FREE PRACTICE TEST 60

CSCS Mock Test 60: 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

Why should water not be used on live electrical equipment?

A. It makes alarms louderB. It can conduct electricity and increase shock riskC. It creates asbestosD. It always damages concrete

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

Question 2 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.

Question 3 of 50Safety

What is the purpose of a first aider?

A. To give appropriate immediate assistance until further medical help is availableB. To prescribe medicationC. To diagnose every illnessD. To replace emergency services

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

Question 4 of 50Working environment

Who should report a hazard that could injure someone on site?

A. Only the person who created the hazardB. Only a visiting inspectorC. Only the health and safety managerD. Anyone who notices the hazard

Correct answer: D. Everyone on site has a role in reporting hazards so they can be controlled promptly.

Question 5 of 50Safety

Why should access to electrical panels be kept clear?

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

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

Question 6 of 50Safety

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

A. Hide the defectB. Take it out of use and report/label it according to site procedureC. Loan it to another workerD. Use it only for short tasks

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

Question 7 of 50Safety

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

A. Paint a warning sign on itB. Remove the obstruction if safe and report the issueC. Lock the doorD. Leave it because it improves ventilation

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

Question 8 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. They only affect drinking water on siteB. They reduce concrete strengthC. 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 9 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 10 of 50Working environment

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

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

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

Question 11 of 50Working environment

Why should near misses be reported?

A. Only to increase paperworkB. They do not need reporting if nobody was injuredC. 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 12 of 50High risk activities

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

A. A mobile phoneB. A colleague outside with no instructionsC. Only a torchD. 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 13 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

A. To make them easier to hideB. To reduce fire and pollution risk and allow spill containmentC. To keep them near drainsD. To warm the fuel

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

Question 14 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 15 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 16 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Work faster to reduce exposure timeB. Open a nearby door onlyC. Use effective extraction or water suppression at sourceD. Remove eye protection

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

Question 17 of 50Occupational health

Why is health surveillance used for some construction hazards?

A. To replace risk controlsB. To decide who can take breaksC. To detect early signs of work-related ill health where appropriateD. To measure productivity only

Correct answer: C. Health surveillance can help detect early effects of exposure, but it does not replace prevention and control.

Question 18 of 50Occupational health

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

A. Improved grip strengthB. Better circulationC. Tingling or numbness in the fingersD. Temporary hair loss

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

Question 19 of 50Working environment

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

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

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

Question 20 of 50Occupational health

What can prolonged exposure to high noise levels cause?

A. Stronger eyesightB. Better concentrationC. 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 21 of 50High risk activities

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

A. A plank across the topB. A warning sign onlyC. High-visibility clothing onlyD. Suitable support, battering or another engineered protective system

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

Question 22 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 23 of 50Working environment

What should you do when you arrive at a construction site for the first time?

A. Start work immediately if you know the tradeB. Attend the site induction and follow the site rulesC. Only read the emergency noticeboardD. Wait in the welfare area until someone finds you

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

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. Support and adjustments may help prevent errors and protect wellbeingC. It automatically leads to dismissalD. It is unrelated to safety

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

Question 25 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why may wheel-wash facilities be used at site exits?

A. To clean workers' boots onlyB. To test water pressureC. To reduce mud and debris being tracked onto public roadsD. To cool vehicle brakes

Correct answer: C. Keeping public roads clear of site mud reduces environmental nuisance and road hazards.

Question 26 of 50Occupational health

What is the safest approach to reducing exposure to hazardous fumes?

A. Hold your breathB. Rely on smell to decide if it is safeC. Work fasterD. Use effective ventilation or extraction and follow the task controls

Correct answer: D. Engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation can remove fumes at source.

Question 27 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. Spread it across the siteC. Mix it with clean soilD. Wash it into a drain

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

Question 28 of 50Safety

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

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

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

Question 29 of 50High risk activities

Before using a MEWP, what should the operator confirm?

A. The platform can carry unlimited weightB. It can be driven on any slopeC. Guardrails can be removed for accessD. They are trained/authorised and the machine and ground conditions are suitable

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

Question 30 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 31 of 50Working environment

What do green safety signs commonly identify?

A. Prohibited activitiesB. Electrical voltageC. Mandatory PPED. Safe conditions such as emergency exits or first aid

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

Question 32 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

What is the best general approach to construction waste?

A. Bury waste on siteB. Prevent or reduce waste first, then reuse/recycle where practicable before disposalC. Burn timber and packagingD. Send everything to general waste

Correct answer: B. Waste prevention and reuse generally sit above recycling and disposal in the waste hierarchy.

Question 33 of 50Occupational health

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

A. It can spread hazardous dusts or substancesB. It damages mobile phonesC. It makes the room warmerD. It is only a company image issue

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

Question 34 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. One unit out for every one unit upC. As vertical as possibleD. 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 35 of 50High risk activities

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

A. Continue slowlyB. Reverse to where you last saw themC. Stop until communication is re-establishedD. Sound the horn and keep moving

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

Question 36 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should you never ride on the forks or bucket of plant equipment?

A. It slows the engineB. It is allowed if the operator agreesC. It can scratch the paintD. They are not designed as personnel platforms and a fall or crushing injury can result

Correct answer: D. People should only be lifted using equipment designed and authorised for lifting persons.

Question 37 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why are exclusion zones used around overhead lifting?

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

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

Question 38 of 50High risk activities

What should you do around a suspended load?

A. Stand directly beneath it to guide the operatorB. Touch it to check its weightC. Walk under it if wearing a hard hatD. Stay clear and never position yourself underneath it

Correct answer: D. Suspended loads can fall or swing unpredictably; exclusion is essential.

Question 39 of 50Safety

What should you do when a fire alarm sounds on site?

A. Collect all your toolsB. Finish the current task firstC. Wait for smoke to appearD. Stop work and follow the site's evacuation procedure

Correct answer: D. Fire alarms require prompt evacuation in line with the site emergency plan.

Question 40 of 50High risk activities

Why must demolition work be carefully planned?

A. Demolition is safe once windows are removedB. Structures can become unstable and hazards such as services and hazardous materials must be controlledC. Only noise needs controllingD. Planning is only required for tall buildings

Correct answer: B. Demolition can create collapse, falling material, service, dust and hazardous-material risks.

Question 41 of 50Safety

What should you do before operating unfamiliar equipment?

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

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

Question 42 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. Walk more quickly through congested areasC. Leave waste until the end of the weekD. Only clean areas that visitors can see

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

Question 43 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

Why should site lighting be directed carefully at night?

A. To increase fuel useB. To replace barriersC. To provide safe illumination while reducing glare and nuisance to neighbours and road usersD. To make wildlife easier to attract

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

Question 44 of 50Working environment

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

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

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

Question 45 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 can be ignored by experienced workersD. They apply only when management is present

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

Question 46 of 50Environmental & specialist awareness

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

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

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

Question 47 of 50Safety

Why should gas cylinders be stored upright and secured where required?

A. To prevent them falling and damaging the valve or becoming a projectileB. To keep them warmerC. To increase gas pressureD. To make labels easier to read only

Correct answer: A. A damaged cylinder valve can release energy violently, so cylinders should be secured and correctly stored.

Question 48 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. Any worker nearbyC. The newest workerD. Only the delivery driver

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

Question 49 of 50Working environment

Why are exclusion zones set up around certain activities?

A. To keep unauthorised people away from a hazardous areaB. To make the site look organisedC. To create a place for storing personal belongingsD. To provide a smoking area

Correct answer: A. Exclusion zones reduce exposure to hazards such as lifting operations, demolition, plant or falling materials.

Question 50 of 50Occupational health

What should you do if you unexpectedly disturb material that you suspect may contain asbestos?

A. Stop work, avoid further disturbance and report itB. Put the material in a normal waste skipC. Keep working but wear glovesD. Sweep up the dust

Correct answer: A. Suspected asbestos should not be disturbed; stop work and follow the site's asbestos procedures.

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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.