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CSCS topic

Environmental Awareness questions for the CSCS test

Waste, spills, pollution, protected species and nuisance.

Practise this in a free mock
Available on iOS and Android

Sites have a legal duty to protect the environment, and the test now includes a solid block on it. This area covers waste, preventing pollution of drains and watercourses, and dealing with spills, dust and noise that affect neighbours and wildlife.

What environment covers in the HS&E test

  • Waste segregation, the duty of care and not fly-tipping
  • Preventing spills reaching drains or watercourses, and spill kits
  • The difference between foul and surface-water drains
  • Protecting trees, habitats and protected species like bats and newts
  • Controlling dust, noise and mud as nuisance to neighbours
  • Saving energy, water and materials

Where people lose marks

Washing out or tipping anything into a surface-water drain, which usually runs straight to a river.

Disturbing nesting birds, bats or other protected species instead of stopping and reporting.

Treating waste as something to burn or bury on site.

Test yourself on environment

Both free mocks draw from this area in the same proportion as the real paper — 50 questions in 45 minutes, with an explanation for every answer and a per-topic breakdown at the end.

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The other thirteen areas

Working At Height
Ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs, edge protection and falling objects.
PPE
Head, eye, hearing, respiratory and hand protection, and when each is needed.
Safety Signs & Signals
Safety sign shapes and colours, and banksman hand signals.
General Responsibilities
Site rules, inductions, permits and your duties under the law.
COSHH & Hazardous Substances
Dusts, chemicals, asbestos, silica and safe handling.
Fire & Emergency
Fire prevention, extinguisher types, alarms and evacuation.
Manual Handling
Lifting technique, assessing a load and mechanical aids.
Electrical Safety & Tools
110V on site, cables, portable tools and buried or overhead services.
Accident Reporting & First Aid
Reporting, RIDDOR, near misses and first-aid basics.
Plant, Vehicles & Routes
Segregation, reversing, exclusion zones and safe routes.
Excavations & Confined Spaces
Collapse, buried services, atmosphere and safe entry.
Noise & Welfare
Noise and vibration exposure, and the welfare a site must provide.
Behaviour & Public Safety
Attitude, drugs and alcohol, and protecting the public.
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Independent study material, not affiliated with or endorsed by CSCS or CITB. Always check the official CITB and CSCS websites for the current test and card requirements.