FREE PRACTICE TEST 20

CSCS Mock Test 20: 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 explanationsFull Mixed Operatives-Style Revision

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 50Safety

What should you do if you find a fire door wedged open when it should be closed?

A. Leave it because it improves ventilationB. Remove the obstruction if safe and report the issueC. Paint a warning sign on itD. Lock the door

Correct answer: B. Fire doors are part of compartmentation and should not be defeated unless designed to be held open safely.

Question 2 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. Add more people as ballastB. Remove wind-speed checksC. Continue because the schedule is fixedD. Follow the equipment/plan limits and stop if conditions are unsafe

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

Question 3 of 50Occupational health

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

A. TimesheetB. Safety Data SheetC. Delivery driver's licenceD. Site map only

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

Question 4 of 50Occupational health

What should you do if you develop persistent numbness in your fingers after using vibrating tools?

A. Ignore it until the next annual checkB. Report the symptoms and seek occupational health or medical adviceC. Increase your daily exposure slowlyD. Use the tool with one hand

Correct answer: B. Early reporting of symptoms can prevent further exposure and allow assessment.

Question 5 of 50Occupational health

What can repeated skin contact with wet cement cause?

A. Dermatitis and chemical burnsB. Hearing lossC. Heat exhaustion onlyD. Vibration white finger

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

Question 6 of 50Safety

Why is horseplay unacceptable on site?

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

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

Question 7 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. It makes all waste non-hazardousB. It supports safe handling, recycling and lawful disposalC. It increases the amount of wasteD. It removes the need for skips

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

Question 8 of 50Occupational health

What can prolonged exposure to high noise levels cause?

A. Better concentrationB. Stronger eyesightC. Permanent hearing damageD. Improved balance

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

Question 9 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you do if a chemical container is leaking?

A. Carry it through the site by handB. Pour the contents into a drainC. Keep people away, follow the spill procedure and report itD. Hide it in general waste

Correct answer: C. Leaks should be controlled using suitable spill and hazardous-substance procedures.

Question 10 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 11 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 12 of 50Occupational health

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

A. It is only a company image issueB. It can spread hazardous dusts or substancesC. It damages mobile phonesD. It makes the room warmer

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

Question 13 of 50High risk activities

What is a major danger near reversing construction vehicles?

A. Loud radiosB. Clean windscreensC. Low tyre pressure onlyD. Driver blind spots

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

Question 14 of 50Working environment

What is the main purpose of site welfare facilities?

A. To provide suitable toilets, washing, drinking water and rest facilitiesB. To replace first-aid arrangementsC. To store hazardous chemicalsD. To provide free tools

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

Question 15 of 50Working environment

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

A. A safe escape routeB. First-aid equipmentC. A mandatory actionD. A prohibition or something you must not do

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

Question 16 of 50Working environment

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

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

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

Question 17 of 50Working environment

What does a blue circular safety sign usually mean?

A. A mandatory action must be followedB. An action is prohibitedC. A fire extinguisher is nearbyD. A substance is toxic

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

Question 18 of 50Occupational health

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

A. It can prevent an effective seal against the faceB. It increases oxygen levelsC. It only affects hard hatsD. It makes filters last longer

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

Question 19 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Stop until communication is re-establishedB. Continue slowlyC. Sound the horn and keep movingD. Reverse to where you last saw them

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

Question 20 of 50Safety

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

A. Remove the guard permanentlyB. Ask a colleague to hold the bladeC. Keep the trigger pressedD. Isolate the tool from its power source

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

Question 21 of 50High risk activities

What is a key hazard in a confined space?

A. Mobile phone receptionB. Excess floor spaceC. Too much daylightD. A dangerous atmosphere, including low oxygen or toxic gases

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

Question 22 of 50Working environment

What is a method statement mainly used for?

A. Ordering materials from suppliersB. Recording holiday entitlementC. Setting out a safe sequence and method for carrying out workD. Listing employee salaries

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

Question 23 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 make wildlife easier to attractC. To increase fuel useD. To replace barriers

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

Question 24 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 25 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. Move the nest yourselfB. Stop or follow the ecological controls and seek advice before disturbing themC. Ignore it if the programme is busyD. Use louder machinery

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

Question 26 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 27 of 50High risk activities

Who should operate an excavator, telehandler or similar plant?

