CBT - Certified Broadcast Technologist Safety Standards and Practices Questions and Answers Flashcards

A technician is tasked with performing maintenance on a high-power FM antenna. Before ascending the tower, which of the following is the most critical safety procedure to perform?

Answer: Ensure the transmitter is de-energized and a lockout/tagout (LOTO) device is applied to the main circuit breaker.

The most critical safety step is to completely de-energize the transmitter and apply a lockout/tagout (LOTO) device. This physically prevents the equipment from being turned on accidentally, which could expose the technician to lethal voltages and extremely dangerous levels of RF radiation. While other options are good practices, only LOTO ensures the energy source is controlled.

FCC OET Bulletin 65 and its supplements provide guidelines for broadcast stations primarily to:

Answer: Evaluate compliance with Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits for human exposure to RF fields.

OET Bulletin 65 is the FCC's primary guidance document for helping stations evaluate whether their facilities comply with the FCC's safety limits for human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. It provides methods for calculating or measuring RF fields to ensure they do not exceed the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits for both the general public and occupational personnel.

While working in a transmitter room, a technician notices smoke and a small fire originating from inside a high-voltage power supply rack that is still energized. Which class of fire extinguisher is appropriate for this situation?

Answer: Class C

Class C fire extinguishers are designed for use on fires involving energized electrical equipment. They use a non-conductive agent, such as carbon dioxide or a dry chemical, that will not create a shock hazard for the operator. Using a Class A (water-based) extinguisher would be extremely dangerous due to the risk of electrocution.

When performing maintenance on a large lead-acid battery bank used for a station's UPS system, what minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to protect against the primary chemical hazard?

Answer: Acid-resistant gloves and safety goggles or a face shield.

Lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid, which is extremely corrosive. The primary chemical hazard is an acid splash, which can cause severe burns to the skin and eyes. Therefore, wearing acid-resistant gloves and chemical splash goggles or a full face shield is the minimum essential PPE for this task.

Which of the following is a primary purpose of the OSHA Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard (29 CFR 1910.147)?

Answer: To prevent the unexpected startup or release of stored energy during equipment servicing.

The OSHA Lockout/Tagout standard is specifically designed to protect workers by preventing the unexpected energization, start-up, or release of stored energy from machines and equipment during service or maintenance activities. It requires that energy sources be isolated and rendered inoperative before work begins.

A technician must work on equipment near the base of a high-power broadcast tower on a winter day. Besides being aware of RF fields, what is a critical physical hazard for which the technician must wear a hard hat?

Answer: Falling ice or equipment from the tower structure.

Broadcast towers can accumulate significant amounts of ice in winter, which can break off and fall, posing a serious impact hazard to anyone below. Similarly, tools or hardware could be accidentally dropped by climbers. Therefore, wearing a hard hat is a critical safety measure for protecting ground personnel from falling objects.