ITMC Safety Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A spill of an unknown chemical occurs in a maintenance area. The FIRST action a technician should take is:
- Begin cleanup using available rags and water
- Identify the chemical using the SDS before taking any action
- Evacuate the area and notify the appropriate emergency response team (Correct answer)
- Cover the spill with dry sand and continue working
Correct answer: Evacuate the area and notify the appropriate emergency response team
Unknown chemical spills require immediate evacuation and notification of emergency responders who have proper training and equipment.
Question 2: What is the function of a 'try-out' step after completing LOTO procedures?
- To test if the machine still runs at reduced power
- To verify that all energy sources are fully isolated before beginning maintenance (Correct answer)
- To confirm the work order number is correct
- To check that spare parts are available
Correct answer: To verify that all energy sources are fully isolated before beginning maintenance
The try-out step — attempting to start the machine — verifies that LOTO was effective and no residual energy remains.
Question 3: Arc flash PPE requirements are determined by:
- The voltage rating of the equipment alone
- An arc flash hazard analysis that calculates incident energy at the work distance (Correct answer)
- The worker's experience level and training
- OSHA minimum PPE standards for all electrical work
Correct answer: An arc flash hazard analysis that calculates incident energy at the work distance
Arc flash PPE is selected based on incident energy calculations from a hazard analysis, which determines the required arc rating in cal/cm².
Question 4: Which condition makes a safety harness unfit for use and requires it to be removed from service?
- The harness is more than 5 years old
- Any visible cuts, fraying, burns, chemical damage, or previous fall arrest deployment (Correct answer)
- The label is partially worn but still legible
- The D-ring has surface rust but is otherwise functional
Correct answer: Any visible cuts, fraying, burns, chemical damage, or previous fall arrest deployment
Any physical damage or previous deployment in a fall arrest event compromises harness integrity and requires immediate removal from service.
Question 5: OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard applies to facilities that:
- Employ more than 50 maintenance technicians
- Handle highly hazardous chemicals above specified threshold quantities (Correct answer)
- Operate any pressurized vessel above 15 PSI
- Use any flammable liquid in production processes
Correct answer: Handle highly hazardous chemicals above specified threshold quantities
PSM applies to facilities that handle listed highly hazardous chemicals at or above the threshold quantities specified in 29 CFR 1910.119.
Question 6: When using a portable ladder for maintenance access, the base should be positioned so that:
- It is as close to the wall as possible to maximize stability
- The horizontal distance is one-quarter of the working ladder length (4:1 ratio) (Correct answer)
- The angle is steep enough that the worker can lean forward comfortably
- Both feet are on solid ground regardless of angle
Correct answer: The horizontal distance is one-quarter of the working ladder length (4:1 ratio)
The 4:1 ratio (75° angle) means for every 4 feet of height, the base is 1 foot from the wall, providing optimal stability.
Question 7: Spontaneous combustion in an industrial setting is MOST likely to occur when:
- Flammable liquids are stored in sealed metal containers
- Oily rags are piled together in a confined space without ventilation (Correct answer)
- Electrical panels are overloaded beyond rated capacity
- Compressed gas cylinders are stored horizontally
Correct answer: Oily rags are piled together in a confined space without ventilation
Oily rags undergo oxidation that generates heat; when piled together without ventilation, the heat accumulates and can reach ignition temperature.
ITMC Safety Procedures 4
A spill of an unknown chemical occurs in a maintenance area.
The FIRST action a technician should take is: