NABCEP - Certified North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Specialist Workplace Safety and OSHA Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to OSHA standard 1926 Subpart M, personal fall arrest systems or guardrails are required when solar installers are working on a low-slope roof with an unprotected side or edge that is how many feet or more above a lower level?

Accepted Answer

6 feet

Answer

4 feet

Answer

8 feet

Answer

10 feet

Question 2

A solar technician is preparing to perform maintenance on a grid-tied string inverter. According to OSHA's Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard (29 CFR 1910.147), which of the following is a critical first step in the LOTO procedure?

Accepted Answer

Notify all affected employees of the impending shutdown.

Answer

Verify the system is de-energized with a multimeter.

Answer

Apply a personal lock and tag to the AC disconnect.

Answer

Immediately open the DC disconnect to isolate the array.

Question 3

Within OSHA's Hierarchy of Controls, which of the following is considered the LEAST effective method for protecting workers from hazards and should be relied upon only after other controls have been implemented?

Accepted Answer

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (e.g., wearing a hard hat)

Answer

Engineering Controls (e.g., installing guardrails)

Answer

Administrative Controls (e.g., safety training)

Answer

Substitution (e.g., using a less hazardous chemical)

Question 4

An installer is using a portable extension ladder to access a flat commercial roof for a site survey. To comply with OSHA standard 1926.1053, the side rails of the ladder must extend at least how far above the upper landing surface?

Accepted Answer

3 feet

Answer

1 foot

Answer

2 feet

Answer

4 feet

Question 5

An installer is working on a rooftop PV array where the inverter and all disconnects have been shut off. However, the conductors between the modules are still exposed to sunlight. According to OSHA's electrical safety principles, how must these conductors be treated?

Accepted Answer

As energized, until tested and proven to be de-energized.

Answer

As de-energized, because the system is disconnected.

Answer

As low-voltage and safe to handle without gloves.

Answer

As safe, as long as the equipment grounding conductor is attached.

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of conducting a Job Safety Analysis (JSA), also known as a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), before beginning a PV installation task?

Accepted Answer

To proactively identify and control task-specific hazards.

Answer

To assign blame after an accident occurs.

Answer

To fulfill a client's contractual requirement.

Answer

To document the total number of hours worked on a project.