CTSP Safety Program Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hierarchy of controls should be applied FIRST when addressing a tree care hazard?
- Administrative controls
- Personal protective equipment
- Elimination or substitution of the hazard (Correct answer)
- Engineering controls
Correct answer: Elimination or substitution of the hazard
The hierarchy of controls prioritizes elimination or substitution as the most effective means of hazard control.
Question 2: What is the role of a 'competent person' as defined by OSHA in tree care operations?
- Any worker with more than 5 years of experience
- A person capable of identifying hazards and with authority to correct them (Correct answer)
- An OSHA-certified safety inspector
- A licensed arborist with ISA credentials
Correct answer: A person capable of identifying hazards and with authority to correct them
OSHA defines a competent person as someone who can identify existing and predictable hazards and has authority to take corrective action.
Question 3: What minimum training must be documented before a new tree care employee is allowed to operate a chipper?
- Only on-the-job observation for one week
- Formal chipper-specific safety training per ANSI Z133 and manufacturer requirements (Correct answer)
- A valid driver's license and basic first aid card
- Completion of any ISA credentialing program
Correct answer: Formal chipper-specific safety training per ANSI Z133 and manufacturer requirements
ANSI Z133 requires chipper operators to be trained in safe operating procedures, hazard recognition, and manufacturer guidelines before operation.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes a 'leading indicator' in safety program management?
- Number of lost-time injuries in the past year
- DART rate compared to industry average
- Number of safety audits completed and hazards corrected (Correct answer)
- Total OSHA recordable incident rate
Correct answer: Number of safety audits completed and hazards corrected
Leading indicators measure proactive safety activities (audits, training, hazard corrections) that predict future performance, unlike lagging indicators that measure past incidents.
Question 5: A crew supervisor notices a worker not wearing required eye protection. The BEST immediate action is to:
- Document the violation and report it at the end of the day
- Stop the task and require the worker to don eye protection before continuing (Correct answer)
- Issue a written warning without interrupting production
- Allow work to continue if the risk appears low
Correct answer: Stop the task and require the worker to don eye protection before continuing
Supervisors must stop unsafe work immediately and require corrective action before allowing the task to continue.
Question 6: What does the acronym 'SDS' stand for in the context of chemical safety in tree care?
- Site Danger Sheet
- Safety Data Sheet (Correct answer)
- Spray Dilution Schedule
- Standard Dosing Summary
Correct answer: Safety Data Sheet
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) replaced the older MSDS format under OSHA's HazCom 2012 standard and provides chemical hazard information.
Question 7: Which standard specifically governs arboricultural operations safety in the United States?
- OSHA 1910.269
- ANSI Z133 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 70E
- ASTM F887
Correct answer: ANSI Z133
ANSI Z133, American National Standard for Arboricultural Operations – Safety Requirements, is the primary safety standard for the tree care industry.
CTSP Safety Program Management 3
Which hierarchy of controls should be applied FIRST when addressing a tree care hazard?