Question 1

A 'competent person' is defined by OSHA as one who:

Accepted Answer

A competent person is one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Question 2

A 'qualified person' is defined by OSHA as one who:

Accepted Answer

A qualified person has demonstrated ability through education, degree, certificate, professional standing, or extensive knowledge, training, and experience in the subject matter.

Question 3

Under the multi-employer worksite doctrine, which employer can be cited for hazards on the worksite?

Accepted Answer

Under the multi-employer citation policy, OSHA can cite the creating employer (who caused the hazard), exposing employer (whose employees are exposed), correcting employer (responsible for correcting the hazard), and/or controlling employer (who has general supervisory authority).

Question 4

Employees have the right to file a complaint with OSHA about workplace safety without fear of:

Accepted Answer

Section 11(c) of the OSH Act protects employees from retaliation for exercising their rights under the Act, including filing complaints, reporting hazards, and participating in OSHA inspections.

Question 5

The OSHA 300 Log is used to:

Accepted Answer

The OSHA 300 Log (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) is used to classify work-related injuries and illnesses and to note the extent and severity of each case.

Question 6

A fatality on a construction site must be reported to OSHA within:

Accepted Answer

All employers must report any worker fatality within 8 hours and any amputation, loss of an eye, or hospitalization of a worker within 24 hours.

Question 7

An in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye must be reported to OSHA within:

Accepted Answer

In-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and losses of an eye must be reported to OSHA within 24 hours of the employer learning about the incident.

Question 8

The 'General Duty Clause' of the OSH Act (Section 5(a)(1)) requires employers to:

Accepted Answer

The General Duty Clause requires each employer to furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Question 9

OSHA's Focus Four hazards account for the majority of construction deaths. They are:

Accepted Answer

OSHA's Focus Four (also called the Fatal Four) are falls, struck-by, caught-in/between, and electrocution. These four categories account for more than 60% of construction worker deaths each year.

Question 10

Toolbox talks (safety meetings) are typically:

Accepted Answer

Toolbox talks are brief, informal safety meetings typically conducted daily or weekly on construction sites. They focus on specific hazards and are an effective way to keep safety awareness high.

Question 11

Fire extinguishers on a construction site must be placed within how many feet of travel for employees?

Accepted Answer

A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided for each 3,000 square feet of the protected area. Travel distance from any point to the nearest extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet.

Question 12

The OSHA construction standards are found in:

Accepted Answer

29 CFR 1926 contains the Safety and Health Regulations for Construction. 29 CFR 1910 is for General Industry, 29 CFR 1904 is for Recording and Reporting, and 29 CFR 1903 is for Inspections.

Question 13

Every employee has the right to:

Accepted Answer

Employees have the right to request an OSHA inspection if they believe there are serious hazards or violations of OSHA standards in their workplace.

Question 14

Housekeeping on a construction site is important because:

Accepted Answer

Good housekeeping eliminates slip, trip, and fall hazards, reduces fire risks, improves productivity, and creates a safer work environment. OSHA requires all construction sites to be kept clean and orderly.

Question 15

An employer's safety and health program must include:

Accepted Answer

The employer shall initiate and maintain programs that provide for frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, materials, and equipment to be made by competent persons.

Question 16

The employer must ensure that only those employees qualified by training or experience operate equipment and machinery. This is known as:

Accepted Answer

The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and in the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate hazards. Employees must be trained before operating equipment.

Question 17

First aid supplies must be available on a construction site and must be:

Accepted Answer

First aid supplies approved by the consulting physician shall be easily accessible when required. The contents of the first aid kit shall be suited to the types of injuries and illnesses anticipated.

Question 18

When a construction site is not within reasonable proximity of a hospital or medical facility, a person trained in first aid must be:

Accepted Answer

In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, hospital, or physician that is reasonably accessible to the worksite for the treatment of every injured employee, a person who has a valid certificate in first-aid training shall be available at the worksite.

Question 19

OSHA was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of what year?

Accepted Answer

The Occupational Safety and Health Act was signed into law on December 29, 1970, and OSHA began operations on April 28, 1971.

Question 20

An OSHA willful violation can result in penalties of up to:

Accepted Answer

As of January 2023, maximum penalties for willful or repeated violations are $156,259 per violation. These amounts are adjusted annually for inflation.

