Risk Assessment & Mitigation Flashcards
7 cards from real MEOC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Risk Assessment & Mitigation flashcards as text
A spotter signals the mini excavator operator to stop immediately. What should the operator do?
Answer: Stop all machine movement immediately
A stop signal from a spotter must be obeyed instantly because the spotter can see hazards the operator cannot.
When assessing the risk of working on a slope, which factor is MOST critical to evaluate first?
Answer: The machine's rated slope operating angle from the manufacturer
Manufacturers specify the maximum safe operating angle for a machine; exceeding it dramatically increases rollover risk.
Which hazard is MOST likely to be overlooked during a visual risk assessment before excavation?
Answer: Buried utilities not shown on records
Unmapped or incorrectly marked buried utilities pose a hidden risk that a visual inspection alone cannot detect.
What does a 'near miss' report on a jobsite serve to accomplish in terms of risk management?
Answer: It identifies hazards before they result in actual injury or property damage
Near miss reports capture hazard data that allows corrective actions to be taken before a similar event causes injury.
Silica dust generated during excavation work is regulated under OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.1153. What is the PRIMARY health risk it presents?
Answer: Irreversible lung disease including silicosis and lung cancer
Respirable crystalline silica causes silicosis, lung cancer, and COPD — all potentially fatal and irreversible conditions.
When working adjacent to an open trench, how far from the edge should spoil piles be placed to minimize cave-in risk?
Answer: At least 2 feet from the edge
OSHA requires spoil piles to be placed at least 2 feet from the trench edge to reduce surcharge loading that can trigger a cave-in.
An operator is asked to work inside a previously flooded excavation that has been pumped out. What additional hazard assessment is required?
Answer: Atmospheric testing for oxygen deficiency and toxic gases
Flooding can introduce oxygen-depleted or toxic atmospheres into an excavation, requiring atmospheric testing before entry.