FREE PRACTICE TEST 02

CSCS Mock Test 02: 50 Questions

Practice the format people commonly call the “CSCS test”. The official assessment is the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Operatives test: 50 questions in 45 minutes with a 45/50 pass mark.

50 questions45 minutes45/50 targetInstant explanationsPpe, Hazards And Safe Systems Of Work

Important: This is an independent FastQual practice test, not an official CITB test or official CITB question bank. Use it alongside current official revision materials.

45:00

Answered 0/50

Question 1 of 50Occupational health

Why should you wash your hands before eating or smoking after handling hazardous materials?

A. To reduce vibrationB. To improve grip strengthC. To prevent hearing damageD. To reduce accidental ingestion or transfer of contaminants

Correct answer: D. Handwashing prevents hazardous substances being transferred to food, cigarettes or the face.

Question 2 of 50Safety

Before changing a blade or accessory on a power tool, what should you normally do?

A. Isolate the tool from its power sourceB. Ask a colleague to hold the bladeC. Remove the guard permanentlyD. Keep the trigger pressed

Correct answer: A. Isolation prevents accidental start-up while hands are near the cutting or moving parts.

Question 3 of 50High risk activities

What should you do if a lifting sling has visible cuts, severe wear or damage?

A. Wrap it with tapeB. Tie a knot in itC. Use it for a lighter load without telling anyoneD. Remove it from use and report it

Correct answer: D. Damaged lifting accessories must not be used unless formally assessed and made safe.

Question 4 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should noisy work be planned carefully near neighbours?

A. To make the equipment wear fasterB. To eliminate the need for hearing protectionC. Noise outside the site is never relevantD. To reduce nuisance and comply with site/local controls

Correct answer: D. Construction noise can affect neighbours and may be subject to agreed hours and control measures.

Question 5 of 50Safety

If a tool starts behaving unusually, what should you do?

A. Hit it to make it work normallyB. Stop using it and report/check the defectC. Increase the speedD. Remove the safety guard

Correct answer: B. Unusual noise, vibration or operation can indicate a dangerous defect.

Question 6 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should happen to concrete washout water?

A. It should be spread across soilB. It should be poured into the nearest drainC. It should be managed in a designated system and kept out of drains and watercoursesD. It is harmless once diluted

Correct answer: C. Concrete wash water is highly alkaline and can pollute water and soil.

Question 7 of 50Working environment

Why should designated pedestrian routes be used around moving plant?

A. They are only for visitorsB. They remove the need for high-visibility clothingC. They help separate people from vehicle movementsD. They are usually the shortest route

Correct answer: C. Segregating pedestrians from moving vehicles is a key control for workplace transport risks.

Question 8 of 50High risk activities

Why is an excavation dangerous even if it is not very deep?

A. Only excavators are at riskB. Shallow excavations are always safeC. Sides can collapse and people can fall in or encounter services depending on conditionsD. Only water is a hazard

Correct answer: C. Excavation risk depends on ground, depth, loads, access, services and other conditions—not one simple depth threshold.

Question 9 of 50Safety

Why must safety devices on tools and machinery not be bypassed?

A. They are designed to reduce exposure to dangerous movement or conditionsB. They reduce productivity onlyC. They are optional for experienced workersD. They are only required during inspections

Correct answer: A. Defeating safety devices removes engineered protection and can expose workers to severe hazards.

Question 10 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is the purpose of a spill kit?

A. To contain and absorb certain spills so they can be handled safelyB. To test concrete strengthC. To repair electrical toolsD. To clean PPE only

Correct answer: A. Spill kits provide materials for containment, absorption and controlled clean-up.

Question 11 of 50Safety

Why should emergency stop controls be kept unobstructed?

A. They may need to be activated immediatelyB. They are only decorativeC. They prevent tools being cleanedD. They increase production

Correct answer: A. Emergency stops must be readily accessible if dangerous movement needs to be stopped quickly.

Question 12 of 50Occupational health

Why should hearing protection fit correctly?

