ASF Risk Management & Mitigation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A technician discovers that a dishwasher's door latch is broken and the machine will run without the door fully closed. What type of risk does this present?
- Noise risk only
- Water damage and potential electrical shock risk (Correct answer)
- Cosmetic risk with no functional impact
- Warranty risk for the manufacturer only
Correct answer: Water damage and potential electrical shock risk
A faulty door latch can allow water to escape during operation, creating water damage and an electrical shock hazard near live components.
Question 2: When documenting a service call where a safety hazard was identified but the customer declined repair, what is the technician's BEST course of action?
- Complete the repair anyway without the customer's consent
- Do nothing and close the ticket as resolved
- Document the hazard in writing and have the customer sign an informed refusal form (Correct answer)
- Report the customer to local authorities immediately
Correct answer: Document the hazard in writing and have the customer sign an informed refusal form
Written documentation of an identified hazard and a signed refusal protects both the technician and the company from liability if an incident occurs.
Question 3: Which hazard is MOST commonly associated with servicing older refrigerators that still use CFC-based refrigerants?
- Explosion risk from high-pressure refrigerant
- Environmental damage from ozone-depleting substances (Correct answer)
- Electrical arc flash from the compressor relay
- Carbon monoxide poisoning from the condenser coil
Correct answer: Environmental damage from ozone-depleting substances
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are ozone-depleting substances regulated under EPA Section 608, making improper release an environmental and legal risk.
Question 4: A technician finds that a microwave oven's door interlock switches are not functioning correctly. What is the risk if this is not repaired?
- The microwave will only operate at reduced power
- Microwave radiation could be emitted with the door open (Correct answer)
- The turntable motor will burn out prematurely
- The control panel will display error codes continuously
Correct answer: Microwave radiation could be emitted with the door open
Door interlock switches prevent microwave energy from being emitted when the door is open; failure can expose users to harmful radiation.
Question 5: In the context of appliance service, what does 'inherent risk' refer to?
- Risks created by improper repair techniques
- Risks that exist in the appliance or task regardless of precautions taken (Correct answer)
- Risks introduced by using aftermarket parts
- Risks documented in the customer complaint
Correct answer: Risks that exist in the appliance or task regardless of precautions taken
Inherent risk is the baseline danger present in an appliance or task before any controls or precautions are applied.
Question 6: A service technician is asked to repair a gas dryer in a home where the customer mentions they smell a faint gas odor. What should the technician do FIRST?
- Begin the diagnostic process to locate the leak
- Ventilate the area by opening windows, do not operate any switches, and evacuate (Correct answer)
- Light a match near fittings to check for the leak source
- Turn off the dryer at the power switch and continue inspection
Correct answer: Ventilate the area by opening windows, do not operate any switches, and evacuate
Gas odor indicates a potential leak; evacuating, ventilating, and avoiding any ignition source is the correct emergency response before any diagnostic work.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure in appliance servicing?
- To log entry and exit times for billing accuracy
- To ensure an appliance cannot be energized while a technician is working on it (Correct answer)
- To lock the appliance in a diagnostic mode for testing
- To tag appliances that need follow-up visits
Correct answer: To ensure an appliance cannot be energized while a technician is working on it
LOTO procedures physically prevent an appliance from being accidentally energized during service, protecting the technician from electrical shock or injury.
ASF Risk Management & Mitigation 3
A technician discovers that a dishwasher's door latch is broken and the machine will run without the door fully closed.
What type of risk does this present?