Asbestos Awareness Course Practice Test: Mock Questions for the UK UKATA Exam

What Is Asbestos ?

Asbestos is a name given to over 30 different types of materials all based around the compound magnesium silicate. Mixed with other metals which have crystallized due to volcanic action.

There are two types of asbestos which has been used in the construction industry from bricks and roofs to ceiling and floor tiles. Asbestos was also used in the automotive industry in the manufacture of brake components.

• Amphiboles, referred to as blue, brown and tremolite asbestos.
• Serpentine referred to as white asbestos (chrysotile).

Note: The practice test questions for the UKATA mock exam further down the page.

Until its ban in the UK in 1985, asbestos was mainly used to manufacture textured finishing, thermal insulation, insulating boards, rope, cement sheets, pipes and many different car parts.

Asbestos Mining

Asbestos was mined in the USA, USSR, Canada, South Africa and Australia as well as many other countries. It is still used today in third world countries unchecked and unregulated.

The fibres are so tiny that they can hang around in the air in an undisturbed room for days. Inhaling these fibres is lethal.

It is inhaled into the lungs and cannot be removed by the bodies natural defences. The long term effects may not even be noticed for over 15 years, by which it is already to late for the person.

Some of the effects/diseases caused by asbestos are commonly known as Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, Lung Cancer, Plueral plaque, and Laryngeal Cancer.

The 2006 CAR ( Control of Asbestos Regulation ) requires that any contractor is required to identify any and all materials in the building prior to any work commencing.

They Can Do This by the Following Methods:

1. Use of information from the material supplier
2. Analysis of the material
3. Reference to building plans to identify possible asbestosis types.

The government announced that in 2011, there were 178 deaths recorded as a direct result from asbestosis, with another 301 deaths possibly caused by inhalation of this deadly dust.

In 1978 there were only 109 deaths, that figure appears to be increasing as the affects are now taking hold of construction workers.

In 2012, that number rose to over 1000, by 2015 it was 1200.

Thousands of cases of asbestosis go unreported as the diagnosis is perceived wrongly. These figures are for the UK only.

It is estimated that over 3 million people across the USA have asbestosis, but as yet, they do not know it.

Practice Mock Questions for the UKATA Exam (UK)

The UKATA ( United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association ) certification is now required for many construction and demolition jobs. Asbestos is an agonising silent killer, and globally, is responsible for millions of deaths.

The asbestos awareness course has been introduced in an attempt to help limit the number of asbestosis cases within the UK. The certification is valid for one year, and costs between £20 - £37, depending on whom you go through. The exam can be done in minutes on-line with a printable certificate upon completion.

The compilation below of mock or practice questions may appear in all or some of the UKATA exams. Answers at foot of page.

Question 1: Three diseases related to asbestos are?

A. Aids, Lung Cancer, Asbestosis

B. Mesothelioma, Colon Cancer, Throat Cancer

C. Lung Cancer, Asbestosis, Mesothelioma

D. Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, Diabetes

Question 2: In older buildings, you may find asbestos in:

A. Ceiling tiles

B. Old pipe insulation

C. Floor tiles

D. All of the items above

Question 3: Most symptoms of asbestosis are apparent within a space of five years

A. True

B. False

Question 4: What is asbestos ?

A. A man made synthetic material

B. A natural material derived from sand particles

C. A natural material derived from certain rock formations

D. None of the above

Question 5: Studies conclude that people whom smoke are more likely to contract asbestosis?

A. True

B. False

Question 6: Which source of asbestos in the UK, is most friable ?

A. Lab counter top

B. Floor tiles

C. Sprayed on insulation

D. Ceiling tiles which are not damaged

Question 7: Any exposure to the fibres of asbestos is dangerous because..

A. The affects of asbestos are immediate

B. The full aspects of the material is not yet fully known

C. It disrupts the lungs functioning capabilities

D. None of the above

Question 8: What three main things determine the likelihood of a person contracting an asbestos related disease.

A. Gender, duration of exposure, smoking

B. Age, duration of exposure, smoking

C. Age, type of asbestos exposed to, smoking

D. None of the above

Question 9: If a part of a sprayed on asbestos ceiling comes away and falls to the floor, you should...

A. Report it to your supervisor

B. Brush it up

C. Vacuum it up

D. Brush it into an air sealed bag

Question 10: What does a worker protection program entail?

A. Personal protection equipment (PPE)

B. Medical control/surveillance

C. Engineering Controls

D. All of the above

Question 11: Asbestos tiles, bricks and other items will only release fibres if they are disturbed or manipulated?

A. True

B. False

Question 12: Chrysotiles is the most commonly used type of asbestos.

A. True

B. False

Question 13: You can clean away asbestosis fibres and contamination with an air compressor, but only when there is no one else in the vicinity.

A. True

B. False

Question 14: Once asbestos fibres are released into the air, the can remain suspended there for hours and even days.

A. True

B. False

Question 15: Visibly damaged or degraded asbestos tiles, pipes or other products, may indicate that floors and work surfaces may be contaminated with asbestos dust.

A. True

B. False

Question 16: There is no evidence to suggest that drinking asbestos is harmful.

A. True

B. False

Question 17: The main entry point for asbestos fibres is through the skin

A. True

B. False

Question 18: If you are already working in environments which include asbestos, you can reduce your chances of getting cancer by quitting smoking?

A. True

B. False

Question 19: Friable asbestos can be reduced to a powder when dry just by using your hand.

A. True

B. False

Question 20: Asbestos waste can be put into local bins.

A. True

B. False

Question 1—C

Question 2 —D

Question 3—B

Question 4—C

Question 5—A

Question 6—C

Question 7—C

Question 8—B

Question 9—A

Question 10—D

Question 11—True

Question 12—True

Question 13—False

Question 14—True

Question 15—True

Question 16—False

Question 17—False

Question 18—True

Question 19—True

Question 20—False

The UK supreme court has ruled that the employers public liability insurance will compensate workers affected by asbestos. Including payments for medical expenses, excess travel, solicitors fees and any other charges relating to the illness.

UKASL asbestos awareness course