CSLB Construction Safety and OSHA Compliance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which California agency enforces occupational safety and health regulations on construction sites?
- Federal OSHA
- Cal/OSHA (Division of Occupational Safety and Health) (Correct answer)
- CSLB Enforcement Unit
- California Labor Commissioner
Correct answer: Cal/OSHA (Division of Occupational Safety and Health)
Cal/OSHA, formally the Division of Occupational Safety and Health under the California Department of Industrial Relations, enforces workplace safety on California construction sites.
Question 2: Under Cal/OSHA regulations, what is the maximum penalty for a 'willful or repeat' safety violation?
- $7,000
- $15,000
- $70,000
- $156,259 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: $156,259
Cal/OSHA can impose penalties up to $156,259 (indexed for inflation) for willful or repeat violations of safety regulations.
Question 3: California contractors must submit an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) to Cal/OSHA:
- Before each new project begins
- Only if they have more than 10 employees
- They must have one on file at all times but don't submit it proactively (Correct answer)
- Annually by January 31
Correct answer: They must have one on file at all times but don't submit it proactively
Every California employer must have a written IIPP and keep it accessible on-site, but it is not submitted to Cal/OSHA unless requested during an inspection.
Question 4: What is the minimum safe distance a worker must stay from the edge of an unprotected excavation that is 5 feet or deeper?
- No minimum — a spotter is sufficient
- Spoil pile must be kept at least 2 feet from edge
- Workers must be protected by a trench box, sloping, or shoring (Correct answer)
- A flagging system is the only requirement
Correct answer: Workers must be protected by a trench box, sloping, or shoring
Cal/OSHA requires that excavations 5 feet or deeper have cave-in protection through shoring, sloping, or a trench box before workers may enter.
Question 5: Under Cal/OSHA's fall protection standard, workers on residential construction must have fall protection when working at heights of:
- 4 feet or more
- 6 feet or more (Correct answer)
- 10 feet or more
- 15 feet or more
Correct answer: 6 feet or more
Cal/OSHA requires fall protection for residential construction workers at heights of 6 feet or more above a lower level.
Question 6: A Statewide Construction Safety Order (SCSO) in California applies to:
- Only public works projects
- All construction, demolition, alteration, and repair work (Correct answer)
- Only projects over $500,000
- Only projects employing more than 5 workers
Correct answer: All construction, demolition, alteration, and repair work
California's Statewide Construction Safety Orders apply to all construction, demolition, alteration, and repair work regardless of size or public/private status.
CSLB Construction Safety and OSHA Compliance 1
Which California agency enforces occupational safety and health regulations on construction sites?