I85PREP
⌘ K
GMAW NC II study materials
GMAW NC II study resources

GMAW NC II practice questions

One question at a time. Build your GMAW NC II understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Before striking an arc in a GMAW booth, what is the primary purpose of checking that the exhaust hood is running and positioned over the work area?

  1. To reduce the noise level of the wire feeder so conversation is possible in the shop
  2. To capture welding fume and shielding-gas breakdown products near their source before they reach the welder's breathing zone Correct answer.
  3. To cool the welding gun and cable so the contact tip does not overheat during long passes
  4. To keep the shielding gas cylinder at a stable temperature during duty cycles

Explanation

Local exhaust ventilation is the first line of fume control in GMAW because the arc generates metal-oxide fume and ozone, especially on stainless and aluminum. Capturing contaminants at the source keeps them out of the breathing zone regardless of general shop ventilation. Hood position and airflow matter as much as the fan running, so the check covers both.

Question 2Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder must enter a confined space to repair a tank. Which condition must be satisfied before GMAW is started inside?

  1. The space has been tested for oxygen and flammable gas and an attendant is stationed outside Correct answer.
  2. The welder has attached a personal fume extractor to the gun nozzle
  3. The welding machine has been set to the lowest amperage range available
  4. The gas cylinder has been placed inside the tank for a shorter hose run

Explanation

Confined-space entry requires atmospheric testing and a trained attendant outside the space under a permit system. Shielding gas such as argon or CO2 can displace oxygen and cause rapid asphyxiation in an enclosed volume. Welding must not begin until the atmosphere is verified safe and rescue arrangements exist.

Question 3Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

What is the correct action when a shielding gas cylinder is found without its valve protection cap while being moved on a hand truck?

  1. Lay the cylinder horizontally on the truck to protect the valve from impact
  2. Tape a rag over the valve outlet to cushion it during transport
  3. Continue the move quickly because the trip is short and the cylinder is nearly empty
  4. Fit the cap or use a cylinder cart that secures the valve before continuing the move Correct answer.

Explanation

The valve cap protects the valve stem from impact that could shear it and turn the cylinder into a projectile. Cylinders should be moved with the cap fitted or in a proper cart that guards the valve. A damaged valve on a pressurized cylinder is a serious struck-by and release hazard.

Question 4Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Why must a GMAW work return cable be clamped directly to the workpiece rather than to a painted or rusty bench frame?

  1. It prevents the wire feeder from feeding wire at an inconsistent speed
  2. It improves the appearance of the finished weld bead by stabilizing arc length
  3. A poor return connection raises resistance, causing heat, voltage drop, and stray current paths Correct answer.
  4. It keeps the shielding gas from escaping through the work clamp

Explanation

The work return must complete the circuit with low resistance close to the arc. Clamping to painted, oily, or rusty metal creates a high-resistance joint that heats up and can force current through bearings, slings, or building steel. That stray current path is a fire and shock hazard.

Question 5Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder notices the smell of hot plastic and sees discoloration on the gun cable connector during a production run. What is the safest immediate response?

  1. Increase the shielding gas flow to cool the connector
  2. Stop welding, de-energize the machine, and inspect the connection for loose or damaged conductors Correct answer.
  3. Wrap the connector with electrical tape and finish the current shift
  4. Continue welding but reduce the wire feed speed until the smell fades

Explanation

Overheating at a connector signals loose terminations or damaged conductors, which can escalate to arcing, fire, or shock. The equipment must be de-energized and inspected or repaired before further use. Continuing to weld masks a developing failure.

Question 6Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Which PPE combination is the minimum appropriate set for routine GMAW on mild steel in a shop?

