100+ Free CSO Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CSO Exam

Total Questions

Energy Safety Canada CSO Details

80%

Passing Mark

ESC Assessment Guidelines

60m

Exam Duration

ESC Online Proctoring

Allowed Attempts

ESC Retake Policy

$90

Online Fee (CAD)

ESC Training Catalog

The Energy Safety Canada CSO is a mandatory safety orientation for energy workers. It covers rights, hazards, and the 10 Life Saving Rules, assessed by a 40-question proctored exam.

Sample CSO Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CSO exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following is one of the three basic health and safety rights of workers in Canada?

A.The right to refuse unsafe work

B.The right to set their own work hours

C.The right to choose their own supervisor

D.The right to modify safety equipment

Explanation: The right to refuse unsafe work is one of the three fundamental rights protected under Canadian occupational health and safety legislation. These rights are designed to protect workers from injury and ensure they can actively participate in safety management without fear of reprisal.

2What does the "Right to Know" require employers to do?

A.Provide workers with information and training about hazards in the workplace

B.Share financial statements of the company with all employees

C.Inform workers about the personal lives of their coworkers

D.Publish the hiring qualifications of all managers

Explanation: The Right to Know guarantees that workers must be informed about any hazards they may encounter on the job. Employers must provide necessary training, safety data sheets (SDSs), and instruction to perform work safely.

3Which basic worker right is being exercised when a worker joins a joint health and safety committee?

A.The right to participate

B.The right to refuse unsafe work

C.The right to know

D.The right to fair compensation

Explanation: Joining a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is a primary way workers exercise their Right to Participate. This right allows workers to contribute to identifying, evaluating, and resolving health and safety concerns on the worksite.

4Who is ultimately responsible for wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) on a worksite?

A.The individual worker

B.The safety manager

C.The prime contractor

D.The union representative

Explanation: While employers must provide PPE and supervisors must enforce its use, the individual worker is ultimately responsible for actually wearing it and maintaining it in good condition during their tasks.

5What is the primary responsibility of a worker regarding worksite hazards?

A.Identify and report hazards to their supervisor immediately

B.Wait for the monthly safety audit to report issues

C.Attempt to fix all high-voltage electrical hazards themselves

D.Ignore minor hazards to maintain productivity

Explanation: Workers have a legal duty to report any identified hazards or safety defects to their supervisor immediately. This ensures that controls can be implemented before an incident occurs.

6Under OHS legislation, what must a worker do if they believe a task is dangerous to themselves or others?

A.Refuse to perform the task and report the refusal to their supervisor

B.Perform the task anyway but work very slowly

C.Quit their job immediately without explanation

D.Pass the task to a less experienced coworker

Explanation: If a worker believes a task is unsafe, they must immediately refuse the work and report the refusal and the reasons for it to their supervisor, initiating the formal investigation process.

7What does it mean to be "fit for duty" when arriving at a worksite?

A.Being physically and mentally prepared to perform work safely without impairment

B.Possessing an athletic fitness certification

C.Wearing the most expensive safety gear available

D.Having completed a college degree in safety management

Explanation: Being fit for duty means that a worker's physical and mental state allows them to perform their jobs safely. This means being free from the effects of alcohol, drugs, extreme fatigue, illness, or stress.

8Which of the following is a supervisor's responsibility under occupational health and safety laws?

A.Ensure workers are aware of hazards and follow safety procedures

B.Pay for workers' personal transportation to the worksite

C.Allow workers to bypass safety protocols to meet deadlines

D.Provide personal financial counseling to crew members

Explanation: Supervisors are legally responsible for ensuring that workers under their direct supervision understand and follow safety protocols, are aware of known hazards, and use required safety equipment.

9What type of PPE is typically considered standard or basic for entry onto an active energy worksite?

A.Hard hat, steel-toed boots, safety glasses, and high-visibility vest

B.Face shield, rubber gloves, apron, and respirator

C.Harness, lanyard, anchor point, and self-retracting lifeline

D.Fire-resistant hood, leather apron, and welding goggles

Explanation: Standard or basic PPE required for almost all active energy industry worksites includes a hard hat, protective footwear (steel-toed boots), safety glasses with side shields, and a high-visibility safety vest.

10If a worker is taking prescription medication that may cause drowsiness, what is their accountability?

A.Report the medication to their supervisor or medical team before starting work

B.Keep it confidential to protect their medical privacy

C.Take a double dose of caffeine to counteract the drowsiness

D.Only perform administrative office tasks without telling anyone

Explanation: Under the principle of personal safety accountability, a worker must report any prescription medication that could impair their cognitive or physical abilities to their supervisor or site medical team before commencing work.

About the CSO Exam

The Common Safety Orientation (CSO) is an entry-level safety program designed by Energy Safety Canada for workers entering the oil, gas, and energy sectors. It establishes a consistent safety standard across all member work sites, eliminating redundant company-specific orientations. The program covers key regulations, worker rights (Right to Know, Right to Participate, Right to Refuse), hazard recognition using the Energy Wheel, the 10 Life Saving Rules, and safe work practices such as the Field-Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA). Passing the exam with an 80% score yields a permanent, non-expiring credential required for site access across western Canada.

Assessment

Online proctored or classroom-based multiple-choice examination (40 questions, select the best option)

Time Limit

60 minutes

Passing Score

80% (32/40)

Exam Fee

$90 CAD (Energy Safety Canada (ESC))

CSO Exam Content Outline

20%

Personal Accountability & Rights

Covers the three basic worker rights, employer and supervisor duties, and personal responsibility for safety.

25%

Hazard Identification & Control

Covers hazard identification using the 10 categories of the Energy Wheel, conducting FLHAs, and applying controls.

25%

The 10 Life Saving Rules

Covers safety standards for energy isolation, confined spaces, driving safety, hot work, bypassing controls, and fall protection.

15%

Safety Communication & Culture

Covers pre-job toolbox talks, tailgates, active listening, 3-way communication, and creating a respectful worksite.

15%

Emergency Response & Incidents

Covers Emergency Response Plan requirements, reporting near misses, fire response (PASS), and chemical spills.

How to Pass the CSO Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 80% (32/40)
Assessment: Online proctored or classroom-based multiple-choice examination (40 questions, select the best option)
Time limit: 60 minutes
Exam fee: $90 CAD

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CSO Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the 10 Life Saving Rules and their core expectations, particularly regulations on energy isolation and line of fire.

2Understand the three fundamental rights of Canadian workers and how the work refusal process operates.

3Learn the 10 energy categories of the Energy Wheel to systematically identify hazards in scenarios.

4Understand the hierarchy of controls (Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative, PPE) and their order of preference.

5Be clear on emergency procedures, including the PASS method for fire extinguishers and the role of muster points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CSO and PST or CSTS?

The Common Safety Orientation (CSO) replaced the older Petroleum Safety Training (PST) to provide a single, standardized orientation for the oil and gas sector. CSTS (Construction Safety Training System) is specifically for the construction industry.

Does the CSO certificate expire?

No. Once you successfully pass the CSO course and exam, your certification is permanent and does not expire.

How many attempts do I have to pass the CSO exam?

You are allowed up to five attempts to pass the exam online. If you fail all five times, you must re-register and pay the course fee again.

What is the passing score for the CSO exam?

You must score at least 80%, which means answering 32 out of 40 multiple-choice questions correctly.

What is the Energy Wheel and how is it used?

The Energy Wheel is a safety tool that categorizes potential hazards into 10 energy sources. Workers use it during FLHAs to systematically identify hidden hazards in their work area.