STSC Personal Protective Equipment in Construction 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A worker is performing overhead welding. Which combination of PPE is MOST appropriate?
- Safety glasses and a cloth cap
- Welding helmet with a proper shade lens, leather gloves, and fire-resistant jacket (Correct answer)
- Face shield only with standard work gloves
- N95 respirator and chemical splash goggles
Correct answer: Welding helmet with a proper shade lens, leather gloves, and fire-resistant jacket
Overhead welding produces UV/IR radiation, spatter, and sparks requiring a proper shade-lens welding helmet, flame-resistant clothing, and leather gloves for full protection.
Question 2: What does the term 'PPE hierarchy' mean in the context of construction hazard control?
- The order in which different PPE types should be worn on the body
- PPE is the last line of defense after elimination, substitution, engineering, and administrative controls (Correct answer)
- The ranking of PPE by cost from least to most expensive
- A system for grading PPE quality from Class A to Class C
Correct answer: PPE is the last line of defense after elimination, substitution, engineering, and administrative controls
The hierarchy of controls places PPE at the bottom, meaning it should only be relied upon after higher-order controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative) have been exhausted or are infeasible.
Question 3: A construction site supervisor must train workers on PPE. Which topic is NOT required by OSHA as part of PPE training?
- When PPE is necessary
- How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE
- The cost breakdown and procurement source of each PPE item (Correct answer)
- Limitations of the PPE
Correct answer: The cost breakdown and procurement source of each PPE item
OSHA requires training on when, how, and limitations of PPE, but does not require workers to be informed of procurement costs.
Question 4: Which ANSI standard governs the selection and use of eye and face protection in the construction industry?
- ANSI Z87.1 (Correct answer)
- ANSI Z89.1
- ANSI Z41.1
- ANSI Z88.2
Correct answer: ANSI Z87.1
ANSI Z87.1 sets the performance requirements for occupational eye and face protection devices used in construction and general industry.
Question 5: A worker wearing a full-body harness connects a 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard to an anchor at foot level. What is the primary hazard with this setup?
- The lanyard is too short for the task
- The free-fall distance plus deceleration distance may exceed the clearance to the level below (Correct answer)
- The anchor must always be at shoulder height, not foot level
- Shock-absorbing lanyards are not permitted below 25 feet
Correct answer: The free-fall distance plus deceleration distance may exceed the clearance to the level below
When an anchor is at foot level, a 6-foot lanyard allows up to 6 feet of free fall plus the shock absorber's deployment (up to 3.5 ft) plus the worker's height, potentially striking a lower level.
Question 6: What is the main difference between a Type I and a Type II hard hat?
- Type I protects only the top of the head; Type II also protects the sides of the head (Correct answer)
- Type I is for electrical hazards; Type II is for impact only
- Type I is vented; Type II is not vented
- Type I is for indoor use; Type II is for outdoor use
Correct answer: Type I protects only the top of the head; Type II also protects the sides of the head
Type I hard hats provide top-of-head protection only, while Type II hard hats also include lateral impact protection for the sides of the head.
Question 7: Which factor should a supervisor consider FIRST when selecting gloves for workers handling hazardous chemicals on a construction site?
- Glove grip texture for tool use
- Chemical permeation and degradation resistance of the glove material (Correct answer)
- Color coding for easy identification
- Glove length to match uniform requirements
Correct answer: Chemical permeation and degradation resistance of the glove material
The glove material must be matched to the specific chemical's permeation rate and degradation resistance to ensure actual protection rather than a false sense of security.
STSC Personal Protective Equipment in Construction 5
A worker is performing overhead welding.
Which combination of PPE is MOST appropriate?