NCCER Core Curriculum flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Equipment worn to reduce exposure to hazards, including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and safety-toed boots, which are required on most construction sites.

Fall protection trigger height

OSHA requires fall protection for construction workers exposed to falls of 6 feet or more to a lower level, using guardrails, safety nets, or a personal fall arrest system.

Class C extinguisher

A fire extinguisher rated for energized electrical equipment; it uses a nonconductive agent such as carbon dioxide or a dry chemical and is used once power cannot be safely shut off.

PASS method

The four-step extinguisher procedure: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep the nozzle side to side until the fire is out.

Pythagorean theorem

For any right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides, written as a squared plus b squared equals c squared.

Cubic yard in cubic feet

One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet because 3 feet times 3 feet times 3 feet equals 27; concrete and soil are commonly ordered in cubic yards.

Area of a circle

Area equals pi times the radius squared, or A = 3.1416 x r x r; when only the diameter is known, area equals pi times diameter squared divided by four.

3-4-5 method

A layout technique that produces a true right angle: measure 3 units along one line and 4 along the other, then adjust until the diagonal measures exactly 5 units.

Tape measure hook play

The hook at the end of a tape blade is attached loosely so it slides by its own thickness, allowing accurate readings for both inside and outside measurements.

Pipe wrench jaw direction

Pipe wrench jaws are serrated and bite in one direction only, so the jaws are oriented to grip the pipe in the direction the handle will be pulled.

Torque wrench limitation

A torque wrench is set to a specified value and signals when that value is reached; it must never be extended with a cheater bar or used to break fasteners loose.

Level vial test

To confirm a spirit level is accurate, read the bubble on a surface, rotate the level 180 degrees, and read again; both readings should match.

GFCI protection requirement

A ground-fault circuit interrupter cuts power when current leaks to ground; OSHA requires GFCI protection for cord-and-plug tools on construction sites.

Circular saw blade depth

Set the blade to extend no more than about one quarter inch below the material being cut, which reduces exposed teeth and the risk of kickback.

Powder-actuated tool rules

Only trained and certified operators may use these tools; they are loaded only when ready to fasten and are never used in a flammable or explosive atmosphere.

Abrasive wheel ring test

Before mounting a grinding wheel, tap it lightly with a nonmetallic object; a clear ring means the wheel is sound, while a dull thud indicates a crack.

Drawing scale

A ratio relating distance on the print to actual distance; at one quarter inch equals one foot, a quarter inch on paper represents 12 inches of real construction.

Hidden line

A dashed line on a drawing that shows an edge or object not visible in the current view, such as a pipe or duct concealed inside a wall.

Elevation drawing

A flat, scaled side view of a building showing one exterior face, with heights referenced to a stated datum such as finished floor.

Revision cloud

A scalloped cloud drawn around an area of a print that has changed, usually tagged with a revision number or triangle linking it to the revision block.

Sling leg tension

Tension in each leg of a two-leg sling equals half the load divided by the sine of the leg angle from horizontal, so flatter angles increase tension.

D/d ratio

The diameter of the object a wire rope bends around divided by the rope diameter; a larger ratio lowers bending stress and extends rope life.

Tag line

A rope attached to a load to control its rotation and swing during a lift, allowing workers to steady it without touching the load itself.

Communication cycle

A sender encodes a message, a receiver decodes it, and feedback confirms understanding; without feedback the sender cannot verify the message got through.

Active listening

A listening approach in which the receiver gives full attention, asks clarifying questions, and restates the message in their own words to confirm meaning.

Nonverbal communication

Messages carried by body language, facial expression, gestures, posture, and tone of voice, which can convey more meaning than the spoken words alone.

Team development stages

Teams typically move through forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning; storming is the conflict stage in which roles and ground rules are sorted out.

Constructive criticism

Feedback aimed at specific behavior and improvement rather than at the person; the receiver should listen, ask for specifics, and avoid becoming defensive.

Employability soft skills

Behaviors employers value alongside technical ability, including punctuality, reliable attendance, teamwork, honesty, a positive attitude, and willingness to learn.

Safe lifting technique

Keep the load close to the body, bend the knees, keep the back straight, lift with the legs, and avoid twisting the torso while carrying the load.

Forklift load center

The horizontal distance from the front face of the forks to the load's center of gravity; increasing that distance reduces the forklift's safe lifting capacity.

Hand truck loading

Place the heaviest items lowest and against the frame, tilt the loaded truck back onto its wheels, and keep the load balanced over the axle.