Contents
We’ve pulled together some sample CSCS Operatives test questions below. We would encourage you to work through these as part of your assessment preparation. Mock tests are a fantastic way to revise for exams, as they allow you to tackle similar questions to what will feature in your assessment. Once you’re ready to start the test, click Begin Test.
You have 45 minutes to answer 50 multiple choice CSCS Health, Safety and Evironment Test questions for Operatives and Specialists. You need to answer at least 45 out of 50 questions correctly to pass. Answers may be reviewed after each question or at the end of the test. Good luck!
B
Explanation: If adequate training has been provided by the employer, the employee can be held entirely liable for failing to comply with health and safety standards.
B
C
D
Explanation: All relevant parties should be consulted in an investigation.
B
C
D
Explanation: It is good practice to regularly check the fit of your RPE with a face-fit test.
B
C
D
Explanation: Respiratory sensitisers may cause you to develop an allergic reaction.
B
C
D
Explanation: Nuisance dust is not toxic, but can become an irritant if too much is inhaled.
B
C
D
Explanation: Organic matter produces hydrogen sulphide when it begins to rot. This can be dangerous if it is allowed to build up.
B
C
D
Explanation: Always assume that dust in any enclosed area could be harmful.
B
C
D
Explanation: The main reason for collecting dust before it gets into the air is to protect workers from inhaling it.
B
C
D
Explanation: Regular, frequent use of power tools can lead to complacency. This is when many accidents occur.
B
C
D
Explanation: Just 5 litres of oil spread extensively through the soil, surface water, and groundwater, affecting an area the size of two football pitches.
B
C
D
Explanation: You must be authorised to carry out vehicle refuelling.
B
C
D
Explanation: Always check if spare hazardous liquid can be used elsewhere on site. This will reduce the amount of harmful waste produced.
B
C
Explanation: 1 cubic metre of soil can weigh 1 tonne - enough to crush a human body.
B
C
D
Explanation: Gas and fume levels in an excavation should always be mitigated or monitored.
B
C
D
Explanation: Gas services are usually yellow - but this is not always the case.
B
C
D
E
Explanation: Carbon dioxide is exhaled by humans when breathing, and is also produced by chalky ground - especially if it is exposed to acidic rainfall.
B
Explanation: This ladder is not safely positioned - it is too steep.
B
C
D
Explanation: The ladder must be checked by the person who will be using it.
B
C
D
Explanation: You may only construct mobile access platforms if you are fully qualified.
B
C
D
E
F
Explanation: Electricity passing to the ground from an overhead power line can result in explosions, fires, and severe injury.
B
C
D
Explanation: Class 3 is the highest class of high-visibility PPE, and must be worn on motorways regardless of the time of day.
B
C
D
Explanation: The sun is most intense for a few hours around midday. You must be particularly attentive to sun protection during this time.
B
C
D
Explanation: You will be informed of any smoking areas during your site induction.
B
C
D
Explanation: You should always return at a later time to check the area. Precisely how long will be detailed in the hot works permit.
B
C
D
Explanation: Asbestos fibres can cause lung scarring, and cancer in the lungs, abdominal cavity, and heart.
B
C
D
Explanation: You may unwittingly ingest hazardous substances.
B
C
D
Explanation: The high pressure may force hazardous substances into your body.
B
C
D
Explanation: Materials with this sticker contain asbestos.
B
C
D
Explanation: An unlabelled substance should be reported, and nobody should come into contact with it.
B
C
D
Explanation: Employers must provide lone workers with the means to call for emergency services or medical assistance if they are not accompanied by a first aider.
B
C
D
Explanation: You are qualified and permitted to do emergency first aid only - further training is required for general first aid.
B
C
D
Explanation: Sun exposure puts you at risk of developing skin cancer.
B
C
D
Explanation: An itching mole could be an early sign that skin cancer is developing. Catching and treating skin cancer early is crucial. Consult a doctor.
B
C
D
Explanation: Weil's disease may initially appear to be a bout of flu.
