NCCER CORE Construction Site Safety Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to OSHA, which of the following is one of the four most common causes of fatalities on construction sites, often referred to as the 'Focus Four'?

Accepted Answer

Caught-in or -between incidents

Answer

The OSHA 'Focus Four' are the four leading causes of death in the construction industry. They are: Falls, Struck-by incidents, Caught-in or -between incidents, and Electrocutions. While other hazards exist, these four are statistically the most deadly.

Question 2

A worker is tasked with operating a power saw near an unguarded edge on the third floor of a building under construction. What is the MOST critical piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) required for this specific task, besides basic eye and head protection?

Accepted Answer

A personal fall arrest system (PFAS)

Answer

Working near an unguarded edge at height presents a significant fall hazard, which is the leading cause of fatalities in construction. A personal fall arrest system (PFAS), including a harness, lanyard, and anchor point, is essential to protect the worker from a potentially fatal fall.

Question 3

Before starting work on any electrical circuit, what is the first and most crucial step to prevent electrical shock?

Accepted Answer

De-energize and lock out/tag out the circuit

Answer

The most reliable way to prevent electrocution is to eliminate the hazard entirely by de-energizing the circuit. The OSHA-mandated Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure ensures that the circuit is turned off and cannot be accidentally re-energized while work is being performed.

Question 4

Which of the following is the best practice for ensuring the safety of workers around heavy equipment, such as excavators or loaders?

Accepted Answer

Establishing clear communication, using a spotter, and maintaining safe distances

Answer

Effective communication between equipment operators and ground workers is vital to prevent struck-by incidents. This includes using a designated spotter who is in constant communication with the operator, establishing clear danger zones, and using standardized hand signals.

Question 5

When must a worker wear a hard hat on a construction site?

Accepted Answer

At all times, unless in a designated safe zone like an office trailer

Answer

Hard hats must be worn where there is a potential for injury to the head from impact, falling or flying objects, or electrical shock. On a typical construction site, these hazards are widespread, making it necessary to wear head protection at all times unless in a specifically designated area where these hazards have been eliminated.

NCCER Core - National Center for Construction Education and Research Core Certification Practice Test

NCCER Core - National Center for Construction Education and Research Core Certification Practice Test

NCCER CORE Construction Site Safety Questions and Answers