OSHA 10-Hour Construction — All Questions

When using a portable straight or extension ladder to access an upper level, how far should the ladder extend above the landing surface?

• a.It should stop exactly level with the landing
• b.At least 3 feet above the landing surface✓
• c.At least 10 feet above the landing surface
• d.It should never extend above the landing

A portable ladder used to access an upper landing should extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface so the worker has a secure handhold when stepping on or off. The ladder should also be set at a 4-to-1 angle (1 foot out for every 4 feet of height) and secured.

Before working in a trench 5 feet or deeper, what must generally be in place unless the trench is made entirely of stable rock?

• a.A protective system such as sloping, benching, shoring, or a trench shield✓
• b.A fresh coat of paint on the walls
• c.At least three workers standing inside at all times
• d.A ladder placed 50 feet away

Trenches 5 feet or deeper generally require a protective system (sloping, benching, shoring, or shielding) designed to prevent cave-ins, unless the excavation is entirely in stable rock. A competent person must inspect the excavation daily and as conditions change, and a safe means of egress must be within 25 feet of workers.

Who is required to inspect a supported scaffold before each work shift and after any event that could affect its integrity?

• a.Any available worker regardless of training
• b.The equipment rental company by phone
• c.A competent person qualified to identify scaffold hazards✓
• d.No inspection is required once the scaffold is built

A competent person — someone capable of identifying hazards and authorized to correct them — must inspect the scaffold before each work shift and after any occurrence that could affect its structural integrity. Supported scaffolds generally require guardrails or fall protection when working 10 feet or more above a lower level.

What is a safe practice when using hand and power tools on a construction site?

• a.Remove machine guards to make the tool easier to use
• b.Carry a power tool by its cord to keep hands free
• c.Use a tool with a cracked or damaged handle to finish the job faster
• d.Keep guards in place and remove damaged or defective tools from service✓

Safe tool use means keeping guards in place, using the right tool for the job, and tagging out or removing damaged tools from service. Removing guards, carrying tools by the cord, or using cracked tools all create struck-by, laceration, and electrical hazards.