FREE PRACTICE TEST 16

CSCS Mock Test 16: 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 explanationsFire, Electrical And Emergency 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.

45:00

Answered 0/50

Question 1 of 50Safety

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

A. They reduce productivity onlyB. They are designed to reduce exposure to dangerous movement or conditionsC. They are only required during inspectionsD. They are optional for experienced workers

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

Question 2 of 50High risk activities

Why are banksmen used for some vehicle movements?

A. To inspect wagesB. To replace vehicle brakesC. To help control movements where the driver has restricted visibilityD. To speed up reversing

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

Question 3 of 50Safety

What is the safest approach to trailing electrical leads?

A. Run them through standing waterB. Route or protect them so they do not create trip or damage hazardsC. Stretch them tightly across doorwaysD. Cover them with loose cardboard

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

Question 4 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 replace competence requirementsD. To record lunch breaks

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

Question 5 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

Question 6 of 50Working environment

What does a red circular sign with a diagonal bar generally mean?

A. First-aid equipmentB. A mandatory actionC. A safe escape routeD. A prohibition or something you must not do

Correct answer: D. Red prohibition signs communicate actions that are not allowed.

Question 7 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 8 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 is the newest itemD. Whether it belongs to your employer

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

Question 9 of 50High risk activities

What is the approximate safe setup rule for a leaning ladder?

A. As vertical as possibleB. One unit out for every one unit upC. Four units out for every one unit upD. About one unit out for every four units up

Correct answer: D. The common 1-in-4 setup gives a leaning ladder an angle of about 75 degrees.

Question 10 of 50Safety

What is the purpose of a first aider?

A. To replace emergency servicesB. To diagnose every illnessC. To prescribe medicationD. To give appropriate immediate assistance until further medical help is available

Correct answer: D. First aid is immediate assistance intended to preserve life and limit harm until more help is available.

Question 11 of 50Working environment

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

A. Work fasterB. Coordinate the work and put controls or segregation in placeC. Assume they will notice itD. Only warn your own team

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

Question 12 of 50Safety

What should you do if the cable on a power tool is damaged?

A. Use it only in dry weatherB. Wrap the damaged area with ordinary tape and continueC. Stop using it, isolate it from use and report the defectD. Ask a colleague to hold the cable

Correct answer: C. Damaged electrical equipment should be removed from use until properly repaired or replaced.

Question 13 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 14 of 50Working environment

Who should report a hazard that could injure someone on site?

A. Only the health and safety managerB. Only a visiting inspectorC. Only the person who created the hazardD. Anyone who notices the hazard

Correct answer: D. Everyone on site has a role in reporting hazards so they can be controlled promptly.

Question 15 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 removes the need for skipsC. It supports safe handling, recycling and lawful disposalD. It makes all waste non-hazardous

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

Question 16 of 50Working environment

What do green safety signs commonly identify?

A. Mandatory PPEB. Prohibited activitiesC. Electrical voltageD. Safe conditions such as emergency exits or first aid

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

Question 17 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Temporary hair lossB. Tingling or numbness in the fingersC. Better circulationD. Improved grip strength

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

Question 18 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

Question 19 of 50Working environment

Why should materials be stored securely and tidily?

A. To reduce collapse, trip and access risksB. Only to improve photographs of the siteC. To avoid using storage racksD. So workers can climb on them

Correct answer: A. Stable, organised storage helps prevent falling materials, blocked routes and manual handling problems.

Question 20 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 21 of 50Occupational health

How can outdoor workers reduce harm from strong sunlight?

A. Avoid drinking waterB. Use welding goggles as sunglassesC. Work shirtlessD. Use suitable clothing, shade and sunscreen and take sensible breaks

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

Question 22 of 50High risk activities

What is a major hazard of fragile roofs?

A. A person can fall through the roof surfaceB. They attract lightningC. They cannot get wetD. They always contain asbestos

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

Question 23 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. Report it and make sure the area is secured before exposure continuesC. Wait until the end of the shiftD. Put a warning note nearby and carry on

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

Question 24 of 50Safety

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

A. To reserve equipment for one tradeB. To record working hoursC. To prevent equipment being energised unexpectedly during workD. To make equipment run faster

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

Question 25 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 26 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 27 of 50Occupational health

Why is health surveillance used for some construction hazards?

