CITB SSSTS Mock Test

Sample question 1 · Roles and responsibilities

An operative takes the guard off a cut-off saw because it slows him down. He knows the site rules say the guard must stay fitted. In HSE's terms, what is this?

1. AA slip
2. BA violationCorrect answer
3. CA lapse of memory
4. DA mistake

Why B: HSE's guidance HSG48 defines a violation as a deliberate deviation from a rule or procedure. Slips, lapses and mistakes are human errors, which are unintended; here the operative knew the rule and chose to break it.

Sample question 2 · Health and safety law

Your firm has a three-week job with four workers. A colleague says CDM 2015 does not apply because the project is not notifiable. Is he right?

1. ANo, CDM 2015 applies whether or not a project is notifiableCorrect answer
2. BYes, CDM 2015 only applies to projects notified to HSE
3. CYes, unless the client asks in writing for CDM to apply
4. DNo, but only the welfare rules apply to small jobs like this

Why A: HSE guidance L153 says the requirements of CDM 2015 apply whether or not the project is notifiable. Notification only decides whether the client must send an F10 to HSE; the duties for planning, managing and welfare still apply.

Sample question 3 · Health and safety law

A hot works permit has been signed and issued for a job. An operative says that means the job is now safe. Is he right?

1. AYes, a signed permit confirms that the job is safe
2. BYes, as long as the permit is displayed at the job
3. CNo, issuing a permit does not by itself make a job safeCorrect answer
4. DNo, because only the client is allowed to issue permits

Why C: HSE's permit-to-work guidance HSG250 says the issue of a permit does not, by itself, make a job safe. A permit is a formal recorded process for controlling hazardous work, and the precautions still have to be carried out.

Sample question 4 · Occupational health and welfare

Your gang will cut concrete blocks with a cut-off saw. What does HSE say should be done first to control the dust?

1. AIssue FFP3 masks and leave the dust to settle on its own
2. BCut in the open air so that the wind carries the dust away
3. CControl it at source with water suppression or on-tool extractionCorrect answer
4. DSweep up the dust that has settled at the end of each shift

Why C: HSE's construction dust sheet CIS36 says to control dust at source, using water to damp down dust clouds or on-tool extraction, which is a type of local exhaust ventilation fitted directly to the tool. Masks alone do nothing to reduce the amount of dust produced.

Sample question 5 · Occupational health and welfare

An operative with a full beard is issued a tight-fitting FFP3 mask for cutting work. What does HSE guidance say?

1. AIt is fine as long as he tightens the straps fully
2. BIt is fine if he passed a fit test when clean shaven
3. CIt is fine as long as he trims the beard short first
4. DA beard stops a good seal, so he needs a loose-fitting typeCorrect answer

Why D: HSE's fit testing guidance says tight-fitting masks need the wearer to be clean shaven, as stubble and beards prevent a good seal, so a loose-fitting alternative is needed. A fit test passed while clean shaven does not apply once he has a beard.

Sample question 6 · General safety

A signaller guiding a reversing tipper lorry loses sight of the driver. What should the signaller do?

1. AStop the vehicle moving until they can see each other againCorrect answer
2. BMove directly behind the lorry to get a clearer view of the driver
3. CShout directions and let the driver carry on slowly
4. DRely on the reversing alarm to warn anyone close by

Why A: HSG144 says a signaller must stand in a safe place, be visible to the driver and be able to see the driver, and if not, stop the vehicle moving. Standing directly behind a reversing vehicle is the very position HSG144 says puts the signaller at risk.

Sample question 7 · General safety

A small fire starts in a waste bin and a trained operative begins tackling it with an extinguisher. What should happen about the fire and rescue service?

1. ACall them only if the extinguisher fails to put the whole fire out
2. BCall them once the fire is out, so the incident is recorded
3. CCall them without delay, even while the fire is being tackledCorrect answer
4. DThere is no need to call them for a fire in a waste bin

Why C: HSG168 says extinguishers are for small fires or to help escape, and warns: do not delay calling the fire and rescue service. Waiting to see whether the extinguisher works loses time if the fire grows.

Sample question 8 · High-risk activities

Using the 1-in-4 rule, how far out from the wall should the foot of a leaning ladder be if it rests 4 m up the wall?

1. A2 m
2. B0.5 m
3. C1.5 m
4. D1 mCorrect answer

Why D: HSE's ladder guidance gives the 1-in-4 rule: one unit out for every four units up, which gives an angle of about 75 degrees. A ladder resting 4 m up the wall therefore needs its foot 1 m out; 2 m out would break the 1-in-4 ratio.

Sample question 9 · High-risk activities

A worker collapses at the bottom of a manhole. His colleague wants to climb straight in to help. What should you do?

1. AStop him, and start the prepared rescue plan with trained people and equipmentCorrect answer
2. BLet him go in at once, because every second counts for the casualty
3. CLower a fan into the manhole first, then let him climb in to help
4. DCall 999 and wait, as rescue is the job of the emergency services

Why A: HSE's INDG258 warns that those killed in confined spaces include people who try to rescue without proper training and equipment. L101 also says you should not rely on the public emergency services, so the prepared rescue arrangements must be used.

Sample question 10 · Environmental awareness

You are briefing your team on the site drain plan before a concrete pour. One manhole cover is painted red. What should you tell them it shows?

1. ASurface water
2. BClean water to a soakaway
3. CFoul waterCorrect answer
4. DFire-fighting water supply

Why C: Pollution prevention guidance gives the standard manhole colours as red for foul water and blue for surface water. Knowing the colours helps stop contaminated water being tipped into a drain that leads straight to a river.