NSC Chemical Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the NFPA 704 diamond's blue quadrant indicate?
- Fire hazard
- Health hazard (Correct answer)
- Reactivity hazard
- Special hazard
Correct answer: Health hazard
The blue (left) quadrant of the NFPA 704 diamond indicates health hazard on a scale of 0 to 4.
Question 2: Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for a flammable liquid fire?
- Class A
- Class B (Correct answer)
- Class C
- Class D
Correct answer: Class B
Class B fire extinguishers are designed for flammable liquid fires such as gasoline, oil, and solvents.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of secondary containment in chemical storage areas?
- To reduce evaporation of chemicals
- To prevent spills from reaching the environment (Correct answer)
- To keep chemicals at a stable temperature
- To protect containers from physical damage
Correct answer: To prevent spills from reaching the environment
Secondary containment captures leaks or spills before they can spread and contaminate the surrounding environment or drain systems.
Question 4: When diluting concentrated sulfuric acid with water, the correct procedure is to:
- Add water to acid slowly
- Add acid to water slowly (Correct answer)
- Mix both simultaneously in equal amounts
- Heat the water first, then add acid
Correct answer: Add acid to water slowly
Acid should always be added slowly to water (never the reverse) to prevent the violent exothermic reaction from spattering concentrated acid.
Question 5: Which federal regulation requires chemical manufacturers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to employers?
- CERCLA
- RCRA
- OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) (Correct answer)
- EPA Clean Air Act
Correct answer: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom)
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires chemical manufacturers and importers to provide SDS for hazardous chemicals.
Question 6: What action should you take FIRST when you discover a large chemical spill in your work area?
- Begin cleanup using available absorbents
- Alert coworkers and evacuate the area (Correct answer)
- Call the chemical manufacturer
- Open windows to ventilate the space
Correct answer: Alert coworkers and evacuate the area
The first priority in a large spill is to alert others and evacuate to prevent exposure, then notify emergency response personnel.
Question 7: A chemical with a flash point below 73°F (23°C) is classified as a:
- Combustible liquid
- Flammable liquid (Correct answer)
- Reactive material
- Oxidizer
Correct answer: Flammable liquid
Under OSHA and NFPA standards, liquids with flash points below 73°F (23°C) are classified as flammable liquids due to their higher ignition risk.
NSC Chemical Safety 2
What does the NFPA 704 diamond's blue quadrant indicate?