CSCS Mock Test 2026: 50 Free Practice Questions & Answers

If you want to get a CSCS card and work in the UK construction industry, you must pass the Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test set by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). This CSCS mock test is designed to help you prepare with 50 multiple-choice questions, just like the real exam. You’ll have 45 minutes to complete the test and need to score at least 45 out of 50 (90%) to pass.

1. What type of pollution do hand-held power tools contribute to?

A.Noise pollution

B.Water pollution

C.Smoke pollution

D.Light pollution

Question 1 of 50

2. How fast does electricity travel?

A.The speed of light

B.100 miles per second

C.50,000 miles per second

D.The speed of sound

Question 2 of 50

3. What is the meaning of a prohibition notice when it has been issued for an entire construction site?

A.Work can continue as usual, but safety practices should be reviewed.

B.Certain activities are restricted, but general site operations remain unaffected.

C.The site has been temporarily extended to allow for the completion of ongoing work.

D.All work must stop immediately and cannot resume until the specified safety issues are resolved.

Question 3 of 50

4. What is the primary objective of conducting an accident investigation on a worksite?

A.To determine the cost of any damage that occurred

B.o document the injuries sustained

C.To identify the causes and prevent similar incidents in the future

D.To establish who is at fault

Question 4 of 50

5. According to industry guidance on underground service pipes, what does a yellow service pipe indicate?

A.Gas

B.Electricity

C.Telecoms

D.Water

Question 5 of 50

6. Which of the following is NOT part of a safe system of work?

A.Permit to work

B.Professional trust

C.Health and safety policy

D.Construction phase plan

Question 6 of 50

7. What is the main purpose of a risk assessment?

A.To assign job roles

B.To record working hours

C.To identify hazards and control risks

D.To locate emergency equipment

Question 7 of 50

8. You suffer a minor injury during your lunch break on a construction site. What is the correct course of action?

A.Get treatment but do not report it

B.Ignore it and continue working

C.Only report it if it becomes serious later

D.Report the injury and get medical help if needed

Question 8 of 50

9. Who is responsible for carrying out risk assessments on a construction site?

A.Workers

B.Visitors

C.Employers

D.Equipment suppliers

Question 9 of 50

10. What is the main purpose of investigating an accident on a construction site?

A.To identify who is responsible

B.To calculate financial losses

C.To document injuries only

D.To determine how to prevent similar incidents

Question 10 of 50

11. Which of the following best describes a ‘respiratory sensitiser’?

A.A type of hazardous dust or fume

B.A piece of respiratory protective equipment

C.The person in charge of protecting respiratory health

D.A prescription device for patients suffering from respiratory disease

Question 11 of 50

12. Which factor is most likely to lead to a manual handling injury?

A.Using mechanical lifting equipment

B.Lifting with poor posture

C.Wearing safety boots

D.Having smooth surfaces on materials

Question 12 of 50

13. How does hearing damage from prolonged exposure to loud noise typically occur?

A.Gradually over time

B.Only in older workers

C.Instantly after first exposure

D.Only if ear protection is worn

Question 13 of 50

14. When is the correct time to apply barrier cream on a construction site?

A.During first aid treatment

B.After finishing work

C.Before starting work

D.Only if gloves are not available

Question 14 of 50

15. There has been a spillage of hydraulic oil from plant working near a watercourse. What one action should you NOT do?

A.Contain the spillage

B.Notify the site manager

C.Switch the plant off

D.Use detergents to clean up the oil

Question 15 of 50

16. You need to use a grinder, cut-off saw, cartridge tool, or nail gun. What type of eye protection do you need?

A.Welding goggles

B.Sunglasses

C.Safety glasses

D.Impact-resistant goggles or full face shield

Question 16 of 50

17. What is the main danger of working in an oxygen-enriched environment?

A.Reduced visibility

B.Difficulty breathing

C.Increased fire risk

D.Increased noise levels

Question 17 of 50

18. Which of these statements about personal protective equipment (PPE) is NOT true?

A.You must use it as instructed

B.You must pay for any damage or loss

C.You must store it correctly when you are not using it

D.You must report any damage or loss to your supervisor

Question 18 of 50

19. What is the safest action if a person is being electrocuted by a live wire?

A.Touch them to pull them away

B.Call emergency services only

C.Throw water on the cable

D.Turn off the electricity supply and call for assistance

Question 19 of 50

20. Which of these statements is NOT true about ladders?

A.You should inspect the ladder before using it

B.A ladder should be painted to prevent wear and tear

C.A ladder should be tied at the top to ensure it does not slip

D.You should have at least three points of contact while on a ladder

Question 20 of 50

21. Which filter grading offers the highest level of protection?

A.FFP1

B.FFP2

C.FFP3

D.FFP4

Question 21 of 50

22. Which of the following lists the three main types of asbestos?

A.Green, white, and brown

B.Red, white, and blue

C.Blue, brown, and white

D.Yellow, black, and grey

Question 22 of 50

23. Which of the following is most likely to lead to occupational asthma?

A.Contact with loud machinery

B.Working in cold weather

C.Handling sharp tools

D.Inhaling airborne hazardous substances

Question 23 of 50

24. What condition can result from frequent use of vibrating tools?

A.Hearing loss

B.Back pain

C.White finger

D.Heat exhaustion

Question 24 of 50

25. If you need to use a vibrating tool, even for a short time, how can you help reduce the risk of hand-arm vibration?