  1. Safety glasses, short-sleeve shirt, cotton gloves, and a bump cap
  2. Face shield, rubber apron, latex gloves, and ear plugs
  3. Welding helmet with proper shade, flame-resistant clothing, leather gloves, and safety glasses under the hood Correct answer.
  4. Sunglasses, cotton coveralls, nitrile gloves, and a dust mask

Explanation

GMAW requires eye and face protection against UV and infrared radiation, skin coverage against spatter and arc burn, and hand protection from leather gloves. Safety glasses worn under the helmet protect the eyes during chipping and inspection when the hood is raised. Cotton and other untreated fabrics are not adequate arc protection.

Question 7Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Why is a welding helmet with an auto-darkening filter still worn with the lens in the down position while the welder positions the gun and triggers the arc?

  1. The helmet is required mainly to keep spatter out of the hair and ears
  2. Arc radiation begins at arc initiation, so the eyes must be shielded before the arc is struck Correct answer.
  3. The filter only darkens after several seconds of continuous welding
  4. The lens protects the face from the shielding gas stream

Explanation

UV and infrared radiation are emitted the instant the arc starts, before visible brightness is obvious. Auto-darkening filters switch quickly but the hood must already be in place to shield the eyes. Lowering the hood after triggering exposes the eyes to the most intense start-up radiation.

Question 8Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

What is the correct shade lens guidance for a welder running GMAW at about 200 A?

  1. A darker shade in the range around shade 11 to 12 for that current level Correct answer.
  2. No filter is needed if the welder wears safety glasses
  3. Shade 8, because auto-darkening helmets cannot go darker
  4. Shade 4, because GMAW produces less UV than other processes

Explanation

Filter shade is selected by welding current and process, and higher currents require darker shades. At roughly 200 A, GMAW falls in the shade 11 to 12 band in standard guidance. Using too light a shade allows cumulative eye damage and arc flash.

Question 9Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder is welding galvanized steel and notices a white powdery deposit and a sweetish metallic odor. What does this indicate and what should be done?

  1. The shielding gas is contaminated; increase the flow rate and continue
  2. The wire is wet; switch spools and keep welding in the same position
  3. The contact tip is worn; replace it and resume without other changes
  4. Zinc oxide fume is being generated; move to better extraction and keep the head out of the plume Correct answer.

Explanation

Welding galvanized steel vaporizes zinc, producing zinc oxide fume that can cause metal fume fever. The white deposit and characteristic odor are indicators of that fume. Control requires effective extraction and keeping the breathing zone out of the plume, not simply continuing.

Question 10Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Which practice best protects nearby workers when a GMAW station has only general shop ventilation?

  1. Ask nearby workers to wear sunglasses while welding is in progress
  2. Have helpers stand directly behind the welder to watch the arc
  3. Increase the welding current so the arc is brighter and more visible to others
  4. Erect welding screens and keep others outside the fume zone, adding local extraction where possible Correct answer.

Explanation

Bystanders are exposed to arc radiation and fume even when not welding. Screens block the arc flash, and keeping people out of the fume zone limits their exposure until local extraction is available. General ventilation alone rarely controls fume at the source.

Question 11Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

In a 5S program applied to a welding bay, which action corresponds to the 'Seiton' (set in order) step?

  1. Discarding broken clamps and expired spools that are no longer used
  2. Writing a weekly audit checklist for the supervisor to sign
  3. Assigning marked locations for the gun, chipping hammer, and spool so each is returned to a fixed place Correct answer.
  4. Sweeping spatter and grinding dust from the floor at the end of shift

Explanation

Seiton means arranging needed items so their place is obvious and consistently used, which is what marked, dedicated locations accomplish. Removing unneeded items is Seiri (sort), and cleaning is Seiso (shine). Audits and standardization belong to later steps.

Question 12Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Why should spatter and grinding dust be cleared from walkways around a GMAW bay rather than only at the end of the week?

