MRAB Safety Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A meter reader encounters a dog on a property. The safest first action is to:
- Pet the dog to show it is friendly
- Back away slowly and not turn your back on the dog (Correct answer)
- Run toward the nearest fence
- Make loud noises to scare the dog away
Correct answer: Back away slowly and not turn your back on the dog
Animal safety training requires meter readers to back away calmly without turning their back on the animal, then leave the property and report the hazard.
Question 2: Before entering a meter vault or pit, a meter reader should check for:
- Mail in the nearby mailbox
- Presence of hazardous gases using a gas detector (Correct answer)
- Whether the customer is home
- The color of the pit cover
Correct answer: Presence of hazardous gases using a gas detector
Confined spaces like meter vaults can accumulate dangerous gases such as methane or hydrogen sulfide, making atmospheric testing mandatory before entry.
Question 3: When working in a neighborhood with heavy vehicle traffic, a meter reader should wear:
- Dark clothing to blend in
- A high-visibility (reflective) safety vest (Correct answer)
- Casual civilian clothes only
- A hard hat but no vest
Correct answer: A high-visibility (reflective) safety vest
OSHA and utility company safety policies require workers near roadways to wear high-visibility reflective vests to ensure they are seen by drivers.
Question 4: A meter reader smells a strong odor of rotten eggs near a gas meter. They should:
- Read the meter quickly and leave
- Turn off the gas valve at the meter
- Immediately leave the area and call emergency services from a safe distance (Correct answer)
- Light a match to check for gas
Correct answer: Immediately leave the area and call emergency services from a safe distance
A rotten egg smell indicates natural gas (which has odorant added for safety) — the reader must evacuate immediately and call the gas company and emergency services from a safe distance.
Question 5: Which of the following is an appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) item for a meter reader working near electrical meters?
- Cotton gloves
- Insulated rubber gloves rated for electrical work (Correct answer)
- Latex surgical gloves
- No gloves are needed
Correct answer: Insulated rubber gloves rated for electrical work
Insulated rubber gloves with appropriate voltage ratings protect against accidental contact with live electrical components near meter panels.
Question 6: A meter reader notices exposed wires near an electric meter. The correct response is to:
- Push the wires aside and read the meter
- Read the meter and report the hazard to the office after completing the route
- Do NOT approach the meter and immediately report the hazard to the supervisor or dispatcher (Correct answer)
- Cover the wires with tape from their kit
Correct answer: Do NOT approach the meter and immediately report the hazard to the supervisor or dispatcher
Exposed electrical wires create an immediate electrocution hazard — the meter reader must not approach and must report it immediately for a trained technician to handle.
MRAB Safety Procedures 1
A meter reader encounters a dog on a property.
The safest first action is to: