Standards, Ethics & Safety Practices Flashcards

Which organization publishes the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for land title surveys in the United States?

Answer: ALTA and NSPS jointly

The American Land Title Association and the National Society of Professional Surveyors jointly publish the ALTA/NSPS standards.

A technician finds an original monument that's been disturbed by construction. What should they do?

Answer: Document its condition and report it to the party chief or surveyor in charge

A disturbed monument's condition must be documented and reported so the licensed surveyor can decide how to handle it.

On a hazardous materials site, what document gives the chemical hazards and first-aid information for a product?

Answer: Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, SDSs list each chemical's hazards, handling, and first-aid measures.

A technician receives a gift from a contractor whose work the firm is checking for compliance. What's the main ethical concern?

Answer: It creates a conflict of interest that could compromise objectivity

Accepting gifts from interested parties can bias, or appear to bias, a surveyor's independent judgment.

Which item belongs in a standard survey vehicle safety kit for roadside work?

Answer: Amber rotating or strobe warning lights

Amber warning lights make the vehicle more visible to approaching traffic in a work zone.

Before working near an overhead power line with a fiberglass or aluminum survey rod, what is the key precaution?

Answer: Keep the minimum clearance distance, generally at least 10 feet for lines up to 50 kV

OSHA generally requires at least 10 feet of clearance from energized lines up to 50 kV, and more for higher voltages.

Why should field notes be recorded in permanent ink and never erased?

Answer: Erasures can suggest altered data and reduce the notes' credibility as evidence

Striking through errors with a single line keeps the original record intact, so the notes stay credible in court.