FREE PRACTICE TEST 13

CSCS Mock Test 13: 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 explanationsDust, Noise And Occupational Health

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

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

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

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

Question 2 of 50Occupational health

How can vibration exposure from power tools be reduced?

A. Remove tool guardsB. Use suitable low-vibration tools, maintain them and limit exposure timeC. Grip the tool as tightly as possibleD. Use heavier gloves instead of managing exposure

Correct answer: B. Tool selection, maintenance and exposure management are key controls for vibration risk.

Question 3 of 50High risk activities

Why are banksmen used for some vehicle movements?

A. To replace vehicle brakesB. To inspect wagesC. To speed up reversingD. To help control movements where the driver has restricted visibility

Correct answer: D. A trained banksman can guide movements and help keep people out of danger zones.

Question 4 of 50Safety

What should you do with a defective ladder, tool or piece of equipment?

A. Take it out of use and report/label it according to site procedureB. Loan it to another workerC. Hide the defectD. Use it only for short tasks

Correct answer: A. Defective equipment should be prevented from being used until made safe.

Question 5 of 50High risk activities

Should a mobile access tower be moved while people or loose materials are on the platform?

A. Yes, if two people pushB. Only if the brakes are partly appliedC. No, occupants should descend and loose items be secured before movingD. Yes, if moved slowly

Correct answer: C. Moving an occupied tower can cause overturning or falls.

Question 6 of 50Safety

If you spill a flammable liquid, what is the safest response?

A. Control ignition sources, follow the spill procedure and report itB. Cover it with paperC. Wash it into a drainD. Ignore it if it evaporates quickly

Correct answer: A. Flammable spills can ignite and spread; site spill and fire controls should be followed.

Question 7 of 50Safety

What should you do if a machine guard is missing?

A. Wear thicker gloves and continueB. Do not use the machine and report itC. Use the machine slowlyD. Ask someone to watch the moving parts

Correct answer: B. Guards are a primary control against contact with dangerous moving parts.

Question 8 of 50Safety

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

A. That the casing has your initialsB. That it is the heaviest tool availableC. That the lead is as long as possibleD. That it appears in good condition and any required inspection status is current

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

Question 9 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why must waste skips not be overfilled?

A. It only affects appearanceB. Materials can fall out during use or transportC. It improves recyclingD. It makes the skip too easy to lift

Correct answer: B. Overfilled skips create falling-object, transport and litter risks.

Question 10 of 50Safety

When is it appropriate to try to use a fire extinguisher?

A. If you can stand between the fire and the exitB. Only after the fire alarm stopsC. Only if you are trained, it is safe and you have a clear escape routeD. Whenever any fire is visible

Correct answer: C. Life safety comes first; extinguishers should only be used when trained and conditions are safe.

Question 11 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you do with batteries and other potentially hazardous small items?

A. Place them in the designated waste/recycling streamB. Throw them into firesC. Put them in general food wasteD. Leave them outdoors

Correct answer: A. Batteries can contain hazardous materials and should follow the site's designated disposal route.

Question 12 of 50High risk activities

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

A. To increase crane speedB. Damage or incorrect selection can lead to load failureC. To make them look cleanD. To avoid using a lift plan

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

Question 13 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. To keep containers warmerB. To provide seatingC. To improve ventilationD. To contain leaks or spills

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

Question 14 of 50Safety

If someone has a serious injury, what should you do?

A. Raise the alarm/get first aid and emergency help in line with site proceduresB. Move them immediately regardless of dangerC. Give them foodD. Leave them alone to recover

Correct answer: A. Serious injuries require prompt first-aid and emergency response; unnecessary movement can worsen some injuries.

Question 15 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 test the colour of the filterD. To measure hearing protection

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

Question 16 of 50Occupational health

Why should contaminated work clothing not be taken into clean eating areas?

A. It makes the room warmerB. It is only a company image issueC. It can spread hazardous dusts or substancesD. It damages mobile phones

Correct answer: C. Segregating contaminated clothing helps prevent secondary exposure by ingestion or transfer.

Question 17 of 50Occupational health

Why is asbestos dangerous?

A. It only causes skin irritationB. It causes instant electrical shockC. It always catches fireD. Airborne fibres can cause serious diseases many years after exposure

Correct answer: D. Inhaled asbestos fibres can cause fatal lung diseases with long latency periods.