A. To measure productivity onlyB. To decide who can take breaksC. To replace risk controlsD. To detect early signs of work-related ill health where appropriate

Correct answer: D. Health surveillance can help detect early effects of exposure, but it does not replace prevention and control.

Question 28 of 50Safety

Why should access to electrical panels be kept clear?

A. To improve Wi-Fi signalB. So they can be safely reached for operation or emergency isolationC. To allow water to drainD. So tools can be stored nearby

Correct answer: B. Electrical controls may need rapid access for isolation, inspection or emergency response.

Question 29 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should site lighting be directed carefully at night?

A. To provide safe illumination while reducing glare and nuisance to neighbours and road usersB. To replace barriersC. To make wildlife easier to attractD. To increase fuel use

Correct answer: A. Lighting should support safe work without creating glare, distraction or unnecessary environmental impact.

Question 30 of 50Working environment

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

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

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

Question 31 of 50High risk activities

If work at height cannot be avoided, what should be prioritised?

A. Relying only on a worker's balanceB. Collective protection such as suitable platforms and guardrailsC. Working fasterD. Removing edge protection for access

Correct answer: B. Collective fall prevention protects everyone and is generally preferred before personal fall protection.

Question 32 of 50Working environment

What is the safest action if lighting in a work area is too poor to see hazards clearly?

A. Ask a colleague to stand nearbyB. Stop or delay the task until suitable lighting is providedC. Use a phone torch and continueD. Work more slowly without reporting it

Correct answer: B. Adequate lighting is needed to see hazards, access routes and the work itself safely.

Question 33 of 50High risk activities

What should you do around a suspended load?

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

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

Question 34 of 50Occupational health

What can repeated skin contact with wet cement cause?

A. Dermatitis and chemical burnsB. Vibration white fingerC. Hearing lossD. Heat exhaustion only

Correct answer: A. Wet cement is highly alkaline and can cause irritant dermatitis and serious burns.

Question 35 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

Question 36 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should chemical containers remain correctly labelled?

A. Labels are only for delivery driversB. Unlabelled containers are saferC. So users know the contents, hazards and handling requirementsD. It increases shelf life

Correct answer: C. Correct labelling is essential for identification, safe use and emergency response.

Question 37 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 38 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. It can scratch the paintB. It is allowed if the operator agreesC. It slows the engineD. 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 39 of 50High risk activities

What should you do if the ground beneath access equipment is soft or unstable?

A. Work fasterB. Stop and ensure the equipment is supported on suitable stable ground or designed measuresC. Add extra people to the platformD. Lower tyre pressure

Correct answer: B. Unstable ground can cause overturning or collapse of access equipment.

Question 40 of 50High risk activities

Why are toe boards fitted to many work platforms?

A. To increase platform heightB. To replace guardrailsC. To help prevent tools and materials being kicked or falling from the edgeD. To mark smoking areas

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

Question 41 of 50Safety

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

A. Loan it to another workerB. Hide the defectC. Take it out of use and report/label it according to site procedureD. Use it only for short tasks

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

Question 42 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 are usually the shortest routeD. They remove the need for high-visibility clothing

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

Question 43 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 44 of 50Occupational health

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

A. It automatically leads to dismissalB. Only managers can raise such concernsC. Support and adjustments may help prevent errors and protect wellbeingD. It is unrelated to safety

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

Question 45 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

Question 46 of 50High risk activities

What should you maintain when climbing a ladder?

A. One foot onlyB. Both hands full of toolsC. Your body leaning far to one sideD. Three points of contact where practicable

Correct answer: D. Maintaining secure contact improves stability and reduces the chance of a fall.

Question 47 of 50Safety

What should you do if a machine guard is missing?

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

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

Question 48 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 49 of 50Occupational health

Why is asbestos dangerous?

A. Airborne fibres can cause serious diseases many years after exposureB. It only causes skin irritationC. It causes instant electrical shockD. It always catches fire

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

Question 50 of 50Working environment

What is a method statement mainly used for?

A. Recording holiday entitlementB. Setting out a safe sequence and method for carrying out workC. Ordering materials from suppliersD. Listing employee salaries

Correct answer: B. A method statement describes how a task will be carried out safely, often alongside a risk assessment.

Your answers are now marked below. Review the explanations, then retake this test or move to another full mock.

Choose Another Mock View Training Options

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.

← Mock Test 15 Mock Test 17 →

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