  1. Metal dust and spatter make floors slippery and can ignite, so frequent removal prevents slips and fires Correct answer.
  2. Weekly cleaning is required by the wire manufacturer's warranty terms
  3. Grinding dust neutralizes shielding gas leaks in the area
  4. Spatter on the floor improves traction for workers wearing leather boots

Explanation

Fine metal dust is both a slip hazard and a combustible material that hot spatter can ignite. Housekeeping during the shift, not just weekly, keeps walkways safe and removes fuel from the work area. Accumulated dust also migrates into equipment and breathing zones.

Question 13Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A hot work permit is required before GMAW in an area with combustible materials. Which control is expected under that permit?

  1. A minimum of two welders present at all times during the job
  2. Written approval from the wire feeder manufacturer before welding begins
  3. A fire watch during welding and for a period after completion, with suitable extinguishing equipment on hand Correct answer.
  4. Removal of all shielding gas cylinders from the building before the arc is struck

Explanation

Hot work permits require removing or protecting combustibles, having firefighting equipment ready, and maintaining a fire watch during and after the work. The post-work watch catches smoldering fires that can start after the welder leaves. Cylinders and personnel counts are not the defining permit controls.

Question 14Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

What is the main hazard of using a CO2 shielding gas cylinder in a small, poorly ventilated welding room?

  1. The gas is flammable and can ignite from the arc
  2. The gas raises oxygen levels and increases fire severity
  3. The gas reacts with steel to form toxic phosphine
  4. Leaking gas can accumulate and displace oxygen, creating an asphyxiation risk Correct answer.

Explanation

CO2 and argon are asphyxiants that displace oxygen in low, enclosed spaces because they are denser than air. A leaking cylinder or regulator in a small room can reduce oxygen below safe levels without warning. Flammability is not the concern for these shielding gases.

Question 15Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Why must shielding gas cylinders be stored upright and secured with a chain or strap?

  1. The chain keeps the cylinder warm enough to maintain flow rate
  2. An unsecured cylinder can fall, shear its valve, and rocket under pressure Correct answer.
  3. Upright storage keeps the gas from condensing into a liquid that ruins the weld
  4. Securing the cylinder prevents static electricity from building on the regulator

Explanation

A pressurized cylinder whose valve is sheared becomes an uncontrolled projectile with enormous force. Upright, secured storage prevents tipping and protects the valve from impact. The chain or strap is a mechanical restraint, not a thermal or electrical control.

Question 16Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder's gloves become damp with sweat and a small hole exposes the skin. Why is this a serious shock risk in GMAW?

  1. Damp gloves increase the shielding gas flow and destabilize the arc
  2. Wet leather becomes a conductor that improves the work return connection
  3. Moisture lowers skin resistance, so even low welding voltages can drive dangerous current through the body Correct answer.
  4. Sweat reacts with the wire to produce flammable hydrogen during welding

Explanation

GMAW open-circuit voltage is typically in the tens of volts, which is hazardous when skin resistance drops. Sweat-soaked gloves with a hole create a low-resistance path to the body. Damaged or wet gloves must be replaced before welding continues.

Question 17Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Which is the correct way to open a shielding gas cylinder valve before attaching a regulator?

  1. Stand directly over the valve and look into the outlet to check for blockage
  2. Crack the valve briefly with the outlet pointed away from people to blow out debris Correct answer.
  3. Open the valve fully and quickly to test the pressure with a bare hand
  4. Remove the regulator and leave the valve open between shifts

Explanation

Cracking the valve clears dust and debris that could damage the regulator seat. The outlet must point away from people because a burst of gas and particles can cause injury. Standing over or looking into the outlet exposes the face and eyes to that discharge.

Question 18Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder uses a respirator voluntarily because fume extraction is weak. What must be true for the respirator to be effective?

  1. The filter must be changed only when it visibly turns black
  2. The respirator replaces the need for exhaust ventilation at the arc
  3. It must be fit-tested and selected for the contaminant, and used within a written respiratory protection program Correct answer.
  4. Any dust mask from the hardware store is acceptable if it fits snugly over the nose

Explanation

Respirators only protect when they seal to the face and the filter is rated for the contaminant, which requires fit testing and program controls. Facial hair, poor fit, and wrong filter media defeat the protection. Respiratory protection supplements engineering controls rather than replacing them.

