You have 30 minutes to answer 25 SMSTS Mock Test questions. You need to answer at least 20 out of 25 questions correctly to pass. Answers may be reviewed after each question or at the end of the test. Good luck!
List of questions in above test (quick view). Click question box to reveal correct answer.
1. A construction phase plan is required by what type of project, under the Construction (design and Management) Regulations 2015?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The CDM 2015 now requires that all projects, whether they are notifiable or not, have a construction phase plan.
Explanation: The CDM 2015 now requires that all projects, whether they are notifiable or not, have a construction phase plan.
2. What are CDM RAG lists?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: CDM (Construction Design and Management) RAG (red, amber, green) lists help designers identify products, processes, and procedures that should be encouraged, restricted, or prohibited.
Explanation: CDM (Construction Design and Management) RAG (red, amber, green) lists help designers identify products, processes, and procedures that should be encouraged, restricted, or prohibited.
3. You are supervising a site where employees are members of a trade union, and have appointed a safety representative. Which THREE of the following MAY this representative do, under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations?
Give THREE answers
AB
C
D
E
F
Correct Answer: B, C, F
Explanation: The safety representative is permitted to take an active role in safety on site - this may include attending or setting up safety committees, running safety inspections, and taking a role in the investigation of accidents.
Explanation: The safety representative is permitted to take an active role in safety on site - this may include attending or setting up safety committees, running safety inspections, and taking a role in the investigation of accidents.
4. Which of the following are important forms of communication that supervisors must use?
Give THREE answers
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Explanation: Body language, behaviour, and verbal communication are all important ways you will be communicating with your workers - whether consciously or not.
Explanation: Body language, behaviour, and verbal communication are all important ways you will be communicating with your workers - whether consciously or not.
5. What should vehicles and plant have to help record and manage maintenance work?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Vehicles and plant should have a maintenance log.
Explanation: Vehicles and plant should have a maintenance log.
6. Who has the right to investigate any incident on a construction site?
Give TWO answers
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: A, D
Explanation: Incidents may be investigated both by HSE inspectors, and union-appointed safety reps.
Explanation: Incidents may be investigated both by HSE inspectors, and union-appointed safety reps.
7. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding entries in the accident book?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: GDPR requires that accident book records be confidential between the injured party and their employer. No access to that record outside of these two parties is permitted.
Explanation: GDPR requires that accident book records be confidential between the injured party and their employer. No access to that record outside of these two parties is permitted.
8. What is the best way of insulating a safety helmet in cold weather?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Where necessary, safety helmets may be fitted with specially designed lining. Soft hats or hoods must not be worn, as they will not offer good protection.
Explanation: Where necessary, safety helmets may be fitted with specially designed lining. Soft hats or hoods must not be worn, as they will not offer good protection.
9. Which of the following is NOT a condition commonly associated with respiratory hazards?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: There are many serious conditions caused by respiratory hazards - but leptospirosis (Weil's disease) is not one of them.
Explanation: There are many serious conditions caused by respiratory hazards - but leptospirosis (Weil's disease) is not one of them.
10. Which of the following three definitions are TRUE?
Give THREE answers
AB
C
D
E
F
Correct Answer: B, D, F
Explanation: Hot processes can create fumes, which are miniscule solid particles (usually metals) in the air. Vapours are the gaseous form of substances that are normally liquids at room temperature (this usually happens through evaporation). Aerosols are hazardous because of the liquid droplets they leave hanging in the air.
Explanation: Hot processes can create fumes, which are miniscule solid particles (usually metals) in the air. Vapours are the gaseous form of substances that are normally liquids at room temperature (this usually happens through evaporation). Aerosols are hazardous because of the liquid droplets they leave hanging in the air.
11. Which TWO of the following may you use to assess individual vibration emission exposure when conducting a risk assessment?
Give TWO answers
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: A, C
Explanation: When determining the vibration emission from hand-held tools it is important to either directly measure the emissions, or use in-use data from a commercially available database. Manufacturer provided data will not accurately reflect in-use emissions.
Explanation: When determining the vibration emission from hand-held tools it is important to either directly measure the emissions, or use in-use data from a commercially available database. Manufacturer provided data will not accurately reflect in-use emissions.
12. TILE is a useful acronym for risk-assessing any operations involving manual handling. What does it stand for?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Tile stands for Task, Individual, Load, and Environment.
