Risk Management & Mitigation Flashcards
7 cards from real ASCS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Risk Management & Mitigation flashcards as text
A technician discovers standing water inside a supply air duct during an inspection. What is the MOST appropriate initial risk mitigation step?
Answer: Document the finding, identify the moisture source, and recommend remediation before cleaning
Standing water indicates an active moisture intrusion problem that must be sourced and corrected before cleaning to prevent recontamination and mold growth.
Which type of risk assessment tool uses a grid to plot the probability of a hazard against its potential severity?
Answer: Risk matrix
A risk matrix plots likelihood versus consequence to help prioritize which risks require immediate mitigation action.
When cleaning HVAC systems in a hospital, which patient area classification presents the HIGHEST biological risk requiring the most stringent containment?
Answer: Operating rooms and immunocompromised patient suites
Operating rooms and areas housing immunocompromised patients are the most vulnerable environments, requiring maximum containment to prevent airborne pathogen exposure.
A risk residual is best defined as:
Answer: The level of risk that remains after all mitigation measures have been implemented
Residual risk is what remains after controls are in place, and it must be deemed acceptable before work proceeds.
An ASCS technician notices significant visible mold inside a commercial air handling unit. Under NADCA standards, what is the correct course of action?
Answer: Stop work, notify the client, and recommend a licensed mold remediation contractor
NADCA ACR 2021 requires that visible mold contamination be referred to a qualified remediation contractor before HVAC cleaning proceeds.
Which engineering control BEST reduces the risk of cross-contaminating clean areas when cleaning a return air duct system?
Answer: Establishing negative air pressure in the duct system during cleaning
Negative air pressure contains dislodged contaminants within the duct system, preventing them from escaping into occupied spaces.
Which document specifically outlines the hierarchy of controls that ASCS professionals should apply when addressing HVAC system hazards?
Answer: NADCA ACR 2021 Assessment, Cleaning, and Restoration of HVAC Systems
NADCA ACR 2021 is the primary standard governing HVAC cleaning practices, including risk assessment and the application of hazard controls.