This CSCS thing

[JhawkArch]

I've got the application and plan to start revising when I get to the UK next month, so that's already been decided. From reading the previous posts, it seems that I won't need to worry too much.

[Dinosaur]

I've lasted 30 years of site work on strong black coffee at work and strong beer (mostly) after work, both of which are meant to dehydrate you, and I seem to have survived ok (apart from the crumbly bits...oh, and the bandages need replacing occasionally), so is water really necessary or can it be optional? :face-approve:

[Jack]

Both have water in them

[Dinosaur]

Think it's supposed to be something with how much goes in and how much subsequently comes out.....maybe I'm spontaneously producing water - the south-east's water shortages could be solved if people don't mind drinking the excess :face-approve:

[Jack]

You wont become dehydrated by drinking tea as it is mostly water. Its just that due to the diaretic (probly spelled that wrong) effect it wont hydrate you as well as water alone.
So if your from norway and your in africa, out in the sun, digging a big hole AND only drink tea or beer...your probably gonna get dangerously dehydrated.

Otherwise the best advice I ever heard about the amount of water you need to drink was 'drink water when you feel thirsty.'

[the invisible man]

Drink when you're thirsty? Now there's a revolutionary, nay subversive, idea! I might even apply sun cream on a blazing hot day without waiting to be told... (blazing hot day...pah! Chance would be a fine thing!). Now, if I park the van on the verge, I wonder if I should get out just as a huge lorry is approaching, or should I wait until it's clear?

[Dinosaur]

Sun cream? - oh, you mean that stuff that office people without a tan spent half their hard-earned on during the less-winter months? :face-approve:

[Jack]

Yep, if common sense could be bottled, it would be worth a fortune. From what I remember of the CSCS test most of the answers were 'ask a supervisor'

[trainedchimp]

Health and safety, I remember from my CSCS course, is 'just applied common sense'. That's what my supervisor said too. Must be true.

[squeejay]

I've got my test booked for this week and have just been flicking through the revision book. Common sense seems to cover most if it! To put people minds at rest here is a typical question: What can you do to reduce the risks of rats on site? a) lay traps b)lay poison c)bring cats(!) d)put rubbish in the bin. Seriously I don't think there is anything to worry about. The only sections that I had to read a bit more carefully were the electricity and working at height, but still got only 1 wrong in each section on my last practice.

More interesting for Bajrites is possibly the section on PPE. It just reinforces how badly most archaeologists fare in this aspect of work; most of the answers are 'the employer must pay for all ppe etc' but how many people here have had more than a hi vis bought for them? Apparently we are all entitled to waterproofs and boots! As well as a covered seated area with hot water facilities for break! :face-approve: