IMSA Electrical Safety & Lockout/Tagout 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which NFPA standard is the primary US reference for electrical safety in the workplace?
- NFPA 101
- NFPA 70E (Correct answer)
- NFPA 72
- NFPA 704
Correct answer: NFPA 70E
NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, is the primary US standard governing electrical hazard assessment and safe work practices.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a 'group lockout' procedure when multiple workers are servicing the same equipment?
- To allow one worker to control LOTO for the entire group
- To ensure each authorized employee applies their own lock so no single person can remove all protection (Correct answer)
- To reduce the number of locks needed on the isolating device
- To designate a supervisor to hold all keys
Correct answer: To ensure each authorized employee applies their own lock so no single person can remove all protection
Group lockout ensures each authorized employee applies a personal lock so the equipment cannot be re-energized until every worker has removed their lock.
Question 3: Which condition must be verified BEFORE an authorized employee removes their lockout device and restores energy?
- All tools, materials, and workers are clear of the equipment (Correct answer)
- The supervisor has countersigned the LOTO permit
- A new risk assessment has been completed
- Energy has been confirmed absent for at least 5 minutes
Correct answer: All tools, materials, and workers are clear of the equipment
Before restoring energy, the authorized employee must confirm all nonessential items are removed and all employees are safely positioned away from the equipment.
Question 4: Under OSHA 1910.303, what is the required clearance in front of electrical panels rated 600 volts or less for working space?
- 18 inches
- 2.5 feet (30 inches)
- 3 feet (Correct answer)
- 4 feet
Correct answer: 3 feet
OSHA 1910.303(g)(1) requires at least 3 feet of clear working space in front of electrical equipment rated 600 volts or less.
Question 5: What does a tagout device signify when used instead of a lockout device?
- The energy source has been physically blocked and cannot be re-energized
- A warning that the equipment must not be operated, though physical lock-out is not possible (Correct answer)
- That the equipment is safe to operate under close supervision
- That the maintenance has been completed and the system is ready for use
Correct answer: A warning that the equipment must not be operated, though physical lock-out is not possible
A tagout device is a warning label indicating equipment must not be operated; it does not provide the physical restraint that a lock provides.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of 'stored energy' that must be released or restrained during LOTO?
- Electrical current in a running motor
- Hydraulic pressure in an accumulator (Correct answer)
- Thermal energy in an active furnace burner
- Kinetic energy of a spinning fan blade
Correct answer: Hydraulic pressure in an accumulator
Hydraulic pressure in an accumulator is stored (potential) energy that must be safely released or blocked before servicing equipment.
IMSA Electrical Safety & Lockout/Tagout 2
Which NFPA standard is the primary US reference for electrical safety in the workplace?