CSCS Test Practice (CITB HS&E Operatives) 2026: Practice test 3

Practice test 3 of 5 for the CSCS Test Practice (CITB HS&E Operatives): 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Workplace safety
United Kingdom
120 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
Which voltage is recommended for portable electric tools on construction sites?
- 400 volts, using red cables and plugs
- 230 volts, using blue cables and plugs
- Any voltage, as long as the tool works
- 110 volts, using yellow cables and plugs
Show answer
Answer: D. 110 volts, using yellow cables and plugs
A 110 V reduced low voltage supply, with the centre tapped to earth, lowers the risk of a serious electric shock.
Question 2 of 25
You notice a damaged cable on a power tool. What should you do?
- Hide it so no one else uses it
- Use it only for short jobs
- Stop using it, take it out of use and report it
- Wrap it in insulating tape and carry on
Show answer
Answer: C. Stop using it, take it out of use and report it
Damaged electrical equipment can cause shocks or fires. It must be repaired by a competent person.
Question 3 of 25
Before digging, how should you check for buried electricity cables?
- Dig a test hole with a pick axe to feel for cables
- Check the service plans and use a cable avoidance tool (CAT)
- Ask someone walking past if they know of any cables
- Look for wires on the surface and assume none if you see none
Show answer
Answer: B. Check the service plans and use a cable avoidance tool (CAT)
Buried cables can kill. Use service plans and a cable locator, then dig carefully by hand near any services.
Question 4 of 25
Plant is working near overhead power lines. What is the main danger?
- Birds may drop from the lines onto the cab
- The lines can block the driver's view of the sky
- The lines can make the radio crackle
- The machine can touch or come too close to the lines
Show answer
Answer: D. The machine can touch or come too close to the lines
Contact with overhead lines can kill. Keep plant out of the danger zone and follow the site's safe system of work.
Question 5 of 25
Why should walkways and access routes on site be kept clear?
- So vehicles can park there
- To make the site look busy
- To prevent slips, trips and falls
- So materials can be stored there
Show answer
Answer: C. To prevent slips, trips and falls
Good housekeeping, with tidy materials and cables, prevents many common injuries.
Question 6 of 25
A grinder you are given has its guard missing. What should you do?
- Do not use it and report it
- Use it only for small cuts
- Take the guard off another grinder
- Use it carefully
Show answer
Answer: A. Do not use it and report it
Guards protect you from the disc and flying fragments. Never use a tool with a missing or damaged guard.
Question 7 of 25
Who may change the disc on an abrasive wheel such as a cut-off saw?
- The newest worker on site
- Anyone, as long as the tool is unplugged
- Only a trained, competent person
- Anyone who uses the tool
Show answer
Answer: C. Only a trained, competent person
Fitting the wrong disc or fitting it wrongly can make it shatter. Only trained, competent people should change discs.
Question 8 of 25
Your hard hat has a crack in it. What should you do?
- Get it replaced
- Keep wearing it until the end of the job
- Wear it back to front
- Tape over the crack
Show answer
Answer: A. Get it replaced
Damaged PPE may not protect you. Report it and get a replacement.
Question 9 of 25
How should pedestrians move around a site with vehicles?
- Take the shortest route across the site, whatever it is
- Use the marked pedestrian routes, kept apart from vehicles
- Walk wherever the ground is driest and least muddy
- Walk along the haul road behind the vehicles
Show answer
Answer: B. Use the marked pedestrian routes, kept apart from vehicles
Separating people and vehicles is one of the best ways to prevent being struck by a vehicle.
Question 10 of 25
A dumper is reversing near you. What should you do?
- Keep well clear and make sure the driver can see you
- Climb on the side to get a lift
- Walk behind it to guide it back
- Carry on working, because the alarm means it is safe
Show answer
Answer: A. Keep well clear and make sure the driver can see you
Many site deaths involve reversing vehicles. Stay out of the danger zone and make eye contact with the driver.
Question 11 of 25
Who may operate an item of plant, such as an excavator, on site?
- Anyone, as long as the usual operator is on a break
- Anyone who holds a full car driving licence
- Anyone who has watched someone else use it for a while
- Only people who are trained, competent and authorised to use it
Show answer
Answer: D. Only people who are trained, competent and authorised to use it
Plant must only be used by trained and authorised operators.
Question 12 of 25
Can you ride as a passenger on a dumper or other plant?
- Yes, as long as you hold on tightly
- Only if it has a proper seat for a passenger
- Yes, standing on the step if you hold on
- Yes, sitting in the bucket or skip
Show answer
Answer: B. Only if it has a proper seat for a passenger
Riding on plant without a proper seat can lead to falls and crush injuries.
