Free HS&E Test Practice for Managers and Professionals: 20 Questions

The questions cover the five areas CITB lists for the test: legal and management; occupational health, wellbeing and welfare; general safety, high risk activities; and environment. They are pitched at people in management and professional roles: duties under CDM 2015, RIDDOR, notifications, planning and the controls a manager has to put in place.

Every explanation names its source, the regulation on legislation.gov.uk or the HSE guidance it comes from, so you can read further on anything you get wrong.

These are our own practice questions, written from HSE guidance and UK legislation. They are not questions from the real test. CITB publishes the current format and pass mark: check them on CITB’s managers and professionals test page before you book.

The practice test

1. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, a project must be notified to HSE when the construction work is scheduled to:

Legal and management

Alast more than 20 working days with more than 30 workers at once at any point, or exceed 300 person daysBlast more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers at once at any point, or exceed 500 person daysCinclude demolition or dismantling of any structureDinvolve more than one contractor at any time during the construction phase

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Answer B: last more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers at once at any point, or exceed 500 person days

Regulation 6 sets the two notification tests: over 30 working days with over 20 workers working simultaneously at any point, or over 500 person days. Demolition and having several contractors do not by themselves make a project notifiable.

Source: CDM 2015 reg 6 (legislation.gov.uk); HSE L153

2. On a notifiable project for a commercial client, who must send the notification (form F10) to HSE under CDM 2015?

Legal and management

AThe architect who drew up the plansBThe clientCThe main contractor's site managerDThe first contractor to start on site

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Answer B: The client

Regulation 6 places the duty to notify on the client, before the construction phase begins. The client may ask someone else to send it, but the duty stays with the client. On a domestic project the duty passes to a contractor under regulation 7.

Source: CDM 2015 regs 6 and 7 (legislation.gov.uk); HSE L153

3. An injured worker cannot do their normal work for more than seven consecutive days, not counting the day of the accident. Under RIDDOR 2013, the injury must be reported:

Legal and management

Awithin 24 hoursBwithin 7 daysConly if the worker is admitted to hospitalDwithin 15 days

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Answer D: within 15 days

Over-seven-day incapacitation must be reported within 15 days of the accident. Hospital admission is not the test for workers. Deaths and specified injuries are reported without delay, with a report within 10 days.

Source: RIDDOR 2013 reg 4 and Schedule 1 (legislation.gov.uk); HSE INDG453

4. A worker knows the rule is to isolate a machine before clearing a jam, but skips it on purpose to save time. In HSE's guidance on human failure (HSG48), this is:

Legal and management

Aa slipBa lapseCa violationDa mistake

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Answer C: a violation

Slips and lapses are unintended errors of action or memory. A mistake is a wrong decision made in the belief it is right. A deliberate breach of a known rule is a violation.

Source: HSE HSG48 Reducing error and influencing behaviour

5. Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, the lower exposure action value for daily personal noise exposure is:

Occupational health, wellbeing and welfare

A75 dB(A)B80 dB(A)C85 dB(A)D87 dB(A)

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Answer B: 80 dB(A)

The lower action value is 80 dB(A), with a peak of 135 dB(C). 85 dB(A) is the upper action value, and 87 dB(A) is the exposure limit value.

Source: Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 reg 4 (legislation.gov.uk); HSE L108

6. Blocks need cutting on site, which will create silica dust. Under COSHH, which approach should be looked at first?

Occupational health, wellbeing and welfare

AAvoid the cutting, for example by ordering blocks cut to sizeBGive the cutters disposable FFP3 masksCPut up warning signs and barriers around the whole cutting areaDRotate the workers, so that each one spends less time cutting the blocks

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Answer A: Avoid the cutting, for example by ordering blocks cut to size

COSHH regulation 7 requires exposure to be prevented first where reasonably practicable. Only then do controls apply, such as water or extraction, with respiratory protection as the last line of defence. A warning sign controls nothing, and rotation only shares the exposure out.

