Licensed Electrical Contractor Safety and OSHA Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.416, what is the minimum safe approach distance for unqualified workers near exposed energized conductors operating at 50 kV?
- 3 feet
- 6 feet
- 10 feet (Correct answer)
- 15 feet
Correct answer: 10 feet
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.416 requires unqualified workers to maintain at least 10 feet from exposed energized parts operating at voltages up to 50 kV.
Question 2: Which OSHA standard specifically governs electrical safety in construction environments?
- 29 CFR 1910.303
- 29 CFR 1926.400 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.147
- 29 CFR 1926.502
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1926.400
29 CFR 1926.400 is the OSHA subpart covering electrical safety requirements for construction sites.
Question 3: A worker is injured on a job site with 12 employees. Under OSHA recordkeeping rules, within how many hours must a work-related fatality be reported to OSHA?
- 4 hours
- 8 hours (Correct answer)
- 24 hours
- 48 hours
Correct answer: 8 hours
OSHA requires all work-related fatalities to be reported to OSHA within 8 hours of the employer learning of the incident.
Question 4: What does the term 'equipotential bonding' accomplish in an electrical safety context?
- Increases circuit impedance to limit fault current
- Reduces voltage differences between conductive parts to prevent shock (Correct answer)
- Disconnects equipment automatically during a ground fault
- Provides a redundant neutral conductor
Correct answer: Reduces voltage differences between conductive parts to prevent shock
Equipotential bonding reduces or eliminates voltage differences between conductive parts, preventing dangerous shock hazards when a person touches two surfaces simultaneously.
Question 5: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.332, which employees are required to receive electrical safety training?
- Only licensed electricians
- All employees who face a risk of electric shock not reduced to a safe level (Correct answer)
- Employees working within 10 feet of any energized conductor
- Only employees who work in restricted access areas
Correct answer: All employees who face a risk of electric shock not reduced to a safe level
OSHA 1910.332 requires training for all employees whose work involves risk of electric shock that has not been reduced to a safe level by electrical installation requirements.
Question 6: When is it permissible to use aluminum ladder rungs on an electrical job site?
- Never; only fiberglass ladders are permitted near electrical work
- Only when work is performed on de-energized circuits (Correct answer)
- Only when insulated gloves rated for the voltage are worn
- Aluminum ladders may be used if the voltage is below 300V
Correct answer: Only when work is performed on de-energized circuits
Non-conductive (fiberglass) ladders are required near energized electrical work; aluminum ladders are only acceptable when all circuits are confirmed de-energized.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis as required by NFPA 70E?
- To calculate the fault current available at each panel
- To determine incident energy levels and required PPE for workers (Correct answer)
- To identify all energized conductors in a facility
- To schedule preventive maintenance on circuit breakers
Correct answer: To determine incident energy levels and required PPE for workers
An Arc Flash Hazard Analysis determines the incident energy at a work location so appropriate PPE categories and arc flash boundaries can be established.
Licensed Electrical Contractor Safety and OSHA Regulations 2
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.416, what is the minimum safe approach distance for unqualified workers near exposed energized conductors operating at 50 kV?