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OSHA 30 practice questions

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Question 1Introduction to OSHA

Which federal department houses the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)?

  1. Department of Health and Human Services
  2. Department of Commerce
  3. Department of Labor Correct answer.
  4. Environmental Protection Agency

Explanation

The OSH Act created OSHA within the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Secretary of Labor oversees it. This placement separates workplace enforcement from health research agencies.

Question 2Introduction to OSHA

Under Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, what is the employer's general duty?

  1. Provide only the personal protective equipment that employees specifically request in writing
  2. Comply only with standards that OSHA has adopted and never with any other duty
  3. Guarantee that every employee is completely protected from all workplace risks at all times
  4. Furnish a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm Correct answer.

Explanation

Section 5(a)(1) imposes a general duty on employers to furnish employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm. It applies even when no specific standard addresses the hazard.

Question 3Introduction to OSHA

How quickly must an employer report a work-related fatality to OSHA?

  1. Within 30 days
  2. Within 72 hours
  3. Within 8 hours Correct answer.
  4. Within 24 hours

Explanation

Employers must report a work-related fatality to OSHA within 8 hours. In-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and losses of an eye must be reported within 24 hours.

Question 4Introduction to OSHA

Which action is an employee right under the OSH Act?

  1. To issue citations to coworkers for unsafe acts
  2. To file a complaint and request an OSHA inspection Correct answer.
  3. To inspect other employers' injury and illness records
  4. To set the penalty amounts for violations

Explanation

Employees may file a complaint with OSHA and request an inspection; they may also participate in inspections and access injury records. Citations and penalties are issued by OSHA, not by employees.

Question 5Introduction to OSHA

What must an employer do with the OSHA 'It's the Law' poster?

  1. Post it where employees can see it Correct answer.
  2. Keep it in a locked office
  3. Post it only after an inspection
  4. Mail it to OSHA annually

Explanation

The OSHA poster informs employees of their rights and must be displayed where employees can readily see it. Failure to post can itself be a violation.

Question 6Introduction to OSHA

A state that operates its own occupational safety and health plan must meet which requirement?

  1. Cover only construction employers
  2. Be at least as effective as federal OSHA Correct answer.
  3. Eliminate employee complaint rights
  4. Adopt only advisory standards with no enforcement

Explanation

An OSHA-approved state plan must be at least as effective as the federal program, including standards and enforcement. States may adopt stricter requirements.

Question 7Introduction to OSHA

Federal OSHA standards generally apply to which group?

  1. Private-sector employers and their employees Correct answer.
  2. Self-employed individuals with no employees
  3. Immediate family members working on a family farm
  4. State and local government employees in every state

Explanation

Federal OSHA covers most private-sector employers and employees; state and local government workers are covered only in states with approved plans, and certain self-employed and family farm workers are excluded.

Question 8Introduction to OSHA

When an OSHA standard requires personal protective equipment, who pays for it?

  1. The employee through a payroll deduction spread over time
  2. The employee's union through its safety fund
  3. The equipment manufacturer as part of its warranty
  4. The employer, at no cost to the employee Correct answer.

Explanation

When an OSHA standard requires PPE, the employer must provide it at no cost to employees. The employer also must ensure the equipment fits and is maintained.

Question 9Introduction to OSHA

A violation is classified as serious when there is:

  1. A first-aid injury with no lost work time or medical treatment beyond first aid
  2. A substantial probability of death or serious physical harm Correct answer.
  3. A hazard that only employees happen to notice
  4. Any paperwork error that does not affect safety

Explanation

A serious violation exists when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a condition the employer knew or should have known about. It does not require that an injury actually occurred.

Question 10Introduction to OSHA

A willful violation is one that the employer commits with:

  1. An unintentional clerical mistake in recordkeeping
  2. No knowledge of the standard because the employer never read the regulation
  3. Intentional disregard for, or plain indifference to, the law Correct answer.
  4. A good-faith effort to comply that falls short

Explanation

A willful violation involves intentional disregard of or plain indifference to OSHA requirements. Good-faith efforts or lack of knowledge can negate willfulness.

Question 11Introduction to OSHA

Which condition has the highest priority for an OSHA inspection?

  1. Imminent danger Correct answer.
  2. A follow-up inspection
  3. An employee complaint about a non-serious hazard
  4. A programmed inspection of a high-hazard industry

Explanation

OSHA prioritizes inspections in this order: imminent danger, fatality/catastrophe, employee complaints, programmed high-hazard inspections, and follow-ups. Imminent danger is first because death or serious harm could occur immediately.