B
C
D
Explanation: It is best practice to put plasters over all cuts and abrasions, even if you are wearing gloves over the top.
B
C
D
E
Explanation: Needle pricks can pass on hepatitis and/or HIV through infected blood.
B
C
Explanation: Stress can have severe effects on both your mind and your body.
B
C
D
E
Explanation: Doing things that you enjoy and staying fit are two habits that may improve your mental health.
B
C
D
Explanation: There is no "type" of person who develops mental health problems - it can happen to anybody.
B
C
D
Explanation: Besides hydration, all of these may adversely affect your ability to work safely.
B
C
D
E
Explanation: Anabolic steroids are a class C drug, but possession for personal use is not an offence.
B
C
D
Explanation: Employers should offer separate, lockable cubicles.
B
C
D
Explanation: A safe system of work must be introduced where manual handling of loads poses a health risk to employees.
B
C
D
E
Explanation: Wet ground and low light are two factors that will affect the safety of manual handling tasks.
B
C
D
Explanation: These signs will indicate areas where you cannot walk, and where industrial vehicles are in operation.
B
C
D
Explanation: If you can no longer see your signaller, you must stop. Do not continue until you have located them.
B
C
D
Explanation: Your employer must designate an appointed person to plan a lifting operation.
B
C
D
Explanation: Leaving the engine on wastes fuel, and could lead to accidents if you accidentally knock one of the levers whilst exiting.
B
C
D
Explanation: Signal MOVE FORWARDS through a beckoning motion with an upwards-turned open palm.
The CSCS Operatives test is a health and safety-based assessment designed for workers operating in the construction industry. This exam is also known as the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test. Its main purpose is to assess whether workers have sufficient safety and compliance knowledge to carry out their role on a construction site.
Passing this assessment forms part of the qualifying criteria for several CSCS card programmes. The CSCS, or Construction Skills Certification Scheme, is a widespread initiative by most companies affiliated with the building or construction sector. The scheme serves to identify a worker’s skill-set, experience, and capability level. It does this by utilising a host of differently coloured cards, which each represent certain competencies, a particular occupation, or grade of on-site seniority. It is not a legal requirement to possess a CSCS card to work in the construction industry. However, most employers will make holding a valid CSCS card, relevant to your position, a compulsory requirement.
The importance of CSCS cards for employers
This largely boils down to two key reasons. Firstly, it allows site leadership teams to efficiently allocate tasks based on the skills and knowledge of their labour force. It offers a clear and visible sign of a worker’s strengths and limitations. This facilitates the smooth running of construction environments, and also reduces the risk of accidents incurring. This is because the right individuals can be tasked with work that they’ve been suitably trained to deliver, as opposed to unskilled, lower experienced workers carrying out duties they’re ill-equipped to perform. This increases the quality of project standards, and decreases the likelihood of injury being caused by a worker conducting a task non-compliantly.
The CITB
The aforementioned CITB, or Construction Industry Training Board, is actually the parent organisation of the CSCS. Therefore, these acronyms are sometimes used interchangeably (hence why this assessment is sometimes called either the CSCS, or CITB, test). The CITB is a highly-respected organisation amongst industry stakeholders. The principal objective of the CITB is to drive standards across the construction sector, and works to achieve this in a number of ways. It distributes learning materials and training resources to employers and employees, and facilitates a number of construction-related qualifications. .
As previously mentioned, a CSCS card, which is an essential tool for all construction workers, will not be issued without a CSCS test pass certificate. Furthermore, this assessment will most likely be taken at numerous points throughout your career. Indeed, each time you apply to renew your card’s membership, typically every five years for most CSCS card programmes, you’ll have to provide proof that you’ve passed an appropriate CITB test within the previous two years. Therefore, you’ll never be too far away from this assessment.
The CSCS Operatives test
The Operatives CSCS test is primary taken by members of the general workforce. In relation to the CSCS card programme, those hopeful of gaining either a green labourer, blue skilled worker, and any of the red ‘training’ cards, will likely sit this exam.
