CPT Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the hierarchy of controls recommend as the most effective way to eliminate a workplace hazard?
- Administrative controls
- Personal protective equipment
- Elimination of the hazard (Correct answer)
- Engineering controls
Correct answer: Elimination of the hazard
Elimination — physically removing the hazard — is the most effective control because it removes the risk entirely rather than managing it.
Question 2: A production technician notices a coworker bypassing a safety interlock on a press to speed up production. The correct response is to:
- Ignore it since the coworker is experienced
- Report the unsafe act to a supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
- Help bypass the interlock to meet quotas
- Wait to see if an incident occurs before reporting
Correct answer: Report the unsafe act to a supervisor immediately
Bypassing safety interlocks creates life-threatening hazards and must be reported immediately regardless of the worker's experience level.
Question 3: Which hearing protection device provides the highest noise reduction rating (NRR) in a loud production environment?
- Earmuffs only
- Foam earplugs only
- Canal caps
- Combined earplugs and earmuffs (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Combined earplugs and earmuffs
Combining earplugs with earmuffs provides the highest level of hearing protection and is recommended when noise levels exceed 105 dB.
Question 4: OSHA's general duty clause requires employers to:
- Provide free meals to all production employees
- Keep the workplace free from recognized serious hazards (Correct answer)
- Inspect every machine monthly without exception
- Hire a safety officer for every 50 employees
Correct answer: Keep the workplace free from recognized serious hazards
Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
Question 5: Which material would require Class D fire extinguisher during a production fire?
- Gasoline
- Electrical cables
- Magnesium metal shavings (Correct answer)
- Paper packaging
Correct answer: Magnesium metal shavings
Class D extinguishers are specifically designed for combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, and sodium.
Question 6: In ergonomics, which of the following is considered a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)?
- Working in well-lit areas
- Performing highly repetitive motions over extended periods (Correct answer)
- Using power tools with vibration dampeners
- Taking scheduled micro-breaks
Correct answer: Performing highly repetitive motions over extended periods
Repetitive motions, especially with force or awkward posture, are primary ergonomic risk factors for developing musculoskeletal disorders.
Question 7: What is the minimum safe distance that OSHA recommends workers maintain from the edge of an unguarded floor opening or elevated platform?
- 2 feet
- 6 feet
- There is no distance rule — guarding is required (Correct answer)
- 10 feet
Correct answer: There is no distance rule — guarding is required
OSHA requires fall protection (guardrails, covers, or personal fall arrest) at unguarded edges; distance alone is not an acceptable substitute for guarding.
CPT Safety 3
What does the hierarchy of controls recommend as the most effective way to eliminate a workplace hazard?