CITB Operatives Mock Test – Excavations and Confined Spaces – CSCS Mock Test | CSCS Revision

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The CITB Operatives mock test below covers all the questions you’ll face from the Excavations and Confined Spaces section of the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test in 2024.

There are 20 questions in this practice test and the pass mark is set at 18 out of 20, you will get a pass or fail result after submitting your answers.

Don’t forget to like, share, or comment if you found this CITB Operatives mock test on Excavations and Confined Spaces useful. Good luck!

1. What is the safest way of entering and exiting a deep excavation?

Via shoring or trench supports

Via an excavator bucket

Via a fixed staircase

Using ladders on the work-site

Question 1 of 20

2. Methane gas is very dangerous in confined spaces because: (choose 2 answers)

It could explode

It could make you feel dehydrated

It will limit the amount of oxygen you have available

It will block your vision

Question 2 of 20

3. An excavation should be battered back or stepped if ___.

Water is present at the bottom of the trench

There is a risk of the sides falling in, regardless of how deep it is

Buried services are present

It’s more than 5m in depth

Question 3 of 20

4. What does it mean if you digging and find a run of coloured marker tape?

Buried human remains are present

There is a buried service

The soil is contaminated

It is not safe to dig in this area

Question 4 of 20

5. What substance is probably present in the air if workers notice the smell of rotten eggs?

Carbon dioxide

Oxygen

Methane

Hydrogen sulphide

Question 5 of 20

6. Why is a person always positioned immediately outside of a confined space while work is taking place inside it?

To assess compliance with the method statement

To begin the rescue process in an emergency situation

To supervise work

To perform risk assessments

Question 6 of 20

7. What could happen if oxygen levels in a confined space drops below 8 percent?

Workers may become unconscious

Hearing issues among workers

Dehydration among workers

A fire or explosion could occur

Question 7 of 20

8. What should you do if you have to work in a confined space and realize your permit to work will expire before you can finish the work?

Ask your supervisor to adjust the date on the permit

Leave the confined space before the permit expires

Give the permit to the next shift

Continue working until the job is finished

Question 8 of 20

9. If you need to hand dig near any electrical underground services you must use __.

A metal shovel and rubber gloves

A jack hammer

A full metal shovel

An insulated shovel or spade

Question 9 of 20

10. You have to work in a confined space and notice there is sludge at the bottom, what should you do before entering? (Choose 3 answers)

Ensure you are wearing a disposable dust mask

Ensure you have the correct training

Find out what the sludge is

Toss an item into the sludge to determine how deep it is

Ensure that the space is tested for gas

Question 10 of 20

11. Guard rails placed around the top of an excavation are meant to ___.

Stop rainwater from running into the trench

Prevent people from falling into the trench

Prevent the sides of the trench from collapsing

Stop toxic gas from forming at the bottom of the trench

Question 11 of 20

12. Which of these is most likely if you're digging and notice a strange smell coming from the soil?

There might be buried services in the area

Nothing, this is normal

The soil could be contaminated

The area has been excavated before

Question 12 of 20

13. What is the main cause of death among workers in confined spaces?

Too much oxygen

A lack of oxygen

Temperatures that cause hypothermia

Methane

Question 13 of 20

14. What should you do if you notice the side supports moving around as you're working inside an excavation?

Nothing – this is normal

Move further down and continue working

Make sure you and everyone else exit the excavation immediately

Keep working but monitor the situation carefully

Question 14 of 20

15. What do yellow service pipes carry in relation to underground service pipes?

Gas

Sewage and drain lines

Electricity

Water

Question 15 of 20

16. If you’re working in a confined space and the gas alarm goes off you should:

Take the alarm off

Stop using any electrical tools but carry on working

Continue working and take breaks every 5 minutes to get fresh air

Exit the confined space immediately

Question 16 of 20

17. You have to work in an excavation, what is the main hazard while working?

Breathing in hazardous dust from the ground

Being crushed if the sides are not supported

Suffering from skin abrasions

Falling

Question 17 of 20

18. What should you do if you’re working in a deep trench and notice a lorry with its engine running above you?

Leave the trench immediately

Continue working – this is normal

Put on ear defenders to block out the noise

Continue working – the lorry will move eventually

Question 18 of 20

19. What should you do if you’re working in a deep trench and you start to feel dizzy?

Sit down and take a few minutes to recover

Continue working and let the dizziness pass on its own

Get out immediately and take everyone who is working with you then report it

Get out then take a few minutes then go back in

Question 19 of 20

20. Why should workers be fully trained and competent before they’re allowed to enter a confined space?

The potential hazards of entering a confined space must be fully understood

Flammable or explosive gasses are always present in confined spaces

Confined spaces don't provide breathable air

Only house-building sites have confined spaces

Question 20 of 20

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