CTSP Incident Prevention and Response 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a worker is struck by a falling branch during tree removal, what is the FIRST action a crew member should take?
- Call 911 immediately without assessing the scene
- Ensure the scene is safe before approaching the injured worker (Correct answer)
- Remove the branch from the worker to free them
- Begin CPR regardless of the worker's condition
Correct answer: Ensure the scene is safe before approaching the injured worker
Scene safety must be confirmed before approaching an injured worker to prevent additional casualties.
Question 2: Which type of Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) step focuses on identifying 'what could go wrong' for each task?
- Task description
- Hazard identification (Correct answer)
- Control measure selection
- PPE assignment
Correct answer: Hazard identification
Hazard identification is the JHA step where workers evaluate potential dangers associated with each discrete task.
Question 3: A tree company's near-miss reporting system is MOST valuable because it:
- Satisfies OSHA recordkeeping requirements
- Allows managers to discipline workers who cause incidents
- Reveals systemic hazards before a serious injury occurs (Correct answer)
- Documents liability for insurance purposes
Correct answer: Reveals systemic hazards before a serious injury occurs
Near-miss reports expose hazard patterns that can be corrected before they result in injury or fatality.
Question 4: During a pre-job briefing, the crew identifies overhead power lines within the work zone. The BEST immediate action is to:
- Proceed cautiously and keep all equipment at least 3 feet away
- Contact the utility company to establish a safe approach distance before work begins (Correct answer)
- Assign a spotter and continue operations
- Erect warning cones and proceed with hand tools only
Correct answer: Contact the utility company to establish a safe approach distance before work begins
Utility companies must be contacted to establish minimum approach distances and may need to de-energize or insulate lines.
Question 5: Which hierarchy of controls is considered MOST effective at eliminating a workplace hazard?
- Administrative controls
- Personal protective equipment
- Engineering controls
- Elimination (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Elimination
Elimination removes the hazard entirely and is the most effective control because it does not rely on human behavior or equipment.
Question 6: An arborist notices that a co-worker is operating a chainsaw without chaps. Under OSHA's General Duty Clause, what responsibility does the arborist have?
- No responsibility; PPE violations are the employer's problem only
- Report the observation to the crew leader or supervisor (Correct answer)
- Immediately shut down all work until chaps are provided
- Document the violation in the incident log
Correct answer: Report the observation to the crew leader or supervisor
Workers have a duty to report recognized hazards to supervisors so corrective action can be taken.
Question 7: What is the purpose of the 'exclusion zone' established during tree felling operations?
- To designate where debris should be piled after cutting
- To keep all non-essential personnel clear of the area where a tree or limbs may fall (Correct answer)
- To mark the location of underground utilities
- To define the maximum boom reach of aerial equipment
Correct answer: To keep all non-essential personnel clear of the area where a tree or limbs may fall
An exclusion zone prevents bystanders and crew members from being struck by falling trees, limbs, or debris.
CTSP Incident Prevention and Response 2
When a worker is struck by a falling branch during tree removal, what is the FIRST action a crew member should take?