Question 18 of 50Working environment

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

A. It is where deliveries are signed forB. It is where tools are issuedC. It is the normal lunch areaD. You may need to report there during an emergency evacuation

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

Question 19 of 50Occupational health

How can outdoor workers reduce harm from strong sunlight?

A. Work shirtlessB. Use suitable clothing, shade and sunscreen and take sensible breaksC. Avoid drinking waterD. Use welding goggles as sunglasses

Correct answer: B. UV exposure can damage skin; protective clothing, sunscreen and shade reduce risk.

Question 20 of 50High risk activities

Why must demolition work be carefully planned?

A. Only noise needs controllingB. Demolition is safe once windows are removedC. Planning is only required for tall buildingsD. 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 21 of 50High risk activities

What should you do if a scaffold appears incomplete or has missing guardrails?

A. Use it if you stay near the wallB. Do not use it and report the defectC. Use it only below the first liftD. Add a rope as a handrail yourself

Correct answer: B. Incomplete scaffolds can expose users to falls; they should not be used until made safe.

Question 22 of 50Occupational health

Where can you find manufacturer information about the hazards and safe handling of a chemical product?

A. Delivery driver's licenceB. TimesheetC. Safety Data SheetD. Site map only

Correct answer: C. Safety Data Sheets provide hazard, handling, storage and emergency information for chemical products.

Question 23 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

How should asbestos waste be handled if produced by authorised asbestos work?

A. Burned on siteB. Broken into smaller pieces to save spaceC. Mixed into general rubbleD. Using the specified hazardous-waste controls and authorised disposal route

Correct answer: D. Asbestos waste requires strict packaging, labelling, transport and disposal controls.

Question 24 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 25 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. Bury waste on siteC. Send everything to general wasteD. Burn timber and packaging

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

Question 26 of 50Working environment

What is the main purpose of a risk assessment?

A. To replace all training and supervisionB. To record who should be blamed after an accidentC. To make a job take longerD. 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 27 of 50Occupational health

What is a sensible action if you feel unwell from heat while working?

A. Stop, move to a cooler area, hydrate and report symptomsB. Drink only energy drinksC. Wear extra layersD. Keep working until the task is complete

Correct answer: A. Heat illness can worsen quickly; early cooling, hydration and reporting are important.

Question 28 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you do if work could disturb protected wildlife or nesting birds?

A. Use louder machineryB. Stop or follow the ecological controls and seek advice before disturbing themC. Move the nest yourselfD. Ignore it if the programme is busy

Correct answer: B. Ecological constraints should be identified and managed in line with site and legal requirements.

Question 29 of 50Working environment

Why should designated pedestrian routes be used around moving plant?

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

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

Question 30 of 50High risk activities

What should you do if you lose sight of the banksman while operating plant under their guidance?

A. Continue slowlyB. Reverse to where you last saw themC. Stop until communication is re-establishedD. Sound the horn and keep moving

Correct answer: C. Loss of communication can put people at risk; movement should stop until the signal system is restored.

Question 31 of 50Working environment

What is the best response if a task creates a hazard for people working nearby?

A. Coordinate the work and put controls or segregation in placeB. Assume they will notice itC. Only warn your own teamD. Work faster

Correct answer: A. Activities should be coordinated so one team's work does not expose others to uncontrolled risk.

Question 32 of 50High risk activities

Why are toe boards fitted to many work platforms?

A. To replace guardrailsB. To mark smoking areasC. To increase platform heightD. To help prevent tools and materials being kicked or falling from the edge

Correct answer: D. Toe boards are part of edge protection and help contain materials on the platform.

Question 33 of 50High risk activities

Who should give standard signals to a crane or plant operator during a lifting operation?

A. The newest workerB. Any worker nearbyC. Only the delivery driverD. A designated competent signaller/banksman where required

Correct answer: D. Clear communication through a designated competent signaller helps prevent conflicting instructions.

Question 34 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should you never ride on the forks or bucket of plant equipment?

A. It slows the engineB. It can scratch the paintC. It is allowed if the operator agreesD. They are not designed as personnel platforms and a fall or crushing injury can result

Correct answer: D. People should only be lifted using equipment designed and authorised for lifting persons.

