CSCS Test Practice (CITB HS&E Operatives) 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   What is the main law covering health and safety at work in Great Britain?

   • AThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
   • BThe Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code
   • CThe Building Regulations 2010 for England and Wales
   • DThe Employment Rights Act 1996
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   Answer: A. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

   The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 sets out the general duties of employers, workers and others.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, what is one of your duties as a worker?

   • AWrite the risk assessments for every task on the site
   • BBuy and maintain your own fire extinguisher for your work area
   • CInspect the scaffold yourself every morning before work
   • DTake reasonable care of yourself and of others affected by what you do
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   Answer: D. Take reasonable care of yourself and of others affected by what you do

   Section 7 of the Act says employees must take reasonable care of themselves and others, and co-operate with their employer on safety.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A worker takes away a guard rail to make a job quicker and leaves it off. What does the law say about this?

   • AOnly the site manager can decide whether it is allowed or not
   • BIt is allowed, as long as the rail is put back by the end of the day
   • CNo one may intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse safety equipment
   • DIt is allowed as long as no one else is working nearby at the time
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   Answer: C. No one may intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse safety equipment

   Section 8 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 bans interfering with or misusing anything provided for health and safety.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Your employer gives you PPE that the law requires for your job. Can they charge you for it?

   • AYes, if you lose it within a month
   • BYes, the full price
   • CNo, they cannot charge for it
   • DYes, but only half the price
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   Answer: C. No, they cannot charge for it

   Section 9 of the Act says employers must not charge workers for anything they must provide by law for health and safety.

5. Question 5 of 25

   An HSE inspector sees an activity with a risk of serious personal injury. Which notice can they serve to stop it?

   • AAn improvement notice
   • BA planning notice
   • CA prohibition notice
   • DA parking notice
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   Answer: C. A prohibition notice

   A prohibition notice stops an activity that involves a risk of serious personal injury until the problem is put right.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What is a risk assessment?

   • AA check on how quickly the work is progressing against the plan
   • BA report that is only written after an accident has happened
   • CA careful look at what could cause harm and how to prevent it
   • DA list of all the workers who are on site that day
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   Answer: C. A careful look at what could cause harm and how to prevent it

   A risk assessment identifies hazards, decides who might be harmed and how, and sets out the precautions needed.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What is a hazard?

   • AA piece of safety equipment
   • BA report of an accident
   • CThe chance that harm will happen
   • DAnything with the potential to cause harm
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   Answer: D. Anything with the potential to cause harm

   A hazard is something that can cause harm, such as a trench, a chemical or working at height.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What is a method statement?

   • AA list of the tools and materials that were ordered for the job
   • BA record of who signed in to the site each day and when
   • CA bill sent to the client at the end of the job for the work done
   • DA document that explains, step by step, how a task will be done safely
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   Answer: D. A document that explains, step by step, how a task will be done safely

   A method statement sets out the safe system of work for a task, based on the risk assessment. Read it and follow it.

9. Question 9 of 25

   When should you get a site induction?

   • AOnly after an accident
   • BOnly if you ask for one
   • CBefore you start work on a new site
   • DAfter your first month on site
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   Answer: C. Before you start work on a new site

   Under CDM 2015 the principal contractor must make sure every worker gets a suitable site induction.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Under CDM 2015, who plans, manages and monitors the construction phase when there is more than one contractor?

    • AThe client's bank
    • BThe newest worker on site
    • CThe local council
    • DThe principal contractor
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    Answer: D. The principal contractor

    The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 give the principal contractor this duty.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What is a toolbox talk?

    • AA short safety talk on one topic, usually given on site
    • BA sales talk from a supplier about the latest power tools
    • CA disciplinary meeting between a worker and a manager
    • DA talk that only an HSE inspector is allowed to give
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    Answer: A. A short safety talk on one topic, usually given on site

    Toolbox talks are short briefings that remind workers about specific hazards and safe ways of working.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What is a permit to work?

    • AA formal written system for controlling high-risk work, such as hot work
    • BA card that lets you park your car or van on the site
    • CA note from your doctor saying you are fit to work again
    • DA document that gives you the legal right to work in the UK
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    Answer: A. A formal written system for controlling high-risk work, such as hot work

    Permits to work make sure the right precautions are in place before high-risk work starts, and who is allowed to do it.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What is a near miss?

    • AAn event that could have caused injury or damage but did not
    • BA worker who arrives on site just in time for the start
    • CAn accident that caused only a minor injury, such as a cut
    • DA delivery of materials that arrived later than planned
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    Answer: A. An event that could have caused injury or damage but did not

    Near misses should be reported so the cause can be fixed before someone gets hurt.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does RIDDOR require?

