CPA Safety & Handling Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hazard class under DOT regulations covers gasoline during road transport?
- Class 3 — Flammable Liquids (Correct answer)
- Class 5 — Oxidizers
- Class 8 — Corrosives
- Class 2 — Gases
Correct answer: Class 3 — Flammable Liquids
Gasoline is classified as a Class 3 Flammable Liquid by the Department of Transportation due to its low flash point and high fire risk.
Question 2: What is the minimum safe distance personnel should maintain from a tank truck during lightning storms at a petroleum facility?
- Stay within 10 feet to monitor the truck
- Seek shelter indoors and suspend all transfer operations (Correct answer)
- Continue work but avoid metallic contact
- Move to the opposite side of the truck
Correct answer: Seek shelter indoors and suspend all transfer operations
Lightning can ignite fuel vapors; all petroleum transfer operations must halt and workers must take shelter during electrical storms.
Question 3: A technician discovers water contamination in a diesel fuel storage tank. The MOST important reason to remove this water is:
- Water increases the viscosity of diesel fuel
- Water promotes microbial growth and accelerates tank corrosion (Correct answer)
- Water causes diesel to crystallize at room temperature
- Water increases the fuel's flash point
Correct answer: Water promotes microbial growth and accelerates tank corrosion
Water in diesel tanks creates an environment for bacteria and fungi to grow, producing acids that corrode tank walls and degrade fuel quality.
Question 4: When donning chemical-resistant gloves before handling petroleum solvents, a technician should inspect gloves for:
- Brand name and country of manufacture
- Pinholes, cracks, or signs of degradation (Correct answer)
- Color coding matching the solvent container
- Date of purchase only
Correct answer: Pinholes, cracks, or signs of degradation
Compromised gloves provide no protection; any hole or weakness allows solvent contact with skin, so gloves must be inspected before each use.
Question 5: The 'buddy system' in petroleum facility safety requires that:
- Workers always share the same PPE to save costs
- No worker enters a confined space or hazardous area without a second person present (Correct answer)
- Two workers must sign off on every fuel delivery
- Employees must carpool to reduce site traffic
Correct answer: No worker enters a confined space or hazardous area without a second person present
The buddy system ensures someone can summon help or assist in an emergency if a worker becomes incapacitated in a dangerous environment.
Question 6: During a petroleum spill on a concrete surface, the spilled material should be absorbed using:
- Water hose to dilute the spill into the drain
- Dry absorbent materials such as sand or spill-kit pads (Correct answer)
- Open flame to burn off the surface spill
- Compressed air to evaporate the liquid quickly
Correct answer: Dry absorbent materials such as sand or spill-kit pads
Dry absorbents safely contain petroleum spills without spreading contamination or creating additional fire hazards, unlike water or heat.
Question 7: A petroleum facility's 'lockout/tagout' (LOTO) procedure is designed to protect workers from:
- Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from outdoor work
- Unexpected energization or release of stored energy during equipment maintenance (Correct answer)
- Biological hazards in soil near underground tanks
- High-frequency noise from pipeline pumps
Correct answer: Unexpected energization or release of stored energy during equipment maintenance
LOTO procedures ensure that equipment is properly de-energized and cannot be accidentally started while workers are performing maintenance or repairs.
CPA Safety & Handling Procedures 3
Which hazard class under DOT regulations covers gasoline during road transport?