Source: COSHH 2002 reg 7 (legislation.gov.uk); HSE L5

7. HSE's Management Standards for work-related stress cover which six areas?

Occupational health, wellbeing and welfare

AHours, pay, holidays, training, location and equipmentBDemands, control, support, relationships, role and changeCNoise, dust, vibration, heat, lighting and spaceDInduction, appraisal, discipline, grievance, absence and exit

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Answer B: Demands, control, support, relationships, role and change

The Management Standards look at how work is designed and managed: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change.

Source: HSE Management Standards (hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/overview.htm); MHSWR 1999 reg 3

8. Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, what is the first step for an employer?

Occupational health, wellbeing and welfare

ATrain workers in safe lifting technique, before any heavy lifting startsBIssue back-support belts and gloves to workers who lift regularlyCAvoid hazardous lifting and moving where reasonably practicableDSet a legal maximum of 25 kg for every lift made by one worker on the site

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Answer C: Avoid hazardous lifting and moving where reasonably practicable

Regulation 4 sets the order: avoid, then assess what cannot be avoided, then reduce the risk. The 25 kg figure is an HSE guideline filter, not a legal limit, and training comes after avoiding and assessing the risk.

Source: Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 reg 4 (legislation.gov.uk); HSE L23, INDG143

9. An electrician will work on a circuit that has been made dead. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require:

General safety

Aa notice on the distribution board in place of locking offBa visual check that the breaker is off, then start workCverbal permission from the client's facilities managerDprecautions to stop it being re-energised, such as locking off

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Answer D: precautions to stop it being re-energised, such as locking off

Regulation 13 requires adequate precautions to stop the equipment becoming electrically charged during the work. That means secure isolation, locking off and proving dead. A sign or a switch position alone can be undone by someone else.

Source: Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 reg 13 (legislation.gov.uk); HSE HSG85

10. What is the most effective way to stop people being struck by vehicles on site?

General safety

AHave drivers sound the horn when approaching junctions and blind cornersBGive everyone on site high-visibility clothing and hard hats, so drivers can see themCLimit all plant and vehicles on the site to walking paceDKeep pedestrians and vehicles apart, with separate routes

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Answer D: Keep pedestrians and vehicles apart, with separate routes

HSG144 puts segregation first, because it removes the chance of contact. Hi-vis, horns and speed limits help but still leave people and vehicles in the same space.

Source: HSE HSG144 The safe use of vehicles on construction sites

11. A worker will be working alone in a basement plant room. Which control matters most in planning the job?

General safety

AA written instruction to finish the job quicklyBBackground music, so they feel less isolatedCA way of checking on them and raising the alarmDA note in the site diary after the job

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Answer C: A way of checking on them and raising the alarm

HSE's lone working guidance focuses on keeping in contact, checking on the worker and planning how to get help to them. Lone working is not illegal, but its risks must be assessed and controlled.

Source: HSE INDG73 Protecting lone workers; MHSWR 1999 reg 3

12. Children are reported playing on a site after hours. Under CDM 2015, those managing the site must:

General safety

Ado nothing, because trespassers are owed no dutyBreport it to the police and leave the site exactly as it is until they attendCfit barbed wire, which the law requires on construction sitesDtake reasonable steps to stop unauthorised people getting onto the site

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Answer D: take reasonable steps to stop unauthorised people getting onto the site

Regulations 13(4)(b) and 15(10) include preventing unauthorised access, and the risk to children is foreseeable. Typical measures are secure fencing, immobilised plant, and ladders removed or secured in a compound. No particular fence type is required by law.

Source: CDM 2015 regs 13(4)(b) and 15(10) (legislation.gov.uk); HSE HSG151 Protecting the public

13. In the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the correct order of the hierarchy of control?

High risk activities

AAvoid work at height, prevent falls, then minimise the distance and consequencesBMinimise the consequences of a fall, prevent falls, then avoid work at heightCPrevent falls, avoid work at height, then minimise the distance and consequencesDTrain workers, issue harnesses, then avoid work at height where possible

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Answer A: Avoid work at height, prevent falls, then minimise the distance and consequences

Regulation 6 requires work at height to be avoided where reasonably practicable. Where it cannot be avoided, falls must be prevented. Only then should equipment such as nets or harnesses reduce the distance and consequences of a fall.

