How many pictograms are used in the GHS hazard communication label system?

Nine pictograms, each with a red diamond border

Sixteen pictograms inside green squares

One universal pictogram for all chemicals

Three pictograms inside blue circles

When debris is dropped through floor holes without an enclosed chute, OSHA requires the drop area to be:

Enclosed with barricades and posted with warning signs

Left completely open for easy access

Ignored entirely if the hole is small

Marked with a single cone a week later as long as the tools look intact

What should a competent person do upon finding a hazardous condition in a trench?

Remove workers from the trench until it is corrected

Add more spoil onto the trench edge

Tell the workers to dig much faster

Do nothing until the following month according to older industry practice

A horizontal lifeline used for fall arrest must be:

Designed and used under a qualified person with a safety factor of two

Rigged by any worker on the spot

Made from any spare rope available where the foreman signs off on it during the earlier phases of work

Used with no engineering at all

Why must a portable generator's frame typically be bonded and, where required, grounded?

To provide a safe path for fault current and reduce shock risk

To make the generator quieter so it does not disturb nearby residents

To increase the generator's fuel efficiency during long work shifts

To allow the generator to be safely operated indoors without ventilation

A complete respiratory protection program under 29 CFR 1926.103 must include which core elements?

Medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and maintenance

A one-time signature confirming the worker owns a respirator

Only handing out disposable masks whenever workers ask for them

Nothing beyond posting a sign that reminds workers to breathe carefully

Welding, cutting, and brazing can produce hazardous fumes, so OSHA requires:

Adequate ventilation or respiratory protection to control the fumes

Workers to hold their breath during each welding operation

No controls at all because welding fumes are considered harmless

That the work always be done inside a small, sealed room

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Sample practice questions

A few real questions from this free bank, with full explanations. Use the practice tool above for the whole set.

1. Intro to OSHA
What year was the Occupational Safety and Health Act signed into law, creating OSHA?
- a.1955
- b.1965
- c.1980
- d.1970
Answer: d
Explanation: The Occupational Safety and Health Act was signed into law in 1970 and OSHA began operating in 1971. Its purpose is to assure safe and healthful working conditions for workers. It also established the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
2. Fall Protection
At what height is fall protection generally required in construction?
- a.10 feet
- b.2 feet
- c.6 feet above a lower level
- d.20 feet
Answer: c
Explanation: In construction, fall protection is generally required at 6 feet or more above a lower level. Different thresholds apply in other industries, such as 4 feet in general industry. The 6-foot rule is a core concept in construction safety.
3. Health & Safety Programs
How many sections does a standardized Safety Data Sheet contain under the Globally Harmonized System?
- a.3 sections
- b.5 sections
- c.16 sections
- d.50 sections
Answer: c
Explanation: A standardized Safety Data Sheet contains 16 sections under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling. The sections cover identification, hazards, composition, first aid, firefighting, handling, exposure controls, and more. This uniform format makes information easier to find.
4. Intro to OSHA
How many pictograms are used in the GHS hazard communication label system?
- a.Sixteen pictograms inside green squares
- b.One universal pictogram for all chemicals
- c.Three pictograms inside blue circles
- d.Nine pictograms, each with a red diamond border
Answer: d
Explanation: The GHS system used under 29 CFR 1910.1200 has nine pictograms, each a red-bordered diamond, such as the flame, skull-and-crossbones, and health-hazard symbols. Workers must be trained to recognize them. They convey hazard type quickly.
Source: 29 CFR 1910.1200
5. Common Hazards
When debris is dropped through floor holes without an enclosed chute, OSHA requires the drop area to be:
- a.Left completely open for easy access
- b.Ignored entirely if the hole is small
- c.Marked with a single cone a week later as long as the tools look intact
- d.Enclosed with barricades and posted with warning signs
Answer: d
Explanation: Under 29 CFR 1926.252, when material is dropped through holes without an enclosed chute, the drop area must be barricaded not less than 42 inches high and kept 6 feet back from the edge, with warning signs posted. An enclosed chute is required for drops over 20 feet. This protects workers below.
Source: 29 CFR 1926.252
6. Common Hazards
What should a competent person do upon finding a hazardous condition in a trench?
- a.Add more spoil onto the trench edge
- b.Tell the workers to dig much faster
- c.Do nothing until the following month according to older industry practice
- d.Remove workers from the trench until it is corrected
Answer: d
Explanation: Under 29 CFR 1926.651(k), when a competent person finds evidence of a possible cave-in, hazardous atmosphere, or other hazard, exposed workers must be removed until precautions are taken. Worker removal is immediate. Inspection has no value without action.
Source: 29 CFR 1926.651(k)
7. Fall Protection
A horizontal lifeline used for fall arrest must be:
- a.Designed and used under a qualified person with a safety factor of two
- b.Rigged by any worker on the spot
- c.Made from any spare rope available where the foreman signs off on it during the earlier phases of work
- d.Used with no engineering at all
Answer: a
Explanation: Under 29 CFR 1926.502(d), horizontal lifelines must be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person as part of a complete system maintaining a safety factor of at least two. Forces in a horizontal lifeline can far exceed the worker's weight. Engineering prevents anchor overload.
Source: 29 CFR 1926.502(d)
8. Electrical & PPE
Why must a portable generator's frame typically be bonded and, where required, grounded?
- a.To make the generator quieter so it does not disturb nearby residents
- b.To increase the generator's fuel efficiency during long work shifts
- c.To allow the generator to be safely operated indoors without ventilation
- d.To provide a safe path for fault current and reduce shock risk
Answer: d
Explanation: Bonding and grounding a generator, per 29 CFR 1926.404(f), provide a low-impedance path so that a fault energizing the frame will trip protection instead of shocking a worker. Many portable generators use a bonded neutral and can be treated as separately derived systems. Generators must never be run indoors due to carbon monoxide.
9. Health & Safety Programs
A complete respiratory protection program under 29 CFR 1926.103 must include which core elements?
- a.A one-time signature confirming the worker owns a respirator
- b.Medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and maintenance
- c.Only handing out disposable masks whenever workers ask for them
- d.Nothing beyond posting a sign that reminds workers to breathe carefully
Answer: b
Explanation: 29 CFR 1926.103 incorporates 1910.134, which requires a written program with medical evaluation, fit testing for tight-fitting respirators, proper selection, training, maintenance, and program evaluation. Each element ensures the respirator actually protects the wearer. Respirators are used after engineering controls are applied.
10. Health & Safety Programs
Welding, cutting, and brazing can produce hazardous fumes, so OSHA requires:
- a.Workers to hold their breath during each welding operation
- b.Adequate ventilation or respiratory protection to control the fumes
- c.No controls at all because welding fumes are considered harmless
- d.That the work always be done inside a small, sealed room
Answer: b
Explanation: 29 CFR 1926.353 requires mechanical ventilation or respiratory protection to control fumes and gases from welding, cutting, and brazing, especially in confined spaces or with toxic metals. Some coatings (such as those containing lead, cadmium, or zinc) create especially dangerous fumes. Local exhaust ventilation is a key control.

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