A.Use more force

B.Hold the tool more tightly

C.Do not grip the tool too tightly

D.Hold the tool away from you, at arm’s length

Question 25 of 50

26. Who should report an accident that occurs on a construction site?

A.Visitors only

B.Only the site manager

C.Only the employer

D.Any worker involved or who witnesses it

Question 26 of 50

27. Which action is a first aider NOT permitted to carry out?

A.Stop any bleeding

B.Treat you if you are unconscious

C.Give medicines without authorisation

D.Give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

Question 27 of 50

28. How can asbestos be correctly identified?

A.The dust gives off a strong smell

B.By the colour of the dust

C.By putting a piece in water and seeing if it dissolves

D.By getting a sample analysed in a laboratory

Question 28 of 50

29. Why is it important to attend a site induction before beginning work?

A.To complete payroll information

B.To learn about company background

C.To meet other workers and collaborate

D.To understand site-specific hazards and safety rules

Question 29 of 50

30. Which hand signal is used to indicate danger on a construction site?

A.Two fists raised above your head

B.Two hands raised to your mouth

C.Two open-palm hands waved above your head

D.Two open-palm hands raised directly up

Question 30 of 50

31. Why should a client hire a demolition specialist before starting demolition work?

A.To manage payroll and contracts

B.To select construction materials

C.To assess safety risks and structural stability

D.To acquire expert advice on environmental impact assessments

Question 31 of 50

32. What is the proper method for treating silty water?

A.With the correct chemical diluents

B.In a settlement tank

C.It must NOT be left to settle

D.It must be chemically cleansed by a registered contractor

Question 32 of 50

33. What is a legal requirement when keeping accident records on site?

A.They must be stored digitally only

B.Only supervisors can complete them

C.They must include family contact details

D.They must follow data protection regulations

Question 33 of 50

34. What factors should you assess before manually handling a load?

A.The size and weight of the load

B.The route and any obstacles

C.How far you need to carry it

D.All of the above

Question 34 of 50

35. What does this sign indicate?

Hazardous Substances

A.Environmentally hazardous substance

B.Poisonous wildlife in area

C.Protected wildlife in area

D.Hazardous chemical spill in area

Question 35 of 50

36. Why is it important to keep the work environment clean?

A.To protect the environment

B.To reduce the risk of slips and falls

C.To deter rodents and other animals

D.All of the above

Question 36 of 50

37. When preparing to carry out a manual handling task, who should be involved in planning it safely? (Give TWO answers)

A.The site supervisor or manager

B.The worker carrying out the task

C.The Health and Safety Executive

D.Visitors on site

Question 37 of 50

38. What is the most appropriate action if you are struggling with mental health at work?

A.Find a different job

B.Self-medicate

C.Speak confidentially to a supervisor or manager

D.Do not seek support from your employer, as you may lose your job

Question 38 of 50

39. Which type of gas leak in an excavation poses the LEAST hazard?

A.Methane

B.Hydrogen sulphide

C.Helium

D.LPG

Question 39 of 50

40. If you do not understand part of a site induction, what is the correct action?

A.Ask a colleague later

B.Ignore it and continue

C.Assume it is not important

D.Ask the presenter for clarification

Question 40 of 50

41. Your colleague reports they have ‘pizza knee’. What does this mean?

A.A heavily bruised knee

B.Irritant contact dermatitis on the knee

C.A build-up of fatty tissue around the knee

D.Patchy discolouration on the knee from kneeling too long

Question 41 of 50

42. If a person collapses on site because of stomach pain and no first aider is available, what is the first action you should take?

A.Call emergency services immediately

B.Move them into a comfortable position

C.Leave them and find a supervisor

D.Give them pain-relief medication

Question 42 of 50

43. What utility is typically carried by yellow underground pipes?

A.Gas

B.Water

C.Electricity

D.Telecommunications

Question 43 of 50

44. What is the safest way to access and store materials for tasks on a sloped roof?

A.A mobile elevating work platform

B.A scaffold platform at the height of the eaves

C.A passenger and materials hoist

D.A scaffold platform at least 1 metre higher than the eaves

Question 44 of 50

45. If a site vehicle is driving above the speed limit on-site, what should you do?

A.Call the police and report the matter

B.Ignore it, as it is not your responsibility

C.Keep a safe distance and report it to a supervisor

D.Call emergency services straight away

Question 45 of 50

46. What does this sign indicate?

Fire Sign

A.Fire exit route

B.The location of the fire assembly point

C.The location of the fire alarm

D.The location of the fire extinguisher

Question 46 of 50

47. When are site traffic management rules typically explained to workers?

A.During the site induction

B.During breaks

C.After the first week

D.Only when an incident occurs

Question 47 of 50

48. If you discover that a first aid kit is missing essential supplies, what should you do?

A.Replace items yourself later

B.Report it in the accident book

C.Restock the kit at the next opportunity

D.Inform the person who manages the kit

Question 48 of 50

49. What facilities should be included in a proper rest area on a construction site?

A.A covered area

B.A covered area, tables and chairs, and facilities to heat water and food

C.A covered area and some chairs

D.Nothing – employers do not have to provide rest areas

Question 49 of 50

50. Which situation would NOT normally be treated as a site emergency?

A.A major chemical spill

B.People trapped after a collapse

C.Running out of fuel for machinery

D.A worker suffering serious burns

Question 50 of 50