Question 19Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

What is the purpose of a flashback arrestor on a fuel gas line in a shop that also performs GMAW?

  1. It stops a flame from traveling back into the gas supply system Correct answer.
  2. It prevents spatter from sticking to the contact tip
  3. It filters metal fume from the shielding gas before it reaches the arc
  4. It regulates the wire feed speed during welding

Explanation

Flashback arrestors are safety devices that quench a flame front and prevent it from reaching the gas source. They are associated with fuel gas systems, which may share a shop with GMAW operations. They do not filter shielding gas or affect wire feed.

Question 20Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder needs to leave the GMAW machine unattended for a short break. Which action best follows lockout and energy-control principles?

  1. Reduce the voltage to minimum and leave the wire feeder running
  2. Turn off the machine and isolate it so it cannot be energized or feed wire unexpectedly Correct answer.
  3. Leave the machine on but place the gun on the bench with the trigger unlocked
  4. Leave the machine on and ask a nearby worker to watch it

Explanation

Unattended equipment should be de-energized and isolated so no one can start it or be exposed to a live gun. Leaving the gun with an unlocked trigger invites accidental arc or wire feed injury. Lockout principles apply to welding power sources just as to other equipment.

Question 21Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Why is it important to keep the work area free of oily rags and solvent containers when GMAW spatter is present?

  1. Spatter can ignite combustible materials, and some solvents produce flammable or toxic vapors near the arc Correct answer.
  2. Rags and containers block the work return current from reaching the workpiece
  3. Oily rags improve arc stability by adding carbon to the weld pool
  4. Solvent vapors increase the shielding gas flow and improve coverage

Explanation

Hot spatter and the arc can ignite rags, and solvent vapors can flash or break down into toxic compounds in the arc's UV and heat. Combustibles must be removed from the hot work area. Oily rags and solvents are fuels, not welding aids.

Question 22Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

In the 5S method, what does the 'Shitsuke' (sustain) step require of a welding crew?

  1. Making the new housekeeping and organization practices a routine habit through audits and follow-up Correct answer.
  2. Buying new storage cabinets to replace the old ones
  3. Sorting out unneeded tools once at the start of the project
  4. Painting floor lines to mark where the welding machine sits

Explanation

Shitsuke is about sustaining the previous four steps through discipline, audits, and reinforcement so gains do not erode. Sorting once or painting lines are individual actions within earlier steps. Sustainment is the ongoing habit and accountability that keeps the bay organized.

Question 23Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between fume generation and welding parameters in GMAW?

  1. Shielding gas composition has no effect on fume generation
  2. Higher current and higher wire feed rate generally increase fume generation Correct answer.
  3. Fume generation is independent of current and depends only on the base metal
  4. Lower current always produces more fume because the arc is less stable

Explanation

Fume generation rises with current, wire feed rate, and arc energy because more metal is vaporized and condensed into fine particles. Shielding gas composition also influences fume chemistry and amount. Welding at the lowest practical parameters within procedure limits reduces fume.

Question 24Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder is asked to weld on a platform without guardrails. What is the correct response under workplace safety rules?

  1. Refuse to weld until fall protection or guardrails are provided at the work position Correct answer.
  2. Weld quickly and limit the time spent near the edge to reduce exposure
  3. Tie the gun cable to the structure and use it as a fall restraint
  4. Weld while holding the gun with one hand and gripping the structure with the other

Explanation

Work at height requires guardrails, a fall-arrest system, or another engineered fall protection before work begins. Holding on with one hand is not fall protection and also prevents proper torch control. Workers have the right to refuse work that presents an imminent fall hazard.

Question 25Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Which action best demonstrates the 'Seiso' (shine) step specifically for GMAW equipment, as opposed to general floor sweeping?

  1. Labeling the storage location for each spool of wire
  2. Throwing away worn-out gloves at the end of the shift
  3. Posting the 5S audit schedule on the shop board
  4. Cleaning spatter from the nozzle and inspecting the gun, cable, and feeder for damage and buildup Correct answer.

Explanation

Seiso means cleaning and, through cleaning, inspecting equipment for problems such as spatter buildup, cable damage, or blocked gas passages. Cleaning the gun and checking components is a direct application of that step. Disposing of gloves, labeling locations, and posting schedules belong to other steps.

Question 26Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Before starting a GMAW job in a bay that has been used for grinding and cutting, which housekeeping action should be completed first?

  1. Clear combustible dust and debris from the bench and floor around the arc zone Correct answer.
  2. Place the work lead on a painted steel table to improve contact
  3. Open the shielding gas cylinder fully and leave the regulator set at maximum
  4. Wipe the welding gun nozzle with a solvent-soaked rag

Explanation

Grinding dust and cutting debris can ignite from spatter or the arc, so the bay must be cleared before hot work begins. Cleaning the immediate arc zone removes the fuel load that a hot work permit is meant to control. Solvent wiping near an arc adds a fire and fume hazard rather than reducing it.

Question 27Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A GMAW welder is working alone at night in a shop with no local exhaust. Which control most directly reduces the welder's exposure to manganese and iron oxide fume?

  1. Increasing the shielding gas flow rate above the recommended setting
  2. Turning off the shop's general ventilation to avoid drafts
  3. Wearing a powered air-purifying respirator with a welding helmet Correct answer.
  4. Using a larger contact tip to reduce spatter

Explanation

A powered air-purifying respirator filters the fume at the breathing zone and is the most direct personal control when engineering controls are absent. Increasing gas flow dilutes the shielding gas and does not remove fume. Shutting off ventilation lets fume accumulate in the breathing zone.

Question 28Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

In a 5S audit of a GMAW bay, the auditor finds that the wire brush, chipping hammer, and spare contact tips are stored in unmarked bins mixed with unrelated tools. Which 5S step is most directly failing?

  1. Seiri, because the tools are still in the bay
  2. Seiso, because the bins are not cleaned daily
  3. Seiton, because items lack a designated, labelled location Correct answer.
  4. Shitsuke, because the crew has stopped auditing

Explanation

Seiton (set in order) assigns a clear, marked place for each item so it can be found and returned without searching. Mixed unmarked bins show that locations have not been defined. Seiri would apply if unnecessary items were still present, and Seiso concerns cleaning rather than labelling.

Question 29Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder must enter a confined space to repair a GMAW weld on the inside of a tank. Which requirement applies before entry?

  1. An entry permit with atmospheric testing, ventilation, and a standby attendant Correct answer.
  2. Only a dust mask, because GMAW fume is not toxic
  3. A second welder inside the tank to watch for fume
  4. A verbal warning to the nearest coworker on the shop floor

Explanation

Confined spaces can accumulate shielding gas, fume, and oxygen deficiency, so a permit with testing, ventilation, and a standby attendant is required. Argon and CO2 can displace oxygen and cause rapid unconsciousness. A dust mask gives no oxygen or gas protection.

Question 30Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A GMAW power source is being moved to a new bay. Which electrical safety check is essential before it is energised?

  1. Confirm the equipment grounding conductor is intact and connected to the frame Correct answer.
  2. Set the voltage to the lowest tap regardless of the procedure
  3. Wrap the machine in plastic to keep out grinding dust
  4. Verify that the work lead is longer than the electrode lead

Explanation

The frame must be grounded so a fault current returns to the source instead of through the welder. A broken grounding conductor leaves the casing live. Lead length and voltage tap selection do not substitute for grounding.

Question 31Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

During GMAW, a welder notices the arc becoming unstable and a sharp ozone-like smell near the helmet. Which immediate action best addresses a possible shielding gas leak at the gun or hose connection?

