OSHA 500 study plan

Distinguish the four Focus Four hazard categories and rank them by fatality frequency in construction

Explain fall protection trigger heights, duty-to-have and conventional systems under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M

Identify common fall hazards (unprotected edges, floor openings, ladder and scaffold misuse) and the abatement for each

Describe caught-in/between scenarios including trenching and excavation cave-in protections and machine guarding

Differentiate struck-by hazards (falling, flying, swinging, rolling objects) and select controls for each

Explain electrocution and electrical hazard controls: lockout/tagout, GFCI use, clearance distances, and overhead power line approach distances

Solve 8 practice scenarios that require classifying a Focus Four hazard and prescribing the correct citation-level control

Summarize cranes, rigging, and material-handling requirements as they relate to struck-by exposures

Map the major construction health hazards (silica, lead, asbestos, noise, solvents, heat, welding fumes) to their governing Subpart D and Subpart Z provisions

Explain respirable crystalline silica requirements including exposure limits, table-based controls, and medical surveillance triggers

Describe noise monitoring, the hierarchy of hearing controls, and hearing conservation program elements

Outline hazard communication requirements for chemical exposure on a construction site, including SDS access and labeling

Apply the hazard assessment and written certification requirements that drive PPE selection for a construction site

Specify appropriate eye, face, head, hand, foot, and high-visibility protection for a given task list

Explain respiratory protection program elements including fit testing, medical evaluation, and cartridge selection

Evaluate fall arrest system components, inspection criteria, and rescue-plan obligations

Explain OSHA's statutory authority, the general duty clause, and how consensus standards and the CFR are structured for construction

Sequence an OSHA inspection from opening conference through closing conference and describe employer and employee rights at each step

Identify the discrimination and retaliation protections for employees who report hazards or exercise rights

Distinguish the recordkeeping standards from the construction standards so you apply the correct Part to a given problem

Assemble the core elements of a written safety and health program, including management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification, and hazard control

Apply injury and illness recordkeeping criteria to decide which cases are recordable on the OSHA 300 log

Distinguish the timelines for reporting a fatality, an in-patient hospitalization, an amputation, and a loss of an eye

Explain posting, retention, and anti-retaliation requirements that attach to the recordkeeping forms

Re-teach the lowest-scoring subtopics from weeks 1 through 6 using active recall rather than re-reading

Integrate program, recordkeeping, and inspection knowledge into answers that span more than one domain

Build and answer 15 exam-style items that combine a program requirement with an inspection or citation outcome

Correct every remaining gap card and confirm each is answerable from memory

Complete two full-length timed practice exams under test conditions and score each by domain

Diagnose the top three remaining weak areas from the score breakdown and close them within 48 hours

Rehearse the Focus Four, PPE, and health hazard decisions until answer selection is automatic

Finalize a pre-exam checklist covering reference materials, testing logistics, and the standards you will verify during the exam