General responsibilities: why it matters
Every other topic sits on top of one idea: health and safety is a shared legal duty. The test starts here because you cannot work safely without knowing what is expected of you and your employer.
The cornerstone is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It places duties on employers to provide a safe workplace and on workers to take care and co-operate. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 add the duty to assess risks.
General responsibilities revision notes
The points below are the core of what the CITB test wants you to know on this topic. Learn these and most questions answer themselves.
Employer duties (section 2)
So far as is reasonably practicable, employers must provide safe systems of work, safe plant and equipment, training, information and supervision, and a safe place to work.
Your duties (section 7)
You must take reasonable care of your own and others safety, and co-operate with your employer on health and safety. Safety is not only the boss job.
Do not interfere (section 8)
No one may intentionally interfere with or misuse anything provided for safety, such as removing a machine guard or a guard rail. This applies to everyone on site.
Risk assessment
The Management Regulations require employers to assess risks and put controls in place. Method statements and safe systems of work turn that assessment into clear instructions.
Induction and toolbox talks
A site induction is required before you start, and short toolbox talks keep safety live. If you have not been inducted, you should not be working.
Report and ask
Report hazards, defects and near misses, and stop and ask if you are unsure. Reasonably practicable means balancing the risk against the effort to control it, not ignoring it.
Hear a question in Polish
The questions stay in English, exactly like the real CITB test, but you can listen to each one read aloud in native Polish. Press Play in Polish below to try it.
Why is it important for workers to attend toolbox talks?
To receive daily task assignments
To discuss sports events
To stay informed on safety practices and changes
To socialize with colleagues
Every wrong answer can also come with an AI explanation that points to the specific rule behind the correct answer, so you learn from each mistake instead of just memorising. Native Polish audio and AI explanations are two things you will not find on other CSCS practice sites.
General responsibilities practice questions
Five questions in the real CITB format: one stem, four lettered options, one correct answer. Select Reveal explanation to check your answer and read why it is right.
Q1. What is the primary responsibility of all workers on site?
- A.To check the site manager's paperwork.
- B.To ensure their own safety and the safety of others.
- C.To operate machinery whenever needed.
- D.To manage the project's budget.
Reveal explanation
Correct answer: B. To ensure their own safety and the safety of others.
Workers are responsible for their own safety and must ensure they do not endanger others.
Q2. If you notice a hazard on site, what should you do first?
- A.Ignore it and continue working.
- B.Report it to your supervisor.
- C.Try to fix it yourself immediately.
- D.Tell a colleague during break time.
Reveal explanation
Correct answer: B. Report it to your supervisor.
Hazards should be reported to a supervisor so they can be addressed appropriately.
Q3. Who has the main duty to provide a safe working environment?
- A.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- B.The site manager.
- C.Each individual worker.
- D.The employer.
Reveal explanation
Correct answer: D. The employer.
Employers have the primary duty to maintain a safe and healthy working environment.
Q4. What should you do if you are asked to perform a task without proper training?
- A.Refuse and notify your supervisor.
- B.Attempt the task carefully.
- C.Follow the instructions given by a colleague.
- D.Perform the task and ask for help if needed.
Reveal explanation
Correct answer: A. Refuse and notify your supervisor.
Workers should not perform tasks without proper training as it may risk their safety.
Q5. Which document outlines the potential hazards and control measures for a specific task?
- A.Risk assessment.
- B.Site diary.
- C.Work schedule.
- D.Employee handbook.
Reveal explanation
Correct answer: A. Risk assessment.
A risk assessment identifies potential hazards and outlines control measures to mitigate risks.
Common mistakes
These misconceptions catch people out in the test and on site. Unlearn them before you sit the real exam.
Mistake 1: “Health and safety is only the employer responsibility.”
Correct: Workers have legal duties too. Under section 7 you must take reasonable care and co-operate, and under section 8 you must not interfere with or misuse safety provisions.
Mistake 2: “You can remove a guard if it slows you down.”
Correct: Removing or defeating a guard is an offence under section 8 and a common cause of serious injury. If a guard is in the way, stop and raise it, do not bypass it.
Mistake 3: “Reporting a near miss is a waste of time.”
Correct: Near misses are warnings of an accident waiting to happen. Reporting them lets the hazard be fixed before someone is hurt, which is exactly the point of a near miss.
Related CSCS topics
Build a complete picture by practising these related syllabus areas too: