CHST - Construction Health and Safety Technician Health Hazards and PPE Questions and Answers Flashcards

A construction worker is grinding metal indoors without ventilation. Which combination of PPE is MOST critical to prevent both respiratory and eye hazards?

Answer: Goggles and a PAPR with HEPA filter

Goggles provide better splash and particle protection than glasses, and a PAPR with HEPA filter offers powered air-purifying respiratory protection against metal dust in a poorly ventilated space.

Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62, what is the action level for lead exposure that triggers medical surveillance requirements?

Answer: 30 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA

The OSHA action level for lead in construction is 30 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA, which requires medical surveillance, biological monitoring, and training.

What is the primary purpose of a supplied-air respirator (SAR) compared to an air-purifying respirator (APR)?

Answer: SARs provide breathing air independent of the ambient atmosphere

Supplied-air respirators deliver clean breathing air from an external source, making them suitable for oxygen-deficient or IDLH atmospheres where APRs cannot provide adequate protection.

A worker develops contact dermatitis after repeated exposure to Portland cement. What is the PRIMARY causative agent?

Answer: Hexavalent chromium acting as a sensitizer

Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) present in Portland cement is a known skin sensitizer that causes allergic contact dermatitis with repeated exposure.

During confined-space entry on a construction site, the atmosphere tests at 19.0% oxygen. How should this be classified?

Answer: Oxygen-deficient — entry requires supplied-air or SCBA

OSHA defines an oxygen-deficient atmosphere as less than 19.5% O₂; at 19.0% the space requires supplied-air or SCBA for entry.

Which type of glove material provides the BEST protection against ketone solvents commonly found on construction sites?

Answer: Butyl rubber

Butyl rubber gloves offer superior resistance to ketones and other polar solvents, outperforming latex, natural rubber, and PVC for these chemicals.

A safety technician is reviewing heat stress controls for roofers working in July. Which engineering control has the highest hierarchy priority?

Answer: Installing shade structures over the work area

Installing shade structures is an engineering control, which ranks higher in the hierarchy of controls than administrative (scheduling) or PPE (cooling vests, hydration) measures.