Question 13 of 25
A crane is lifting a load near you. Where should you never stand?
- Under the suspended load
- In the welfare cabin
- Outside the lifting area
- Behind a barrier
Show answer
Answer: A. Under the suspended load
Loads can fall or swing. Keep out of the area under and around a load being lifted.
Question 14 of 25
What does a sign with a blue circle and a white symbol mean?
- There is a danger nearby (a warning sign)
- You must not do something (a prohibition sign)
- You must do something, such as wear PPE (a mandatory sign)
- It shows a safe route or first aid
Show answer
Answer: C. You must do something, such as wear PPE (a mandatory sign)
Blue circular signs are mandatory signs. They tell you what you must do.
Question 15 of 25
What does a sign with a red circle and a diagonal red line mean?
- It marks where drinking water can be found
- Something is not allowed (a prohibition sign)
- You must wear the PPE shown on the sign
- It shows the way to a fire exit or escape route
Show answer
Answer: B. Something is not allowed (a prohibition sign)
Red circles with a diagonal line are prohibition signs, such as "No smoking".
Question 16 of 25
What does a yellow triangle sign with a black border mean?
- Warning: there is a hazard
- It shows first aid equipment
- Something is not allowed
- You must do something
Show answer
Answer: A. Warning: there is a hazard
Yellow triangles warn of a hazard, such as electricity or forklift trucks.
Question 17 of 25
What does a green square or rectangle sign show?
- A hazard you need to watch out for
- A safe condition, such as an exit or first aid
- Where fire-fighting equipment is kept
- Something you must not do
Show answer
Answer: B. A safe condition, such as an exit or first aid
Green signs show safe conditions and escape routes.
Question 18 of 25
What does a red square or rectangle sign usually show?
- An emergency exit route out of the building
- Fire-fighting equipment, such as an extinguisher
- Where the first aid kit and first aider are
- That you must wear eye protection in the area
Show answer
Answer: B. Fire-fighting equipment, such as an extinguisher
Red square or rectangular signs show the location of fire-fighting equipment.
Question 19 of 25
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what should you do first when planning work at height?
- Ask for volunteers to do the work
- Choose the cheapest ladder available
- Avoid working at height if you can
- Use a harness for every job
Show answer
Answer: C. Avoid working at height if you can
The hierarchy is: avoid work at height, then prevent falls with suitable equipment, then minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.
Question 20 of 25
Work at height cannot be avoided. What is the next step in the hierarchy?
- Work faster so less time is spent at height
- Rely on nets and nothing else
- Use equipment that prevents falls, such as a scaffold
- Use a ladder for every job
Show answer
Answer: C. Use equipment that prevents falls, such as a scaffold
After avoiding work at height, you should prevent falls with equipment such as scaffolding or cherry pickers.
Question 21 of 25
When can a ladder be a sensible choice for work at height?
- For heavy work lasting several days
- For any job, because ladders are cheap
- For low-risk, short-duration work
- Never, because ladders are banned on sites
Show answer
Answer: C. For low-risk, short-duration work
Ladders are not banned, but they suit only low-risk, short-duration work.
Question 22 of 25
What angle should a leaning ladder be set at?
- About 60°, using a 1 in 2 rule
- About 75°, using the 1 in 4 rule
- About 90°, straight up against the wall
- About 45°, using a 1 in 1 rule
Show answer
Answer: B. About 75°, using the 1 in 4 rule
HSE's 1 in 4 rule gives an angle of about 75°.
Question 23 of 25
How many points of contact should you keep when climbing a ladder?
- Two
- None, if you are carrying tools
- One
- Three, such as two feet and one hand
Show answer
Answer: D. Three, such as two feet and one hand
HSE says keep three points of contact when climbing and, where possible, at the work position.
Question 24 of 25
Which rungs of a leaning ladder should you NOT work from?
- Any rung below the middle
- Only the very top rung
- The top three rungs
- The bottom three rungs
Show answer
Answer: C. The top three rungs
Do not work off the top three rungs. The ladder should extend at least 1 metre (three rungs) above where you are working.
Question 25 of 25
How can you tell if you are overreaching on a ladder?
- You can no longer see the ground below
- Your feet start to feel sore
- Your belt buckle moves outside the stiles
- You have to stretch out one arm
Show answer
Answer: C. Your belt buckle moves outside the stiles
Keep your belt buckle within the stiles. Move the ladder rather than leaning out.

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