Free General Contractor License Construction Safety and OSHA Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to OSHA standards for construction (29 CFR 1926.501), at what minimum height on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge is fall protection generally required?

Accepted Answer

6 feet

Answer

OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) explicitly states that each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.

Question 2

A construction crew is working in a trench that is 8 feet deep. The excavated soil and other materials are piled at the edge of the trench. What is the minimum distance that these spoil piles must be kept from the edge of the excavation?

Accepted Answer

2 feet

Answer

OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2) requires that excavated materials, equipment, and other potential falling hazards be kept at least 2 feet from the edge of excavations to prevent them from falling or rolling into the trench and endangering workers.

Question 3

A supported scaffold on a construction site will be used by workers during the next shift. According to OSHA regulations, who must inspect the scaffold and when must this inspection occur?

Accepted Answer

A competent person, before each work shift.

Answer

OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3) mandates that scaffolds and their components be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift and after any event that could affect the scaffold's structural integrity.

Question 4

A contractor must ensure that all employees on a job site understand the dangers of the chemicals they are working with. Which OSHA standard requires employers to have a written program, ensure proper labeling of containers, and provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for all hazardous chemicals?

Accepted Answer

Hazard Communication Standard

Answer

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1926.59, is designed to ensure that information about chemical and toxic substance hazards in the workplace is communicated to workers. It requires a written hazard communication program, labels on containers, and accessible Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

Question 5

A worker is operating a jackhammer to break up a concrete slab. Which of the following combinations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is MOST essential for this specific task?

Accepted Answer

Hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots

Answer

Operating a jackhammer exposes a worker to multiple hazards: falling objects (requiring a hard hat), high noise levels (requiring hearing protection), flying debris (requiring safety glasses), and foot impact/crushing hazards (requiring steel-toed boots). This combination addresses the primary risks of the task.

General Contractor License Practice Test

General Contractor License Practice Test

Free General Contractor License Construction Safety and OSHA Questions and Answers