CITB Specialist Tests

Sample question 1 · Lifts and escalators

A heavy replacement lift motor is to be lifted into a machine room using a beam and a chain block. Under LOLER regulation 8, who must plan the lifting operation?

1. AA competent personCorrect answer
2. BThe operative who will pull the chain block
3. CThe building's fire officer
4. DAny operative who holds a valid CSCS card

Why A: LOLER regulation 8(1) requires every lifting operation involving lifting equipment to be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner. Holding a CSCS card is not the same as being a competent person for planning a lift.

Sample question 2 · Lifts and escalators

A thorough examination of a passenger lift finds a defect which is not yet a danger to people but could become one. Under LOLER Schedule 1, which of these must the report state about that defect?

1. AThe name of the engineer who last serviced the lift
2. BThe cost of putting the defect right, which could be quoted separately
3. CThe time by which it could become a danger to personsCorrect answer
4. DThe serial number of the replacement part to be fitted

Why C: Paragraph 8(c) of Schedule 1 to LOLER deals with a defect which is not yet but could become a danger to persons, and requires the report to give the time by which it could become such a danger and particulars of any repair, renewal or alteration required to remedy it. That stated time matters, because regulation 10(3)(b) then bars use of the lift after it passes if the defect has not been put right.

Sample question 3 · Lifts and escalators

The owner of an office block provides a passenger lift that is used by the employees of the firms renting space in it. Who has the LOLER duty to make sure the lift is thoroughly examined?

1. ANobody, because the tenants' staff are not employed by the owner
2. BThe owner of the office block, who provides the liftCorrect answer
3. CEach tenant firm, for the days its own employees use the lift
4. DThe lift maintenance contractor, because it services the lift

Why B: L113 gives this example: the owner of an office block who provides a lift for people at work in it has a LOLER duty to ensure the lift is safe and receives periodic thorough examinations.

Sample question 4 · Lifts and escalators

A lift that used to carry light office loads will now carry heavy equipment every day. Under HSE's guidance for lift owners, what should the owner do?

1. ANothing until the next thorough examination, when the examiner may notice the change themselves
2. BPut a new safe working load sign in the car without telling anyone else
3. CTell the maintenance contractor but not the examiner, who does not need to know how the lift is being used day to day
4. DKeep the competent person informed of the change, as it may affect their risk assessmentCorrect answer

Why D: INDG339 lists among the dutyholder's responsibilities keeping the competent person informed of changes in the lift operating conditions which may affect the risk assessment.

Sample question 5 · Lifts and escalators

Under the Lifts Regulations 2016, what must the easily visible plate in every lift car clearly show?

1. AThe date of the next thorough examination of the lift and its ropes
2. BThe name and phone number of the building's facilities manager
3. CThe floor numbers served and the speed of the car in metres a second
4. DThe rated load in kilograms and the maximum number of passengersCorrect answer

Why D: Schedule 1 paragraph 6(1) requires each car to bear an easily visible plate clearly showing the rated load in kilograms and the maximum number of passengers.

Sample question 1 · Tunnelling

Which of these is required by the Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996?

1. ARecords of the workers' exposure are destroyed as soon as the tunnelling project finishes
2. BAlcohol can be taken into the working chamber, provided that the container stays sealed throughout the shift
3. CMedical surveillance is arranged for workers aged over 50, and is not needed for younger ones
4. DHSE gets written notice at least 14 days before work starts, or as soon as practicable in an emergencyCorrect answer

Why D: Regulation 6(1) of the Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 says nobody may work in compressed air unless the compressed air contractor has given HSE written notice at least 14 days before the work is to start. Regulation 6(2) allows later notice only where an emergency or unforeseeable circumstances make that impracticable, and even then it must be given before the work starts.

Sample question 2 · Tunnelling

The manual handling assessment for carrying materials along the tunnel must have regard to the working environment. Which of these is a working environment factor listed in Schedule 1 to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992?

1. ASpace constraints in the heading that prevent good postureCorrect answer
2. BThe age of the person doing the carrying
3. CThe make and model of the locomotive that hauls the muck skips
4. DThe cost of hiring a mechanical handler instead

Why A: Schedule 1 to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 lists the working environment factors an assessment must have regard to. They include space constraints preventing good posture, uneven, slippery or unstable floors, variations in floor level, extremes of temperature or humidity, ventilation problems and poor lighting.

Sample question 3 · Tunnelling

Tunnel workers coming out of compressed air sometimes talk about 'the bends' or 'niggles'. What does HSE say these terms describe?

1. ABarotrauma, which is pressure damage to the ears and sinuses during compression
2. BDysbaric osteonecrosis, which is slow damage to the bone of the hip and shoulder
3. CHeat stress, which builds up during a long shift in the warm air of the working chamber
4. DType 1 decompression sickness, which most commonly shows as pains around the jointsCorrect answer

Why D: HSE says decompression sickness occurs most commonly in compressed air work as pains around the joints, often referred to as Type 1 decompression sickness, 'the bends' or, if less severe, 'niggles'.

Sample question 4 · Tunnelling

High voltage cables run along a tunnel to power the tunnel boring machine. Where necessary to prevent danger, what does CDM 2015 require of such energy distribution installations?

1. AThey must be switched off at the end of the shift and at weekends
2. BThey must be buried under the tunnel invert so that nobody can touch them
3. CThey must be inspected by the client before the tunnel drive starts
4. DThey must be suitably located, periodically checked and clearly indicatedCorrect answer

Why D: Regulation 25(1) says that where necessary to prevent danger, energy distribution installations must be suitably located, periodically checked and clearly indicated.

Sample question 5 · Tunnelling

Several locomotives run on the same track in a tunnel at the same time. What does PUWER regulation 28 require of them?

1. AA radio in each loco tuned to a local music station for the drivers
2. BA single driver who moves between the locos as they are needed
3. CHorns that sound continuously whenever the locos are moving
4. DAppropriate facilities for minimising the consequences of a collisionCorrect answer

Why D: PUWER regulation 28(b) requires self-propelled work equipment to have appropriate facilities for minimising the consequences of a collision where more than one item of rail-mounted work equipment is in motion at the same time.