Question 12Introduction to OSHA

How long does an employer have to contest an OSHA citation?

  1. 30 calendar days from receipt
  2. 15 working days from receipt Correct answer.
  3. 6 months from receipt
  4. 5 calendar days from receipt

Explanation

An employer must contest a citation, penalty, or abatement date in writing within 15 working days of receiving it. Otherwise, the citation becomes a final order.

Question 13Introduction to OSHA

Which OSHA form is the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses?

  1. Form 301
  2. Form 101
  3. Form 300A
  4. Form 300 Correct answer.

Explanation

Form 300 is the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. Form 301 is the incident report, and Form 300A is the annual summary.

Question 14Introduction to OSHA

When must an employer post the annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses (Form 300A)?

  1. For 3 days after a citation is issued
  2. February 1 through April 30 Correct answer.
  3. Only during an OSHA inspection
  4. January 1 through December 31

Explanation

The annual summary of injuries and illnesses must be posted from February 1 through April 30. It summarizes the prior calendar year's log.

Question 15Introduction to OSHA

Who may accompany an OSHA compliance officer during a workplace inspection?

  1. An employee representative authorized by employees Correct answer.
  2. The company president and no other person under any circumstances
  3. Any member of the public who requests access
  4. Only a police officer assigned to the site

Explanation

The OSH Act allows an authorized employee representative to accompany the compliance officer during the walkaround. The representative can be a coworker or a union representative.

Question 16Introduction to OSHA

What happens at the opening conference of an OSHA inspection?

  1. The compliance officer explains the purpose and scope of the inspection Correct answer.
  2. The employer pays the proposed penalty and waives all rights to contest
  3. The compliance officer issues the final citation and closes the case
  4. Employees vote on whether to allow the compliance officer to enter

Explanation

At the opening conference, the compliance officer explains why OSHA is there, the scope of the inspection, and the standards that may apply. The closing conference discusses findings and abatement.

Question 17Introduction to OSHA

How long does an employee generally have to file a retaliation complaint under OSH Act Section 11(c)?

  1. 30 days Correct answer.
  2. 6 months
  3. 3 years
  4. 1 year

Explanation

Section 11(c) prohibits retaliation for exercising rights such as filing a complaint. Complaints must generally be filed within 30 days of the alleged retaliation.

Question 18Introduction to OSHA

After receiving an OSHA citation, where and for how long must the employer post it?

  1. Only if an employee submits a written request to the area director
  2. At or near the violation for 3 working days or until abatement Correct answer.
  3. For exactly 30 calendar days regardless of whether the hazard is corrected
  4. Only in the corporate headquarters for a full calendar year after the citation becomes final

Explanation

The employer must post the citation at or near the violation for 3 working days or until the hazard is abated, whichever is longer. This informs employees of the hazard and its correction.

Question 19Introduction to OSHA

What does 'abatement' mean in OSHA enforcement?

  1. Contesting the citation before the Review Commission
  2. Correcting the hazard cited Correct answer.
  3. Requesting a warrant from a federal judge
  4. Paying the proposed monetary penalty

Explanation

Abatement means fixing the cited condition so it no longer violates the standard or general duty clause. Employers must certify abatement and may face failure-to-abate penalties.

Question 20Introduction to OSHA

What is a key feature of OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program?

  1. It is available only to federal agencies and their contractors
  2. It requires employees to waive their right to file complaints
  3. It replaces all enforcement inspections for participating employers
  4. It is separate from enforcement and does not propose penalties Correct answer.

Explanation

The On-Site Consultation Program is a free, confidential service for small employers, separate from enforcement. Consultants do not issue citations or propose penalties if the employer commits to correcting hazards.

Question 21Introduction to OSHA

Which employer is generally outside federal OSHA's jurisdiction unless an OSHA-approved state plan covers it?

  1. A private manufacturing plant that ships products across state lines
  2. A private hospital providing emergency and surgical services
  3. A municipal fire department in a state without an OSHA-approved plan Correct answer.
  4. A private construction company operating on a multi-story commercial building site

Explanation

Federal OSHA generally does not cover state and local government employees unless the state has an OSHA-approved plan. Private employers remain under federal jurisdiction in non-plan states.

