A client’s contract for an office refit says every operative must show a valid site card. Where does that card requirement come from?

A rule the client has chosen to set for the job

Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act

Regulation 15(7) of CDM 2015 for every site

An HSE approved code of practice for sites

A main contractor appoints an electrical subcontractor, who sends two electricians to site. Under CDM regulation 15(7), whose duty is it that they can do their tasks safely?

The contractor that employs or appoints each worker

The card scheme that issued each electrician’s card

HSE, which approves the workers on each new site

Each electrician alone, by carrying a valid card

An electrician’s own employer phones ahead and tells the gate team the electrician is “fine to start”. The gate team still refuses entry. Who has the final say on access?

The principal contractor, which controls the site

The employer, because it knows the worker best

The card scheme, once the card has been scanned

The electrician, as long as the card is still in date

Free mock exam

Site Cards and Site Safety: Free Mock Test

Free mock test for electricians and apprentices going onto construction sites: 30 questions pulled at random from a 150-question bank on site cards (the ECS card and when CSCS applies), site duties and CDM, working at height, manual handling, plant, health risks such as dust, asbestos, noise and vibration, and electricity, services, signs and reporting. Elec-Mate writes its own questions: this is not the ECS or CITB test and does not copy their questions.

Questions: 30
Time limit: 35 min
Pass mark: 70% · 21/30
Question bank: 150

Free, no sign-up. Retake as many times as you like — different questions each time.

Sample questions

01A client’s contract for an office refit says every operative must show a valid site card. Where does that card requirement come from?
- AA rule the client has chosen to set for the job
- BRegulation 15(7) of CDM 2015 for every site
- CAn HSE approved code of practice for sites
- DSection 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act
Why: CSCS says holding a card is not a legislative requirement and that it is up to the principal contractor or client whether workers need one (SCHEME RULE, CSCS, as at 29 Oct 2026). CDM regulation 15(7) is the law, and it asks for competence for the tasks given without naming any card. HSWA section 7 sets the employee’s duty of care and co-operation, not a card rule.
02A main contractor appoints an electrical subcontractor, who sends two electricians to site. Under CDM regulation 15(7), whose duty is it that they can do their tasks safely?
- AThe contractor that employs or appoints each worker
- BThe card scheme that issued each electrician’s card
- CEach electrician alone, by carrying a valid card
- DHSE, which approves the workers on each new site
Why: CDM regulation 15(7) bars a contractor from employing or appointing anyone to work on a construction site unless that person has, or is gaining, the skills, knowledge, training and experience for the tasks allocated (LAW). The duty sits with the contractor, and no card scheme takes it over. HSE does not approve individual workers.
03An electrician’s own employer phones ahead and tells the gate team the electrician is “fine to start”. The gate team still refuses entry. Who has the final say on access?
- AThe card scheme, once the card has been scanned
- BThe electrician, as long as the card is still in date
- CThe principal contractor, which controls the site
- DThe employer, because it knows the worker best
Why: CSCS says it is the principal contractor’s responsibility to control access to the site, and that a card does not automatically grant entry (SCHEME RULE, CSCS, as at 29 Oct 2026). CDM regulation 13(4) also requires the principal contractor to make sure the necessary steps are taken to prevent unauthorised access (LAW). An employer’s word does not override that.

Common questions

Is the Site Cards and Site Safety: Mock Test mock exam free?

Yes, it is free with no sign-up needed. Questions are pulled at random from a substantial bank, with a worked explanation on every question after you submit.

Can I retake the mock exam?

Yes. Every attempt picks a different random selection and reshuffles the options, so each retake gives you genuinely new questions. No limit on retakes.

Does this count as a qualification?

No. This is independent practice material and does not award a qualification, card or certificate. Where a subject has a formal qualification or card, you gain it through an approved provider.