NCCER CORE Construction Site Safety Questions and Answers 1 — 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'?
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Caught-in or -between incidents (Correct answer)
- Hearing damage from excessive noise
- Repetitive motion injuries
Correct answer: Caught-in or -between incidents
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?
- Steel-toed boots
- Welding gloves
- A personal fall arrest system (PFAS) (Correct answer)
- A high-visibility vest
Correct answer: A personal fall arrest system (PFAS)
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?
- Wear rubber-soled shoes
- Use insulated tools
- Post a warning sign on the main panel
- De-energize and lock out/tag out the circuit (Correct answer)
Correct answer: De-energize and lock out/tag out the circuit
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?
- Assuming the operator can see you at all times
- Using hand signals that only the operator understands
- Establishing clear communication, using a spotter, and maintaining safe distances (Correct answer)
- Painting all heavy equipment a bright color
Correct answer: Establishing clear communication, using a spotter, and maintaining safe distances
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?
- Only when working directly under an overhead crane
- During the first and last hour of the workday
- At all times, unless in a designated safe zone like an office trailer (Correct answer)
- Only when a supervisor is present on site
Correct answer: At all times, unless in a designated safe zone like an office trailer
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.
Question 6: An excavation on a construction site is 6 feet deep. According to OSHA standards, what is required to prevent a cave-in?
- A simple ladder for entry and exit
- A protective system, such as shoring, sloping, or shielding (Correct answer)
- Keeping heavy equipment at least 2 feet from the edge
- Daily inspection by any worker on the site
Correct answer: A protective system, such as shoring, sloping, or shielding
OSHA requires that all excavations 5 feet deep or greater be protected against cave-ins by a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. Protective systems include sloping the ground, shoring the trench walls with supports, or shielding the trench with a trench box. The NCCER curriculum covers the hazards associated with working around excavations and the required safeguards.