Question 35 of 50Occupational health

What is a common early symptom of hand-arm vibration syndrome?

A. Temporary hair lossB. Improved grip strengthC. Better circulationD. Tingling or numbness in the fingers

Correct answer: D. Tingling, numbness and blanching of the fingers can be signs of vibration-related damage.

Question 36 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 increases oxygen levelsD. It only affects hard hats

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

Question 37 of 50High risk activities

Who should operate an excavator, telehandler or similar plant?

A. Anyone with a car licenceB. A labourer if supervised from a distanceC. A trained, competent and authorised operatorD. Any worker over 18

Correct answer: C. Plant operation requires competence and site authorisation appropriate to the equipment and task.

Question 38 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you do if strong winds begin affecting a lifting or access operation?

A. Remove wind-speed checksB. Add more people as ballastC. Follow the equipment/plan limits and stop if conditions are unsafeD. Continue because the schedule is fixed

Correct answer: C. Wind can affect cranes, MEWPs, towers and loads; manufacturer and lift-plan limits must be respected.

Question 39 of 50High risk activities

What should be provided where an excavation is at risk of collapse?

A. A warning sign onlyB. High-visibility clothing onlyC. Suitable support, battering or another engineered protective systemD. A plank across the top

Correct answer: C. Excavation sides need appropriate support or safe shaping where collapse risk exists.

Question 40 of 50Safety

Why should you never remove an electrical plug earth pin or defeat an RCD?

A. It only affects battery lifeB. It changes the voltage colourC. It can remove important protection against electric shockD. It makes tools too quiet

Correct answer: C. Protective electrical features are safety controls and must not be bypassed.

Question 41 of 50Working environment

What should you do when you arrive at a construction site for the first time?

A. Only read the emergency noticeboardB. Start work immediately if you know the tradeC. Wait in the welfare area until someone finds youD. Attend the site induction and follow the site rules

Correct answer: D. A site induction explains local hazards, emergency arrangements, welfare facilities and site-specific rules before work begins.

Question 42 of 50Working environment

What is a near miss?

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

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

Question 43 of 50Working environment

What should you do if a safety barrier has been moved and no longer protects an opening?

A. Assume someone else will fix itB. Wait until the end of the shiftC. Put a warning note nearby and carry onD. Report it and make sure the area is secured before exposure continues

Correct answer: D. Missing barriers can expose people to serious falls; the area should be secured and the defect reported promptly.

Question 44 of 50Working environment

Why are exclusion zones set up around certain activities?

A. To make the site look organisedB. To create a place for storing personal belongingsC. To keep unauthorised people away from a hazardous areaD. To provide a smoking area

Correct answer: C. Exclusion zones reduce exposure to hazards such as lifting operations, demolition, plant or falling materials.

Question 45 of 50Safety

Why is horseplay unacceptable on site?

A. It is allowed during breaksB. It is only prohibited for apprenticesC. It only causes delaysD. It introduces unnecessary risk around hazards, tools and moving equipment

Correct answer: D. Construction sites contain serious hazards; distraction and horseplay can lead to injury.

Question 46 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is a sensible control when refuelling plant?

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

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

Question 47 of 50Safety

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

A. To make equipment run fasterB. To reserve equipment for one tradeC. To record working hoursD. To prevent equipment being energised unexpectedly during work

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

Question 48 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should different waste streams be separated where the site system requires it?

A. It increases the amount of wasteB. It supports safe handling, recycling and lawful disposalC. It removes the need for skipsD. It makes all waste non-hazardous

Correct answer: B. Segregation can improve recycling and prevent contamination of recyclable or hazardous waste streams.

Question 49 of 50Working environment

Why are toolbox talks used on construction sites?

A. To replace all formal qualificationsB. To inspect payroll recordsC. To allocate annual leaveD. To discuss short, relevant safety topics with the workforce

Correct answer: D. Toolbox talks provide focused, practical reminders about hazards, controls and safe working methods.

Question 50 of 50Working environment

What should you do if site conditions change and the planned safe method no longer seems suitable?

A. Continue because the paperwork has already been signedB. Ask a colleague to take responsibilityC. Ignore the change if the task is almost finishedD. Stop and ask for the risk assessment or method to be reviewed

Correct answer: D. Safe systems of work should be reviewed when conditions change or new hazards appear.

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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.