Free CHST practice test: are you ready?

5 sample CHST questions, explained

From the practice tests in our guide. Try them before you open the answer.

1. 1. A concrete deck contains a 6 ft by 3 ft opening for a future stairway. The opening is surrounded by vertical rebar dowels and has no cover and no guardrail. Two workers are placing conduit about 8 ft away. Which statement best applies the fall hazard recognition routine?

   • A. The fall hazard becomes active only when a worker moves within 6 ft of the unprotected opening
   • B. The unprotected opening is a fall-to-lower-level hazard even while the workers are 8 ft away
   • C. The main hazard is impalement on the rebar, so the fall hazard can be reviewed after the rebar is capped
   • D. The rebar around the opening can substitute for a guardrail if workers move carefully near the edge
   Show the answer

   Correct: B (The unprotected opening is a fall-to-lower-level hazard even while the workers are 8 ft away).

   An uncovered opening in a walking or working surface is a live fall-to-lower-level hazard regardless of current worker distance. Rebar is an impalement hazard and does not substitute for a cover, guardrail, or hole protection.

   Topic: Recognizing Construction Hazards Across Work Activities

2. 2. In the JHA for a rooftop HVAC unit lift, which hazard and control pair belongs to the step 'Rig the unit to the crane hook'?

   • A. Hazard: pinch point when the unit lands on the curb; Control: use long pry bars to guide the unit into place.
   • B. Hazard: struck-by or caught-between if rigging fails or a worker stands under the load; Control: have a certified rigger inspect the slings and shackles and keep all workers out of the area beneath the suspended unit.
   • C. Hazard: electric shock during final connection; Control: lock out and tag out the disconnect before wiring.
   • D. Hazard: fall from the roof edge while the load is being guided; Control: install a temporary guardrail around the opening.
   Show the answer

   Correct: B (Hazard: struck-by or caught-between if rigging fails or a worker stands under the load; Control: have a certified rigger inspect the slings and shackles and keep all workers out of the area beneath the suspended unit.).

   The rigging step is controlled before the lift by having a certified rigger inspect the slings and shackles and by clearing the area under the suspended unit. The other pairs describe the later lifting, placement, or electrical hookup steps, not the rigging step.

   Topic: Risk Assessment, Prioritization, and Job Hazard Analysis

3. 3. A maintenance crew uses a diamond coring drill that creates a fine slurry mist. Which approach treats PPE as the backup control rather than the primary answer?

   • A. Relying on full-face respirators, waterproof coveralls, and rubber boots as the only controls listed in the hazard assessment
   • B. Using a shroud and vacuum attachment around the drill bit as the primary control, and safety glasses and rubber boots as secondary protection if slurry escapes
   • C. Posting a sign that directs workers to stand at least 12 feet away while the drill is running
   • D. Requiring the crew to complete an annual training session on slurry hazards before coring begins
   Show the answer

   Correct: B (Using a shroud and vacuum attachment around the drill bit as the primary control, and safety glasses and rubber boots as secondary protection if slurry escapes).

   The shroud and vacuum attachment are an engineering control that acts on the slurry at its source, while the eyewear and boots serve as a backup barrier. The other choices place the primary burden on PPE, signage, or training rather than on a physical control.

   Topic: Applying the Hierarchy of Controls and Personal Protective Equipment

4. 4. The site's existing assembly point has been used without problems for a year. During the weekly walk, the safety technician notices that a new diesel fuel storage tank has been placed upwind of this point with respect to the prevailing wind. Why is this a reason to relocate the assembly point?

   • A. A new first aid kit was installed 10 m from the assembly point
   • B. Five new workers joined the project and will use the same assembly point
   • C. A new diesel fuel storage tank is now upwind of the assembly point relative to the prevailing wind
   • D. The assembly point boundary is the same color as the newly painted security curbs
   Show the answer

   Correct: C (A new diesel fuel storage tank is now upwind of the assembly point relative to the prevailing wind).

   An assembly point must be upwind of potential release sources so that escaping workers are not exposed to vapors or smoke. With the tank upwind, a release would be carried directly toward the assembly point; the other observations do not create a similar gathering hazard.

   Topic: Emergency Preparedness and Response on a Changing Construction Site

5. 5. A crane dropped a concrete form onto an unoccupied walkway. The form is stable, the structural engineer has verified adjacent areas are safe, and no one was hurt. The investigator is deciding between a full hard lockdown and a controlled restart. Which factor most clearly supports a controlled restart?

   • A. The physical evidence is isolated to one footprint and work in other areas can continue without disturbing that footprint
   • B. The event involved only property damage, so controlled restart is always appropriate
   • C. The concrete deck in surrounding areas is structurally sound and can support the investigation team
   • D. There will be no production delay because documentation can be done during the off-shift
   Show the answer

   Correct: A (The physical evidence is isolated to one footprint and work in other areas can continue without disturbing that footprint).

   Controlled restart is justified when the remaining work cannot change the evidence needed for the investigation. Property damage by itself does not control the choice, and structural soundness does not address evidence integrity.

   Topic: Incident Investigation, Root Cause Analysis, and Corrective Actions

Frequently asked questions

Is this CHST practice test free?

Yes. It is free, it needs no account, and you see your result immediately.

How is the readiness verdict calculated?

80% or more correct = ready, 65-79% = almost, below 65% = not yet. It is a conservative bar for practice, not the official passing score of the exam.

Where do the questions come from?

From the practice tests in our CHST study guide, mixed across every topic of the exam: 25 questions per attempt. The sample questions on this page are not repeated in the test.