FREE PRACTICE TEST 21

CSCS Mock Test 21: 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 explanationsBalanced Site-Safety 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.

45:00

Answered 0/50

Question 1 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should happen if you discover contaminated soil during excavation?

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

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

Question 2 of 50Safety

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

A. That it is the heaviest tool availableB. That it appears in good condition and any required inspection status is currentC. That the casing has your initialsD. That the lead is as long as possible

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

Question 3 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. Use louder machineryB. Ignore it if the programme is busyC. Stop or follow the ecological controls and seek advice before disturbing themD. Move the nest yourself

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

Question 4 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Any worker nearbyB. Only the delivery driverC. A designated competent signaller/banksman where requiredD. The newest worker

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

Question 5 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 6 of 50High risk activities

Who should operate an excavator, telehandler or similar plant?

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

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

Question 7 of 50Safety

What should you do if you smell gas or suspect a gas leak?

A. Switch electrical equipment on to find the sourceB. Stop work, avoid ignition sources, move to safety and follow the emergency procedureC. Use a flame to test for gasD. Ignore it outdoors

Correct answer: B. Suspected gas leaks require prompt isolation from ignition and emergency reporting.

Question 8 of 50Working environment

Why are toolbox talks used on construction sites?

A. To allocate annual leaveB. To discuss short, relevant safety topics with the workforceC. To inspect payroll recordsD. To replace all formal qualifications

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

Question 9 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

Question 10 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 11 of 50Working environment

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

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

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

Question 12 of 50Safety

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

A. To replace competence requirementsB. To record lunch breaksC. To control certain high-risk activities through formal authorisation and precautionsD. To issue wages

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

Question 13 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. Pull them away with bare handsC. Pour water on the equipmentD. Isolate the electrical supply before touching the person

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

Question 14 of 50Occupational health

What should you do before using a hazardous substance you have not used before?

A. Smell it to identify the hazardB. Mix it with waterC. Use it outdoors without further checksD. Check the assessment, label/SDS and required controls

Correct answer: D. You should understand the hazards, exposure routes and controls before use.

Question 15 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 16 of 50Working environment

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

A. Guess what it meansB. Ignore it if you are experiencedC. Ask for clarification before continuingD. Copy what another worker is doing even if their task differs

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

Question 17 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should happen to concrete washout water?

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

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

Question 18 of 50High risk activities

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

A. No, occupants should descend and loose items be secured before movingB. Yes, if moved slowlyC. Yes, if two people pushD. Only if the brakes are partly applied

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

Question 19 of 50Occupational health

What does COSHH relate to?

A. Controlling exposure to substances hazardous to healthB. Setting wage ratesC. Managing scaffold inspectionsD. Controlling vehicle parking

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

Question 20 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should chemical containers remain correctly labelled?

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

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

Question 21 of 50Occupational health

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

A. It only affects hard hatsB. It can prevent an effective seal against the faceC. It makes filters last longerD. 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 22 of 50Safety

What is the purpose of a first aider?

A. To diagnose every illnessB. To give appropriate immediate assistance until further medical help is availableC. To prescribe medicationD. To replace emergency services

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

Question 23 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. Do it only if no supervisor is watchingB. Ask another untrained worker to helpC. 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 24 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Dry sweeping can put fine dust back into the airB. It creates static onlyC. It makes the floor too shinyD. It damages brooms

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

Question 25 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Lower tyre pressureB. Add extra people to the platformC. Work fasterD. Stop and ensure the equipment is supported on suitable stable ground or designed measures

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

Question 26 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Between the machine and a fixed wallB. Directly behind the counterweightC. On the machine stepsD. Outside the machine's operating and crush zones

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

Question 27 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 28 of 50Working environment

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

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

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

Question 29 of 50Working environment

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

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

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

Question 30 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. It removes the need for skipsB. It increases the amount of wasteC. It makes all waste non-hazardousD. It supports safe handling, recycling and lawful disposal

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

Question 31 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 32 of 50Occupational health

Why is asbestos dangerous?

A. It always catches fireB. It only causes skin irritationC. Airborne fibres can cause serious diseases many years after exposureD. It causes instant electrical shock

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

Question 33 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Tingling or numbness in the fingersB. Temporary hair lossC. Better circulationD. Improved grip strength

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

Question 34 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 35 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Hearing lossB. Silicosis and other serious lung diseaseC. Sprained anklesD. Temporary eye strain only

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

Question 36 of 50High risk activities

What is a major hazard of fragile roofs?

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

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

Question 37 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 38 of 50High risk activities

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

A. A colleague outside with no instructionsB. Only a torchC. A mobile phoneD. A suitable risk assessment, permit/control system and emergency/rescue arrangements

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

Question 39 of 50Working environment

What is a near miss?

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

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

Question 40 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 creates asbestosD. It makes alarms louder

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

Question 41 of 50Occupational health

Why must respiratory protective equipment be suitable for the hazard?

A. RPE replaces all other controlsB. The colour is the only important factorC. Different filters and respirators protect against different contaminantsD. All masks provide identical protection

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

Question 42 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 43 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 44 of 50Working environment

What should you do if a floor opening is uncovered?

A. Cover it with loose cardboardB. Step around it and say nothingC. Mark it with paint onlyD. Prevent access and report it so suitable protection can be restored

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

Question 45 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. To provide seatingB. To improve ventilationC. To contain leaks or spillsD. To keep containers warmer

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

Question 46 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 47 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you do if a chemical container is leaking?

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

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

Question 48 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 49 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should plant engines not be left idling unnecessarily?

A. It wastes fuel and increases emissions and noiseB. It improves air qualityC. It prevents oil leaksD. It makes batteries last longer

Correct answer: A. Reducing unnecessary idling lowers fuel use, emissions and noise.

Question 50 of 50Working environment

Why should emergency routes and exits never be blocked?

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

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

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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.