FREE PRACTICE TEST 14

CSCS Mock Test 14: 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 explanationsWork At Height And Access Safety

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.

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Answered 0/50

Question 1 of 50Occupational health

What does COSHH relate to?

A. Managing scaffold inspectionsB. Setting wage ratesC. Controlling exposure to substances hazardous to healthD. Controlling vehicle parking

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

Question 2 of 50Occupational health

Why is asbestos dangerous?

A. It always catches fireB. It causes instant electrical shockC. It only causes skin irritationD. 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 3 of 50Working environment

Why should designated pedestrian routes be used around moving plant?

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

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

Question 4 of 50Safety

Why is horseplay unacceptable on site?

A. It only causes delaysB. It is only prohibited for apprenticesC. It is allowed during breaksD. 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 5 of 50Occupational health

If a hearing-protection zone is marked, what should you do?

A. Wear the specified hearing protectionB. Ignore the sign if you are there brieflyC. Only wear protection when machinery stopsD. Use headphones instead

Correct answer: A. Mandatory hearing protection zones indicate that suitable hearing protection must be worn.

Question 6 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. Ask another untrained worker to helpB. Do it only if no supervisor is watchingC. Try it once to gain experienceD. Explain that you are not competent or authorised and seek instruction

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

Question 7 of 50High risk activities

What is a key hazard in a confined space?

A. Excess floor spaceB. A dangerous atmosphere, including low oxygen or toxic gasesC. Too much daylightD. Mobile phone reception

Correct answer: B. Confined spaces can contain life-threatening atmospheres and require strict planning and controls.

Question 8 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should fuel containers be stored in a suitable designated area?

A. To warm the fuelB. To reduce fire and pollution risk and allow spill containmentC. To make them easier to hideD. To keep them near drains

Correct answer: B. Suitable fuel storage helps prevent leaks, ignition and environmental contamination.

Question 9 of 50High risk activities

Why is a hot-work permit used on some sites?

A. To confirm specified fire and safety precautions are in placeB. To record the welder's wagesC. To replace fire extinguishersD. To allow smoking in the work area

Correct answer: A. A hot-work permit formalises checks and precautions for ignition-producing activities.

Question 10 of 50Working environment

What does a blue circular safety sign usually mean?

A. A mandatory action must be followedB. An action is prohibitedC. A substance is toxicD. A fire extinguisher is nearby

Correct answer: A. Blue circular signs normally communicate mandatory actions such as wearing specified PPE.

Question 11 of 50Working environment

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

A. Wait in the welfare area until someone finds youB. Attend the site induction and follow the site rulesC. Only read the emergency noticeboardD. Start work immediately if you know the trade

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

Question 12 of 50Occupational health

What can prolonged exposure to high noise levels cause?

A. Stronger eyesightB. Improved balanceC. Permanent hearing damageD. Better concentration

Correct answer: C. Noise-induced hearing loss can be permanent, so exposure should be controlled and hearing protection used where required.

Question 13 of 50Safety

What is the safest approach to trailing electrical leads?

A. Route or protect them so they do not create trip or damage hazardsB. Run them through standing waterC. Cover them with loose cardboardD. Stretch them tightly across doorways

Correct answer: A. Cables should be managed to prevent trips, crushing, cuts and water exposure.

Question 14 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 15 of 50High risk activities

Why are toe boards fitted to many work platforms?

A. To replace guardrailsB. To increase platform heightC. To mark smoking areasD. 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 16 of 50Occupational health

When cutting materials that can produce silica dust, which control is usually preferable to relying only on a dust mask?

A. Remove eye protectionB. Use effective extraction or water suppression at sourceC. Open a nearby door onlyD. Work faster to reduce exposure time

Correct answer: B. Controlling dust at source with extraction or suppression is more effective than relying on PPE alone.

Question 17 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why are exclusion zones used around overhead lifting?

A. To keep vehicles cleanB. To prevent people entering areas where loads or objects could fall or swingC. To create a rest areaD. To improve radio reception

Correct answer: B. Exclusion protects people from dropped or moving loads.

Question 18 of 50Safety

Why should water not be used on live electrical equipment?

A. It can conduct electricity and increase shock riskB. It always damages concreteC. It makes alarms louderD. It creates asbestos

Correct answer: A. Water can conduct electricity; power should be isolated and a suitable extinguisher used where appropriate.

Question 19 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 20 of 50High risk activities

What is a major hazard of fragile roofs?

A. They always contain asbestosB. A person can fall through the roof surfaceC. They cannot get wetD. They attract lightning

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

Question 21 of 50Safety

What should you do when a fire alarm sounds on site?

A. Stop work and follow the site's evacuation procedureB. Wait for smoke to appearC. Finish the current task firstD. Collect all your tools

Correct answer: A. Fire alarms require prompt evacuation in line with the site emergency plan.

Question 22 of 50Occupational health

How can vibration exposure from power tools be reduced?

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

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

Question 23 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 24 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is the best general approach to construction waste?

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

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

Question 25 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 are only required during inspectionsC. They reduce productivity onlyD. They are optional for experienced workers

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

Question 26 of 50High risk activities

Why are banksmen used for some vehicle movements?

