SMSTS Mock Test

SMSTS Mock Test





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!

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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
A All projects
B All projects where a Principal Designer is appointed
C Only non-notifiable projects
D Only notifiable projects
Correct Answer: A All projects
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
A Lists of companies and personnel detailing any past infractions or violations, used for screening
B Lists of companies and personnel that come recommended by the HSE
C Practical guidance to help contractors identify features and materials that may contain hazardous substances
D Practical guidance to help designers identify practices that should be encouraged or avoided
Correct Answer: D Practical guidance to help designers identify practices that should be encouraged or avoided
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
A Access the accident book
B Conduct safety inspections in the workplace
C Have a part in accident investigations
D Issue a prohibition notice
E Make changes to the construction phase plan
F Set up or take part in safety committees
Correct Answer: B Conduct safety inspections in the workplace, C Have a part in accident investigations, F Set up or take part in safety committees
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
A Behaviour
B Body language
C Bravado
D Verbal communication
Correct Answer: A Behaviour, B Body language, D Verbal communication
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
A A maintenance log
B A regular examination by an HSE inspector
C An assistant appointed by the hiring company
D Nothing in particular - this is the task of the supervisor
Correct Answer: A 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
A HSE inspectors
B Journalists
C Members of the public
D Union-appointed safety reps
Correct Answer: A HSE inspectors, D 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
A Accident book records must all be submitted to the HSE within one month
B Accident book records must be on display in the site office
C Employees must be able to access all accident book records upon request
D Nobody making an entry must be able to see previous entries
Correct Answer: D Nobody making an entry must be able to see previous entries
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
A Hoods of jumpers
B Nothing should be added as this will impact the efficacy of the helmet
C Safety helmet liner
D Soft hats
Correct Answer: C Safety helmet liner
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
A Asbestosis
B Leptospirosis
C Pleural thickening
D Silicosis
Correct Answer: B Leptospirosis
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
A Aerosols are tiny solid particles suspended in the air
B Aerosols produce miniscule liquid droplets that hang in the air
C Fumes are miniscule liquid droplets that hang in the air
D Fumes are tiny solid particles suspended in the air
E The gaseous state of substances that are liquid at room temperature are called fumes
F The gaseous state of substances that are liquid at room temperature are called vapours
Correct Answer: B Aerosols produce miniscule liquid droplets that hang in the air, D Fumes are tiny solid particles suspended in the air, F The gaseous state of substances that are liquid at room temperature are called vapours
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
A Direct measurement
B Health surveillance following the completion of a job
C In-use data from a commercially available database
D Manufacturer-provided emission data
Correct Answer: A Direct measurement, C In-use data from a commercially available database
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
A Talk, Inform, Lay out, Enact
B Task, Individual, Length, Ease
C Task, Individual, Load, Environment
D Time, Importance, Length, Ease
Correct Answer: C Task, Individual, Load, 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
A Highly flammable liquids must never be used on construction sites
B Keep it in a fireproof store, and only remove as much as required for one day (at most)
C Keep it in a fireproof store, and only remove as much as required for one week (at most)
D Keep the whole container in a combustion-resistant pack, and ensure you have it on you at all times for monitoring
Correct Answer: B Keep it in a fireproof store, and only remove as much as required for one day (at most)
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
A Move the casualty free of the hazard with a metal implement and call for qualified assistance
B Move the casualty free of the hazard with a wooden implement and call for qualified assistance
C Pull the casualty away from the hazard and call for qualified help
D Use a foam extinguisher to neutralise the hazard
Correct Answer: B Move the casualty free of the hazard with a wooden implement and call for qualified 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
A Bad execution will hurt the company's public image
B It may be harder for first aiders to reach in case of emergency
C It may put members of the public at risk
D It will require battery-operated tools
Correct Answer: C It may put members of the public at risk
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
A Misfires are LESS dangerous with gas-powered fixing tools than with cartridge-powered tools
B Misfires are MORE dangerous with gas-powered fixing tools than with cartridge-powered tools
C Misfires are equally dangerous in both cases
Correct Answer: A Misfires are LESS dangerous with gas-powered fixing tools than with cartridge-powered 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
A Come back later to ensure it has stopped moving
B Dismantle the machine
C Isolate the machine
D Remain with the machine until it has stopped rotating
Correct Answer: C Isolate the machine, D Remain with the machine until it has stopped rotating
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
A They must NEVER be used
B They will NOT affect the machine's centre of gravity
C They will NOT affect the rated lift capacity
D They will affect the machine's centre of gravity
E They will affect the rated lift capacity
Correct Answer: D They will affect the machine's centre of gravity, E They will affect the rated lift capacity
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
A Minimise distance/consequences of falls through COLLECTIVE protection
B Minimise distance/consequences of falls through PERSONAL protection
C Prevent falls through COLLECTIVE protection
D Prevent falls through PERSONAL protection
Correct Answer: B Minimise distance/consequences of falls through PERSONAL protection
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
A Additional groundwater is likely to seep into the excavation
B Inhabitants of the structure may file a lawsuit
C The excavation may affect the stability of the structure
D The structure may affect the integrity of the excavation
E The structure will improve the integrity of the excavation
Correct Answer: C The excavation may affect the stability of the structure, D The structure may affect the integrity of the excavation
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
A A liquid's flashpoint may change
B A liquid's flashpoint remains fixed
C All liquids have the same flashpoint
D Liquids with higher flashpoints ignite more easily
E Liquids with lower flashpoints ignite more easily
Correct Answer: A A liquid's flashpoint may change, E Liquids with lower flashpoints ignite more easily
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
A They are used in refrigeration
B They can cause substantial heat loss
C They can reduce substantial heat loss
D They insulate building components from cold external conditions
Correct Answer: B They can cause 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
A Bat
B Bluebell
C Otter
D Rabbit
Correct Answer: D Rabbit
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
A Whether or not it is dangerous to human health
B Whether or not it is flammable
C Whether or not it will affect the pH balance of the area around it over time
D Whether or not it will produce greenhouse gases when it decomposes
Correct Answer: D Whether or not it will produce greenhouse gases when it decomposes
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
A Energy recovery
B Waste disposal
C Waste prevention
D Waste reuse
Correct Answer: C Waste prevention
Explanation: The top priority should be preventing the creation of waste.

