WPR Work Permit Types & Scope 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A work-at-height permit is typically required for elevated work above:
- 1 foot
- 4 feet in general industry or 6 feet in construction, per OSHA standards (Correct answer)
- 12 feet only
- Any height that requires a ladder
Correct answer: 4 feet in general industry or 6 feet in construction, per OSHA standards
OSHA height thresholds that trigger fall protection requirements also generally trigger work-at-height permits: 4 feet (general industry) and 6 feet (construction).
Question 2: What defines the 'scope' section of a work permit?
- The estimated budget for the job
- The specific task to be performed, the equipment involved, the work location, and any limitations on the work (Correct answer)
- The safety officer's personal notes
- The names of all workers on the project
Correct answer: The specific task to be performed, the equipment involved, the work location, and any limitations on the work
Scope defines exactly what is authorized—work outside the stated scope is not covered by the permit and requires a new or amended authorization.
Question 3: A process safety management (PSM) covered facility requires which additional type of permit for modifications to covered processes?
- Hot work permit only
- Management of Change (MOC) authorization, in addition to standard work permits (Correct answer)
- Environmental impact permit
- OSHA variance permit
Correct answer: Management of Change (MOC) authorization, in addition to standard work permits
OSHA's PSM standard (29 CFR 1910.119) requires MOC review and authorization before any change to process technology, equipment, or procedures at covered facilities.
Question 4: If a work permit specifies that only two workers may be inside a confined space at one time, a WPR may not:
- Allow a third worker to enter even if the supervisor requests it (Correct answer)
- Reduce the number of workers below two
- Allow the two workers to rotate assignments
- Use the permit after its expiry date
Correct answer: Allow a third worker to enter even if the supervisor requests it
Permit conditions like occupancy limits are hazard-based controls; exceeding them violates the permit and creates uncontrolled risk regardless of supervisor requests.
Question 5: The scope of a hot work permit explicitly states 'grinding only.' During the job, the crew decides to also weld. What must happen?
- Welding can proceed since both are hot work
- Work must stop and a new or amended permit must be obtained that specifically authorizes welding (Correct answer)
- The WPR can approve welding verbally without amending the permit
- The crew can weld briefly if done carefully
Correct answer: Work must stop and a new or amended permit must be obtained that specifically authorizes welding
Welding is a different task with different hazards than grinding; the original permit's scope does not cover it and a new authorization is required.
Question 6: A confined space permit that lists the space as 'non-permit required' means:
- No hazard assessment was conducted
- The space was evaluated and found to have no actual or potential serious hazards requiring full entry permit controls (Correct answer)
- Entry is prohibited
- The space has no ventilation requirements
Correct answer: The space was evaluated and found to have no actual or potential serious hazards requiring full entry permit controls
Non-permit confined spaces have been evaluated and found free of hazards that would require the full OSHA permit-required confined space program.
WPR Work Permit Types & Scope 2
A work-at-height permit is typically required for elevated work above: