C27 License - C-27 Landscaping Contractor License Safety and Regulations Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to Cal/OSHA, what action must an employer take when landscaping employees are working outdoors and the temperature exceeds 80°F?
- Provide one quart of water per hour for each employee.
- Require mandatory 15-minute cool-down breaks every hour.
- Provide access to a shaded area and encourage employees to take cool-down rests. (Correct answer)
- Monitor employees for signs of heat illness and have an emergency plan.
Correct answer: Provide access to a shaded area and encourage employees to take cool-down rests.
Cal/OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention standard requires employers to provide access to shade when temperatures exceed 80°F. The shade must be sufficient to accommodate all employees on their breaks. While providing water and having an emergency plan are also required, the specific trigger for providing shade access is 80°F.
Question 2: A landscape contractor is digging a 6-foot deep trench for an irrigation mainline. Which of the following is a mandatory Cal/OSHA requirement for this excavation?
- A registered professional engineer must design the protective system.
- The excavated soil (spoils) must be placed at least 4 feet from the edge of the trench.
- A permit must be obtained from Cal/OSHA before employees are allowed to enter. (Correct answer)
- Ladders or other means of egress must be placed every 50 feet of lateral travel.
Correct answer: A permit must be obtained from Cal/OSHA before employees are allowed to enter.
Cal/OSHA regulations explicitly state that a permit must be obtained from the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) for any excavation, including trenches, that is 5 feet or deeper and into which a person is required to descend.
Question 3: Under California's "Call Before You Dig" law (811), what is the minimum amount of time a contractor must notify the regional notification center before starting an excavation?
- 24 hours before digging.
- At least 2 working days, not including the date of notification. (Correct answer)
- 5 working days before the planned start date.
- The morning of the excavation, provided a ticket number is received.
Correct answer: At least 2 working days, not including the date of notification.
California Government Code 4216 requires excavators to notify the appropriate regional notification center (like DigAlert) at least two working days, but not more than 14 calendar days, before starting an excavation. The day of the call itself does not count as one of the two working days.
Question 4: A landscaping crew is using a wood chipper to dispose of tree trimmings. Which of the following is a critical safety practice required by OSHA?
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing to stay cool.
- Feeding short branches and twigs by hand into the hopper.
- Using a lockout/tagout system to de-energize the machine before clearing a jam. (Correct answer)
- Keeping the chipper's discharge chute pointed towards the work area.
Correct answer: Using a lockout/tagout system to de-energize the machine before clearing a jam.
OSHA requires that a lockout/tagout system be used to de-energize and secure equipment, such as a wood chipper, before any maintenance or servicing, like unjamming the machine, is performed. This prevents the machine from accidentally starting up. Wearing loose clothing is a hazard, and hands should never enter the hopper.
Question 5: A C-27 contractor's business applies pesticides as part of its maintenance services. According to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), what must the business do?
- Ensure all employees have a personal pesticide applicator license.
- Register with the County Agricultural Commissioner in every county where they perform pest control. (Correct answer)
- Submit pesticide use reports to the DPR on a quarterly basis.
- Only use pesticides classified as 'general use' to avoid licensing.
Correct answer: Register with the County Agricultural Commissioner in every county where they perform pest control.
A licensed Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Business must register with the County Agricultural Commissioner's office in each county where they intend to perform pest control work before starting any operations in that county.
Question 6: Which of the following scenarios BEST describes a situation where an employer is required to conduct a workplace hazard assessment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
- Only when a new employee is hired.
- When an employee requests a new pair of gloves.
- Before any work begins, to identify hazards that necessitate the use of PPE. (Correct answer)
- Annually, as part of the business license renewal process.
Correct answer: Before any work begins, to identify hazards that necessitate the use of PPE.
Cal/OSHA regulations require employers to assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present which necessitate the use of PPE. This assessment must be done to identify potential hazards and select the appropriate PPE to protect employees before work starts.
C27 License - C-27 Landscaping Contractor License Safety and Regulations Questions and Answers
According to Cal/OSHA, what action must an employer take when landscaping employees are working outdoors and the temperature exceeds 80°F?