NCCER Risk Assessment & Mitigation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When working on a ladder near electrical lines, what is the minimum safe approach distance for a handyman working on lines under 50kV?
- 3 feet
- 10 feet (Correct answer)
- 5 feet
- 1 foot
Correct answer: 10 feet
OSHA requires a minimum clearance of 10 feet from energized power lines up to 50kV for unqualified workers.
Question 2: A homeowner asks you to dispose of old paint cans with dried paint residue. What is the safest approach?
- Throw them in regular trash once paint is fully dry (Correct answer)
- Pour remaining paint down a storm drain
- Burn the cans in the backyard
- Bury them in the yard
Correct answer: Throw them in regular trash once paint is fully dry
Dried latex paint is generally non-hazardous and can go in regular trash, but local regulations vary and oil-based paint requires hazardous waste disposal.
Question 3: You discover asbestos-containing floor tiles while removing flooring in a pre-1980 home. What should you do?
- Wet the tiles and remove them carefully yourself
- Stop work and recommend a licensed asbestos abatement contractor (Correct answer)
- Grind them down to remove the top layer
- Cover them with new flooring without removal
Correct answer: Stop work and recommend a licensed asbestos abatement contractor
Disturbing asbestos-containing materials releases dangerous fibers; only licensed abatement contractors should remove them.
Question 4: Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for a grease fire in a kitchen?
- Class A (water-based)
- Class B (CO2)
- Class K (wet chemical) (Correct answer)
- Class C (dry chemical)
Correct answer: Class K (wet chemical)
Class K extinguishers use wet chemical agents specifically designed to suppress cooking oil and grease fires by saponification.
Question 5: What does a 'hierarchy of controls' prioritize FIRST when mitigating a workplace hazard?
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Administrative controls
- Elimination of the hazard (Correct answer)
- Engineering controls
Correct answer: Elimination of the hazard
The hierarchy of controls places elimination at the top because removing the hazard entirely is the most effective protection method.
Question 6: Before starting demolition work on interior walls, what utility check is MOST critical to perform first?
- Check for rodent infestations
- Locate and de-energize electrical wiring in the wall (Correct answer)
- Confirm the paint color to match afterward
- Check wall stud spacing
Correct answer: Locate and de-energize electrical wiring in the wall
Cutting through energized electrical wiring in walls poses an immediate electrocution risk and must be de-energized before demolition begins.
Question 7: A job site has standing water after rain. What is the primary risk this creates for a handyman using power tools?
- Tool rust and corrosion
- Electrocution from ground fault (Correct answer)
- Slippery grip on tool handles
- Reduced tool battery life
Correct answer: Electrocution from ground fault
Water creates a path for electrical current, dramatically increasing the risk of ground fault electrocution when using power tools.
NCCER Risk Assessment & Mitigation 2
When working on a ladder near electrical lines, what is the minimum safe approach distance for a handyman working on lines under 50kV?