A. To help control movements where the driver has restricted visibilityB. To inspect wagesC. To replace vehicle brakesD. To speed up reversing

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

Question 27 of 50Working environment

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

A. Ask a colleague to take responsibilityB. Continue because the paperwork has already been signedC. Stop and ask for the risk assessment or method to be reviewedD. Ignore the change if the task is almost finished

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

Question 28 of 50High risk activities

Before entering a confined space, what should be in place?

A. Only a torchB. A suitable risk assessment, permit/control system and emergency/rescue arrangementsC. A colleague outside with no instructionsD. A mobile phone

Correct answer: B. Confined-space entry requires planning, atmospheric controls where needed, competent people and rescue arrangements.

Question 29 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. Leave them outdoorsB. Put them in general food wasteC. Throw them into firesD. Place them in the designated waste/recycling stream

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

Question 30 of 50High risk activities

Who should operate an excavator, telehandler or similar plant?

A. A trained, competent and authorised operatorB. Anyone with a car licenceC. A labourer if supervised from a distanceD. Any worker over 18

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

Question 31 of 50Working environment

What is a near miss?

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

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

Question 32 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. Burned on siteB. Mixed into general rubbleC. Using the specified hazardous-waste controls and authorised disposal routeD. Broken into smaller pieces to save space

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

Question 33 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Add a rope as a handrail yourselfB. Use it if you stay near the wallC. Use it only below the first liftD. Do not use it and report the defect

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

Question 34 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 35 of 50Occupational health

Why must respiratory protective equipment be suitable for the hazard?

A. Different filters and respirators protect against different contaminantsB. All masks provide identical protectionC. The colour is the only important factorD. RPE replaces all other controls

Correct answer: A. RPE must be correctly selected for the contaminant, concentration and task.

Question 36 of 50Working environment

Why should emergency routes and exits never be blocked?

A. Blocked exits reduce heating costsB. They may be needed for rapid evacuationC. They are used only by visitorsD. They are mainly for deliveries

Correct answer: B. Emergency routes must stay available so people can leave quickly and safely.

Question 37 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you check before using a lifting accessory?

A. Only its colourB. Identification, suitability, condition and any required examination statusC. Whether it belongs to your employerD. Whether it is the newest item

Correct answer: B. Lifting accessories need to be suitable, identifiable and in safe condition.

Question 38 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Start with a mechanical excavatorB. Pour water on the areaC. Check service information, locate services with suitable equipment and use safe digging methodsD. Rely on memory of old plans

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

Question 39 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you do before entering an area where a crane is operating?

A. Wave from behind the craneB. Follow the exclusion-zone and communication controls and obtain permission if requiredC. Walk under the hook quicklyD. Assume the operator can see you

Correct answer: B. Crane operations need controlled access because of suspended loads, slewing and blind spots.

Question 40 of 50Occupational health

Why should dust not be cleaned up by dry sweeping when it can be avoided?

A. It creates static onlyB. It damages broomsC. It makes the floor too shinyD. Dry sweeping can put fine dust back into the air

Correct answer: D. Suitable vacuuming or wet methods can reduce airborne dust compared with dry sweeping.

Question 41 of 50Safety

Why should compressed air not be used to clean dust from clothing or skin?

A. It can drive particles into the body and create serious injury or airborne dustB. It makes clothing shrinkC. It reduces tool pressureD. It always causes hearing loss immediately

Correct answer: A. Compressed air can cause injection injuries and aerosolise hazardous dust.

Question 42 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is the purpose of a spill kit?

A. To test concrete strengthB. To repair electrical toolsC. To contain and absorb certain spills so they can be handled safelyD. To clean PPE only

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

Question 43 of 50Working environment

Why are site inspections carried out?

A. To decide who gets overtimeB. Only to prepare for client visitsC. To replace worker trainingD. To identify unsafe conditions and check controls are working

Correct answer: D. Inspections help identify defects, changing conditions and failures in existing controls.

Question 44 of 50High risk activities

What is the safest position when a machine is slewing or turning?

A. Between the machine and a fixed wallB. On the machine stepsC. Outside the machine's operating and crush zonesD. Directly behind the counterweight

Correct answer: C. People can be crushed between moving plant and fixed objects; exclusion zones are critical.

Question 45 of 50Safety

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

A. Remove the safety guardB. Stop using it and report/check the defectC. Hit it to make it work normallyD. Increase the speed

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

Question 46 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you do first if oil or fuel is spilled on site?

A. Stop the source if safe, contain the spill and follow the site's spill procedureB. Cover it with soil and leave itC. Wash it into a surface-water drainD. Ignore small spills

Correct answer: A. Prompt containment helps prevent pollution and allows correct clean-up and disposal.

Question 47 of 50Working environment

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

A. It is where tools are issuedB. It is where deliveries are signed forC. 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 48 of 50Working environment

What is the main purpose of a risk assessment?

A. To replace all training and supervisionB. To identify hazards, assess risk and decide suitable controlsC. To record who should be blamed after an accidentD. To make a job take longer

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

Question 49 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is a good way to reduce dust leaving a construction site?

A. Remove wheel-wash facilitiesB. Increase vehicle speedsC. Sweep dry dust into the roadD. Use source controls, damping/extraction and keep routes clean

Correct answer: D. Source control and good housekeeping reduce airborne dust and off-site nuisance.

Question 50 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

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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.