A. It changes the colour of the ear defendersB. Poor fit can greatly reduce the protection providedC. It makes tools run more quietlyD. It removes the need to control noise at source

Correct answer: B. Hearing protection only works effectively when selected, fitted and worn correctly.

Question 13 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should drains sometimes be covered or protected during spill-risk activities?

A. To stop rain completelyB. To prevent contaminants entering the drainage systemC. To increase drainage speedD. To store tools on top

Correct answer: B. Drain protection is an important part of pollution prevention.

Question 14 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is the best general approach to construction waste?

A. Prevent or reduce waste first, then reuse/recycle where practicable before disposalB. Send everything to general wasteC. Burn timber and packagingD. Bury waste on site

Correct answer: A. Waste prevention and reuse generally sit above recycling and disposal in the waste hierarchy.

Question 15 of 50High risk activities

What should you check before using a ladder?

A. That someone used it yesterdayB. That it is suitable, in good condition and set up securelyC. That it is the longest ladder on siteD. That it has paint marks

Correct answer: B. Ladders should be suitable for the task, inspected and positioned on a stable surface.

Question 16 of 50Occupational health

If a load is too heavy or awkward for you to handle safely, what should you do?

A. Drag it across an access routeB. Try to lift it once to test yourselfC. Get help or use suitable mechanical assistanceD. Throw it onto a trolley

Correct answer: C. Do not attempt a lift that exceeds your capability; use assistance or mechanical handling equipment.

Question 17 of 50Safety

Why must emergency equipment remain accessible?

A. It may be needed immediately during an incidentB. It is only used during inspectionsC. It is used for tool storageD. Access is optional on small sites

Correct answer: A. Blocked fire points, first-aid equipment or emergency controls can delay a response.

Question 18 of 50Working environment

What is the main purpose of a risk assessment?

A. To record who should be blamed after an accidentB. To make a job take longerC. To replace all training and supervisionD. To identify hazards, assess risk and decide suitable controls

Correct answer: D. Risk assessment is used to identify hazards and put proportionate controls in place before people are harmed.

Question 19 of 50Working environment

What should you do if you are asked to carry out a task you have not been trained or authorised to do?

A. Explain that you are not competent or authorised and seek instructionB. Try it once to gain experienceC. Ask another untrained worker to helpD. Do it only if no supervisor is watching

Correct answer: A. Workers should only undertake tasks for which they are competent, trained and authorised where required.

Question 20 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why is environmental incident reporting important?

A. It replaces spill responseB. It allows prompt control, clean-up and prevention of recurrenceC. It is unnecessary for small sitesD. Only to calculate wages

Correct answer: B. Reporting helps limit impacts and supports corrective action.

Question 21 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why may wheel-wash facilities be used at site exits?

A. To clean workers' boots onlyB. To test water pressureC. To cool vehicle brakesD. To reduce mud and debris being tracked onto public roads

Correct answer: D. Keeping public roads clear of site mud reduces environmental nuisance and road hazards.

Question 22 of 50Working environment

What is the main purpose of site welfare facilities?

A. To provide free toolsB. To provide suitable toilets, washing, drinking water and rest facilitiesC. To store hazardous chemicalsD. To replace first-aid arrangements

Correct answer: B. Suitable welfare arrangements support hygiene, health and safe working conditions.

Question 23 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should happen if you discover contaminated soil during excavation?

A. Mix it with clean soilB. Wash it into a drainC. Spread it across the siteD. Stop or isolate as required and report it so the material can be assessed and managed

Correct answer: D. Unexpected contamination should be assessed before further disturbance or disposal.

Question 24 of 50Working environment

What do green safety signs commonly identify?

A. Prohibited activitiesB. Mandatory PPEC. Safe conditions such as emergency exits or first aidD. Electrical voltage

Correct answer: C. Green signs are associated with safe conditions such as emergency exits and first-aid locations.

Question 25 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is a sensible control when refuelling plant?

A. Leave the nozzle unattendedB. Use the designated area/process, avoid overfilling and have spill controls availableC. Smoke nearby so you can see wind directionD. Refuel next to an open drain

Correct answer: B. Controlled refuelling reduces fire and pollution risk.

