Health and safety

Question 1

What current Health & Safety legislation are you familiar with, and how do you ensure compliance?

Answer 1

I am familiar with the 2015 Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations and consistently adhere to them. Compliance is maintained through annual AECOM health and safety training and adherence to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Question 2

How does AECOM’s health and safety training support your work practices?

Answer 2

AECOM’s annual health and safety training ensures I am up-to-date with best practices for safe working both on-site and in the office, aligning with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Question 3

How do you apply the RICS Surveying Safely guidance note in your work?

Answer 3

I follow the RICS Surveying Safely guidance note to mitigate risks and promote safe surveying practices. This includes adhering to safety protocols and guidelines to ensure a safe working environment.

Question 4

What qualifications do you have related to health and safety, and how do you maintain them?

Answer 4

I have passed the CITB Health and Safety test and obtained a CSCS card, which I renew every five years to ensure continued competence for site attendance.

Question 5

What steps do you take before visiting a site to ensure safety?

Answer 5

Before visiting a site, I review the risk assessment in line with AECOM’s health and safety requirements and verify with the site manager that I have the correct 5-point PPE. I also attend any required safety inductions, such as the office and site-specific inductions for the Citi Bank project.

Question 6

Can you explain the key requirements of the 2015 Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations and their impact on construction safety?

Answer 6

The 2015 Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations focus on improving health and safety in construction projects by defining roles and responsibilities, ensuring risk management, and promoting safety throughout the project lifecycle. They require clear communication of safety measures and risk assessments to all parties involved.

Question 7

How do you ensure that your work complies with current British health and safety regulations and standards?

Answer 7

I ensure compliance by staying informed about current regulations, incorporating safety standards into my work processes, and regularly reviewing and updating procedures to align with legislation.

Question 8

Can you provide an example of a situation where adhering to these regulations directly impacted the safety of a project or site?

Answer 8

On a recent project, adherence to CDM regulations ensured proper risk assessments and safety plans were in place, preventing potential hazards and ensuring a safe working environment.

Question 9

What steps do you take to stay updated on changes to health and safety legislation?

Answer 9

I stay updated through continuous professional development, industry publications, and participating in relevant training sessions and seminars.

Question 10

How has this training improved your ability to work safely both on-site and in the office?

Answer 10

This training has enhanced my ability to identify hazards, follow safety protocols, and implement effective risk management strategies both on-site and in the office.

Question 10

What specific topics are covered in the AECOM health and safety training you undergo annually?

Answer 10

AECOM’s annual health and safety training covers risk assessment, emergency procedures, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and compliance with current health and safety regulations.

Question 11

Can you discuss a time when your health and safety training helped you identify or manage a potential hazard?

Answer 11

My training helped me identify a potential safety hazard related to inadequate PPE on a site, leading to immediate corrective measures and enhanced safety practices.

Question 11

What is the process you follow before visiting a site, including reviewing risk assessments and obtaining the correct PPE?

Answer 11

Before visiting a site, I review risk assessments, ensure I have the correct PPE, and familiarize myself with the site-specific safety protocols.

Question 11

How do you apply the RICS Surveying Safely guidance note in your daily work?

Answer 11

I apply this guidance by integrating its principles into my daily work, ensuring that all surveying activities are conducted with an emphasis on safety and risk management.

Question 11

Can you describe a situation where you had to ensure that all safety protocols were in place before starting work on a site?

Answer 11

On a recent site, I ensured all safety protocols were in place by conducting a thorough safety briefing, verifying PPE use, and confirming compliance with risk management procedures before starting work.

Question 12

How do you handle situations where site safety protocols are not being followed by others?

Answer 12

If safety protocols are not followed, I address the issue immediately by reminding the team of the procedures, providing additional training if needed, and reporting the issue to the site manager.

Question 13

Can you provide an example of how your CSCS card and CITB Health and Safety test qualifications have been beneficial in a project?

Answer 13

My CSCS card and CITB Health and Safety test qualifications have been beneficial in ensuring that I adhere to safety standards, thus preventing potential site accidents and maintaining compliance.

Question 13

What was the process for obtaining your CITB Health and Safety test, and how do you ensure you remain up-to-date with its requirements?

Answer 13

I obtained the CITB Health and Safety test through a formal assessment process, ensuring ongoing compliance with health and safety standards and staying updated with any changes.

Question 14

What measures do you take to ensure that you are familiar with site-specific safety requirements before commencing work?

Answer 14

I review site-specific safety documentation, attend site inductions, and consult with site safety officers to ensure I am up-to-date with all safety requirements before commencing work.

Question 15

How do you prepare for the renewal of your CSCS card every five years?

Answer 15

I prepare for renewal by reviewing the latest safety standards, taking refresher courses, and ensuring my knowledge is current to pass the renewal test successfully.

Question 15

How does obtaining and maintaining your CSCS card contribute to your competence for site attendance?

Answer 15

The CSCS card certifies my competence for site attendance, ensuring that I have the necessary skills and knowledge to work safely on-site.

Question 16

How do you ensure that the information from safety briefings and toolbox talks is effectively integrated into your work practices?

Answer 16

I ensure that safety briefing information is integrated by reviewing it regularly, applying the guidance in daily tasks, and discussing it with the team to ensure compliance.

Question 17

What have you learned from the various safety inductions and briefings you have attended, and how do these contribute to your overall safety awareness?

