Health and Safety Certificate for the Construction Industry Reading Answers

Jan 13, 2026

The answers for "Health and Safety Certificate for the Construction Industry Reading Answers" include 7 questions and are part of the assessment framework for the IELTS General Reading test. Candidates are allotted 10 minutes to complete the reading responses concerning "Health and Safety Certificate for the Construction Industry Reading Answers." This portion of the IELTS reading exam consists of various question formats, including choosing one word only and/or a number from the text for each answer.

The answers for "Health and Safety Certificate for the Construction Industry Reading Answers" offer a comprehensive overview of the passage, explaining that the H&S Certificate is designed for construction supervisors to develop the skills needed to manage health and safety effectively across all stages of construction work. The course combines theory and practical assessment, with flexible study options and certification awarded after successful completion of three units. For additional practice with similar reading assessments, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

Health and Safety Certificate for the Construction Industry Reading Answers

(H&S Certificate)

Who should register for this course?

The H&S Certificate is aimed at people who work as supervisors within the construction industry (whether or not that is part of their job title), who are required to ensure that activities under their control are undertaken safely.

Course duration

Option 1 - Conversion Course (for those who have a PHS Certificate - see below): 10 days, either one day a week or two weeks full-time.

Option 2 - Full Course (for all others): 15 days, either one day a week or three weeks full-time.

For both options, the written exam and practical assessment take half a day.

About the course

The course provides thorough preparation for the H&S Certificate, which is an award in health and safety specifically designed for the construction industry. It combines theory with practice, ensuring that those who gain the certificate are capable of managing health and safety throughout each stage of the construction process, from planning and design to use and finally demolition.

You may already be one step towards gaining an H&S Certificate

The PHS (Principles of Health and Safety) Certificate can be taken separately or as part of the H&S Certificate. If you gained this qualification no more than five years before entering for the H&S Certificate, it will be recognised as contributing to your Certificate without the need to repeat that unit of the course.

Course content

The H&S Certificate is divided into three units. Unit 1 covers the principles of health and safety (and is identical to the PHS Certificate), Unit 2 covers the identification and control of hazards, and Unit 3 deals with practical applications of health and safety.

How is the course assessed?

Candidates take written examinations for Units 1 and 2. Unit 3 is assessed by a practical examination testing the ability to identify health and safety issues in a construction workplace.

Unit 3 needs to be taken within 14 days of a written examination.

A full certificate is issued on successful completion of all three units.

Funding

Candidates from non-EU countries may be eligible for a small number of grants. These cover the cost of tuition, but not examination fees. For details, please contact the Registrar.

Enquiries

For further information please contact our administration office.

Questions 21-27

Choose ONE WORD ONLY AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.

21. Which position is the Certificate intended for?

Answer: supervisors

Supporting statement: “The H&S Certificate is aimed at people who work as supervisors within the construction industry”

Keywords: supervisors, construction industry

Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, lines 1–2

Explanation:

The passage clearly explains who the course is designed for at the very beginning. It states that the H&S Certificate is aimed at people working as supervisors in the construction industry. It also clarifies that the job title does not necessarily need to include the word “supervisor.” What matters is responsibility for ensuring safe working practices. Therefore, supervisors are the intended audience.

22. How many days must a student without a PHS Certificate study?

Answer: 15

Supporting statement: “Option 2 - Full Course (for all others): 15 days”

Keywords: full course, 15 days

Keyword Location: Course duration section, Option 2, line 1

Explanation:

The question asks about students who do not hold a PHS Certificate. The course duration section provides two options and clearly states that the full course is for all others. This option requires 15 days of study. Since students without a PHS Certificate must take the full course, the correct answer is 15 days.

23. What is the last stage of the construction process that is covered by the course?

Answer: demolition

Supporting statement: “from planning and design to use and finally demolition”

Keywords: construction process, demolition

Keyword Location: About the course section, line 3

Explanation:

The passage outlines the stages of the construction process covered by the course. It lists planning, design, use, and finally demolition. Since the question asks for the last stage, demolition is the correct response. This shows that the course covers the entire life cycle of a construction project, including its final phase.

24. For how long does a PHS Certificate count towards the H&S Certificate?

Answer: five

Supporting statement: “no more than five years before entering for the H&S Certificate”

Keywords: five years, recognised

Keyword Location: PHS Certificate section, line 2

Explanation:

The text explains how long a previously gained PHS Certificate remains valid for contributing toward the H&S Certificate. It clearly states that the qualification must have been gained within five years. If this condition is met, the unit does not need to be repeated. Therefore, the PHS Certificate counts for five years.

25. What do students learn to identify and deal with in Unit 2?

Answer: hazards

Supporting statement: “Unit 2 covers the identification and control of hazards”

Keywords: identification, control, hazards

Keyword Location: Course content section, line 2

Explanation:

The course content section explains what each unit focuses on. Unit 2 is specifically described as dealing with the identification and control of hazards. This directly answers what students learn to identify and deal with. Since the question requires one word only, hazards is the correct answer taken directly from the passage.

26. What type of examination is used for Unit 3?

Answer: practical

Supporting statement: “Unit 3 is assessed by a practical examination”

Keywords: practical examination, Unit 3

Keyword Location: How is the course assessed section, line 2

Explanation:

The assessment method for each unit is clearly outlined in the passage. Units 1 and 2 require written examinations, while Unit 3 is different. It is assessed through a practical examination that tests real workplace skills. Therefore, the correct type of examination for Unit 3 is practical.

27. What will a grant pay for?

Answer: tuition

Supporting statement: “These cover the cost of tuition, but not examination fees”

Keywords: grants, tuition

Keyword Location: Funding section, line 2

Explanation:

The funding section explains what financial support is available. It specifies that grants may be available for candidates from non-EU countries. These grants cover the cost of tuition only and do not include examination fees. As the question asks what the grant will pay for, tuition is the correct answer.

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