The content of this test is not as advanced as the other two assessments in this particular CITB testing series. It demands candidates to hold a minimum required level of health & safety awareness in order to safely work on a construction site. However, please do not assume this test is easy! As we’ll see, it covers a wide range of different topics and has more than one style of questioning.
Content, structure, and format of the CSCS Operatives test
There are five ‘core’ subjects in the Operatives test. All questions asked are directly linked to these themes. Therefore, it’s important that you’re extremely familiar with the standards, rules, and guidance related to these topics. The five subjects are as follows:
- Legal & Management
- Health & Welfare
- General Safety
- High-risk activities
- Environment
There are 50 questions in total, which are all in multiple-choice format. The test is broken down into two different types of questioning. You’ll have 45 minutes to answer all 50 questions. Therefore, you’ll have less than one minute per question to provide your response. The pass mark for this test is 90%, which means you’ll need to answer 45 out of the 50 questions correctly to earn your certificate. Although this pass threshold is quite high, most candidates manage to get through this particular exam.
Top tips
It’s also important to read each and every question. The CITB do not include questions designed to trip you up. However, there may be some instances where more than one answer is required, or you’ll be asked to state something that should NOT happen, as opposed to something that should. These vital prompts can be sometimes missed if rushing through your exam.
Lastly, please ensure that you answer every question available. There may be times when you’re unsure of an answer, and need to provide an educated guess. This is perfectly fine. Providing an answer to several questions you may otherwise have avoided could be the difference between passing and failing your test.
Other CSCS test versions
Just as a brief point of comparison, it’s worth quickly visiting the other two assessments available in this CITB testing series. These are the Specialists test and Managers and Professionals (MAP) test.
The Specialists test
The Specialists assessment is targeted at those who are either in highly technical or supervisory roles. Applicants to the gold card programme, which offers both the ‘advanced craft’ and ‘supervisor’ cards, will need to specifically take this test in order to successfully apply for the scheme. The Specialists exam covers all areas included in the Operatives test, but also expects candidates to answer a section of questions based purely on their chosen area of expertise. This will directly link to the occupation they hold within the construction industry. For example, on-site supervisors will be able to tackle the ‘supervisory’ section of this exam, whilst plumbers would address the ‘plumbing (JIB-approved)’ section. As per the Operatives test, the pass mark for this assessment is 90% (45 out of 50).
The Managers and Professionals test
The Managers and Professionals Health, Safety, and Environment Test, or MAP test as it’s sometimes referred to in the industry, is the most challenging out of the three assessments on offer. The exam includes questions on the five core principles covered in the previous two tests, as well as a sample of questions from the various dedicated sections included in the Specialists assessment. Furthermore, there are also advanced, management-based questions. These relate to health and safety considerations in Highway works and Demolition services. There is also a section included in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM, 2015). To make things even harder, the CITB has determined that the pass mark for this test be 92%. This means candidates will need to answer 46 out of 50 questions correctly to get through this exam.
How do I know which CSCS test version to take?
As mentioned earlier, the version of the CITB test you take will be entirely dependent on the CSCS card scheme you’re applying for. If you’re unsure about which assessment you’re planning to apply for, please check out the qualifying requirements of your chosen scheme. If you’re also unsure about which CSCS card to apply for, it’s worth checking out the CSCS’ handy Card Finder Tool. Simply enter your qualifications and/or current occupation into the search bar, and it will generate the most appropriate card based on your personal information.
How do I book my CSCS test for Operatives?
Booking your CSCS test is extremely easy, and can be done either online or over the phone. However, submitting your booking request online is the most efficient way to organise a testing slot.
To do this, you’ll need to sign-up for a Pearson VUE account, a portal created by the same organisation who provides the CITB with its computer testing software. Once your registration has been approved, you’ll then be able to book your assessment. Alternatively, you can make your booking by calling the Construction Industry Training Board on 0344 994 4488.
There is a third method available, which involves reaching out to one of CITB’s approved Internet Test Centres (ITC’s). These are venues that have been validated by the CITB to facilitate the test on their premises.