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SMSTS Tests

SMSTS Tests by Category

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Taken at the end of the Site Management Safety Training Scheme, you’ll need to pass the compulsory SMSTS test to complete the course and receive your all-important SMSTS certificate.

If you don’t pass the test you won’t be able to cite attendance at the course when applying for managerial positions within the industry.

As Build UK’s recommended health and safety training for managers, whether you want to develop your career in civil engineering, construction or on building sites, you’ll need to complete the SMSTS test to progress through any part of the construction sector.

Our free online mock SMSTS test make it easy for you to prepare for your SMSTS exam in advance. Read on to discover all you need to know about the SMSTS course, the SMSTS test, pass rate and how to use mock tests to revise.

SMSTS Course

For managerial staff working in the construction industry, the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is an essential part of health and safety training you won’t want to skip.

Designed for all managerial staff across the sector, the CITB SMSTS course covers all the critical information you’ll need to know to maintain high standards of health and safety practice in your role as a manager. Endorsed by everyone from Build UK to the United Kingdom Construction Group (UKCG), the SMSTS course is pretty much a standard expectation for all industry staff with managerial responsibilities for workers on a construction site.

Health and safety is high on the agenda for the construction industry. Whether you work in civil engineering, construction or on building sites, as someone overseeing others it’s critical you’re fully competent in this area. At the end of training you’ll receive valuable certification you can use when applying for roles in future.

What is the SMSTS course?

The SMSTS course is a comprehensive 5-day course designed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). It is suitable for: site managers, project managers, site supervisors, business owners and clients already in role or those about to take up the position.

Delivered by the CITB, the course programme covers all you need to know about health, safety, welfare and environmental issues within the context of construction sites. You’ll learn about everything from your legal responsibilities to best practices and how to monitor site safety effectively.

From planning projects to team organisation and monitoring staff, the full spectrum of knowledge you’ll need in role is explored over the 5-day training programme. When you finish the course, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you’re fully competent in all aspects of health and safety you might encounter in role.

You can’t put a price on knowing you have all the necessary knowledge and skills required to keep you and the staff in your care, safe on-site at all times

The CITB training course is delivered in-person so you’ll need to physically attend training, though you don’t have to book to attend the 5 sessions in a row (more about that later).

The SMSTS test

You must attend all 5 sessions of the SMSTS course to pass and complete a 30-minute written examination on the last day of training.

The SMSTS exam forms part of your course assessment alongside a review of your participation during the course by your tutor as well as a case study task. The SMSTS test involves 25 questions, 20 of these will be multiple choice. There are You will need to achieve an 80% pass mark to pass the exam. The pass mark includes a set number of questions which must be answered correctly in order to qualify for certification.

If you do pass the SMSTS test, you’ll receive an SMSTS certificate to evidence your attendance and successful completion of the course.