Explanation: Tile stands for Task, Individual, Load, and Environment.
13. What precaution should be taken when using a highly flammable liquid?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Do not remove more liquid than is necessary for one day's work, at most. The rest must be kept safely in a fireproof store.
Explanation: Do not remove more liquid than is necessary for one day's work, at most. The rest must be kept safely in a fireproof store.
14. What should you do if someone has suffered an electric shock and it is NOT possible to switch off the power?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: If the power supply cannot be shut off, you must not touch the casualty with your hands. Use a wooden implement to remove them from the hazard, and call for qualified first aid and medical assistance.
Explanation: If the power supply cannot be shut off, you must not touch the casualty with your hands. Use a wooden implement to remove them from the hazard, and call for qualified first aid and medical assistance.
15. What is the MAIN reason that work carried out outside a site perimeter requires particularly strict controls?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Working outside of the site perimeter is sometimes necessary - but as it may put the public in direct interface with the work, it requires especially strict controls.
Explanation: Working outside of the site perimeter is sometimes necessary - but as it may put the public in direct interface with the work, it requires especially strict controls.
16. Which of the following is TRUE regarding misfires for cartridge-operated tools and gas-powered fixing tools?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Misfires with cartridge-powered fixing tools can be more serious than with gas-powered fixing tools. This is because with cartridge-powered fixing tools, the next firing cannot be attempted without following safety procedures to ensure it does not go off unexpectedly. This is not the case with Gas-powered fixing tools.
Explanation: Misfires with cartridge-powered fixing tools can be more serious than with gas-powered fixing tools. This is because with cartridge-powered fixing tools, the next firing cannot be attempted without following safety procedures to ensure it does not go off unexpectedly. This is not the case with Gas-powered fixing tools.
17. An operative has finished using a portable bench circular saw. Which TWO of the following steps MUST they now take?
Give TWO answers
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: C, D
Explanation: Operatives of woodworking machines must ensure the machine has stopped moving entirely and is isolated before leaving it unattended.
Explanation: Operatives of woodworking machines must ensure the machine has stopped moving entirely and is isolated before leaving it unattended.
18. Which TWO of the following statements are TRUE regarding the use of attachments with lifting equipment?
Give TWO answers
AB
C
D
E
Correct Answer: D, E
Explanation: Attachments will change the machine's centre of gravity, and its rated lift capacity - planners and operators must be aware of and account for this.
Explanation: Attachments will change the machine's centre of gravity, and its rated lift capacity - planners and operators must be aware of and account for this.
19. Which of the following is the LAST resort according to the hierarchy for working at height?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The last resort should be the use of personal protection to reduce the consequences or distance of a fall.
Explanation: The last resort should be the use of personal protection to reduce the consequences or distance of a fall.
20. Which TWO of the following describe reasons why nearby structures must be taken into consideration when planning and executing excavation work?
Give TWO answers
AB
C
D
E
Correct Answer: C, D
Explanation: Excavations and nearby structures can affect the structural stability of each other.
Explanation: Excavations and nearby structures can affect the structural stability of each other.
21. Which TWO of the following statements are TRUE?
Give TWO answers
AB
C
D
E
Correct Answer: A, E
Explanation: The lower the flashpoint, the more easily a liquid will ignite. This flashpoint, however, may change depending on the air pressure around the liquid.
Explanation: The lower the flashpoint, the more easily a liquid will ignite. This flashpoint, however, may change depending on the air pressure around the liquid.
22. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding cold bridges?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cooling bridges facilitate heat transfer between the inside and outside of a building, and can therefore create substantial heat loss.
Explanation: Cooling bridges facilitate heat transfer between the inside and outside of a building, and can therefore create substantial heat loss.
23. Which of the following is NOT a protected species?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Rabbits are not a protected species - but there are many with which you must familiarise yourself, as their presence will affect construction projects.
Explanation: Rabbits are not a protected species - but there are many with which you must familiarise yourself, as their presence will affect construction projects.
24. What distinguishes inert waste from non-hazardous waste?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Inert waste is waste that will not decompose and produce greenhouse gases.
Explanation: Inert waste is waste that will not decompose and produce greenhouse gases.
25. What is the preferred option in the waste hierarchy?
Give ONE answer
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The top priority should be preventing the creation of waste.
Explanation: The top priority should be preventing the creation of waste.