Question 22Introduction to OSHA

To establish a General Duty Clause violation, OSHA must show:

  1. Employee misconduct, lost work time, and a written warning
  2. A specific OSHA standard, an actual injury, and a citation issued within six months
  3. An employer policy, a union contract, and a monetary penalty
  4. A recognized hazard, likely serious harm, and a feasible means of abatement Correct answer.

Explanation

To establish a General Duty Clause violation, OSHA must show a recognized hazard, that the hazard was likely to cause death or serious harm, and that a feasible means of abatement existed. A specific standard is not required.

Question 23Introduction to OSHA

Which set correctly lists the Voluntary Protection Programs recognition levels?

  1. A, B, and C
  2. Star, Merit, and Demonstration Correct answer.
  3. Gold, Silver, and Bronze
  4. Initial, Intermediate, and Final

Explanation

VPP recognizes worksites with exemplary safety and health programs at three levels: Star, Merit, and Demonstration. Star is the highest level for outstanding programs.

Question 24Introduction to OSHA

Within what period must OSHA issue a citation for a violation?

  1. 6 months after the violation occurred Correct answer.
  2. 24 hours after the compliance officer first observes the condition
  3. 30 days after the employer receives the inspection report
  4. 1 year after the violation occurred

Explanation

OSHA must issue a citation within 6 months after the violation occurred. This statutory limit applies to citations, though abatement and penalty collections can follow later.

Question 25Introduction to OSHA

An employee refuses to work because of a workplace hazard. Which condition generally supports a good-faith refusal under OSHA principles?

  1. A request for higher pay before the employee will perform the task
  2. A belief that the work is inconvenient rather than genuinely dangerous
  3. A general dislike of the assigned task combined with a coworker's unsupported rumor
  4. A reasonable belief of imminent death or serious injury with no reasonable alternative Correct answer.

Explanation

A good-faith refusal to work may be protected when the employee reasonably believes there is imminent danger of death or serious injury and no reasonable alternative exists. The fear must be objectively reasonable, not a general dislike.

Question 26Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

In general industry workplaces, at what height above a lower level must employees be protected from falling?

  1. 6 feet (1.8 m)
  2. 4 feet (1.2 m) Correct answer.
  3. 10 feet (3 m)
  4. 15 feet (4.6 m)

Explanation

OSHA's walking-working surfaces standard requires fall protection for general industry employees working 4 feet or more above a lower level. Different thresholds apply in other settings, such as 6 feet in construction.

Question 27Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

What is the required height of the top edge of a guardrail system above the walking-working surface?

  1. 45 inches (114 cm)
  2. 30 inches (76 cm)
  3. 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches Correct answer.
  4. 36 inches (91 cm)

Explanation

Guardrail systems must have a top rail whose top edge sits 42 inches above the walking-working surface, with a tolerance of plus or minus 3 inches. This height is designed to catch a worker's body before it passes over the edge.

Question 28Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

What is the maximum uniform spacing allowed between rungs, cleats, or steps on a portable ladder?

  1. 18 inches (46 cm)
  2. 12 inches (30 cm) Correct answer.
  3. 8 inches (20 cm)
  4. 10 inches (25 cm)

Explanation

Portable ladder rungs, cleats and steps must be spaced no more than 12 inches apart and spaced uniformly along the ladder. Wider or uneven spacing makes climbing awkward and increases slip risk.

Question 29Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

A worker finds a portable ladder with a cracked side rail. What is the correct action?

  1. Remove it from service and tag it with a 'Do Not Use' warning Correct answer.
  2. Report the defect at the end of the shift and keep using it
  3. Mark it with tape and leave it in place for light-duty work
  4. Shorten the ladder and continue using it as a step stool

Explanation

Any ladder with a structural or other defect must be immediately withdrawn from service and tagged with a warning such as 'Dangerous: Do Not Use' until it is repaired or destroyed. A cracked rail can fail without warning under a worker's weight.

Question 30Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

What must an employer ensure about the load-carrying capacity of each walking-working surface?

  1. It can support the maximum intended load Correct answer.
  2. It can support the weight of the tools stored on it
  3. It can support at least 500 pounds per square foot
  4. It can support twice the weight of the heaviest worker

Explanation

Each walking-working surface must be able to support the maximum intended load, meaning the total combined weight of employees, equipment and materials expected on it. There is no blanket pounds-per-square-foot figure in the rule.

Question 31Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

When must a stairway be equipped with at least one handrail?

  1. When it has two or more risers
  2. When it is wider than 44 inches
  3. When more than ten employees use it
  4. When it has four or more risers Correct answer.

