Signs and signals are how a site tells you what to do without words. The test expects you to read a sign by its shape and colour alone, and to recognise the standard hand signals a banksman uses to direct plant.
What signs and signals covers in the HS&E test
- Prohibition signs: round, red border and cross-bar — you must not
- Mandatory signs: round and blue — you must
- Warning signs: yellow triangle — hazard ahead
- Safe condition signs: green — the safe way, first aid, exits
- Fire equipment signs: red
- Standard banksman signals for stop, raise, lower and move
Where people lose marks
Confusing a blue mandatory sign (something you must do) with a green safe-condition sign.
Reading a warning sign as an instruction. Yellow triangles warn; they do not tell you what action to take.
Acting on a signal you are not certain of. If a banksman's signal is unclear, the machine stops until it is clear.
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.
Start a free mock testThe other thirteen areas
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.