    • AEvery worker on site must hold a valid first aid certificate
    • BSites must close whenever the weather forecast is bad
    • CCertain serious injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences must be reported to HSE
    • DAll hand tools must be tested by an electrician at the start of each day
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    Answer: C. Certain serious injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences must be reported to HSE

    The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) set out what must be reported to HSE.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You cut your hand on site. What should happen after first aid?

    • AYou should post about it on social media
    • BYou should tell a friend at the end of the week
    • CNothing, if you can keep working
    • DThe injury should be recorded in the accident book
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    Answer: D. The injury should be recorded in the accident book

    Recording injuries helps your employer find the causes and meet reporting rules, and protects you if problems develop later.

16. Question 16 of 25

    You are asked to do a task but you are not sure how to do it safely. What should you do?

    • AStop and ask your supervisor before you start
    • BDo it anyway and learn as you go
    • CCopy what the last person did
    • DDo it quickly so the risk is short
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    Answer: A. Stop and ask your supervisor before you start

    Never start a task you do not understand. Ask for information, instruction or training first.

17. Question 17 of 25

    In the hierarchy of control, which measure should be used only after other controls have been considered?

    • ARemoving the hazard altogether
    • BPutting a barrier between people and the hazard
    • CUsing a less hazardous material
    • DPersonal protective equipment (PPE)
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    Answer: D. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

    PPE protects only the person wearing it, so it is the last line of defence after elimination, substitution and other controls.

18. Question 18 of 25

    To apply for most CSCS cards, how recently must you have passed the CITB HS&E test (or an approved alternative)?

    • AWithin the last five years
    • BAt any time in the past
    • CWithin the last two years
    • DWithin the last ten years
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    Answer: C. Within the last two years

    CSCS says applicants must pass the appropriate level of the CITB HS&E test within the last two years.

19. Question 19 of 25

    The CITB HS&E test for operatives has 50 questions. How many must you answer correctly to pass?

    • A35
    • B40
    • C45
    • D50
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    Answer: C. 45

    The pass mark is 90%, which is at least 45 out of 50.

20. Question 20 of 25

    How long do you have to complete the CITB HS&E test for operatives?

    • A60 minutes
    • B45 minutes
    • C30 minutes
    • D90 minutes
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    Answer: B. 45 minutes

    The operatives test has 50 questions in 45 minutes.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Will the questions in the real HS&E test use exactly the same words as the CITB revision materials?

    • AYes, they are copied word for word from the book
    • BNo, they cover completely different topics from the materials
    • CYes, they are the same but in a different order
    • DNo, they are worded differently but test the same knowledge
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    Answer: D. No, they are worded differently but test the same knowledge

    CITB says questions in the test are worded differently from the revision materials, but the meaning stays the same.

22. Question 22 of 25

    You think a workmate is under the influence of alcohol on site. What should you do?

    • ATell your supervisor so they can deal with it
    • BIgnore it if they seem to be working
    • CLet them operate plant so they are not walking around
    • DWait until the end of the shift
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    Answer: A. Tell your supervisor so they can deal with it

    Someone under the influence can put themselves and others in danger. Report it so it can be dealt with.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which welfare facilities should a construction site provide?

    • AOnly a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher in the office
    • BFree hot meals, a television and a games room
    • CA gym, a shop and a car park for all workers
    • DToilets, washing facilities, drinking water and a place to rest and eat
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    Answer: D. Toilets, washing facilities, drinking water and a place to rest and eat

    Construction sites need toilets, washing facilities, drinking water, an area to eat and drink, and somewhere to store and dry clothing.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What should be next to the toilets on a construction site?

    • AA bucket of cold water that is changed at the start of each day
    • BNothing, as long as packs of wet wipes are kept in the canteen
    • CWash basins with hot and cold (or warm) running water, soap and a way to dry hands
    • DA cold water tap only, with no soap, so hands can be rinsed
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    Answer: C. Wash basins with hot and cold (or warm) running water, soap and a way to dry hands

    HSE says wash basins should be next to the toilets, with hot and cold or warm running water, soap and a way to dry hands.

25. Question 25 of 25

    When are portable chemical toilets acceptable on a construction site?

    • AOnly on sites with more than 100 workers
    • BAs a last resort, when better types of toilet are not possible
    • CThey are always the first choice on every site
    • DNever, because they are banned on construction sites
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    Answer: B. As a last resort, when better types of toilet are not possible

    HSE prefers flushing toilets connected to mains drainage. Portable chemical toilets are a last resort.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 45 of 50 (90%)