FREE PRACTICE TEST 47

CSCS Mock Test 47: 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 explanationsCoshh, Rpe And Hazardous Substances

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 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 2 of 50High risk activities

Why are toe boards fitted to many work platforms?

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

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

Question 3 of 50High risk activities

Why are overhead power lines dangerous to cranes and plant?

A. Electricity can arc or conduct through equipment even without direct contactB. They make radios noisyC. They reduce fuel efficiencyD. They only interfere with GPS

Correct answer: A. Overhead lines can cause fatal electric shock through contact or arcing, so safe clearances and controls are essential.

Question 4 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. To contain leaks or spillsB. To keep containers warmerC. To improve ventilationD. To provide seating

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

Question 5 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Delivery driver's licenceB. TimesheetC. Safety Data SheetD. Site map only

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

Question 6 of 50Working environment

What do green safety signs commonly identify?

A. Safe conditions such as emergency exits or first aidB. Prohibited activitiesC. Mandatory PPED. Electrical voltage

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

Question 7 of 50High risk activities

Why are banksmen used for some vehicle movements?

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

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

Question 8 of 50Safety

Why should emergency stop controls be kept unobstructed?

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

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

Question 9 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 10 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is a good way to reduce dust leaving a construction site?

A. Remove wheel-wash facilitiesB. Use source controls, damping/extraction and keep routes cleanC. Sweep dry dust into the roadD. Increase vehicle speeds

Correct answer: B. Source control and good housekeeping reduce airborne dust and off-site nuisance.

Question 11 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 12 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 13 of 50Safety

Why should access to electrical panels be kept clear?

A. So they can be safely reached for operation or emergency isolationB. So tools can be stored nearbyC. To improve Wi-Fi signalD. To allow water to drain

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

Question 14 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. Pull them away with bare handsC. Move the cable with a metal toolD. 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 15 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 makes all waste non-hazardousC. It increases the amount of wasteD. 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 16 of 50High risk activities

If a vehicle operator cannot see you, what should you assume?

A. High-visibility clothing makes you visible from every angleB. They will automatically stopC. They may move without knowing you are there, so stay clear and gain acknowledgement before approachingD. They can hear you

Correct answer: C. Never rely on being seen; establish safe communication before entering a vehicle's operating area.

Question 17 of 50High risk activities

What should you maintain when climbing a ladder?

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

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

Question 18 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

Question 19 of 50Occupational health

What can prolonged exposure to high noise levels cause?

A. Permanent hearing damageB. Stronger eyesightC. Improved balanceD. Better concentration

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

Question 20 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 21 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 22 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. They reduce concrete strengthB. They only affect drinking water on siteC. They may flow directly to watercourses and cause pollutionD. They always block toilets

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

Question 23 of 50Occupational health

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

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

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

Question 24 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Only managers can raise such concernsB. It is unrelated to safetyC. Support and adjustments may help prevent errors and protect wellbeingD. It automatically leads to dismissal

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

Question 25 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. Using the specified hazardous-waste controls and authorised disposal routeB. Broken into smaller pieces to save spaceC. Mixed into general rubbleD. Burned on site

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

Question 26 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why are exclusion zones used around overhead lifting?

A. To improve radio receptionB. To keep vehicles cleanC. To create a rest areaD. To prevent people entering areas where loads or objects could fall or swing

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

Question 27 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. Lock the doorC. Paint a warning sign on itD. Remove the obstruction if safe and report the issue

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

Question 28 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. Add a rope as a handrail yourselfC. Use it only below the first liftD. 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 29 of 50Occupational health

Why is asbestos dangerous?

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

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

Question 30 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What should happen if you discover contaminated soil during excavation?

A. Mix it with clean soilB. Spread it across the siteC. Wash it into a drainD. Stop or isolate as required and report it so the material can be assessed and managed

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

Question 31 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 32 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 33 of 50Working environment

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

A. It is where tools are issuedB. It is where deliveries are signed forC. You may need to report there during an emergency evacuationD. It is the normal lunch area

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

Question 34 of 50Working environment

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

A. Remove the signsB. Follow them into the zoneC. Ignore them because they accepted the riskD. Warn them if safe to do so and inform the responsible supervisor

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

Question 35 of 50Working environment

What should you do with an access route that has become obstructed by materials?

A. Climb over the materialsB. Leave it until the next deliveryC. Use the vehicle route insteadD. Arrange for the obstruction to be cleared and keep the route usable

Correct answer: D. Access and escape routes should be kept clear and usable.

Question 36 of 50Working environment

Why should near misses be reported?

A. They do not need reporting if nobody was injuredB. Only to increase paperworkC. So lessons can be learned and controls improved before someone is hurtD. To reduce the number of breaks

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

Question 37 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should site lighting be directed carefully at night?

A. To make wildlife easier to attractB. To increase fuel useC. To replace barriersD. To provide safe illumination while reducing glare and nuisance to neighbours and road users

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

Question 38 of 50High risk activities

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

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

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

Question 39 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

Question 40 of 50Occupational health

What can repeated skin contact with wet cement cause?

A. Hearing lossB. Vibration white fingerC. Dermatitis and chemical burnsD. Heat exhaustion only

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

Question 41 of 50Safety

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

A. To record working hoursB. To make equipment run fasterC. To prevent equipment being energised unexpectedly during workD. To reserve equipment for one trade

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

Question 42 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Tingling or numbness in the fingersB. Better circulationC. Improved grip strengthD. Temporary hair loss

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

Question 43 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. Wait until the end of the shiftC. Report it and make sure the area is secured before exposure continuesD. Assume someone else will fix it

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

Question 44 of 50High risk activities

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

A. To avoid using a lift planB. To make them look cleanC. Damage or incorrect selection can lead to load failureD. To increase crane speed

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

Question 45 of 50Working environment

Why should designated pedestrian routes be used around moving plant?

A. They are only for visitorsB. They remove the need for high-visibility clothingC. They are usually the shortest routeD. They help separate people from vehicle movements

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

Question 46 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 47 of 50Working environment

What should happen to site rules after induction?

A. They apply only when management is presentB. They only apply on the first dayC. They should be followed throughout your time on the siteD. They can be ignored by experienced workers

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

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. Cover it with paperC. Wash it into a drainD. Ignore it if it evaporates quickly

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

Question 49 of 50Working environment

What does a blue circular safety sign usually mean?

A. A fire extinguisher is nearbyB. A mandatory action must be followedC. A substance is toxicD. An action is prohibited

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

Question 50 of 50Safety

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

A. To record lunch breaksB. To replace competence requirementsC. 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.

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 46 Mock Test 48 →

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