

Question 33 of 40

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

How long ago a hazardous spill occurred

Whether the worker prefers to wear it

The concentration of hazardous substances in the atmosphere

The type of hazardous substance being encountered

Whether the RPE is made from rubber or plastic

Question 34 of 40

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

Keep the workplace tidy

Attach suitable dust extraction or collection equipment to the tool

Carry out the task more slowly

Use water suppression or wet-cutting techniques

Wear a dust mask only

Question 35 of 40

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

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

Check for live birds and continue working if none are present

Continue working while avoiding the contaminated area

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

Question 36 of 40

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

The damage can develop gradually over a long period of time

Any health effects will be noticed immediately

It strengthens the body's natural resistance to dust

Dust exposure at low levels is harmless

Question 37 of 40

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

Particle or dust filters

Aroma filters

Gas and vapour filters

Moisture filters

Sound filters

Question 38 of 40

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

The cost should be shared between employer and employee

Workers are expected to buy their own RPE

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

Employers can charge workers for RPE when it is required

Question 39 of 40

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

Whenever a worker changes shifts

Only when a problem is noticed

Each time work starts on a different site

At regular intervals to ensure the mask still fits correctly

Question 40 of 40

CSCS Test Questions – Dust and Fumes

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