Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Test Syllabus

What are 'reasonable adjustments' in the context of the HS&E Test?

Support arrangements (e.g. extra time, a reader, or a separate room) provided for candidates with a disability, learning difficulty or other need, so they can take the test fairly.

What language-support feature lets a candidate hear the HS&E Test questions read aloud?

The voiceover (audio) option, which reads the questions and answers to the candidate.

What support is available for candidates whose first language is not English?

The test can be taken with translation/foreign-language voiceover support in a range of languages, requested when booking.

When must you request reasonable adjustments or translation support for the HS&E Test?

At the time of booking, before the test date, so the centre can arrange it.

What two broad question types make up the CITB HS&E Test?

Knowledge questions (factual H&S/environmental facts) and behavioural case study questions.

What is the purpose of the behavioural case study questions on the HS&E Test?

To assess whether the candidate would behave safely and make safe decisions in realistic site scenarios, not just recall facts.

In a behavioural case study, you are asked to choose the SAFEST course of action. What general principle should guide your answer?

Always choose the option that stops or reports the danger and protects health and safety, rather than ignoring it or carrying on.

If you spot an unsafe situation on site during a case study scenario, what is the safest first response?

Stop work, make the area safe if you can, and report it to your supervisor.

Roughly how many question categories does the HS&E Test syllabus cover?

Around 15 core knowledge categories spanning general site safety, health, the environment and safe behaviour.

Name four core knowledge categories tested on the HS&E Test.

Examples: general responsibilities, accident reporting, health and welfare, manual handling, working at height, hazardous substances (COSHH), electrical safety, fire prevention, and environmental awareness.

Which CITB HS&E Test must a candidate pass to obtain a Gold Supervisor CSCS card?

The Supervisory level HS&E Test (part of the Managers and Professionals/MAP test range).

What additional content does the Supervisory HS&E Test cover compared with the Operatives test?

It adds questions on a supervisor's duties — monitoring others, leading safe behaviour, and ensuring the team follows safe systems of work.

What is a 'specialist activity test' within the HS&E Test scheme?

A Specialists-level test that combines the core safety questions with extra questions specific to a particular trade or activity.

Give three examples of specialist activity HS&E Tests.

Plumbing or gas/HVAC, highway works, and demolition (also lifts/escalators, supply and fitting of tunnelling, etc.).

Why does a demolition worker take the specialist demolition HS&E Test rather than the Operatives test?

Demolition carries specific high-risk hazards (structural collapse, asbestos, dust, falling materials) requiring trade-specific safety knowledge tested by the specialist activity test.

How do you know which specialist HS&E Test to take for your job?

By mapping your occupation to the correct specialist activity test using CITB/CSCS guidance, so the test matches the card and trade you are applying for.

A plumbing and domestic heating operative applying for a trade card should take which HS&E Test?

The Specialists test for the relevant plumbing/heating (HVAC) activity, not the general Operatives test.

What does COSHH stand for, and why is it tested?

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health; it is tested because controlling exposure to hazardous substances (dusts, chemicals, fumes) is a core legal duty on site.

What does a safety data sheet (SDS) provide, as tested under hazardous-substances knowledge?

Information on a hazardous substance's risks and the precautions/controls needed to use, store and dispose of it safely.

At what height does 'working at height' become a regulated hazard for HS&E purposes?

Any height where a person could fall and be injured — there is no minimum 'safe' height; any fall liable to cause injury counts.

Under accident reporting, what does RIDDOR require?

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations — certain serious accidents, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences must be reported to the HSE.

What is the correct manual-handling principle when lifting a load, as tested?

Assess the load, keep it close to your body, bend the knees (not the back), and avoid twisting; get help or a mechanical aid for heavy loads.

What colour and shape is a mandatory ('must do') safety sign, often tested in the signs category?

A blue circle with a white symbol.

What colour and shape is a prohibition ('must not do') safety sign?

A red circular border with a diagonal line over a white background.

In the HS&E noise category, what should you do if you must raise your voice to be heard about 2 metres away?

Treat noise as a hazard and wear/obtain appropriate hearing protection, because that loudness level can damage hearing.

What environmental duty is tested regarding waste on site?

Segregate and dispose of waste correctly, prevent pollution of land/water/air, and never tip waste or chemicals into drains or watercourses.

Compare the Operatives test and the MAP test in terms of who takes each.

Operatives is for hands-on site workers; MAP is for those with supervisory, managerial or professional responsibilities for others' safety.

Compare the Specialists test with the Operatives test in content.

Both share the core safety knowledge and behavioural questions, but the Specialists test adds extra activity-specific questions for a particular trade.

If you fail the HS&E Test, what must you do to try again?

Book and pay for a new test sitting through the official CITB channel; there is no automatic free retake.

What is the relationship between passing the HS&E Test and getting a CSCS card?

Passing the appropriate-level HS&E Test is a prerequisite/evidence requirement; you then apply separately for the matching CSCS card with your qualifications.