CSCS Test Practice (CITB HS&E Operatives) 2026: Practice test 4

Practice test 4 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 steps of a stepladder should you NOT stand or work on?
- Any step that is painted yellow
- The bottom two steps
- Only the middle step
- The top three steps
Show answer
Answer: D. The top three steps
HSE says do not stand or work on the top three steps of a stepladder.
Question 2 of 25
The ground under a ladder is uneven. Is it safe to stand the ladder on bricks or a pallet?
- Yes, if someone holds the pallet
- Yes, if the bricks are new
- No, never stand a ladder on movable objects
- Yes, for short jobs only
Show answer
Answer: C. No, never stand a ladder on movable objects
HSE says never stand a ladder on movable objects such as pallets, bricks or vans.
Question 3 of 25
What is the best way to secure a leaning ladder?
- Lean it against a window
- Have a workmate foot it
- Put a bag of sand on the bottom rung
- Tie both stiles to a suitable point
Show answer
Answer: D. Tie both stiles to a suitable point
Tying both stiles is the first choice. Footing the ladder is the last resort.
Question 4 of 25
How often must a scaffold be inspected by a competent person?
- Only when it is first put up
- Once a month, on the first working day
- Before first use, then at least every 7 days
- Once a year, by the scaffold owner
Show answer
Answer: C. Before first use, then at least every 7 days
Scaffolds must also be inspected after anything likely to affect them, such as bad weather or alterations.
Question 5 of 25
A scaffold board is in your way. Who may move or alter parts of the scaffold?
- Only a competent scaffolder
- Any worker with a CSCS card
- The site cleaner
- Anyone who needs to
Show answer
Answer: A. Only a competent scaffolder
Scaffolds must be erected, altered and dismantled by competent people. Unauthorised changes can cause collapse or falls.
Question 6 of 25
On construction work, how high must the top guardrail be above a working platform?
- At least 950 mm
- At least 500 mm
- At least 2 metres
- At least 750 mm
Show answer
Answer: A. At least 950 mm
The top guardrail must be at least 950 mm above the working platform.
Question 7 of 25
What is the largest gap allowed between the top guardrail and the intermediate guardrail on construction work?
- 250 mm
- 1 metre
- 470 mm
- 750 mm
Show answer
Answer: C. 470 mm
The gap between the top rail and the intermediate rail must not be more than 470 mm.
Question 8 of 25
What are toe boards on a scaffold for?
- To give you a place to store your tools
- To give you a step to climb up on
- To make the platform look tidy and finished
- To stop people or materials falling off the edge
Show answer
Answer: D. To stop people or materials falling off the edge
Toe boards must be suitable and sufficient to prevent people or materials falling.
Question 9 of 25
Who should put up a mobile access tower?
- Someone trained under a scheme such as PASMA
- Anyone, as long as they read the label
- Only an HSE inspector
- The tallest person on site
Show answer
Answer: A. Someone trained under a scheme such as PASMA
Tower erectors must be competent and trained, and must follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Question 10 of 25
Work is needed on a fragile roof. What should be done first?
- Wait for dry weather, then walk on the sheets carefully
- Walk on the roof sheets slowly and carefully in soft shoes
- Step only on the sheets that look strong and new
- Avoid going on the roof, for example by working from underneath
Show answer
Answer: D. Avoid going on the roof, for example by working from underneath
Fragile roofs can give way without warning. Avoid working on them where possible.
Question 11 of 25
When must a user check their safety harness and lanyard?
- Before use at the start of each shift
- Once a year, during the annual service
- Only when it looks dirty or wet
- Only after someone has fallen while wearing it
Show answer
Answer: A. Before use at the start of each shift
Users should do a pre-use check every shift. Detailed inspections are also needed at set intervals.
Question 12 of 25
When must an excavation be inspected by a competent person?
- Only on the day it is first dug
- Only if someone complains
- At the start of each shift
- Once a month
Show answer
Answer: C. At the start of each shift
CDM 2015 requires excavations to be inspected at the start of each shift and after events such as a fall of material.
Question 13 of 25
Why should spoil, materials and vehicles be kept back from the edge of an excavation?
- So the excavation is easier to measure
- Their weight can make the sides collapse
- So the spoil dries out faster
- So the excavation looks tidy
Show answer
Answer: B. Their weight can make the sides collapse
Loads near the edge can cause collapse. Edge protection and stop blocks also help prevent falls.