Explanation

A stairway with four or more risers, or that rises more than 30 inches, must have at least one handrail. Short flights below that threshold are not required to have one under this rule.

Question 32Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

Which practice is acceptable when an employee is climbing or working on a portable ladder?

  1. Moving the ladder sideways while a worker is standing on it
  2. Standing on the top step of a stepladder to reach higher
  3. Tying two short ladders together to gain extra height
  4. Climbing while facing the ladder and holding its side rails Correct answer.

Explanation

Employees must climb facing the ladder and use the side rails or rungs as intended. Ladders must never be moved, shifted or extended while an employee is on them.

Question 33Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

Where must the midrail of a guardrail system be installed?

  1. At the walking surface as a toe board
  2. Exactly 36 inches above the surface
  3. Midway between the top rail and the walking surface Correct answer.
  4. On top of the top rail

Explanation

A midrail is installed midway between the top edge of the guardrail and the walking-working surface; on a standard 42-inch guardrail this places it about 21 inches up. The midrail closes the gap so a worker cannot slide under the top rail.

Question 34Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

How far should the base of a 20-foot non-self-supporting extension ladder be set out from the wall it leans against?

  1. 8 feet (2.4 m)
  2. 10 feet (3 m)
  3. 2 feet (0.6 m)
  4. 5 feet (1.5 m) Correct answer.

Explanation

Non-self-supporting ladders are set at roughly a 4:1 ratio, so the base is one-quarter of the working length away from the upper support. One-quarter of 20 feet is 5 feet.

Question 35Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

A portable ladder is used to climb onto a roof. How far must the ladder extend above the landing surface?

  1. 1 foot (0.3 m)
  2. 3 feet (0.9 m) Correct answer.
  3. It may stop flush with the landing
  4. 5 feet (1.5 m)

Explanation

A ladder used to access an upper landing must extend at least 3 feet above that landing so the climber has a handhold while stepping on and off. A ladder that stops flush with the roof gives nothing to grip.

Question 36Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

A floor opening is protected with a plywood cover. What must be true of that cover?

  1. It must be painted with yellow and black diagonal stripes
  2. It must be taken off whenever employees are working nearby
  3. It must hold twice the intended load and be marked 'HOLE' or 'COVER' Correct answer.
  4. It must be fastened with at least eight nails or screws

Explanation

Hole covers must support at least twice the weight of the employees, equipment and materials that could be placed on them, and must be marked with the word 'HOLE' or 'COVER'. They must also be secured against displacement.

Question 37Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

What is the minimum anchorage strength required for a personal fall arrest system, per attached employee?

  1. 3,000 pounds (13.3 kN)
  2. 2,500 pounds (11.1 kN)
  3. 1,000 pounds (4.4 kN)
  4. 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) Correct answer.

Explanation

Anchorages used for personal fall arrest must be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds per employee attached, or be designed by a qualified person as part of a complete system with a safety factor of at least two.

Question 38Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

What are the maximum riser height and minimum tread depth for a standard stairway?

  1. 6-inch riser; 10-inch tread
  2. 7-inch riser; 11-inch tread Correct answer.
  3. 9-inch riser; 9-inch tread
  4. 8-inch riser; 12-inch tread

Explanation

Standard stairway risers must be no more than 7 inches high and treads at least 11 inches deep, with riser and tread dimensions kept uniform throughout the flight. Uniformity prevents missteps caused by unexpected changes in step geometry.

Question 39Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

At what height above the stair treads must handrails be installed?

  1. 42 to 45 inches (107 to 114 cm)
  2. 38 to 42 inches (97 to 107 cm)
  3. 30 to 38 inches (76 to 97 cm) Correct answer.
  4. 24 to 30 inches (61 to 76 cm)

Explanation

Handrails must be between 30 and 38 inches high, measured vertically from the stair tread nosing. This range fits most users so the rail can be gripped comfortably for support.

Question 40Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

A guardrail system used as fall protection must be able to withstand what minimum force applied to its top rail?

  1. 50 pounds (222 N)
  2. 500 pounds (2,224 N)
  3. 100 pounds (445 N)
  4. 200 pounds (890 N) Correct answer.

Explanation

Guardrail systems must withstand a force of at least 200 pounds applied in an outward or downward direction near the top edge, without failing or deflecting beyond the allowed limits. This ensures the rail can stop a worker who leans or falls against it.

Question 41Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

When an employee needs personal fall arrest protection, what body-wearable component must the system use?

