DCI Job Site Safety Practices 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When using a powder-actuated tool to fasten cable supports to concrete, which PPE item is ADDITIONALLY required beyond standard eye and hearing protection?
- Chemical-resistant gloves
- A hard hat rated for high-velocity impact
- A full-face shield over safety glasses (Correct answer)
- Steel-toed boots with metatarsal guards
Correct answer: A full-face shield over safety glasses
Powder-actuated tools can eject fasteners or fragments with high force, requiring a full-face shield in addition to safety glasses.
Question 2: A technician is about to enter a suspended ceiling space that has limited access and restricted airflow. Which hazard assessment should be performed FIRST?
- Measure ambient temperature above the ceiling tiles
- Test the atmosphere for oxygen levels and hazardous gases (Correct answer)
- Check for asbestos insulation visually
- Verify the weight rating of the ceiling grid
Correct answer: Test the atmosphere for oxygen levels and hazardous gases
Atmospheric testing must be performed first in any confined or restricted space to detect oxygen deficiency or toxic gases before entry.
Question 3: Which of the following actions violates proper extension cord safety on a data cabling job site?
- Using a heavy-duty 12-gauge cord for power tools
- Running a cord through a doorway with the door closed on it (Correct answer)
- Keeping cords out of walkways using cord covers
- Inspecting cords for damage before each use
Correct answer: Running a cord through a doorway with the door closed on it
Running extension cords through closed doors damages the insulation and creates both a shock hazard and a tripping hazard.
Question 4: What does a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protect against when used during cabling installations in damp locations?
- Overloading the circuit beyond its ampere rating
- Electric shock caused by current leaking through a ground fault (Correct answer)
- Voltage spikes from the building's power supply
- Damage to sensitive electronic equipment from power surges
Correct answer: Electric shock caused by current leaking through a ground fault
A GFCI detects small leakage currents to ground and trips within milliseconds to prevent lethal electric shock.
Question 5: When stacking cable reels on a job site, what is the PRIMARY safety concern?
- Reels may block emergency egress pathways
- Stacked reels can tip over and crush workers or damage materials (Correct answer)
- Reels may tangle cable making installation difficult
- Stacking reels is prohibited by OSHA in all situations
Correct answer: Stacked reels can tip over and crush workers or damage materials
Heavy cable reels can tip and roll, creating a crushing hazard; they should be stored upright and secured against movement.
Question 6: A cabling installer accidentally cuts a finger with a utility knife. After applying direct pressure, what is the NEXT step?
- Continue working with a glove over the bandaged wound
- Report the injury to the supervisor and seek first aid or medical attention (Correct answer)
- Self-treat with a bandage and document the incident personally
- Return the knife to the toolbox and ignore the minor cut
Correct answer: Report the injury to the supervisor and seek first aid or medical attention
All injuries, no matter how minor, must be reported to a supervisor and receive appropriate first aid or medical evaluation per OSHA recordkeeping requirements.
Question 7: Which condition makes a fiberglass step ladder unsafe for use and requires it to be removed from service?
- The ladder is more than 5 years old
- The ladder has a visible crack in one of the side rails (Correct answer)
- The ladder's label is faded or missing
- The ladder has been used on a previous job site
Correct answer: The ladder has a visible crack in one of the side rails
A cracked side rail compromises the structural integrity of the ladder and can lead to sudden failure under load.
DCI Job Site Safety Practices 4
When using a powder-actuated tool to fasten cable supports to concrete, which PPE item is ADDITIONALLY required beyond standard eye and hearing protection?