  1. Stop welding, isolate the gas supply, and inspect the connection with a soap solution Correct answer.
  2. Increase the current to burn through the contamination
  3. Continue welding and report the smell at the end of the shift
  4. Remove the helmet to smell the connection more clearly

Explanation

A gas leak can displace oxygen and cause poor shielding, so the supply should be isolated and the joint checked with soap solution. Continuing to weld risks exposure and weld defects. Removing the helmet near an arc exposes the eyes and face to radiation.

Question 32Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder is using a 1.2 mm solid wire at high wire-feed speed on mild steel. Which statement best describes how changing to a lower wire-feed speed at the same voltage affects fume generation?

  1. Lower wire-feed speed generally reduces the amount of fume produced per unit time Correct answer.
  2. Wire-feed speed has no measurable effect on fume generation
  3. Lower wire-feed speed increases fume because more metal is transferred per second
  4. Lower wire-feed speed increases fume because the arc becomes longer and hotter

Explanation

Fume generation rises with the rate of metal vaporisation, which increases with current and wire-feed speed. Reducing wire-feed speed at fixed voltage lowers current and deposition rate, so fume per unit time generally falls. Arc length changes with voltage rather than wire-feed speed alone.

Question 33Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welding crew is setting up a GMAW station beside a walkway used by forklifts. Which housekeeping control best prevents trips and collisions?

  1. Keep leads and hoses routed overhead or in a covered crossover and clear of the walkway Correct answer.
  2. Coil the leads in a loose pile at the edge of the walkway
  3. Run the leads across the walkway and rely on forklift drivers to see them
  4. Place a warning cone at each end of the leads without moving them

Explanation

Routing leads overhead or through a crossover removes them from the pedestrian and vehicle path. A loose pile still creates a trip and snag hazard near moving equipment. Cones warn but do not eliminate the obstruction.

Question 34Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

After a GMAW job is finished, hot spatter has landed on the floor near a solvent parts washer. What is the correct housekeeping response?

  1. Sweep the spatter into the parts washer to cool it
  2. Inspect for smouldering material, remove combustible debris, and keep the area clear before leaving Correct answer.
  3. Spray water on the solvent washer to dilute any vapour
  4. Cover the spatter with a rag and leave it until the next shift

Explanation

Hot spatter can smoulder in debris for a long time after welding stops, so the area must be inspected and cleared. Solvent vapours near hot spatter are a fire and explosion risk. Covering the spatter hides the hazard rather than removing it.

Question 35Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

Which item is the minimum eye and face protection for a helper who is chipping slag and grinding near an active GMAW arc but not welding?

  1. No eye protection if the helper stays more than two metres away
  2. A clear plastic face shield alone for all tasks
  3. Safety glasses with side shields plus a face shield for grinding Correct answer.
  4. Sunglasses to reduce arc glare

Explanation

Chipping and grinding generate flying particles, so safety glasses with side shields are the base protection and a face shield is added for grinding. A face shield alone does not seal around the eyes. Sunglasses are not impact-rated and do not filter welding radiation.

Question 36Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder is tacking a part on a steel bench and the work lead is clamped to a painted section of the bench. What is the main safety consequence of this connection?

  1. The weld becomes stronger because current spreads through the paint
  2. The open-circuit voltage falls to a safe level automatically
  3. The circuit resistance rises, which can cause overheating and erratic arc conditions Correct answer.
  4. The shielding gas flow increases and improves coverage

Explanation

Paint is an insulator, so the work lead makes poor contact and the current seeks other paths. That raises resistance at the connection and can overheat the clamp or lead. It also makes the arc unstable and increases the chance of stray current.

Question 37Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A shop uses a 5S board for its GMAW bays. Which action best demonstrates the 'Seiketsu' (standardise) step?