Answer 17

Safety inductions and briefings enhance my safety awareness by providing critical information on site-specific risks and emergency procedures, contributing to a safer working environment.

Question 18

Can you describe a specific safety induction or briefing you attended and how it affected your approach to safety on that project?

Answer 18

A recent safety induction on a high-risk site emphasized the importance of emergency protocols, which significantly improved my approach to managing safety on that project.

Question 19

How do you contribute to safety briefings and toolbox talks if you are responsible for leading them?

Answer 19

When leading safety briefings, I ensure they are informative and engaging, covering all relevant safety topics and encouraging team members to actively participate and raise any concerns.

Question 19

How do you review and comprehend risk assessments before visiting a site, and what do you do if you identify any discrepancies or concerns?

Answer 19

I review risk assessments by thoroughly analyzing the documented risks, checking for discrepancies, and addressing any concerns with the safety team before site work begins.

Question 20

What steps do you take to ensure that the risk assessments you review are up-to-date and accurate?

Answer 20

I ensure risk assessments are up-to-date by regularly reviewing them, consulting with safety experts, and making necessary updates based on site conditions and new risks.

Question 20

How do you handle changes in site-specific safety requirements that occur during a project?

Answer 20

I handle changes by quickly reviewing the updated protocols, communicating changes to the team, and ensuring compliance through regular checks and briefings.

Question 21

Can you provide an example of a risk assessment that you found particularly challenging, and how you addressed it?

Answer 21

I found a risk assessment lacking detail on a potential site hazard. I addressed this by collaborating with the safety team to update the assessment and implement additional safety measures.

Question 22

How do you communicate and enforce risk management practices with your team or colleagues on-site?

Answer 22

I communicate risk management practices by conducting regular briefings, distributing updated risk assessments to the team, and ensuring everyone understands and follows the procedures.

Question 23

Can you give an example of a site-specific safety protocol you had to adapt to, and how you managed this adaptation?

Answer 23

On a project with specific fire safety protocols, I adapted by implementing additional fire drills and ensuring all team members were trained on the new procedures.

Question 24

What strategies do you use to quickly adapt to new or changing safety protocols on a site?

Answer 24

I use strategies such as attending briefings, consulting with safety officers, and reviewing updated documentation to adapt to new safety protocols effectively.

Question 25

How do you stay informed about best practices in health and safety and incorporate them into your work?

Answer 25

I stay informed by attending industry seminars, participating in relevant training, and reviewing updates from health and safety organizations to integrate best practices into my work.

Question 25

How do you ensure that the safety practices you follow are appropriate for the specific environment in which you are working?

Answer 25

I ensure safety practices are appropriate by assessing the specific risks of the environment, adapting safety measures accordingly, and regularly reviewing practices to ensure they are effective.

Question 25

How do you ensure that site-specific safety information is communicated effectively to all relevant parties?

Answer 25

I ensure effective communication by holding briefings, distributing written protocols, and confirming that all team members understand and acknowledge the new safety requirements.

Question 25

What role do you think continuous improvement plays in maintaining high safety standards, and how do you contribute to this process?

Answer 25

Continuous improvement is vital for maintaining high safety standards. I contribute by regularly reviewing safety practices, seeking feedback, and incorporating best practices into our procedures.

Question 26

How do health and safety considerations differ when working in a live office environment, such as during the Citi Bank project, compared to a typical construction site?

Answer 26

Health and safety considerations differ between live office environments and construction sites due to the nature of the activities and potential hazards. For live environments, additional measures are taken to minimize disruption and protect ongoing operations.

Question 27

What additional safety measures do you take when working in environments that are operational while construction activities are ongoing?

Answer 27

When working in operational environments, I implement measures such as clear segregation of work areas, maintaining communication with operational staff, and ensuring that safety protocols are tailored to the specific environment.

Question 27

How do you contribute to fostering a safety culture within your team or organization?

Answer 27

I contribute to a safety culture by promoting open communication about safety issues, leading by example, and encouraging team members to prioritize safety in all activities.

Question 28

Can you provide an example of a challenge related to health and safety in a live environment and how you addressed it?

Answer 28

On a project in a live office environment, managing noise and dust was challenging. I addressed this by implementing strict control measures and coordinating with office staff to minimize disruption.

Question 28

Can you discuss an initiative or practice you have implemented to improve health and safety on a project or site?

Answer 28

I implemented a safety initiative to enhance hazard reporting by introducing a user-friendly reporting system, which increased the number of reported hazards and improved overall site safety.

Question 29

What is your approach to addressing safety challenges or incidents when they arise on-site?

Answer 29

I address safety challenges by identifying the root cause, implementing corrective actions, documenting the issue, and communicating the solution to all relevant parties.

Question 30

Can you provide an example of a safety challenge you encountered and how you resolved it?

Answer 30

I encountered a challenge with unsafe scaffolding. I resolved it by halting work, coordinating with the scaffolding team to correct the issues, and ensuring compliance with safety standards.

Question 31

How do you ensure that any safety issues are documented and communicated appropriately?

Answer 31

I document safety issues by recording details in a safety log, reporting them to management, and following up to ensure that corrective actions are taken and communicated to the team.

Question 32

What actions do you take if you observe unsafe practices or conditions on a site?

Answer 32

If I observe unsafe practices, I address them immediately by informing the responsible individuals, providing guidance on proper procedures, and reporting the issue to ensure corrective measures are implemented.