NCCER Core Basic Safety & Health 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
- To track employee work hours
- To provide detailed information about hazardous chemicals (Correct answer)
- To list tool inventory on a jobsite
- To document project timelines
Correct answer: To provide detailed information about hazardous chemicals
Safety Data Sheets provide detailed information about hazardous chemicals, including handling, storage, and emergency measures.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are a key component of OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom). Each SDS contains 16 sections covering identification, hazard information, composition, first-aid measures, fire-fighting measures, accidental release, handling and storage, exposure controls, physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity, toxicological information, ecological information, disposal, transport, regulatory information, and other information.
Question 2: Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for an electrical fire?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class C
Class C fire extinguishers are designed for fires involving energized electrical equipment.
Fire extinguisher classes correspond to specific fuel sources: Class A is for ordinary combustibles (wood, paper), Class B for flammable liquids, Class C for energized electrical equipment, and Class D for combustible metals. Using the wrong class on an electrical fire can cause electrocution.
Question 3: What does the acronym PASS stand for when using a fire extinguisher?
- Push, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Pull, Activate, Spray, Sweep
- Point, Aim, Squeeze, Shake
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side.
The PASS technique is the standard method for operating a portable fire extinguisher. Pull the pin to unlock the operating lever. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Squeeze the handle to discharge the agent. Sweep from side to side at the base until extinguished.
Question 4: When working at heights of 6 feet or more in construction, what fall protection is generally required?
- Safety glasses
- Hard hat only
- Guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems (Correct answer)
- Steel-toed boots
Correct answer: Guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems
OSHA requires fall protection such as guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems when working at heights of 6 feet or more in construction.
OSHA's construction fall protection standard (29 CFR 1926.501) requires fall protection at 6 feet or more. The three primary methods are guardrail systems, safety net systems, and personal fall arrest systems (PFAS). Falls are consistently the leading cause of death in construction.
Question 5: What is a trenching hazard that can result in worker death within minutes?
- Heat stroke
- Cave-in (Correct answer)
- Noise exposure
- Chemical splash
Correct answer: Cave-in
Cave-ins are the greatest risk in trenching operations and can bury a worker in seconds.
A cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. OSHA requires protective systems for trenches 5 feet or deeper, including sloping, shoring, or shielding. Workers must have safe egress within 25 feet of their work location.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure?
- To secure tools at the end of the day
- To prevent the unexpected startup of machinery during maintenance (Correct answer)
- To lock the jobsite gate after hours
- To tag materials for delivery
Correct answer: To prevent the unexpected startup of machinery during maintenance
Lockout/tagout procedures prevent the unexpected energization or startup of machinery during servicing and maintenance.
LOTO is covered under OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.147. The procedure requires that energy sources be isolated and rendered inoperative before servicing. Only the worker who applied the lock may remove it. Failure to follow LOTO is one of OSHA's most frequently cited violations.
NCCER Core Basic Safety & Health 2
What is the primary purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?