ASP Hazardous Materials & Chemical Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), how many sections must a GHS-compliant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) contain?
- 8
- 12
- 16 (Correct answer)
- 20
Correct answer: 16
GHS-aligned SDSs are standardized to exactly 16 sections, covering everything from chemical identification through disposal considerations.
Question 2: On an NFPA 704 diamond, the red quadrant communicates which type of hazard?
- Health hazard
- Reactivity hazard
- Special notice
- Flammability hazard (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Flammability hazard
In the NFPA 704 system, red = flammability, blue = health, yellow = reactivity, and white = special notices.
Question 3: Under RCRA, a facility generating between 100 and 1,000 kg of hazardous waste per month is classified as a:
- Very Small Quantity Generator
- Small Quantity Generator (Correct answer)
- Large Quantity Generator
- Conditionally Exempt Generator
Correct answer: Small Quantity Generator
Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) produce 100–1,000 kg/month and face intermediate regulatory requirements between VSQGs and LQGs.
Question 4: DOT hazard class 3 is assigned to which category of dangerous goods?
- Explosives
- Flammable gases
- Flammable liquids (Correct answer)
- Oxidizers
Correct answer: Flammable liquids
DOT Class 3 is specifically designated for flammable and combustible liquids such as gasoline and acetone.
Question 5: The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) is defined as the minimum concentration of flammable vapor in air at which:
- Spontaneous combustion occurs without an ignition source
- The vapor becomes acutely toxic by inhalation
- Ignition from an external source can cause an explosion (Correct answer)
- The vapor is visible as a mist or cloud
Correct answer: Ignition from an external source can cause an explosion
Below the LEL the mixture is too lean to ignite; at the LEL and above, an ignition source can cause a fire or explosion.
Question 6: Which section of a GHS-compliant SDS is dedicated to first-aid measures?
- Section 2
- Section 4 (Correct answer)
- Section 8
- Section 11
Correct answer: Section 4
SDS Section 4 is standardized under GHS to contain first-aid measures, including routes of exposure and symptoms.
Question 7: The primary purpose of secondary containment in chemical storage areas is to:
- Prevent reactions between incompatible chemicals
- Reduce evaporation of volatile substances
- Contain spills and prevent environmental contamination (Correct answer)
- Satisfy fire code quantity limits for storage
Correct answer: Contain spills and prevent environmental contamination
Secondary containment acts as a backup barrier to capture spills or leaks from primary containers before they spread and contaminate the environment.
ASP Hazardous Materials & Chemical Safety 1
Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), how many sections must a GHS-compliant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) contain?