Source: Work at Height Regulations 2005 reg 6 (legislation.gov.uk); HSE INDG401

14. Under Schedule 2 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, on construction work, the largest unprotected gap allowed between the top guard-rail or intermediate guard-rail and the toe board is:

High risk activities

A470 mmB500 mmC600 mmD950 mm

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Answer A: 470 mm

Schedule 2 limits any unprotected gap between rails to 470 mm on construction work, so a person cannot fall through between them.

Source: Work at Height Regulations 2005 Schedule 2 (legislation.gov.uk)

15. Before digging near buried services, HSE guidance HSG47 says you should:

High risk activities

Adig with an excavator, and stop as soon as warning tape showsBget service plans and trace with a cable locator, then hand-dig trial holesCrely on the plans alone, as they show exact depthsDuse a pick to find the cables quickly, then a shovel once one is found

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Answer B: get service plans and trace with a cable locator, then hand-dig trial holes

HSG47 combines plans, locating devices and safe digging. Plans are not exact, warning tape may be missing, and picks can easily puncture cables.

Source: HSE HSG47 Avoiding danger from underground services

16. Under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, emergency rescue arrangements must be:

High risk activities

Aleft to the emergency services, who are called if something goes wrongBneeded only if the space is deeper than 2 metres below groundCorganised by the person inside the space once they have gone inDin place before anyone enters the confined space

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Answer D: in place before anyone enters the confined space

Regulation 5 requires suitable rescue arrangements before entry. Relying on the emergency services alone is not enough, and would-be rescuers without a plan often become further casualties.

Source: Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 reg 5 (legislation.gov.uk); HSE L101

17. Refurbishment will disturb the fabric of an office built in 1985. Before work starts, HSE's asbestos survey guide says you need:

High risk activities

Aa management survey only, as for normal occupationBa visual check by the site manager on the first day, before any of the trades arriveCa refurbishment and demolition survey of the areas to be worked onDan air test once the work is finished and the area cleaned

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Answer C: a refurbishment and demolition survey of the areas to be worked on

Buildings built before 2000 may contain asbestos. A management survey is for normal occupation. Work that disturbs the fabric needs a refurbishment and demolition survey first, so materials can be found and dealt with.

Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 reg 5 (legislation.gov.uk); HSE HSG264 Asbestos: the survey guide

18. Under the waste duty of care, a contractor that produces waste must make sure it is:

Environment

Apassed only to an authorised person, with a written descriptionBremoved from site within 24 hours of being producedCburnt on site, if combustible, to reduce its volumeDhanded to any skip firm that offers to collect it, as the skip firm then takes on the duty

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Answer A: passed only to an authorised person, with a written description

Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires waste to be kept secure, passed only to an authorised person such as a registered carrier, and described in writing. Regulation 35 of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 sets out what the written information must contain. Burning waste on site can be an offence in itself.

Source: Environmental Protection Act 1990 s.34; Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 reg 35 (legislation.gov.uk)

19. Under the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001, the minimum capacity of the secondary containment (bund) for an oil tank is:

Environment

A50% of the tank's capacityB100% of the tank's capacityC110% of the tank's capacityD150% of the tank's capacity

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Answer C: 110% of the tank's capacity

Regulation 3 requires the bund to hold at least 110% of the tank's capacity. Where there is more than one container, it must hold the greater of 110% of the largest or 25% of their total. Under regulation 2 the Regulations do not cover containers of 200 litres or less.

Source: Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 regs 2 and 3 (legislation.gov.uk)

20. Bats are found roosting in a roof void that is due to be refurbished. What should happen?

Environment

AStop work there and get an ecologist's advice, as a licence may be neededBBlock the access holes at night to keep them outCCarry on, as bats are protected only during the breeding season and not in roof voidsDMove the bats into a bat box yourself

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Answer A: Stop work there and get an ecologist's advice, as a licence may be needed

All bat species are European protected species. Damaging or destroying a roost is an offence at any time of year. A licence from the nature conservation body may be needed before work can go ahead.

Source: Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 regs 43 and 55 (legislation.gov.uk)

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Free HS&E test practice for managers and professionals

The practice test