If you’re completing this test as part of a training module being conducted through a private learning provider, your course facilitator may offer to book this test on your behalf. However, please be aware that they may charge extra for this service.
How much does it cost?
If booked directly through the CITB, the CSCS test costs £22.50. In this scenario, you’ll be able to change your test appointment slot up to 72 hours prior to sitting your assessment. If you try to cancel your test after this point, or fail to show up to your exam, you’ll still be charged the full, original testing fee. Unfortunately, you will not be entitled to a refund. The rules regarding test cancellations made through learning providers and ITC’s will vary based on the company used. Therefore, please check out their specific guidance by speaking to them directly.
It’s worth mentioning that the CSCS test can only be physically sat in testing centres, and is therefore not available online. To find out the location of your nearest test centre, please click on the attached link.
Will the test centre be able to accommodate any special requirements I may have?
The CSCS and CITB are committed to supporting those with additional needs. It facilitates a range of services that help those who do not speak English as a first language, require specific support with reading or writing, or have disabled access requirements.
Verbal support
For those who are visually impaired, a headset voiceover facility is available to talk candidates through each question and answer. This service is available in both English and Welsh.
If you require your assessment to be delivered to you in a different language, then please note that all CITB-approved test centres come equipped with language translation software. However, this service is only available to those sitting the Operatives test. Available languages are as follows: Bulgarian, Czech, French, German, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, and Spanish.
If none of these languages are suitable, the CITB may provide a personal translator to accompany you in your assessment. However, translators can only be deployed to support candidates taking the Operatives or ‘specialist’ test. Please be aware that on-screen instructions are will always be written in English.
BSL support
If hard of hearing, the CITB offers two sign language support options. Candidates are able to have access to a video-recording which includes an on-screen signer. Alternatively, they may be able to have an interpreter present throughout their exam. All communication will be in standard, British Sign Language (BSL).
Reading and writing support
If required, there is also help available for candidates who are dyslexic. There are two separate services in this regard, the ‘reader’ and ‘reader-recorder’ assistance options. A ‘reader’ is deployed to read out each question and possible answer. A ‘reader-recorder’ will also do this, but also write down the answer that the candidate provides on their behalf. If this service is needed, candidates will need to provide evidence to confirm why this support has been requested. This can take the form of a doctor’s letter, or a condition report completed by a qualified specialist.
If receiving support from an external individual in any of the aforementioned scenarios, you’ll be given a private space, and some extra time in order to comfortably undertake your test.
Please note that many of the CITB’s ‘Pearson’ testing centres are well-equipped to cater for disabled users. Ramps, lifts, and disabled parking bays are available at a number of test sites.
To organise any special requests, or to speak about any other support you may need, please liaise directly with CITB’s Special Assistance team. This group can be contacted by phone on 0344 994 4491, or via e-mail at citb.specialassistancetraining@pearson.com
Summary
The CSCS Operatives test encompasses all the core health & safety principles aligned to working in the construction or building sector. Therefore, on passing this assessment, you should feel equipped to perform tasks safely and compliantly whilst operating in construction-based environments.
Please ensure you select the right version of the test. This will depend on the CSCS card scheme you’re applying for. Sitting a CITB test that isn’t appropriate to your targeted card programme will likely incur wasted time, money, and effort. If taking the Operatives assessment, you’ll likely be applying for a red ‘training’, green ‘labourer’ or blue ‘skilled-worker’ CSCS card.
Be prepared
Remember, some employers will make it mandatory to own a CSCS card. A delay in taking your test may, in the worst circumstances, result in a missed employment opportunity. Therefore, ensure that you’re familiar the test’s booking process. This might help you to take your assessment as soon as possible, and avoid any potential frustrations.
In most cases, any special requests for additional support services will be granted. However, if you’re nervous about whether on-site tools and conditions will be suitable for your personal requirements, please reach out directly to the CITB to discuss.
Lastly, if you are due to take your Operatives CSCS test imminently, we wish you the very best of luck! We also hope that passing this assessment serves as the next step toward advancing your career in the construction industry!