  1. A full-body harness Correct answer.
  2. A chest strap with a single shoulder loop
  3. A waist belt fitted with a rope grab
  4. A body belt worn around the waist

Explanation

Fall arrest must be accomplished with a full-body harness, which spreads arresting forces across the torso and thighs. Body belts are prohibited for fall arrest because they concentrate that force on the waist and can cause serious injury.

Question 42Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

At what depth must employees working at the edge of an excavation be protected from falling?

  1. 8 feet (2.4 m)
  2. 4 feet (1.2 m)
  3. 10 feet (3 m)
  4. 6 feet (1.8 m) Correct answer.

Explanation

Employees at the edge of an excavation 6 feet or more deep must be protected from falling by a guardrail system, fence or barricade. The deeper threshold reflects the more serious consequences of a fall into an open cut.

Question 43Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

Employees work on a platform 3 feet above machinery with exposed moving parts. What does OSHA require?

  1. Fall protection only when the machinery is running
  2. Only a warning sign posted at the platform edge
  3. Protection by a guardrail system or a travel restraint system Correct answer.
  4. Nothing, because the platform is below 4 feet

Explanation

Where employees are exposed to dangerous equipment such as machinery with moving parts, protection is required even at heights below the normal 4-foot trigger. At these lower heights a guardrail system or travel restraint system must be provided.

Question 44Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

Which circumstance requires an employer to retrain an employee on fall protection?

  1. Every six months, on a fixed schedule
  2. When the employee shows they no longer understand the training Correct answer.
  3. Whenever a new supervisor is assigned to the crew
  4. Only after an injury that must be recorded

Explanation

Retraining is required when changes in the workplace make earlier training obsolete, when an employee's conduct shows the training was not understood, or when the employee otherwise lacks the required knowledge. There is no fixed calendar interval for retraining in the rule.

Question 45Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

How must a portable dockboard be held in position while it is in use at a loading dock?

  1. By having a worker stand on the dock end
  2. By spreading sand under its underside
  3. By placing a pallet against its outer edge
  4. By anchoring it or using devices that prevent slipping Correct answer.

Explanation

Portable dockboards must be secured in position, either by anchoring them or by using devices that prevent slipping, so they cannot shift as loads cross them. They also need handholds or another effective means for safe handling.

Question 46Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

A fixed ladder installed in 2020 rises 30 feet to a roof. What fall protection must be provided to employees climbing it?

  1. A well built around the ladder
  2. No protection, because the climb is under 50 feet
  3. A cage enclosing the ladder
  4. A ladder safety system or personal fall arrest system Correct answer.

Explanation

Fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet above a lower level must be equipped with a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system. For ladders installed after November 19, 2018, cages and wells are no longer accepted as the required protection.

Question 47Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

What is the maximum arresting force a personal fall arrest system may impose on an employee wearing a full-body harness?

  1. 2,500 pounds (11 kN)
  2. 5,000 pounds (22 kN)
  3. 1,800 pounds (8 kN) Correct answer.
  4. 900 pounds (4 kN)

Explanation

Personal fall arrest systems must limit the maximum arresting force on the body to 1,800 pounds when a full-body harness is used. The harness distributes that force across strong parts of the body, unlike a belt.

Question 48Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

What is the greatest deceleration distance a personal fall arrest system is allowed to produce?

  1. 1.5 feet (0.5 m)
  2. 3.5 feet (1.1 m) Correct answer.
  3. 2.5 feet (0.8 m)
  4. 5 feet (1.5 m)

Explanation

A personal fall arrest system must bring a fall to a stop within a deceleration distance of 3.5 feet or less. That limit, combined with the free-fall and harness stretch allowances, determines how much clearance must exist below the work surface.

Question 49Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

What is the minimum height of a toe board installed on a guardrail system?

  1. 3 inches (7.6 cm)
  2. 4 inches (10 cm)
  3. 2 inches (5 cm)
  4. 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) Correct answer.

Explanation

Toe boards must be at least 3.5 inches high from the top edge to the level of the walking-working surface, and are mounted no more than one-quarter inch above it. They keep tools and materials from being kicked off an elevated surface.

Question 50Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

What is the minimum clear length required for the rungs of a fixed ladder?

  1. 12 inches (30 cm)
  2. 16 inches (41 cm) Correct answer.
  3. 18 inches (46 cm)
  4. 11.5 inches (29 cm)

Explanation

Rungs on fixed ladders must have a clear length of at least 16 inches so a climber's foot has adequate support. Fixed ladders must also be designed to carry two loads of 250 pounds each.