BGE Safety Procedures & PPE 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When working near energized overhead power lines, what is the minimum approach distance for unqualified workers?
- 3 feet
- 5 feet
- 10 feet (Correct answer)
- 25 feet
Correct answer: 10 feet
OSHA requires unqualified workers to stay at least 10 feet away from energized overhead power lines up to 50kV.
Question 2: Which class of hard hat provides the highest level of electrical protection?
- Class A
- Class B (Correct answer)
- Class C
- Class D
Correct answer: Class B
Class B hard hats are tested to withstand 20,000 volts and are required for electrical utility work.
Question 3: A BGE technician must enter a confined space with an oxygen level of 18.5%. What action should be taken?
- Enter with a respirator
- Enter only with a buddy
- Do not enter until ventilated to safe levels (Correct answer)
- Enter briefly to assess conditions
Correct answer: Do not enter until ventilated to safe levels
Safe oxygen levels range from 19.5% to 23.5%; below 19.5% the space must be ventilated before entry.
Question 4: What does a red tag on equipment indicate in BGE's lockout/tagout program?
- Equipment is ready for service
- Equipment requires routine maintenance
- Equipment is out of service and must not be operated (Correct answer)
- Equipment needs an inspection only
Correct answer: Equipment is out of service and must not be operated
Red tags signal a danger condition — the equipment is unsafe and must remain de-energized until cleared.
Question 5: Which type of glove is required when handling gas pipe fittings coated with joint compound solvents?
- Leather work gloves
- Chemical-resistant nitrile gloves (Correct answer)
- Cotton inspection gloves
- Rubber electrical insulating gloves
Correct answer: Chemical-resistant nitrile gloves
Nitrile gloves resist petroleum-based solvents and pipe dope compounds used in natural gas piping.
Question 6: During an excavation job, a BGE crew discovers an unmarked utility line. What is the correct immediate action?
- Continue digging carefully by hand
- Stop all digging and call 811 for re-marking (Correct answer)
- Mark the line and continue mechanically
- Report it at end of shift
Correct answer: Stop all digging and call 811 for re-marking
Work must stop immediately and 811 must be contacted to identify and re-mark the unmarked utility.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of using a gas detector before opening a meter set in an enclosed space?
- To verify the meter is reading correctly
- To detect combustible gas concentrations before creating an ignition risk (Correct answer)
- To calibrate the pressure regulator
- To satisfy billing accuracy requirements
Correct answer: To detect combustible gas concentrations before creating an ignition risk
Gas detectors identify explosive concentrations of natural gas before any spark-producing work begins.
BGE Safety Procedures & PPE 2
When working near energized overhead power lines, what is the minimum approach distance for unqualified workers?