CAR Safety & Hazardous Material Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OSHA standard primarily governs the handling of hazardous chemicals in automotive recycling facilities?
- 29 CFR 1910.119
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 (Correct answer)
- 40 CFR 261.33
- 49 CFR 173.24
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.1200
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), 29 CFR 1910.1200, requires chemical manufacturers and employers to communicate hazard information through Safety Data Sheets and labeling.
Question 2: When draining a vehicle's air conditioning system before dismantling, technicians must use equipment that:
- Vents refrigerant slowly into the air to minimize pressure buildup
- Captures and recycles or reclaims the refrigerant (Correct answer)
- Dilutes the refrigerant with nitrogen before release
- Transfers refrigerant directly to another vehicle
Correct answer: Captures and recycles or reclaims the refrigerant
EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require refrigerant recovery equipment to capture CFCs and HFCs rather than vent them to the atmosphere.
Question 3: A container of used motor oil collected at a recycling yard must be labeled with which minimum information?
- 'Used Oil' and the date collected (Correct answer)
- 'Hazardous Waste' and a generator ID number
- 'Used Oil' only
- 'Waste Oil — Recyclable' and volume in gallons
Correct answer: 'Used Oil' and the date collected
EPA used oil management standards (40 CFR Part 279) require containers to be labeled 'Used Oil' and may also require the collection date depending on state rules.
Question 4: What is the primary hazard associated with working around catalytic converters during vehicle dismantling?
- Explosion risk from residual fuel vapors
- Burns from retained heat after engine operation (Correct answer)
- Toxic chromium dust released during cutting
- Electric shock from residual catalytic charge
Correct answer: Burns from retained heat after engine operation
Catalytic converters operate at extremely high temperatures and can retain heat for hours after engine shutdown, posing a serious burn hazard to dismantling workers.
Question 5: Under RCRA, used antifreeze collected at an automotive recycler is classified as:
- A listed hazardous waste requiring manifest tracking
- A solid waste that may be a hazardous waste if it fails toxicity tests (Correct answer)
- An exempt universal waste with no management requirements
- A product exempt from all environmental regulations
Correct answer: A solid waste that may be a hazardous waste if it fails toxicity tests
Used antifreeze is a solid waste and may be classified as hazardous if it contains lead or other regulated metals above toxicity characteristic thresholds.
Question 6: A worker is splashed in the eyes with battery acid. The correct immediate first aid response is to:
- Apply a neutralizing baking soda solution directly to the eyes
- Flush with large amounts of clean water for at least 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Cover the eyes and transport immediately to a hospital without flushing
- Pat dry and apply a sterile eye patch
Correct answer: Flush with large amounts of clean water for at least 15 minutes
Immediate flushing with water for a minimum of 15 minutes is the standard first aid response for chemical eye exposure before seeking medical attention.
Question 7: Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for a mercury spill that has ignited in an automotive recycling facility?
- Class A water extinguisher
- Class B CO2 extinguisher
- Class D dry powder extinguisher
- Mercury spills do not ignite and require no fire extinguisher (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Mercury spills do not ignite and require no fire extinguisher
Mercury is a liquid metal that does not burn, so a fire extinguisher is not applicable; spills require specialized mercury spill kits and proper containment procedures.
CAR Safety & Hazardous Material Handling 2
Which OSHA standard primarily governs the handling of hazardous chemicals in automotive recycling facilities?