ASP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ASP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Under OSHA's Emergency Action Plan standard (29 CFR 1910.38), which element is NOT required in a written plan? → A detailed cost-benefit analysis of emergency equipment
2. Under the Clean Air Act, what is a 'criteria pollutant'? → One of six common air pollutants with National Ambient Air Quality Standards
3. What is the primary health concern associated with prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline silica? → Silicosis and increased risk of lung cancer
4. What is the primary objective of conducting an incident investigation? → To identify root causes and prevent recurrence
5. Which OSHA standard governs electrical safety-related work practices for general industry? → 29 CFR 1910.331–.335
6. What is OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) for carbon monoxide (CO) in general industry? → 50 ppm TWA
7. What does the term 'cradle-to-grave' mean in hazardous waste management? → Tracking waste from generation through final disposal
8. What is the concept of 'risk appetite' in organizational risk management? → The level of risk an organization is willing to accept in pursuit of its objectives
9. What is the purpose of a fire damper in an HVAC system? → To prevent the spread of fire and smoke through ductwork
10. What is the purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)? → To provide information about the hazards of chemicals and safe handling practices
11. When performing a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), what is the correct sequence of steps? → Prioritize jobs, break the job into steps, identify hazards, recommend controls.
12. Which fall protection system uses a rope or cable to prevent a worker from reaching a fall hazard rather than stopping a fall? → Travel Restraint System
13. What type of ventilation system captures contaminants at or near their source before they enter the worker's breathing zone? → Local exhaust ventilation
14. According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following is considered the MOST effective method for controlling a workplace hazard? → Physically removing the hazard from the workplace
15. What is the role of safety posters and signage in the workplace? → To provide visual reminders and reinforce safety practices and procedures
16. Which GHS pictogram indicates acute toxicity at categories 1–3 (fatal or toxic)? → Skull and crossbones
17. Under RCRA, which characteristic does NOT classify a solid waste as hazardous? → Biodegradability
18. What is the '5 Whys' technique in root cause analysis? → Repeatedly asking 'why' about each answer to drill down from symptoms to root causes
19. What maximum slope ratio does OSHA require for a Type C soil excavation to prevent cave-in? → 1½:1 (34°)
20. What is heat stress and which index is commonly used to evaluate it in workplaces? → Excessive heat burden on the body; Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)
21. What is the maximum on-site hazardous waste accumulation time allowed for a Large Quantity Generator (LQG)? → 90 days
22. What is the primary purpose of a fire protection impairment program? → To manage situations when fire protection systems are temporarily out of service
23. Which environmental regulatory program requires facilities to report extremely hazardous substance inventories to local emergency planning committees? → EPCRA Sections 311-312
24. What does a fire watch involve? → Assigning trained personnel to continuously monitor for fire hazards during hot work
25. Which route of chemical exposure is most commonly overlooked in industrial settings? → Dermal absorption
26. What type of evidence should be collected first at an incident scene? → Perishable or transient evidence that may change or disappear
27. What does the acronym SDS stand for in chemical safety, replacing the older MSDS? → Safety Data Sheet
28. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652, what minimum trench depth requires a protective system such as sloping, shoring, or shielding? → 5 feet
29. According to OSHA, which of the following is NOT an acceptable method to protect employees from electrical shock when working near overhead power lines? → Relying solely on verbal warnings from a spotter without any physical barriers
30. Which federal law established the Superfund program for cleaning up contaminated sites? → CERCLA