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Excavations & Confined Spaces questions for the CSCS test

Collapse, buried services, atmosphere and safe entry.

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Excavations can collapse without warning and confined spaces can hold air that kills. The test checks you understand why these are permit-controlled and never something to enter casually.

What excavations covers in the HS&E test

  • Why unsupported excavation sides collapse, and shoring, battering and trench boxes
  • Keeping spoil, plant and loads back from the edge
  • Access and egress from an excavation
  • Confined spaces: the hidden dangers of toxic, flammable or oxygen-deficient atmospheres
  • Permits, gas testing and never entering on your own judgement
  • Rescue arrangements before anyone enters

Where people lose marks

Entering an unsupported trench because it is 'only for a minute'.

Entering a confined space to rescue someone without equipment — the rescuer becomes the next casualty.

Placing spoil or parking plant right at the edge of a dig.

Test yourself on excavations

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.
Environmental Awareness
Waste, spills, pollution, protected species and nuisance.
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.