PC OSHA Safety Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.416, what is the minimum safe approach distance for unqualified workers near energized overhead lines rated at 50kV?
- 3 feet
- 6 feet
- 10 feet (Correct answer)
- 15 feet
Correct answer: 10 feet
OSHA requires unqualified workers to maintain at least 10 feet from energized overhead lines rated up to 50kV.
Question 2: Which OSHA standard specifically governs electrical safety requirements for construction sites?
- 29 CFR 1910.303
- 29 CFR 1926.400 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.147
- 29 CFR 1926.100
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1926.400
29 CFR 1926.400 (Subpart K) is OSHA's primary electrical safety standard for construction.
Question 3: An electrical contractor's crew discovers a trench that has been open for two days and is 6 feet deep in sandy soil. Per OSHA, what must be done before workers enter?
- Post a warning sign at the trench edge
- Shore, slope, or shield the trench walls (Correct answer)
- Assign a designated spotter at the surface
- Test the soil with a penetrometer only
Correct answer: Shore, slope, or shield the trench walls
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652 requires trenches 5 feet or deeper to be protected by sloping, shoring, or shielding before entry.
Question 4: Under OSHA's lockout/tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147), when must an energy control procedure be documented in writing?
- Only when more than 10 workers share the same equipment
- When there is more than one energy source or the isolation is not readily apparent (Correct answer)
- Whenever the equipment is rated above 480V
- Only for equipment manufactured before 1990
Correct answer: When there is more than one energy source or the isolation is not readily apparent
Written procedures are required when equipment has more than one energy source or the lockout steps are not immediately obvious.
Question 5: OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to follow which format?
- NFPA 704 diamond sections
- 16-section GHS format (Correct answer)
- 8-section EPA format
- 12-section ANSI format
Correct answer: 16-section GHS format
OSHA aligned its HazCom standard with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), requiring a standardized 16-section SDS.
Question 6: Which OSHA requirement mandates that electrical contractors provide a written emergency action plan when there are more than 10 employees at a site?
- 29 CFR 1926.35
- 29 CFR 1910.38 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.132
- 29 CFR 1926.503
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.38
29 CFR 1910.38 requires a written emergency action plan for employers with more than 10 employees.
Question 7: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501, when is fall protection required for workers on walking/working surfaces at construction sites?
- At heights of 4 feet or more
- At heights of 6 feet or more (Correct answer)
- At heights of 8 feet or more
- At heights of 10 feet or more
Correct answer: At heights of 6 feet or more
OSHA's construction fall protection standard requires fall protection for workers at elevations of 6 feet or more above a lower level.
PC OSHA Safety Standards 2
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.416, what is the minimum safe approach distance for unqualified workers near energized overhead lines rated at 50kV?