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Health and safety quiz UK: the law in 12 questions

by Quizhat · 12 questions · Updated · CC BY

SafetyEnglish

The basics of health and safety law in Great Britain: the 1974 Act, reasonably practicable, risk assessment, training, employees' duties, RIDDOR and the law poster. Free quiz with instant feedback and a short explanation citing the rule for every answer. Based on the law and official guidance that apply in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales); Northern Ireland has its own, very similar regulations. Practice material written by Quizhat: these are not the questions of any official test, and Quizhat is not affiliated with CITB, CSCS or HSE. Sources: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; RIDDOR 2013; Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations 1989; HSE guidance (hse.gov.uk).

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Quiz questions

Question 1 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

What is the main Act of Parliament on health and safety at work in Great Britain?

  • The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963
  • The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
  • The Employment Rights Act 1996
  • The Equality Act 2010

Question 2 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

What does "so far as is reasonably practicable" mean?

  • Reducing risk unless the cost is grossly disproportionate
  • Doing whatever is cheapest for the business
  • Removing every risk, whatever the cost
  • Doing what other companies in the sector do

Question 3 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

Which duty is in section 7 of the 1974 Act?

  • Employers must pay statutory sick pay
  • Visitors must sign in at reception
  • Directors must hold a safety qualification
  • Employees must take reasonable care

Question 4 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

What does section 8 of the 1974 Act forbid?

  • Working more than 48 hours a week without signing an opt-out
  • Smoking anywhere on work premises
  • Recklessly or deliberately misusing safety equipment
  • Using a personal mobile phone while at work

Question 5 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

Can an employer charge employees for PPE they need to do their job safely?

  • Yes, but only at cost price
  • No: it must be provided free of charge
  • Yes, if it is deducted from wages with consent
  • Only for lost or replacement items

Question 6 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

Which regulation requires every employer to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment?

  • Regulation 3 of the MHSWR 1999
  • Regulation 1 of RIDDOR 2013
  • Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010
  • Regulation 3 of the Working Time Regulations 1998

Question 7 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

When must a risk assessment be reviewed?

  • Only every ten years
  • Only after a fatal accident or an HSE inspection visit
  • Never, once it is signed and written down
  • If no longer valid or after a significant change

Question 8 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

When must employers give health and safety training?

  • Once only, on the first day of employment
  • Only if the employee asks for it in writing
  • On recruitment and when exposed to new or increased risks
  • Only outside working hours, unpaid and at the employee's cost

Question 9 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

What must an employee tell their employer about?

  • Only accidents that need hospital treatment
  • Serious, immediate dangers and safety shortcomings
  • Only problems caused by other people's carelessness
  • Nothing: the employer should find out alone

Question 10 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

Under RIDDOR, an injury that keeps a worker off normal work for more than seven consecutive days must be reported within how long?

  • 15 days
  • 24 hours
  • 7 days
  • 6 months

Question 11 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

What must be recorded (not reported) under RIDDOR, and for how long must records be kept?

  • Every cut and bruise; kept for one year
  • Nothing has to be recorded, only reported
  • Only deaths and major injuries; ten years
  • Over-3-day injuries; at least 3 years

Question 12 · Single choice · 60s · 1 pt

How must employers inform staff about health and safety law?

  • Email everyone a link to the full Act once a year
  • Nothing is required by law for small firms
  • Display the HSE law poster or give out the leaflet
  • Put a copy of the Act in the staff room

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