Question 21

During an OSHA inspection, the employer has the right to:

Accepted Answer

The employer has the right to have a representative accompany the OSHA compliance officer during the inspection. Employees also have the right to have a representative participate.

Question 22

The 'OSHA poster' (Job Safety and Health: It's the Law) must be:

Accepted Answer

Each employer shall post and keep posted a notice informing employees of the protections and obligations provided for in the Act, commonly known as the OSHA poster.

Question 23

What is a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)?

Accepted Answer

A Job Hazard Analysis (also called a Job Safety Analysis) is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It examines each step of a task and identifies potential hazards and controls.

Question 24

An employer must display OSHA citations at or near the place where the violation occurred for at least:

Accepted Answer

Upon receipt of any citation, the employer shall immediately post such citation, or a copy thereof, unedited, at or near each place an alleged violation referred to in the citation occurred, for 3 working days or until the violation is abated, whichever is longer.

Question 25

What does OSHA stand for?

Accepted Answer

OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Labor responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions.

Question 26

Employees have the right to all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Employees have many rights under the OSH Act including reviewing standards, requesting inspections, and participating in inspections. However, they cannot set their own safety standards; OSHA establishes those.

Question 27

What is the purpose of an emergency action plan (EAP)?

Accepted Answer

An emergency action plan describes the actions employers and employees must take to ensure employee safety in emergencies such as fires, severe weather, chemical releases, and other events.

Question 28

The employer is responsible for safety on the job site. This responsibility includes:

Accepted Answer

The employer's responsibility includes developing and maintaining a safety program, providing required training, conducting regular inspections, providing PPE, maintaining records, and complying with all applicable OSHA standards.

Question 29

A confined space in construction is defined as a space that:

Accepted Answer

A confined space is large enough for an employee to bodily enter, has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Question 30

Sanitation requirements on construction sites include:

Accepted Answer

Construction site sanitation requirements include an adequate supply of potable drinking water, toilet facilities (at least 1 per 20 employees), and handwashing facilities.

Question 31

The minimum number of toilet facilities required for 20 or fewer employees is:

Accepted Answer

Toilets shall be provided according to the following ratio: 20 or fewer employees = 1 toilet facility; 20-200 employees = 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers; more than 200 = 1 per 50 workers.

Question 32

An employer who willfully violates OSHA standards and causes the death of an employee can face:

Accepted Answer

A willful violation that results in the death of an employee can result in criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment of up to 6 months for a first offense and up to 1 year for a subsequent offense.

Question 33

What types of fire extinguishers must be available on construction sites where flammable or combustible liquids are stored?

Accepted Answer

A fire extinguisher rated not less than 10B shall be provided within 50 feet of wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are being used on the jobsite.

Question 34

Which of the following is an employee responsibility under OSHA?

Accepted Answer

Under Section 5(b) of the OSH Act, each employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to the Act which are applicable to his own actions and conduct.

Question 35

What is the purpose of the OSHA 300A Summary form?

Accepted Answer

The OSHA 300A Summary form summarizes the total number of work-related injuries and illnesses logged during the year. It must be posted in a conspicuous place from February 1 to April 30 of the following year.

Question 36

OSHA defines a 'competent person' as someone who:

Accepted Answer

OSHA defines a competent person as one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. The competent person requirement appears throughout many OSHA construction standards.

Question 37

A 'qualified person' under OSHA standards is defined as someone who:

Accepted Answer

OSHA defines a qualified person as one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project. This is distinct from a competent person, who has hazard identification and corrective authority.

Question 38

During an OSHA inspection, the compliance officer begins with which step?

Accepted Answer

An OSHA inspection typically follows a sequence: credentials presentation, opening conference, walkaround inspection, and closing conference. During the opening conference, the compliance safety and health officer explains the purpose of the visit, the scope of the inspection, and the procedures that will be followed. The employer and employee representatives have the right to accompany the officer during the walkaround.

Question 39

The OSHA 300 Log must be maintained by an employer with how many or more employees?

Accepted Answer

Employers with 11 or more employees at any time during the previous calendar year must maintain OSHA injury and illness records, including the OSHA 300 Log. Employers with 10 or fewer employees throughout the previous calendar year are partially exempt from routinely keeping OSHA injury and illness records, unless specifically directed to do so by OSHA or the BLS.

