Workplace Safety and Health Flashcards

What is the minimum distance from the edge of a roof that OSHA requires guardrails to be installed on construction sites?

Answer: 6 feet

OSHA requires fall protection when working at heights of 6 feet or more in construction (29 CFR 1926.502).

When must a confined space be considered a 'permit-required' confined space?

Answer: When it contains or has the potential to contain a serious hazard

A permit-required confined space has serious hazards such as a hazardous atmosphere, engulfment potential, or internal configuration hazards.

Which respirator type provides the highest level of respiratory protection?

Answer: Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

SCBAs supply clean air from a carried tank and are used in immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) atmospheres.

An employee reports a safety hazard to OSHA and is subsequently fired. This is an example of:

Answer: Whistleblower retaliation

Section 11(c) of the OSH Act prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who exercise their safety rights, including filing OSHA complaints.

What chemical class is most commonly associated with oxygen-deficient atmospheres in confined spaces?

Answer: Inert gases displacing oxygen

Inert gases like nitrogen, argon, or CO2 can displace oxygen in enclosed spaces, creating a life-threatening oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

According to OSHA, what is the maximum weight a single worker should routinely lift without mechanical assistance?

Answer: 35 lbs

OSHA and NIOSH generally recommend a maximum of 35 lbs for routine lifting tasks to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

Which document must workers review and sign before working with a hazardous chemical for the first time?

Answer: Safety Data Sheet (SDS) acknowledgment

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to train workers on chemical hazards and ensure SDS access before initial work exposure.