FREE PRACTICE TEST 26

CSCS Mock Test 26: 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 50Working environment

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

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

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

Question 2 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 3 of 50Working environment

Why are toolbox talks used on construction sites?

A. To replace all formal qualificationsB. To inspect payroll recordsC. To discuss short, relevant safety topics with the workforceD. To allocate annual leave

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

Question 4 of 50Working environment

What should you do if a floor opening is uncovered?

A. Cover it with loose cardboardB. Mark it with paint onlyC. Step around it and say nothingD. 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 5 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

Question 6 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 7 of 50Occupational health

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

A. To reduce accidental ingestion or transfer of contaminantsB. To reduce vibrationC. To improve grip strengthD. To prevent hearing damage

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

Question 8 of 50High risk activities

Before using a MEWP, what should the operator confirm?

A. Guardrails can be removed for accessB. The platform can carry unlimited weightC. They are trained/authorised and the machine and ground conditions are suitableD. It can be driven on any slope

Correct answer: C. MEWP safety depends on competent operation, pre-use checks, safe ground and following the manufacturer's limits.

Question 9 of 50Safety

When is it appropriate to try to use a fire extinguisher?

A. If you can stand between the fire and the exitB. Whenever any fire is visibleC. Only if you are trained, it is safe and you have a clear escape routeD. Only after the fire alarm stops

Correct answer: C. Life safety comes first; extinguishers should only be used when trained and conditions are safe.

Question 10 of 50High risk activities

Why should lifting accessories such as slings be checked before use?

A. To make them look cleanB. To increase crane speedC. To avoid using a lift planD. Damage or incorrect selection can lead to load failure

Correct answer: D. Lifting accessories must be suitable and free from defects that could compromise their strength.

Question 11 of 50Working environment

What should happen to site rules after induction?

A. They only apply on the first dayB. They should be followed throughout your time on the siteC. They apply only when management is presentD. They can be ignored by experienced workers

Correct answer: B. Site rules remain in force because they form part of the site's risk controls.

Question 12 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Use it outdoors without further checksB. Smell it to identify the hazardC. Check the assessment, label/SDS and required controlsD. Mix it with water

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

Question 13 of 50Working environment

Why should emergency routes and exits never be blocked?

A. They are used only by visitorsB. They are mainly for deliveriesC. Blocked exits reduce heating costsD. They may be needed for rapid evacuation

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

Question 14 of 50Safety

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

A. They reduce productivity onlyB. They are optional for experienced workersC. 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 15 of 50Working environment

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

A. Only warn your own teamB. Work fasterC. Assume they will notice itD. Coordinate the work and put controls or segregation in place

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

Question 16 of 50Safety

What should you do before operating unfamiliar equipment?

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

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

Question 17 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you check before using a lifting accessory?

A. Identification, suitability, condition and any required examination statusB. Whether it is the newest itemC. Whether it belongs to your employerD. Only its colour

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

Question 18 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should you do if a chemical container is leaking?

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

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

Question 19 of 50High risk activities

What should be provided where an excavation is at risk of collapse?

A. Suitable support, battering or another engineered protective systemB. A plank across the topC. High-visibility clothing onlyD. A warning sign only

Correct answer: A. Excavation sides need appropriate support or safe shaping where collapse risk exists.

Question 20 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

How should hazardous waste be handled?

A. Mixed with general wasteB. Washed into drainsC. Segregated, labelled and disposed of through the correct authorised routeD. Burned on site

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

Question 21 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 22 of 50Working environment

What is a near miss?

A. A late deliveryB. An unplanned event that caused no harm but could haveC. An event that caused a minor injury onlyD. A task completed without supervision

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

Question 23 of 50Safety

If someone is receiving an electric shock from live equipment, what should you do first if it is safe?

A. Pour water on the equipmentB. Move the cable with a metal toolC. Pull them away with bare handsD. 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 24 of 50Safety

Why should emergency stop controls be kept unobstructed?

A. They are only decorativeB. They may need to be activated immediatelyC. They prevent tools being cleanedD. They increase production

Correct answer: B. Emergency stops must be readily accessible if dangerous movement needs to be stopped quickly.

Question 25 of 50High risk activities

When should work at height be avoided?

A. Whenever the task can reasonably be done from a safe position without working at heightB. Only above five metresC. Only when it rainsD. Never; ladders are always acceptable

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

Question 26 of 50High risk activities

What is a key hazard in a confined space?

A. Too much daylightB. A dangerous atmosphere, including low oxygen or toxic gasesC. Mobile phone receptionD. Excess floor space

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

Question 27 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should happen to concrete washout water?

A. It should be poured into the nearest drainB. It should be managed in a designated system and kept out of drains and watercoursesC. It is harmless once dilutedD. It should be spread across soil

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

Question 28 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Work fasterB. Lower tyre pressureC. Add extra people to the platformD. 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 29 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is a sensible control when refuelling plant?

A. Leave the nozzle unattendedB. Smoke nearby so you can see wind directionC. Use the designated area/process, avoid overfilling and have spill controls availableD. Refuel next to an open drain

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

Question 30 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should site lighting be directed carefully at night?

A. To replace barriersB. To make wildlife easier to attractC. To provide safe illumination while reducing glare and nuisance to neighbours and road usersD. To increase fuel use

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

Question 31 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 32 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Temporary hair lossB. Improved grip strengthC. Better circulationD. Tingling or numbness in the fingers

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

Question 33 of 50Occupational health

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

A. To replace trainingB. To check that the specific mask can seal adequately to the wearerC. To measure hearing protectionD. To test the colour of the filter

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

Question 34 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 35 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should happen if you discover contaminated soil during excavation?

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

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

Question 36 of 50Occupational health

Why must respiratory protective equipment be suitable for the hazard?

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

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

Question 37 of 50Occupational health

What is the first step before manually lifting a heavy or awkward load?

A. Carry it above shoulder heightB. Lift quickly before you get tiredC. Assess the load, route and whether mechanical help or assistance is neededD. Twist your back to get momentum

Correct answer: C. Manual handling should be planned; avoid or reduce the lift where possible and assess the load and route.

Question 38 of 50Working environment

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

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

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

Question 39 of 50Occupational health

Why is fatigue a safety and health concern?

A. It only affects office workersB. It can reduce concentration, judgement and reaction timeC. It makes hearing protection unnecessaryD. It improves risk awareness

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

Question 40 of 50Occupational health

What can prolonged exposure to high noise levels cause?

A. Permanent hearing damageB. Better concentrationC. Improved balanceD. Stronger eyesight

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

Question 41 of 50High risk activities

What should you maintain when climbing a ladder?

A. Both hands full of toolsB. Your body leaning far to one sideC. One foot onlyD. Three points of contact where practicable

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

Question 42 of 50Safety

What should you do if a machine guard is missing?

A. Do not use the machine and report itB. Wear thicker gloves and continueC. Use the machine slowlyD. Ask someone to watch the moving parts

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

Question 43 of 50Working environment

Why should designated pedestrian routes be used around moving plant?

A. They help separate people from vehicle movementsB. They are usually the shortest routeC. They are only for visitorsD. 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 44 of 50High risk activities

Who should operate an excavator, telehandler or similar plant?

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

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

Question 45 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

Question 46 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 47 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. Stop until communication is re-establishedC. Continue slowlyD. Reverse to where you last saw them

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

Question 48 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. Removing edge protection for accessD. Relying only on a worker's balance

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

Question 49 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 50 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

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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.