The SMSTS Programme of Study

The full course programme will include: related legislation, relevant guidance, effective communication strategies, responsibilities of your role, building a culture of safe practice and industry good practice. You’ll be taught through a combination of: case studies, group and individual presentations, classroom discussion and a tiny amount of self-study.

Over the 5 days you’ll learn about health and safety in terms of:

  • Electricity
  • Excavations
  • Working at Height
  • Scaffolding
  • Demolition
  • Confined Spaces
  • Risk Assessments / Method Statements
  • Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations
  • Recent Changes in Accepted Working Practices
  • The Health and Safety at Work Act
  • Behavioural Safety
  • Management of Occupational Health

Why take the SMSTS course?

Robust knowledge and understanding of how to keep yourself and your staff safe on site is not to be overlooked. In fact, competence in construction site safety is central to your role as a manager and a high priority across the industry.

Historically, the construction industry, both across the world and here in the UK, has had a substantially lower performance for workplace health and safety than almost any other industry.

The CITB was set up to address the UK construction sector’s high rate of accidents on site. Critically, the Site Safety Plus courses, which include the SMSTS, are part of the CITB’s strategy to raise industry standards. The SMSTS exists as part of a collection of tailored, in-depth courses specifically developed for different groups of construction industry staff.

The Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) is a related CITB training course which forms the foundation for the SMSTS. The SSSTS is designed for site supervisors so if you’re currently a site supervisor and haven’t yet attended the SSSTS, you may want to take it first.

As a manager working within the industry, you’ll be expected to both promote and operate to the highest standards of health and safety. It will be central to the efficient delivery of your role as well as the staff who work under you. Taking the CITB SMSTS course ensures you’re fully equipped to lead the facilitation of good, safe practice on site.

Where can I attend the course?

The SMSTS is an in-person course so you will physically need to attend training at one of the CITB’s three National Construction Training Centres. CITB National Construction Training Centres are located in Norfolk, Kent and Suffolk. If none of these locations suit you, you could attend the course via one of the CITB’s approved training partners or organise for training to be delivered on-site at your location.

For training to be administered at a location of your choice you will need to have between 6 and 60 participants in attendance. The training will be delivered by trainers from the CITB.

If you want to study more locally with a CITB-approved training partner you can browse the list of approved outlets on the CITB website.

How much does the SMSTS course cost?

Attendance for the 5-day SMSTS course will cost you £615 in total. The cost includes refreshments as well as lunch and you’ll incur no further costs during the training. You can get help with the cost of the SMSTS course, visit the grants and funding page on the CITB website.

How long is the course?

If you’re concerned about taking 5 days off in a row for training, you don’t have to attend each day of the CITB SMSTS course within the same week. Instead, you can split your attendance over 5 weeks so you train for one day each week.

What are the SMSTS course books?

There are two CITB course books which accompany the course. You will refer to both during the 5 training sessions and crucially be allowed to use them during the final ten minutes of your SMSTS test. Both books can be obtained from the CITB online bookshop but the cost for the books is already included in the course fee so you’ll receive them during training.

The 2 course books for the SMSTS are:

  • Construction Site Safety (GE 700)
  • SMSTS Delegate Workbook (XA6)

What is the SMSTS certificate?

If you pass your SMSTS, you’ll receive your SMSTS certificate, officially known as a Site Safety Plus Certificate. The Site Safety Plus Certificate has great weight in the construction industry and you’ll be able to cite the award when applying for jobs. Your SMSTS certificate will arrive within 4 weeks and lasts for 5 years.

If you want to retain certification beyond the 5 years you’ll need to take the SMSTS Refresher Course.

The SMSTS Refresher course

The SMSTS Refresher Course is intended to ensure your knowledge and practice remains current. It’s a one day in-person course covering all updates and developments since you last trained.

Once you’ve successfully completed the SMSTS Refresher you’ll retain SMSTS certification. However you must complete the refresher course, officially called the Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS – R), before your existing certificate expires.

Can you get a CSCS card with SMSTS?

Taking and passing the CITB SMSTS course doesn’t automatically lead to you acquiring a CSCS card.

The CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) is another CITB strategy to improve industry health and safety. That means CSCS cards and the SMSTS are related because they’re both CITB initiatives. However, attending training doesn’t result in a CSCS card.

Yet you could find yourself closer to getting a CSCS card because SMSTS training covers all you need to know about your health and safety responsibilities as a manager within the industry. CSCS cards are designed to ensure you have this same knowledge.

To qualify for a CSCS card you need to meet certain requirements related to national qualifications and in some cases training. Your health and safety knowledge is tested through a CSCS test. Passing the SMSTS course will equip you with the knowledge you need to pass the CSCS Managers Test necessary to get a black or white CSCS card.

