FREE PRACTICE TEST 22

CSCS Mock Test 22: 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 explanationsPpe, Hazards And Safe Systems Of Work

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

If you discover an unidentified drum or container, what should you do?

A. Smell the contentsB. Do not open or move it unnecessarily; report it and follow site proceduresC. Use it as a waste binD. Pour it into another container

Correct answer: B. Unknown substances should be treated cautiously until identified and assessed.

Question 2 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Yes, if moved slowlyB. Yes, if two people pushC. Only if the brakes are partly appliedD. No, occupants should descend and loose items be secured before moving

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

Question 3 of 50Safety

What is the purpose of a first aider?

A. To prescribe medicationB. To diagnose every illnessC. To give appropriate immediate assistance until further medical help is availableD. To replace emergency services

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

Question 4 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. Any worker over 18D. A labourer if supervised from a distance

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

Question 5 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. One unit out for every one unit upD. Four units 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 6 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why are exclusion zones used around overhead lifting?

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

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

Question 7 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 makes all waste non-hazardousC. It removes the need for skipsD. 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 8 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. Only warn your own teamC. Work fasterD. Assume they will notice it

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

Question 9 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 10 of 50Safety

What should you do before operating unfamiliar equipment?

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

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

Question 11 of 50High risk activities

What should you check before using a ladder?

A. That it is suitable, in good condition and set up securelyB. That it has paint marksC. That it is the longest ladder on siteD. That someone used it yesterday

Correct answer: A. Ladders should be suitable for the task, inspected and positioned on a stable surface.

Question 12 of 50Occupational health

Why should hearing protection fit correctly?

A. It changes the colour of the ear defendersB. Poor fit can greatly reduce the protection providedC. It makes tools run more quietlyD. It removes the need to control noise at source

Correct answer: B. Hearing protection only works effectively when selected, fitted and worn correctly.

Question 13 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Report the symptoms and seek occupational health or medical adviceB. Use the tool with one handC. Ignore it until the next annual checkD. Increase your daily exposure slowly

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

Question 14 of 50Working environment

What do green safety signs commonly identify?

A. Mandatory PPEB. Safe conditions such as emergency exits or first aidC. Electrical voltageD. Prohibited activities

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

Question 15 of 50High risk activities

What is a major hazard of fragile roofs?

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

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

Question 16 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 17 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. Explain that you are not competent or authorised and seek instructionB. Do it only if no supervisor is watchingC. Try it once to gain experienceD. Ask another untrained worker to help

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

Question 18 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Smell it to identify the hazardB. Check the assessment, label/SDS and required controlsC. Mix it with waterD. Use it outdoors without further checks

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

Question 19 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 20 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is the purpose of a spill kit?

A. To contain and absorb certain spills so they can be handled safelyB. To test concrete strengthC. To clean PPE onlyD. To repair electrical tools

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

Question 21 of 50Safety

Why must emergency equipment remain accessible?

A. It is only used during inspectionsB. Access is optional on small sitesC. It may be needed immediately during an incidentD. It is used for tool storage

Correct answer: C. Blocked fire points, first-aid equipment or emergency controls can delay a response.

Question 22 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 23 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 24 of 50Working environment

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

A. You may need to report there during an emergency evacuationB. It is where deliveries are signed forC. It is the normal lunch areaD. It is where tools are issued

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

Question 25 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why is environmental incident reporting important?

A. It is unnecessary for small sitesB. It replaces spill responseC. Only to calculate wagesD. It allows prompt control, clean-up and prevention of recurrence

Correct answer: D. Reporting helps limit impacts and supports corrective action.

Question 26 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 optional for experienced workersD. They are only required during inspections

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

Question 27 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. Use heavier gloves instead of managing exposureD. Grip the tool as tightly as possible

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

Question 28 of 50Working environment

If you see someone enter a clearly marked exclusion zone without authorisation, what is the safest response?

A. Warn them if safe to do so and inform the responsible supervisorB. Follow them into the zoneC. Remove the signsD. Ignore them because they accepted the risk

Correct answer: A. Unauthorised entry should be challenged safely and reported so the hazard remains controlled.

Question 29 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. Isolate the electrical supply before touching the personD. Pour water on the equipment

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

Question 30 of 50Occupational health

Why should you wash your hands before eating or smoking after handling hazardous materials?

A. To improve grip strengthB. To reduce accidental ingestion or transfer of contaminantsC. To reduce vibrationD. To prevent hearing damage

Correct answer: B. Handwashing prevents hazardous substances being transferred to food, cigarettes or the face.

Question 31 of 50Working environment

Why is clear communication important when several trades work in the same area?

A. It allows each trade to ignore the othersB. It removes the need for permitsC. It helps coordinate hazards and prevents conflicting activitiesD. It means PPE is no longer required

Correct answer: C. Coordination reduces risks created by simultaneous or overlapping work activities.

Question 32 of 50Safety

What is the first priority if you discover a fire?

A. Continue working unless flames are largeB. Save toolsC. Open all doorsD. Raise the alarm and follow the emergency procedure

Correct answer: D. Raising the alarm allows others to evacuate and emergency arrangements to begin.

Question 33 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should drains sometimes be covered or protected during spill-risk activities?

A. To increase drainage speedB. To prevent contaminants entering the drainage systemC. To stop rain completelyD. To store tools on top

Correct answer: B. Drain protection is an important part of pollution prevention.

Question 34 of 50Occupational health

Why is fatigue a safety and health concern?

A. It improves risk awarenessB. It can reduce concentration, judgement and reaction timeC. It only affects office workersD. It makes hearing protection unnecessary

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

Question 35 of 50Safety

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

A. It reduces tool pressureB. It always causes hearing loss immediatelyC. It makes clothing shrinkD. 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 36 of 50Safety

Where should flammable materials be kept?

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

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

Question 37 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is a sensible control when refuelling plant?

A. Refuel next to an open drainB. Use the designated area/process, avoid overfilling and have spill controls availableC. Smoke nearby so you can see wind directionD. Leave the nozzle unattended

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

Question 38 of 50Working environment

Why should materials be stored securely and tidily?

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

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

Question 39 of 50High risk activities

Why are banksmen used for some vehicle movements?

A. To speed up reversingB. To help control movements where the driver has restricted visibilityC. To inspect wagesD. To replace vehicle brakes

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

Question 40 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 41 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you check before using a lifting accessory?

A. Whether it belongs to your employerB. Identification, suitability, condition and any required examination statusC. Whether it is the newest itemD. Only its colour

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

Question 42 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 43 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 44 of 50Working environment

What is a method statement mainly used for?

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

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

Question 45 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 46 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 47 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Site map onlyB. Safety Data SheetC. TimesheetD. Delivery driver's licence

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

Question 48 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Sound the horn and keep movingB. Continue slowlyC. Reverse to where you last saw themD. Stop until communication is re-established

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

Question 49 of 50Working environment

What is a near miss?

A. An event that caused a minor injury onlyB. A task completed without supervisionC. 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 50 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should spills be kept out of surface-water drains?

A. They only affect drinking water on siteB. They always block toiletsC. They reduce concrete strengthD. They may flow directly to watercourses and cause pollution

Correct answer: D. Many surface-water systems discharge to the environment, so pollutants must not enter them.

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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.