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Subjects · Leaving Cert Construction Studies

Leaving Cert Construction Studies: Health & safety

How often Health & safety comes up on the Construction Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025.

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Construction Studies course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Health & safety, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Health & safety.

(a)Safe angle for a leaning ladder?
  1. 1 out for every 2 up
  2. 1 out for every 4 up (about 75°)
  3. Vertical, flat against the wall
(b)Card every construction site worker in Ireland must hold?
  1. Tax clearance certificate
  2. Building Energy Rating certificate
  3. SOLAS Safe Pass card
(c)Which law requires every employer to have a safety statement?
  1. Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
  2. The Building Control Act 2007
  3. The Planning and Development Act 2000 and its rules
Show the answers

(a) 1 out for every 4 up (about 75°)

(b) SOLAS Safe Pass card

(c) Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Health & safety.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q2
2024Not asked
2023Q2
2022Not asked
2021Q2
2019Not asked
2018Q2
2017Not asked
2016Q2

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Health & safety questions

Health & safety, 2 marks

Why are portable power tools on building sites run at 110 V?

  1. The tools are more powerful at 110 V than they are at 230 V
  2. It is cheaper per unit of electricity used
  3. The reduced voltage lowers the risk of a fatal shock
Show the answer

The reduced voltage lowers the risk of a fatal shock

A site transformer steps 230 V down to 110 V, centre-tapped to earth so a fault gives only about 55 V to earth, greatly reducing shock risk in wet site conditions.

Health & safety, 2 marks

Correct way to lift a heavy load by hand?

  1. Twist the body while lifting to save time
  2. Bend the knees, keep the back straight, load close
  3. Bend at the waist, keeping the legs straight
Show the answer

Bend the knees, keep the back straight, load close

The leg muscles do the work while the spine stays in a strong position. Holding the load close cuts the strain, and turning the feet avoids twisting the back.

Health & safety, 2 marks

What does a CSCS card show a worker is trained for?

  1. Operating specific plant or doing specialist tasks
  2. Basic site safety awareness, the same as for all workers
  3. Driving a van or car on public roads to site
Show the answer

Operating specific plant or doing specialist tasks

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme covers tasks such as scaffolding, crane or excavator operation. Safe Pass covers basic safety awareness for all site workers.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q6
2024Q6
2023Q6
2022Q6
2021Q6
2019Q6
2018Q6
2017Q6
2016Q6

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Health & safety questions

Health & safety, 2 marks

What does PPE stand for?

  1. Public planning enquiry
  2. Portable power equipment
  3. Personal protective equipment
Show the answer

Personal protective equipment

PPE is the gear a worker wears to protect themselves, such as a hard hat, safety boots, goggles, gloves, ear defenders and a hi-vis vest.

Health & safety, 2 marks

Safe angle for a leaning ladder, as a ratio of up to out?

  1. 10 up for every 1 out
  2. 4 up for every 1 out
  3. 1 up for every 1 out
Show the answer

4 up for every 1 out

At about 75 degrees (4 up, 1 out) the ladder will not slide out at the foot or tip backwards. Too steep or too shallow is dangerous.

Health & safety, 2 marks

Card showing a building worker has done basic site safety training?

  1. Safe Pass
  2. BER certificate
  3. Site planning notice
Show the answer

Safe Pass

Safe Pass is a one-day safety awareness course run by SOLAS. Workers on Irish building sites must hold a valid card.

Other Construction Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Construction Studies