Question 26 of 50High risk activities

When should work at height be avoided?

A. Whenever the task can reasonably be done from a safe position without working at heightB. Never; ladders are always acceptableC. Only when it rainsD. Only above five metres

Correct answer: A. The hierarchy for work at height starts by avoiding work at height where reasonably practicable.

Question 27 of 50Working environment

What is the best way to help prevent slips and trips in your work area?

A. Keep routes clear and deal with spills, cables and waste promptlyB. Only clean areas that visitors can seeC. Leave waste until the end of the weekD. Walk more quickly through congested areas

Correct answer: A. Good housekeeping, cable management and prompt clean-up reduce slip and trip risks.

Question 28 of 50Occupational health

What is the best reason to report stress or mental-health concerns that are affecting safe work?

A. It is unrelated to safetyB. Only managers can raise such concernsC. It automatically leads to dismissalD. Support and adjustments may help prevent errors and protect wellbeing

Correct answer: D. Wellbeing can affect concentration and decision-making; early support can help maintain safe performance.

Question 29 of 50Occupational health

What does COSHH relate to?

A. Controlling exposure to substances hazardous to healthB. Managing scaffold inspectionsC. Setting wage ratesD. Controlling vehicle parking

Correct answer: A. COSHH requires hazardous substances and exposure routes to be assessed and controlled.

Question 30 of 50High risk activities

What is a major danger near reversing construction vehicles?

A. Driver blind spotsB. Clean windscreensC. Low tyre pressure onlyD. Loud radios

Correct answer: A. Large vehicles can have significant blind spots, so segregation, visibility and safe reversing controls are important.

Question 31 of 50Working environment

Why should you know the location of the site assembly point?

A. It is the normal lunch areaB. You may need to report there during an emergency evacuationC. It is where tools are issuedD. It is where deliveries are signed for

Correct answer: B. The assembly point allows people to be accounted for after an evacuation.

Question 32 of 50High risk activities

What should you do around a suspended load?

A. Touch it to check its weightB. Stay clear and never position yourself underneath itC. Walk under it if wearing a hard hatD. Stand directly beneath it to guide the operator

Correct answer: B. Suspended loads can fall or swing unpredictably; exclusion is essential.

Question 33 of 50Working environment

What is a near miss?

A. An unplanned event that caused no harm but could haveB. An event that caused a minor injury onlyC. A task completed without supervisionD. A late delivery

Correct answer: A. Near misses should be reported because they reveal hazards before a more serious incident occurs.

Question 34 of 50Occupational health

What is a major health risk from repeatedly breathing respirable crystalline silica dust?

A. Temporary eye strain onlyB. Silicosis and other serious lung diseaseC. Sprained anklesD. Hearing loss

Correct answer: B. Fine silica dust can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause serious, irreversible disease.

Question 35 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is the purpose of bunding around some fuel or chemical storage?

A. To keep containers warmerB. To contain leaks or spillsC. To provide seatingD. To improve ventilation

Correct answer: B. Secondary containment helps stop liquids spreading into soil or drainage systems.

Question 36 of 50Safety

Before using a portable electrical tool, what should you check?

A. That the lead is as long as possibleB. That the casing has your initialsC. That it appears in good condition and any required inspection status is currentD. That it is the heaviest tool available

Correct answer: C. Pre-use checks can identify obvious damage before the tool is energised.

Question 37 of 50Safety

What is the purpose of lock-off or isolation procedures?

A. To prevent equipment being energised unexpectedly during workB. To make equipment run fasterC. To record working hoursD. To reserve equipment for one trade

Correct answer: A. Secure isolation helps prevent dangerous unexpected energisation or movement.

Question 38 of 50Occupational health

What should you do if a chemical splashes onto your skin?

A. Cover it with dustB. Wait until the end of the shiftC. Rub the area vigorouslyD. Follow the product/site emergency instructions, rinse as directed and seek help if needed

Correct answer: D. Prompt decontamination and following the safety data/site procedure can limit injury.

Question 39 of 50High risk activities

Why must demolition work be carefully planned?

