General Contractor License Safety and OSHA Regulations Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to OSHA standards for construction (29 CFR 1926), what is the minimum height at which fall protection is required on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge?

Accepted Answer

6 feet

Answer

OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) requires that employees on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 6 feet or more above a lower level must be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.

Question 2

A trench is dug to a depth of 8 feet in Type B soil. Which of the following is an acceptable protective system according to OSHA?

Accepted Answer

Sloping the excavation walls at a 1-to-1 ratio (45 degrees).

Answer

For trenches deeper than 5 feet, a protective system is required. For Type B soil, OSHA allows for sloping at a maximum angle of 45 degrees (a 1-to-1 horizontal to vertical ratio). Benching at 90 degrees is never acceptable, and visual monitoring alone is not a substitute for a required protective system.

Question 3

Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), which of the following is a key responsibility of a general contractor on a multi-employer worksite?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous chemicals are readily accessible to all workers.

Answer

The Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to have a written program and ensure that all workers, including those of subcontractors, have access to information about the hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to. This is primarily achieved by maintaining an inventory and ensuring Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are available. The manufacturer or importer authors the SDS, not the contractor.

Question 4

A worker is tasked with servicing a permanently installed air conditioning unit. To comply with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standards, what is the critical first step in the process?

Accepted Answer

Notify all affected employees that the equipment will be shut down for service.

Answer

The first step in the LOTO procedure is preparation, which includes identifying all energy sources and notifying all affected employees of the impending shutdown. This ensures that no one attempts to operate the equipment while it is being serviced. Applying the lock, verifying isolation, and performing the work all come after notification and shutdown.

Question 5

A contractor identifies a serious ergonomic hazard related to repetitive heavy lifting that is causing injuries, but there is no specific OSHA standard for this particular task. Under which provision can OSHA still cite the employer for failing to protect its workers?

Accepted Answer

The General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1))

Answer

The General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. It is used to cite employers for hazards when no specific standard applies, such as ergonomics or workplace violence.

General Contractor License Practice Test

General Contractor License Practice Test

General Contractor License Safety and OSHA Regulations Questions and Answers