CAT Safety Procedures & PPE 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When working in a confined space such as an attic during a security system installation, which hazard must be assessed FIRST before entry?
- Noise levels
- Oxygen deficiency or toxic atmosphere (Correct answer)
- Lighting conditions
- Trip hazards on the floor
Correct answer: Oxygen deficiency or toxic atmosphere
Oxygen deficiency or toxic atmosphere is the primary life-safety hazard in confined spaces and must be assessed before any worker enters.
Question 2: An alarm technician is drilling through a wall and the drill bit contacts an energized wire. What class of fire extinguisher is appropriate if a fire starts?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class C
Class C extinguishers are rated for energized electrical equipment fires and use non-conductive agents.
Question 3: Which OSHA standard specifically governs the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) that alarm technicians must follow when servicing equipment?
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.303
- 29 CFR 1910.132
- 29 CFR 1926.50
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.147
29 CFR 1910.147 is the OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy standard requiring lockout/tagout procedures before servicing equipment.
Question 4: A technician notices that a co-worker's safety harness has a frayed lanyard. What is the correct action?
- Continue using it if the fray is minor
- Tape over the frayed section and continue
- Remove it from service immediately and tag it out (Correct answer)
- Use it only for work below 4 feet
Correct answer: Remove it from service immediately and tag it out
Any damaged fall protection equipment must be immediately removed from service and tagged out to prevent use by other workers.
Question 5: What is the minimum approach distance from unguarded energized parts operating at 50–300 volts that an unqualified person must maintain?
- Any distance is safe with rubber gloves
- Avoid contact — no specific distance required (Correct answer)
- At least 3 feet
- At least 10 feet
Correct answer: Avoid contact — no specific distance required
For voltages up to 300V, NFPA 70E requires unqualified persons to avoid contact; they should not approach without an electrically qualified person present.
Question 6: Which type of glove provides the BEST protection when terminating low-voltage alarm wiring on a panel that is still energized?
- Leather work gloves
- Latex exam gloves
- Insulated electrical gloves rated for the voltage (Correct answer)
- Cut-resistant gloves
Correct answer: Insulated electrical gloves rated for the voltage
Only insulated electrical gloves rated for the working voltage provide adequate protection against electric shock during energized work.
Question 7: During an installation in a commercial building, a technician must access a ceiling space that contains spray-applied asbestos fireproofing. What must occur before work begins?
- Wear a standard dust mask and proceed
- Notify the building owner and stop work until an asbestos abatement professional evaluates the hazard (Correct answer)
- Wet down the material to keep dust down and continue
- Work quickly to minimize exposure time
Correct answer: Notify the building owner and stop work until an asbestos abatement professional evaluates the hazard
Suspected asbestos-containing materials require work stoppage and evaluation by a qualified asbestos professional before any disturbance.
CAT Safety Procedures & PPE 2
When working in a confined space such as an attic during a security system installation, which hazard must be assessed FIRST before entry?