CSP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CSP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. In human factors engineering, what is a 'forcing function'? → A physical or design constraint that prevents incorrect actions
2. Which environmental law regulates the manufacture, importation, processing, and distribution of chemical substances in the U.S.? → TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act)
3. Which hazard identification method uses structured 'What-If' questions to systematically evaluate potential process deviations? → What-If Analysis
4. Which air sampling technique collects a sample representative of average exposure over the entire work shift and is used to compare against 8-hour TWA PELs? → Full-period consecutive sampling
5. According to NFPA 70E, what is the minimum approach boundary where PPE is required to protect against arc flash incident energy? → The arc flash boundary
6. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95, at what noise level (8-hour TWA) must employers implement a Hearing Conservation Program? → 85 dBA
7. Which federal agency enforces the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) governing hazardous waste management? → EPA
8. Which type of ventilation system captures contaminants at or near the point of generation before they disperse into the work environment? → Local exhaust ventilation
9. Which safety metric is calculated as (number of recordable incidents × 200,000) ÷ total hours worked? → Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR)
10. Which of the following palettes of colors is used to mark hazardous materials according to NFPA 704? → Yellow, blue, red, white
11. Materials shouldn't be kept any closer to the ceiling than 18 inches in an office setting. What does this rule aim to achieve? → This allows sprinkles to reach all combustible materials
12. What is the primary function of a fire watch? → To monitor for fires during and after hot work operations
13. The concept of 'fault tree analysis' (FTA) uses which type of logic to model system failures? → Boolean logic with AND/OR gates
14. Which risk assessment matrix element is calculated by multiplying severity by probability to prioritize hazard control? → Risk score
15. Which ANSI standard governs the design, testing, and use of industrial safety helmets (hard hats)? → ANSI Z89.1
16. In a risk assessment, 'inherent risk' (also called 'gross risk') refers to: → The risk level before any controls or safeguards are applied to the hazard
17. A shipping paper for hazardous products shows that Packing Group II applies to the material being shipped. How dangerous is this stuff, exactly? → Moderate danger
18. Which noise exposure level (dBA TWA) triggers OSHA's requirement to establish a Hearing Conservation Program? → 85 dBA
19. Which ergonomic assessment tool is designed specifically for upper-limb posture analysis and scores body segments on a scale of 1–7? → RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment)
20. During a root cause analysis using the '5 Whys' technique, what is the primary goal? → Identify the deepest systemic cause of an incident
21. Which OSHA standard requires employers to provide workers with the right to access their own exposure records and medical records? → 29 CFR 1910.1020
22. A worker is exposed to Substance A at 40 ppm (TLV 50 ppm) and Substance B at 20 ppm (TLV 25 ppm). What is the combined exposure index? → 1.40
23. What is the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for silica dust (respirable crystalline silica)? → 0.05 mg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA
24. Which qualitative risk assessment technique uses a visual diagram showing causes on one side and consequences on the other side of a 'tie'? → Bow-Tie Diagram
25. Which hierarchy of controls level is considered MOST effective at reducing workplace hazards? → Elimination
26. What does a Tier II report under EPCRA Section 312 require facilities to disclose? → Inventory of hazardous chemicals stored on-site above threshold quantities
27. Which waste code designation numbers should a waste storage container with sulfuric acid from used batteries have? → D-002
28. What does a Lifting Index (LI) greater than 1.0 indicate when using the NIOSH Lifting Equation? → The task poses an increased risk of low back injury for some workers
29. What is the maximum storage quantity that classifies a facility as a 'Very Small Quantity Generator' (VSQG) of hazardous waste under EPA regulations? → Less than 100 kg per month
30. Under OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134), what is required BEFORE an employee is fit-tested for a tight-fitting respirator? → Medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use the respirator