  1. Assigning one person to inspect the bays every morning
  2. Throwing away broken clamps during a one-time clean-up day
  3. Sweeping the floor at the end of each shift
  4. Posting a photographed standard for the correct layout of the gun, leads, and gas cylinder at each bay Correct answer.

Explanation

Seiketsu creates a repeatable standard so the first three S steps stay in place, often using photos and checklists. A posted layout standard lets any welder see what correct looks like. A one-time clean-up is Seiri or Seiso, and daily inspection alone is closer to Shitsuke.

Question 38Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A GMAW welder is asked to work from a mobile scaffold platform that has no guardrail on the open side. What is the correct response?

  1. Wear a dust mask and continue with the job
  2. Do not start work until the platform is fitted with guardrails or the task is otherwise made safe Correct answer.
  3. Proceed if a coworker holds the platform steady
  4. Tie the welding lead to the platform and weld from the lower level

Explanation

Falls are a leading cause of serious injury, and an open platform edge must be guarded before work starts. Holding the platform does not prevent a fall from the open side. Welding from a lower level changes the task and may not be possible or safe.

Question 39Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder must leave a GMAW machine energised while changing a wire spool. Which lockout or energy-control action is appropriate?

  1. Turn the voltage selector to minimum and leave the machine on
  2. Leave the gun trigger taped down to keep the wire feeding
  3. Ask a coworker to watch the machine while the spool is changed
  4. Isolate the power source, lock it out, and verify the electrode is de-energised Correct answer.

Explanation

Changing a spool puts hands near the drive rolls and electrode, so the energy source must be isolated, locked, and verified. Minimum voltage still leaves the machine capable of energising the wire. A coworker watching does not remove stored or accidental energy.

Question 40Workplace safety, health, and housekeeping (OHS, PPE, fume/gas control, 5S)

A welder is using a CO2 cylinder in a small room and the regulator shows normal flow, but the welder becomes short of breath and confused. Which explanation is most consistent with these signs?

  1. The welder is dehydrated and should keep welding until the break
  2. The welder has arc eye and should close their eyes
  3. The shielding gas is too cold and the welder should increase the flow
  4. CO2 has displaced oxygen in the room and the welder needs fresh air and help immediately Correct answer.

Explanation

CO2 is heavier than air and can collect in low areas of a small room, reducing the oxygen available to breathe. Shortness of breath and confusion are signs of oxygen deficiency that require fresh air and emergency help. Increasing gas flow would make the displacement worse.

Question 41Interpretation of welding drawings, symbols, and specifications (WPS, welding symbols, dimensions)

On an AWS welding symbol, what does the tail of the symbol reference line normally contain?

  1. The specification, process, or procedure reference Correct answer.
  2. The electrode classification only
  3. The weld size in millimetres
  4. The number of weld passes required

Explanation

The tail is the optional element at the far end of the reference line, and it is used to cite the governing specification, welding process, or procedure document. Size, length, and pitch information belong on the arrow side or other side of the reference line, not the tail.

Question 42Interpretation of welding drawings, symbols, and specifications (WPS, welding symbols, dimensions)

A fillet weld symbol shows the size 6 to the left of the triangle. What does this mean?

  1. The root gap is 6 mm
  2. The weld throat thickness is 6 mm
  3. The weld length is 6 mm
  4. The weld leg length is 6 mm Correct answer.

Explanation

For fillet welds, the size placed to the left of the weld symbol denotes the leg length of the weld, not the throat. Throat thickness is a derived value obtained by multiplying the leg by 0.707 for a 45-degree fillet.

Question 43Interpretation of welding drawings, symbols, and specifications (WPS, welding symbols, dimensions)

The arrow of a welding symbol points to a line that represents a T-joint, and the weld symbol sits above the reference line. Which side is welded?

  1. Both sides symmetrically
  2. The side opposite the arrow (the other side)
  3. The side the arrow touches (the arrow side) Correct answer.
  4. Neither side; the symbol is only informational

Explanation

The reference line has an arrow side and an other side. A symbol placed above the reference line applies to the arrow side, which is the member the arrow points to. Symbols below the line apply to the other side.