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

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

Question 28 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 29 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should noisy work be planned carefully near neighbours?

A. To eliminate the need for hearing protectionB. To make the equipment wear fasterC. 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 30 of 50High risk activities

What should be considered before carrying out hot work such as welding or cutting?

A. Only the colour of the welding screenB. Whether the task is indoorsC. Fire risk, combustible materials, permits and fire-watch arrangements where requiredD. How quickly the job can be finished

Correct answer: C. Hot work can ignite nearby materials and often requires formal controls and fire precautions.

Question 31 of 50Working environment

What should you do if a floor opening is uncovered?

A. Mark it with paint onlyB. Cover it with loose cardboardC. Prevent access and report it so suitable protection can be restoredD. Step around it and say nothing

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

Question 32 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

How should hazardous waste be handled?

A. Washed into drainsB. Segregated, labelled and disposed of through the correct authorised routeC. Mixed with general wasteD. Burned on site

Correct answer: B. Hazardous waste requires controlled storage and disposal to protect people and the environment.

Question 33 of 50Working environment

Why should near misses be reported?

A. Only to increase paperworkB. So lessons can be learned and controls improved before someone is hurtC. To reduce the number of breaksD. They do not need reporting if nobody was injured

Correct answer: B. Near-miss reporting helps identify weaknesses in controls and prevent recurrence.

Question 34 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Do not use it and report the defectB. Use it only below the first liftC. Add a rope as a handrail yourselfD. Use it if you stay near the wall

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

Question 35 of 50Occupational health

Why is fatigue a safety and health concern?

A. It can reduce concentration, judgement and reaction timeB. It makes hearing protection unnecessaryC. It improves risk awarenessD. It only affects office workers

Correct answer: A. Fatigue can impair performance and increase the likelihood of mistakes and incidents.

Question 36 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. Leave waste until the end of the weekC. Walk more quickly through congested areasD. Only clean areas that visitors can see

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

Question 37 of 50Safety

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

A. It makes tools too quietB. It only affects battery lifeC. It can remove important protection against electric shockD. It changes the voltage colour

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

Question 38 of 50High risk activities

When should work at height be avoided?

A. Only above five metresB. Whenever the task can reasonably be done from a safe position without working at heightC. Never; ladders are always acceptableD. Only when it rains

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

Question 39 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should chemical containers remain correctly labelled?

A. Unlabelled containers are saferB. It increases shelf lifeC. Labels are only for delivery driversD. So users know the contents, hazards and handling requirements

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

Question 40 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 41 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. Assume the operator can see youD. Walk under the hook quickly

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

Question 42 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. Only read the emergency noticeboardC. Attend the site induction and follow the site rulesD. Start work immediately if you know the trade

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

Question 43 of 50Safety

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

A. Leave them alone to recoverB. Raise the alarm/get first aid and emergency help in line with site proceduresC. Move them immediately regardless of dangerD. Give them food

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

Question 44 of 50Working environment

Why should materials be stored securely and tidily?

A. Only to improve photographs of the siteB. To reduce collapse, trip and access risksC. So workers can climb on themD. To avoid using storage racks

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

Question 45 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Use effective extraction or water suppression at sourceB. Work faster to reduce exposure timeC. Remove eye protectionD. Open a nearby door only

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

Question 46 of 50Occupational health

How can vibration exposure from power tools be reduced?

A. Use suitable low-vibration tools, maintain them and limit exposure timeB. Remove tool guardsC. Use heavier gloves instead of managing exposureD. Grip the tool as tightly as possible

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

Question 47 of 50Safety

What should you do before operating unfamiliar equipment?

A. Try each control until you learn itB. Make sure you are trained/authorised and understand the instructions and controlsC. Operate it only at maximum speedD. Remove warning labels

Correct answer: B. Competence and understanding of controls are essential before operating equipment.

Question 48 of 50Safety

Where should flammable materials be kept?

A. In designated storage away from ignition sources, following site rulesB. Under stairways used for evacuationC. Next to heaters so they stay dryD. In escape routes

Correct answer: A. Segregated, suitable storage reduces fire and ignition risk.

Question 49 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. Mixed into general rubbleB. Using the specified hazardous-waste controls and authorised disposal routeC. Broken into smaller pieces to save spaceD. Burned on site

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

Question 50 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

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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.