Black and white CSCS cards are the two CSCS cards specifically awarded to those working in managerial roles or with management-level national qualifications.

Therefore the SMSTS will equip you with the knowledge you need to pass the CSCS test for a black or white card but you’ll still need to meet the academic requirements for a white card (ie. industry-related degree, HND etc) or the vocational criteria for a black card (ie. sector-related NVQ, SVQ, apprenticeship etc.) to actually obtain a CSCS card.

What is the SMSTS Test?

At the end of the 5-day CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS), you’ll face a written examination, known as the SMSTS test. The exam will test your knowledge of the many areas of health, safety, welfare and environmental issues covered during the course, each within the context of work on construction sites.

Topics covered during the SMSTS course include:  

  • Electricity
  • Excavations
  • Working at Height
  • Scaffolding
  • Demolition
  • Confined Spaces
  • Risk Assessments / Method Statements
  • Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations
  • Recent Changes in Accepted Working Practices
  • The Health and Safety at Work Act
  • Behavioural Safety
  • Management of Occupational Health

What’s the purpose of the SMSTS exam?

The SMSTS is an industry standard for management health and safety training. Designed solely for site managers, site supervisors, business owners and clients, it’s essential those holding SMSTS certification truly are competent in required levels of health and safety.

Having historically had incredibly low performance for workplace health and safety, the CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme is part of a suite of important courses designed to help the UK construction industry significantly raise standards of health and safety practice.

Though an exam may not be what you want to face, the SMSTS test is intended to ensure high rates of accidents and injuries on UK building sites are reduced in frequency to a rate in line with other industries.

Without a formal examination, it’s impossible to prove participants have acquired the level of knowledge intended by the CITB when they designed the course. That’s why there’s a high pass rate you’ll need to achieve to gain Site Safety Plus certification for managerial positions.

If examinations are not your thing, do take heart from the fact both tutor feedback and course assessment do form part of your final mark. Don’t forget too, your efforts will mean you can apply for higher positions in the industry. The SMSTS course is supported across the sector by everyone from the United Kingdom Construction Group (UKCG) to Build UK so when applying for managerial positions, you’ll see the SMSTS is a standard requirement detailed in the job spec.

How much does the SMSTS test cost?

The cost of the SMSTS exam is included in the £615 fee for the course. If that sounds like a huge sum, don’t worry you can get help with costs. You’ll find details on the CITB website.

What does the SMSTS test involve?

The SMSTS test lasts for 30 minutes during which time you will need to answer 25 questions. The test is a written exam composed of 20 multiple choice questions and 5 longer questions that require a short written answer. You must get all 5 longer questions right to pass the SMSTS test, they are worth up to 3 points each. The exam questions will cover any of the 12 topics covered during the course.

During the last ten minutes of the exam you will be allowed to use the 2 course texts, Construction Site Safety (GE 700) and SMSTS Delegate Workbook (XA6), to help you. You will receive the books on the course because they are paid for as part of your course fee. If you do need either book in advance, you can purchase both books from the CITB bookshop.

Your final assessment also includes a review from your trainer about your participation during course activities plus completion of a case study.

Once you’ve passed the course you’ll soon receive an SMSTS certificate through the post, officially known as a Site Safety Plus Certificate. When you apply for jobs, your certificate provides the proof you’ll need to show you attended and passed the course.

What is the pass mark for the SMSTS test?

The pass mark for the SMSTS test is 80% to pass. You must answer 20 out of the 25 questions correct. 5 of the 20 must be all 5 of the longer written questions.

Although this pass mark may sound challenging, you can use our mock SMSTS tests to help you revise and develop the necessary level of skill to achieve the pass mark before the date of your examination.

Can you retake the exam if you fail?

If your pass mark is above 71% and you pass the trainer review but fail the 5 written questions, you can re-take the test. However, you must re-sit the test within 90 days by attending the final day of another SMSTS course or you can re-take it on the day.

If your pass mark is less than 71% you’ll have to attend the course again. Luckily our practice SMSTS tests are here to ensure that doesn’t happen so you don’t have to waste your money or time!

How will mock SMSTS tests help me?

Our SMSTS mock tests are similar to the real SMSTS test. Practising exams under test conditions really is the key to passing timed tests. Our mock tests work to exactly the same timescale as the real thing. You’ll gain plenty of experience in completing all the multiple-choice questions as well as all the written questions within the allocated time. They also include SMSTS 5 safety critical questions examples.

Our useful online tools include a voiceover tool for optional audio support, a pause button so you can freeze the timer to consider your answer without damaging the hard work you’ve already done and a check button so you can see if an answer is right before moving on.