Question 14 of 25
A workmate collapses inside a manhole. What should you do?
- Throw water on them to try to wake them up
- Raise the alarm and do not go in unless trained to rescue
- Climb in straight away and pull them out
- Wait at the top for them to recover on their own
Show answer
Answer: B. Raise the alarm and do not go in unless trained to rescue
Many people who die in confined spaces were trying to rescue others. Only trained rescuers with the right equipment should go in.
Question 15 of 25
What is a key danger in a confined space such as a tank or sewer?
- Loud music from the radio
- Too much light from the work lamps
- Harmful gases or a lack of oxygen
- Rain coming in through the opening
Show answer
Answer: C. Harmful gases or a lack of oxygen
Confined spaces can contain toxic gases or too little oxygen. Work in them needs training and a safe system of work.
Question 16 of 25
Why should waste on site be separated into the right skips?
- So it can be buried on site
- So it can be burned on site
- So more can be reused or recycled
- So the skips fill up faster
Show answer
Answer: C. So more can be reused or recycled
Separating waste supports the waste hierarchy: reduce, reuse and recycle before disposal.
Question 17 of 25
In the waste hierarchy, what is the best option?
- Reduce the amount of waste you create
- Send all the waste to landfill at once
- Bury the waste somewhere on site
- Burn the waste in a skip on site
Show answer
Answer: A. Reduce the amount of waste you create
Preventing waste comes first, then reuse, recycling, recovery and finally disposal.
Question 18 of 25
You see diesel leaking from a fuel bowser. What should you do?
- Use the spill kit to stop it reaching drains, and report it
- Leave it to evaporate in the sun
- Wash it into the nearest drain with lots of water
- Cover it with soil and say nothing about it
Show answer
Answer: A. Use the spill kit to stop it reaching drains, and report it
Fuel can pollute land and water. Contain it with a spill kit and report it at once.
Question 19 of 25
How should fuel and oil be stored on site?
- Anywhere, as long as the lids are on tight
- In open buckets or drums near the site gate
- Next to a river or stream so it is easy to refill
- In bunded containers or on drip trays, away from drains
Show answer
Answer: D. In bunded containers or on drip trays, away from drains
Secondary containment such as bunds and drip trays catches leaks and spills.
Question 20 of 25
Where should you wash out a concrete mixer or skip?
- Into the nearest surface water drain
- Into a stream or ditch near the site
- On the grass verge by the road
- Only in the designated washout area
Show answer
Answer: D. Only in the designated washout area
Concrete washings are harmful to water life. Never let them reach drains or watercourses.
Question 21 of 25
You find a bird's nest in a hedge that is due to be cleared. What should you do?
- Stop work in that area and report it
- Clear the hedge quickly before anyone notices
- Take the eggs home
- Move the nest somewhere else
Show answer
Answer: A. Stop work in that area and report it
Nesting wild birds are protected by law. Report the find so a specialist can advise.
Question 22 of 25
You find bats roosting in a roof space. What should you do?
- Carry on, because bats are not protected
- Scare them away with noise
- Stop work and report it
- Block the hole they use
Show answer
Answer: C. Stop work and report it
Bats and their roosts are protected by law. Work must stop until advice is taken.
Question 23 of 25
You see Japanese knotweed on site. What should you do?
- Mow over it
- Do not disturb it and report it
- Dig it up and move it to another area
- Cut it down and put it in a general skip
Show answer
Answer: B. Do not disturb it and report it
Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant. Moving or spreading it can break the law.
Question 24 of 25
Why should you switch off engines on plant and vehicles when they are not being used?
- Because engines must never idle in winter
- To make the engine wear out faster
- To cut noise, fumes and fuel waste
- So the battery goes flat
Show answer
Answer: C. To cut noise, fumes and fuel waste
Idling engines create noise and air pollution and waste fuel.
Question 25 of 25
How can a site reduce nuisance to its neighbours?
- Play loud music so drilling cannot be heard
- Start work as early as possible every day to finish sooner
- Let dust blow onto the road, as it will wash away
- Control dust and noise, and keep to the agreed working hours
Show answer
Answer: D. Control dust and noise, and keep to the agreed working hours
Dust, noise and mud can harm neighbours and the environment and lead to complaints and enforcement.

Related tests