A. Demolition is safe once windows are removedB. Planning is only required for tall buildingsC. Only noise needs controllingD. Structures can become unstable and hazards such as services and hazardous materials must be controlled

Correct answer: D. Demolition can create collapse, falling material, service, dust and hazardous-material risks.

Question 40 of 50Safety

If someone is receiving an electric shock from live equipment, what should you do first if it is safe?

A. Pull them away with bare handsB. Isolate the electrical supply before touching the personC. Pour water on the equipmentD. Move the cable with a metal tool

Correct answer: B. You must avoid becoming a second casualty; safely isolate the power before contact.

Question 41 of 50High risk activities

What should happen before digging where underground services may be present?

A. Rely on memory of old plansB. Check service information, locate services with suitable equipment and use safe digging methodsC. Pour water on the areaD. Start with a mechanical excavator

Correct answer: B. Planning, service plans, locating devices and safe digging practices help prevent striking buried services.

Question 42 of 50High risk activities

What is a major hazard of fragile roofs?

A. They cannot get wetB. They always contain asbestosC. A person can fall through the roof surfaceD. They attract lightning

Correct answer: C. Fragile materials may not support a person's weight and require specific access and fall controls.

Question 43 of 50Safety

Why are reduced-voltage systems such as 110 V commonly used on construction sites?

A. They remove the need for electrical inspectionsB. They are waterproofC. They can reduce the severity of electric-shock risk compared with standard mains voltageD. They make tools twice as powerful

Correct answer: C. Reduced-voltage supplies can reduce shock risk, but equipment still needs correct use and maintenance.

Question 44 of 50Occupational health

What should you do if you unexpectedly disturb material that you suspect may contain asbestos?

A. Put the material in a normal waste skipB. Sweep up the dustC. Keep working but wear glovesD. Stop work, avoid further disturbance and report it

Correct answer: D. Suspected asbestos should not be disturbed; stop work and follow the site's asbestos procedures.

Question 45 of 50Occupational health

What is the purpose of face-fit testing for tight-fitting RPE?

A. To check that the specific mask can seal adequately to the wearerB. To replace trainingC. To measure hearing protectionD. To test the colour of the filter

Correct answer: A. Face-fit testing helps confirm that a tight-fitting mask is suitable for the individual wearer.

Question 46 of 50High risk activities

Why should lifting accessories such as slings be checked before use?

A. Damage or incorrect selection can lead to load failureB. To make them look cleanC. To avoid using a lift planD. To increase crane speed

Correct answer: A. Lifting accessories must be suitable and free from defects that could compromise their strength.

Question 47 of 50Working environment

What should you do if you do not understand a site instruction?

A. Ask for clarification before continuingB. Guess what it meansC. Ignore it if you are experiencedD. Copy what another worker is doing even if their task differs

Correct answer: A. You should understand the instruction and the risks before starting or continuing work.

Question 48 of 50Safety

What is a permit-to-work system used for?

A. To issue wagesB. To control certain high-risk activities through formal authorisation and precautionsC. To record lunch breaksD. To replace competence requirements

Correct answer: B. Permits help ensure specified precautions are in place before and during high-risk work.

Question 49 of 50Occupational health

Why can facial hair be a problem with tight-fitting respirators?

A. It makes filters last longerB. It can prevent an effective seal against the faceC. It only affects hard hatsD. It increases oxygen levels

Correct answer: B. Tight-fitting respirators rely on a good face seal; facial hair in the seal area can create leaks.

Question 50 of 50Working environment

What should you do if a floor opening is uncovered?

A. Step around it and say nothingB. Mark it with paint onlyC. Prevent access and report it so suitable protection can be restoredD. Cover it with loose cardboard

Correct answer: C. Openings should be physically protected or access prevented because a fall can cause serious injury.

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Official format reference: CITB states that the Operatives HS&E test contains 50 questions, lasts 45 minutes and requires at least 45 correct answers. Check current CITB guidance.

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Updated 2026-08-19. Questions are original revision content designed around common construction health, safety and environmental principles.