Question 44Interpretation of welding drawings, symbols, and specifications (WPS, welding symbols, dimensions)

According to the ISO 2553 system, a weld symbol drawn with a dashed reference line indicates what?

  1. The weld requires full penetration
  2. The weld is a temporary tack
  3. The weld is made on the arrow side
  4. The weld is made on the side opposite the arrow Correct answer.

Explanation

In the ISO dual-reference-line convention, the solid line represents the arrow side and the dashed line represents the other side. A symbol on the dashed line therefore specifies welding on the side away from the arrow.

Question 45Interpretation of welding drawings, symbols, and specifications (WPS, welding symbols, dimensions)

A drawing dimension reads 250 with a tolerance of plus or minus 2 mm. What range of finished size is acceptable?

  1. 248 mm to 252 mm Correct answer.
  2. 248 mm to 250 mm
  3. 247 mm to 253 mm
  4. 250 mm to 252 mm

Explanation

A symmetric tolerance of plus or minus 2 mm is added to and subtracted from the nominal 250 mm. The acceptable limits are therefore 248 mm minimum and 252 mm maximum.

Question 46Interpretation of welding drawings, symbols, and specifications (WPS, welding symbols, dimensions)

What is the primary purpose of a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)?

  1. To list the cost of consumables per metre
  2. To record the welder's daily production output
  3. To document the qualified variables and parameters for producing a weld Correct answer.
  4. To certify the base metal supplier

Explanation

A WPS is a written, qualified document that lists the essential, supplementary essential, and nonessential variables used to make a production weld to code. It gives the welder the process, consumable, current, voltage, and travel parameters to follow.

Question 47Interpretation of welding drawings, symbols, and specifications (WPS, welding symbols, dimensions)

On a drawing, the abbreviation GMAW in a note refers to which process?

  1. Gas metal arc welding Correct answer.
  2. Gas tungsten arc welding
  3. Flux cored arc welding
  4. Shielded metal arc welding

Explanation

GMAW is the standard abbreviation for gas metal arc welding, the process this qualification covers. The other abbreviations denote different arc welding processes with different consumables and equipment.

Question 48Interpretation of welding drawings, symbols, and specifications (WPS, welding symbols, dimensions)

A drawing note specifies a 3 mm fillet weld with a length of 200 and a pitch of 100. What does the pitch value describe?

  1. The depth of penetration required
  2. The centre-to-centre spacing of intermittent weld segments Correct answer.
  3. The distance from the joint edge to the weld
  4. The length of each individual weld segment

Explanation

For intermittent fillet welds, the length is the length of each welded segment and the pitch is the centre-to-centre distance between successive segments. Pitch therefore controls how far apart the weld increments are spaced.

Question 49Interpretation of welding drawings, symbols, and specifications (WPS, welding symbols, dimensions)

A welding symbol shows a V-shaped groove symbol with the letter S in the tail and an arrow pointing to a butt joint. What does the V symbol specify?

  1. A flare-V groove weld
  2. A single-bevel groove weld
  3. A square groove weld
  4. A single-V groove weld preparation Correct answer.

Explanation

The V-shaped symbol designates a single-V groove weld, meaning both joint members are bevelled to form a V. Square, bevel, and flare-V preparations each use different symbol shapes.

Question 50Interpretation of welding drawings, symbols, and specifications (WPS, welding symbols, dimensions)

A drawing shows a fillet weld symbol with a concave contour symbol and the letter F placed near the weld symbol. What does the F indicate?

  1. The weld is made in the field
  2. The weld is to be finished by machining Correct answer.
  3. The weld is full penetration
  4. The weld is to be flat

Explanation

Contour symbols indicate the final shape of the weld face, and the finishing method letter F specifies that the contour is achieved by machining. Flat, convex, and blended contours use different letters or no letter.