CHST Emergency and Fire Preparedness 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A construction worker notices smoke coming from electrical conduit inside a wall cavity. Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate?
- Class A water extinguisher
- Class B CO2 extinguisher
- Class C-rated extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Class D dry powder extinguisher
Correct answer: Class C-rated extinguisher
Electrical fires require a Class C-rated extinguisher because water-based agents conduct electricity and could endanger the user.
Question 2: What is the minimum frequency required for inspecting portable fire extinguishers on a construction site under OSHA standards?
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly (Correct answer)
- Annually
Correct answer: Monthly
OSHA requires monthly visual inspections of portable fire extinguishers to ensure they are in place, fully charged, and operational.
Question 3: During a hazardous materials spill emergency on a construction site, which document should first-responders reference to identify safe handling procedures?
- The site's project schedule
- The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the material (Correct answer)
- The general contractor's insurance policy
- OSHA Form 300 injury log
Correct answer: The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the material
The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides critical information on hazards, PPE requirements, and emergency response procedures for a specific chemical.
Question 4: Which scenario requires a site to implement an Incident Command System (ICS) structure during an emergency?
- A single worker receives a minor laceration
- A multi-agency response to a structural collapse with multiple victims (Correct answer)
- A brief power outage lasting less than 15 minutes
- A subcontractor replaces a damaged tool
Correct answer: A multi-agency response to a structural collapse with multiple victims
ICS is designed for complex, multi-agency emergencies such as structural collapses where coordinated command and communication are critical.
Question 5: What is the correct sequence for using a portable fire extinguisher, remembered by the acronym PASS?
- Pull, Aim, Sweep, Squeeze
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Press, Aim, Squeeze, Spray
- Prepare, Activate, Spray, Secure
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side across the base of the flames.
Question 6: On a multi-employer construction site, who bears primary responsibility for ensuring emergency telephone numbers are posted?
- Each individual subcontractor independently
- The controlling employer or general contractor (Correct answer)
- The local municipality
- OSHA's area office
Correct answer: The controlling employer or general contractor
The general contractor (controlling employer) is responsible for overall site safety coordination, including posting emergency contact numbers prominently.
Question 7: A propane-fueled salamander heater ignites nearby lumber during winter concrete curing work. What should the site superintendent do FIRST?
- Attempt to move the burning lumber
- Activate the site alarm and initiate evacuation (Correct answer)
- Call the site owner for permission to respond
- Wait to assess how large the fire becomes
Correct answer: Activate the site alarm and initiate evacuation
Activating the alarm and initiating evacuation is the immediate priority to protect worker lives before attempting any fire control measures.
CHST Emergency and Fire Preparedness 5
A construction worker notices smoke coming from electrical conduit inside a wall cavity.
Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate?