Workplace Safety and Compliance Flashcards

A maintenance technician is preparing to use a 20-foot extension ladder to access a second-story window. According to OSHA standards, what is the proper setup ratio for placing the base of the ladder?

Answer: The base should be 5 feet away from the wall.

OSHA requires a 4-to-1 ratio for placing non-self-supporting ladders like extension ladders. For every 4 feet of height to the point of support, the base of the ladder should be 1 foot away from the wall. In this case, for a 20-foot ladder, the base should be 5 feet away from the wall (20 / 4 = 5).

Which of the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is most critical for a technician to wear when handling a caustic drain cleaning chemical?

Answer: Splash goggles and chemical-resistant gloves.

When working with caustic chemicals that can cause severe burns upon contact with skin or eyes, the most critical PPE is protection for those areas. Splash goggles protect the eyes from splashes, and chemical-resistant gloves (like nitrile or rubber) protect the hands. While other PPE is important for other tasks, it is not the most critical for this specific hazard.

Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), employers are required to have a written program that includes a list of hazardous chemicals, employee training, and what other key component?

Answer: Readily accessible Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard mandates that employers develop and maintain a written hazard communication program. This program must include labels on containers, training for workers, and accessible Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for every hazardous chemical in the workplace.

A technician needs to perform maintenance on a trash compactor. After shutting down the equipment, what is the next critical step in a standard Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure?

Answer: Isolate the equipment from all energy sources.

The correct sequence in a LOTO procedure after shutting down the equipment is to isolate it from all of its energy sources. This could involve flipping a circuit breaker, unplugging the unit, or closing a valve. This step ensures that the equipment cannot be accidentally re-energized while work is being performed.

While responding to a work order, a technician discovers a small fire in a trash can containing paper and cardboard. Which class of fire extinguisher is appropriate for this situation?

Answer: Class A

Class A fire extinguishers are used for fires involving ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, cloth, and some plastics. A fire in a trash can with paper and cardboard falls directly into this category. Class C is for electrical fires, Class D is for combustible metals, and Class K is for cooking oils and fats.

A maintenance technician must enter a small, poorly ventilated mechanical room to service a piece of equipment. Before entering, the technician uses a multi-gas meter and gets a reading that indicates low oxygen levels. What is the correct course of action?

Answer: Ventilate the space until oxygen levels are safe before entering.

Entering a confined space with low oxygen levels is extremely dangerous and can lead to asphyxiation. The only safe course of action is to ventilate the area, using a fan or blower, and re-test the atmosphere until oxygen levels return to a safe range (typically between 19.5% and 23.5%). A standard dust mask offers no protection against oxygen deficiency.