Free CITB HS&E practice questions (Operatives)

Question 1

During a morning walk-through, Arun sees a loose edge-protection board above a busy access route. No one has been hit. What should he do first?

Accepted Answer

Report it through the site arrangement and keep people away from the danger

Answer

Wait until the next toolbox talk because no injury has occurred

Answer

Move the board alone even though he is not authorised to work at height

Answer

Post a photo publicly so others can decide

Question 2

Marta completed a general online safety course last month and arrives at a new live site. What still needs to happen before she starts?

Accepted Answer

A site-specific induction covering current risks, routes, rules and arrangements

Answer

Nothing; one generic course covers every construction site

Answer

Only a tour of the canteen

Answer

A promise that she has worked on similar sites

Question 3

While drilling into an older service riser, Jay sees an unfamiliar fibrous board not marked on his work information. What should he do?

Accepted Answer

Stop work, prevent disturbance and report the suspected material

Answer

Break off a sample with a screwdriver

Answer

Sweep the dust into a general waste bag

Answer

Continue slowly while wearing any disposable mask

Question 4

A worker needs to cut concrete kerbs. Which approach best follows the control hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Use task-suitable water suppression or extraction, plus suitable RPE if residual risk remains

Answer

Dry-cut quickly so the dust cloud lasts less time

Answer

Wear sunglasses and work downwind

Answer

Use any paper mask without controlling dust at source

Question 5

A risk assessment says suitable eye protection is needed for a cutting task. Who should normally pay for it?

Accepted Answer

The employer should provide required suitable PPE free of charge

Answer

The worker must buy the cheapest pair available

Answer

The client’s visitors should share one pair

Answer

No one, because a sign replaces PPE

Question 6

Before use, Lina finds a split cable sheath with copper visible on a power tool. What should she do?

Accepted Answer

Remove the tool from service and report it for proper action

Answer

Wrap the split with masking tape and continue

Answer

Hold the cable away from the floor and use it

Answer

Ask another worker to try it first

Question 7

A fitting can be assembled at ground level and lifted into place instead of assembled at an exposed edge. Which option follows the hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Assemble at ground level to avoid the work at height

Answer

Work at the edge with no protection because the task is short

Answer

Wear a harness with no anchor point

Answer

Ask workers to take turns near the edge

Question 8

A worker needs both hands for a long overhead task. Why may a ladder be unsuitable?

Accepted Answer

Ladders are for low-risk, short-duration work only when more protective equipment is not justified

Answer

Ladders may never be used on construction sites

Answer

A long task becomes safe if the ladder is painted

Answer

Using both hands always improves ladder stability

Question 9

Light packaging waste is blowing from an open skip into the road. What is the appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Stop the escape and use suitable secure, labelled storage

Answer

Leave it because the carrier will collect the skip later

Answer

Move the skip closer to a surface-water drain

Answer

Mix unknown liquids into the skip to weigh it down

Question 10

Before storing fuel on an English site, why should the team know where nearby drains discharge?

Accepted Answer

So storage and spill response can protect surface water and the ground

Answer

So fuel can be washed into the nearest drain

Answer

So every drain can be treated as foul sewer

Answer

Only to choose where workers park

Ten free CITB HS&E practice questions

Practice questions

1. During a morning walk-through, Arun sees a loose edge-protection board above a busy access route. No one has been hit. What should he do first?

2. Marta completed a general online safety course last month and arrives at a new live site. What still needs to happen before she starts?

3. While drilling into an older service riser, Jay sees an unfamiliar fibrous board not marked on his work information. What should he do?

4. A worker needs to cut concrete kerbs. Which approach best follows the control hierarchy?

5. A risk assessment says suitable eye protection is needed for a cutting task. Who should normally pay for it?

6. Before use, Lina finds a split cable sheath with copper visible on a power tool. What should she do?

7. A fitting can be assembled at ground level and lifted into place instead of assembled at an exposed edge. Which option follows the hierarchy?

8. A worker needs both hands for a long overhead task. Why may a ladder be unsuitable?

9. Light packaging waste is blowing from an open skip into the road. What is the appropriate response?

10. Before storing fuel on an English site, why should the team know where nearby drains discharge?

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