CHST CHST - Construction Health and Safety Technician Electrical Safety and LOTO Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the required safe distance that unqualified workers must maintain from overhead power lines operating at 50kV on a construction site under OSHA 1926.416?
- 6 feet
- 10 feet
- 15 feet (Correct answer)
- 20 feet
Correct answer: 15 feet
OSHA 1926.416 requires unqualified workers to stay at least 10 feet from lines up to 50kV; for 50kV, the distance increases to 15 feet.
Question 2: During a periodic inspection of a LOTO program, what must the employer document?
- The brand and model of lockout devices used
- The date, equipment serviced, employees involved, and inspector's name (Correct answer)
- Insurance carrier notification of LOTO activities
- The total downtime caused by each lockout event
Correct answer: The date, equipment serviced, employees involved, and inspector's name
OSHA 1910.147(c)(6)(ii) requires annual inspections to be certified with the date, equipment, employee names, and inspector name.
Question 3: A construction electrician is testing an energized 480V circuit. Which PPE at minimum does NFPA 70E require?
- Standard leather gloves and safety glasses
- Rubber insulating gloves rated for the voltage and appropriate eye protection (Correct answer)
- A hard hat and Class E boots only
- A full arc flash suit regardless of task duration
Correct answer: Rubber insulating gloves rated for the voltage and appropriate eye protection
Rubber insulating gloves rated for 480V (minimum Class 00 for shock protection) and eye protection are the minimum PPE required when working on or near exposed energized parts at this voltage.
Question 4: What is the purpose of an 'equipment-specific' LOTO procedure as opposed to a general LOTO procedure?
- To allow faster lockout without verifying zero energy
- To provide step-by-step instructions tailored to a specific machine's energy sources and isolation points (Correct answer)
- To satisfy recordkeeping requirements only
- To authorize less-trained workers to perform lockout
Correct answer: To provide step-by-step instructions tailored to a specific machine's energy sources and isolation points
Equipment-specific procedures document each energy source location, isolation method, and verification step unique to that machine, reducing human error during LOTO execution.
Question 5: Which scenario represents a 'minor tool change' exception that may allow work without LOTO under 29 CFR 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)?
- Replacing a large motor using a hoist while equipment is running slowly
- Routine blade changes on a machine with reliable interlocks that allow the worker to control hazardous energy exposure (Correct answer)
- Cleaning around energized panels without touching conductors
- Lubricating moving parts during normal production
Correct answer: Routine blade changes on a machine with reliable interlocks that allow the worker to control hazardous energy exposure
The minor tool change exception applies only when the alternative procedure provides effective protection equivalent to LOTO through reliable interlocks or other engineered controls.
Question 6: What action is required when an employee whose lock is on a piece of equipment cannot be located at shift end?
- Any supervisor can remove the lock with bolt cutters
- Management must follow a documented procedure that includes trying to locate the employee and verifying the work area is safe before lock removal (Correct answer)
- The next shift's lead can remove the lock if verbally authorized
- The LOTO program allows automatic lock removal after 8 hours
Correct answer: Management must follow a documented procedure that includes trying to locate the employee and verifying the work area is safe before lock removal
OSHA requires employers to have a documented procedure for removing another person's lock, which must include attempts to contact the employee and confirmation the area is safe.
Question 7: A construction site experiences an electrical fatality. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1904.39, within what timeframe must the employer report the fatality to OSHA?
- Immediately upon discovery, no time limit
- Within 8 hours of learning of the fatality (Correct answer)
- Within 24 hours of the incident
- Within 3 business days of the fatality
Correct answer: Within 8 hours of learning of the fatality
OSHA 1904.39 requires employers to report any work-related fatality to OSHA within 8 hours of learning that the fatality occurred.
CHST CHST - Construction Health and Safety Technician Electrical Safety and LOTO Questions and Answers 5
What is the required safe distance that unqualified workers must maintain from overhead power lines operating at 50kV on a construction site under OSHA 1926.416?