Question 40

Under the OSHA whistleblower protection provisions, an employee who reports a safety hazard to OSHA is protected from:

Accepted Answer

Section 11(c) of the OSH Act protects employees who report safety and health concerns from retaliation by their employer. Retaliation includes termination, demotion, transfer, reduction in pay, denial of overtime, blacklisting, or any other adverse action taken because the employee exercised their rights under the OSH Act. Employees who believe they have been retaliated against can file a complaint with OSHA within 30 days.

Question 41

An employee has the right to refuse to perform work when:

Accepted Answer

Under the OSH Act, an employee may refuse to work if they have a good-faith belief that an imminent danger of death or serious physical harm exists, they have asked the employer to correct the hazard and the employer has not done so, and there is not sufficient time to have the hazard corrected through normal OSHA enforcement channels. This is a narrow right and should only be exercised under genuine imminent danger conditions.

Question 42

An 'imminent danger' under OSHA is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Imminent danger is defined as any condition or practice in any place of employment that is such that a danger exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the imminence of such danger can be eliminated through the enforcement procedures otherwise provided by the OSH Act. OSHA gives top priority to imminent danger situations.

Question 43

What is the difference between a 'willful' and a 'serious' OSHA violation?

Accepted Answer

A serious violation exists when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard, and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. A willful violation exists when the employer intentionally and knowingly commits a violation, or shows plain indifference to the requirements. Willful violations carry significantly higher penalties (up to the maximum allowed per violation).

Question 44

An abatement period in an OSHA citation refers to:

Accepted Answer

An abatement period is the time frame specified in an OSHA citation within which the employer must correct the cited violation or hazard. The abatement date is set based on the nature and complexity of the hazard. If the employer cannot meet the abatement date, they must file a petition for modification of the abatement date (PMA) showing good faith efforts to comply.

Question 45

Under the multi-employer worksite doctrine, an 'exposing employer' is one that:

Accepted Answer

Under OSHA's multi-employer worksite citation policy, an exposing employer is one whose employees are exposed to a hazard. Even if the exposing employer did not create the hazard and does not have the authority to correct it, they still have a duty to protect their own employees (e.g., by removing them from the hazard area or requesting correction from the controlling employer). The four categories are: creating, exposing, correcting, and controlling employers.

Question 46

What is a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) primarily used for on a construction site?

Accepted Answer

A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), also known as a Job Safety Analysis (JSA), is a technique that focuses on job tasks to identify hazards before they occur. It involves breaking the job into individual steps, identifying the potential hazards associated with each step, and then determining the appropriate preventive measures or controls to eliminate or reduce each hazard. JHAs are a proactive safety tool used in construction.

Question 47

A site-specific safety plan is required by OSHA for construction projects. What is one of its essential components?

Accepted Answer

A site-specific safety plan (also called a Site Safety and Health Plan) identifies the hazards specific to the project and establishes policies and procedures to protect workers. Essential components include: emergency procedures and contacts, hazard identification and control measures, safety procedures for specific tasks, responsible persons and their roles, training requirements, PPE requirements, and incident reporting procedures.

Question 48

An employer receives an OSHA citation and disagrees with it. The employer must file a notice of contest within how many working days?

Accepted Answer

If an employer wishes to contest an OSHA citation, proposed penalty, or abatement date, they must submit a written notice of contest to the OSHA area director within 15 working days of receiving the citation. If no contest is filed within this period, the citation and proposed penalty become a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) and are not subject to review by any court or agency.

Question 49

Under the multi-employer worksite doctrine, a 'controlling employer' can be cited by OSHA even if the controlling employer did not create the hazard, provided that:

Accepted Answer

A controlling employer is one who has general supervisory authority over the worksite, including the power to correct safety violations or require others to correct them. Under OSHA's multi-employer citation policy, the controlling employer can be cited if they could have detected and prevented the violation through the exercise of reasonable care. General contractors are typically considered controlling employers on multi-employer construction sites.

Question 50

When OSHA calculates penalties for violations, which of the following factors can reduce the proposed penalty amount?

Accepted Answer

OSHA may reduce proposed penalties based on three factors: the employer's good faith (evidence of an effective safety and health management system), the employer's history of previous violations (fewer violations can lead to reductions), and the size of the business (small employers may receive larger reductions). The gravity of the violation is the primary factor in determining the initial penalty amount, while these factors serve as adjustment criteria.

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