IMSA Construction & Contractor Safety Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OSHA standard requires employers to develop a written safety and health program on construction sites where 11 or more employees work?
- 29 CFR 1926.20 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.38
- 29 CFR 1904.32
- 29 CFR 1926.503
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1926.20
29 CFR 1926.20 requires construction employers to initiate and maintain a safety and health program for projects with 11 or more employees.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a contractor pre-qualification program in a safety management system?
- To compare contractor pricing before awarding contracts
- To evaluate a contractor's safety performance history and capabilities before allowing site access (Correct answer)
- To assign OSHA responsibility to the general contractor
- To satisfy insurance underwriting requirements
Correct answer: To evaluate a contractor's safety performance history and capabilities before allowing site access
Pre-qualification screens contractors based on safety record, EMR, training programs, and compliance history to prevent high-risk contractors from being selected.
Question 3: Under OSHA 1926.651, how deep must an excavation be before a protective system (shoring, sloping, or shielding) is required?
- 2 feet
- 3 feet
- 5 feet (Correct answer)
- 8 feet
Correct answer: 5 feet
OSHA 1926.651 requires a protective system for excavations 5 feet or deeper, except where the excavation is made entirely in stable rock.
Question 4: Which document summarizes the safety rules, emergency procedures, and hazard controls that contractors must follow on a specific host employer's site?
- Insurance certificate
- Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) (Correct answer)
- OSHA 300 log
- Material Safety Data Sheet
Correct answer: Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP)
A Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) tailors safety requirements, emergency procedures, and hazard controls to the unique conditions of a particular work site.
Question 5: What does an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) of less than 1.0 indicate about a contractor's safety performance?
- The contractor has had more claims than the industry average
- The contractor has had fewer or less severe claims than the industry average (Correct answer)
- The contractor has never filed a workers' compensation claim
- The contractor is exempt from OSHA inspections
Correct answer: The contractor has had fewer or less severe claims than the industry average
An EMR below 1.0 means the contractor's workers' compensation claims are below the industry average, indicating better-than-average safety performance.
Question 6: When must a competent person inspect an excavation on a construction site according to OSHA 1926.651?
- Once per week
- Before each work shift and after any event that could change conditions (Correct answer)
- Only after rain events
- At the start of the project and when work is complete
Correct answer: Before each work shift and after any event that could change conditions
OSHA 1926.651(k)(1) requires a competent person to inspect excavations before each shift and after any event that could increase hazard (rain, freeze/thaw, vibration).
IMSA Construction & Contractor Safety Management 2
Which OSHA standard requires employers to develop a written safety and health program on construction sites where 11 or more employees work?