Workplace safety quiz: 50 questions with answers

Set 1: Reporting and rights5 questions

1. 1Within how many hours must an employer report a work-related fatality to OSHA?

   Our pick: answer8 hours. OSHA 1904.39

2. 2Within how many hours must an employer report an in-patient hospitalisation, an amputation or the loss of an eye?

   Answer24 hours. OSHA 1904.39

3. 3True or false: an employer may punish an employee for reporting a work-related injury.

   AnswerFalse. Employees have the right to report work-related injuries and illnesses, and the employer may not discriminate against them for doing so. OSHA 1904.35

4. 4In what language must safety training be given?

   AnswerA language workers understand. OSHA: employer responsibilities

5. 5For how long must an employer keep an OSHA citation posted?

   AnswerUntil the violation is corrected or for 3 working days, whichever is longer. OSHA: employer responsibilities

Set 2: Signs and colours5 questions

1. 6What does the colour red identify on a safety sign or marking?

   AnswerDanger and stop. The standard also lists fire protection equipment under red, though that paragraph is reserved. OSHA 1910.144

2. 7What does the colour yellow mark?

   AnswerCaution and physical hazards, such as striking against, stumbling, falling and tripping. OSHA 1910.144

3. 8Which three colours does a danger sign use?

   AnswerRed, black and white. OSHA 1910.145

4. 9What is the standard design of a caution sign?

   AnswerA yellow background, with a black panel and yellow letters. OSHA 1910.145

5. 10What colours do safety instruction signs use?

   AnswerA white background, with a green panel and white letters. OSHA 1910.145

Set 1: Extinguisher rules5 questions

1. 11Which two extinguishing agents must an employer never make available in portable extinguishers?

   AnswerCarbon tetrachloride and chlorobromomethane. OSHA 1910.157

2. 12Where must a portable extinguisher be kept?

   Our pick: answerIn its designated place at all times except during use, fully charged and operable. OSHA 1910.157

3. 13True or false: any extinguisher will do, as long as it is charged.

   AnswerFalse. Only approved portable fire extinguishers may be used to meet the standard. OSHA 1910.157

4. 14How often must employees be trained to use a standpipe or hose station that replaces Class A extinguishers?

   AnswerAt least annually. OSHA 1910.157

5. 15How often must a stored pressure dry chemical extinguisher with a 12-year hydrostatic test be emptied and maintained?

   AnswerEvery 6 years. OSHA 1910.157

Set 2: Testing and plans5 questions

1. 16How often is a carbon dioxide extinguisher hydrostatically tested, according to the standard's table?

   AnswerEvery 5 years. OSHA 1910.157

2. 17What is the test interval for a stored pressure dry chemical extinguisher with a mild steel shell?

   AnswerEvery 12 years. OSHA 1910.157

3. 18Who must carry out hydrostatic testing?

   AnswerTrained persons with suitable testing equipment and facilities. OSHA 1910.157

4. 19Who may stay behind after an evacuation alarm?

   AnswerOnly employees the emergency action plan assigns to critical plant operations. They follow the plan's procedures before they evacuate themselves. OSHA 1910.38

5. 20What must an emergency action plan cover for people with rescue or medical duties?

   AnswerProcedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties. OSHA 1910.38

Set 1: Choosing and paying for PPE5 questions

1. 21Who pays for personal protective equipment?

   AnswerIn general, the employer, at no cost to employees. OSHA 1910.132

2. 22Name one item an employer is not required to pay for.

   AnswerNon-specialty safety-toe footwear or prescription safety eyewear (if the employer lets workers wear them off site), everyday clothing such as long-sleeve shirts and street shoes, or ordinary weather gear such as winter coats and raincoats. OSHA 1910.132

3. 23Who pays to replace lost or damaged PPE?

   AnswerThe employer, unless the employee lost it or intentionally damaged it. OSHA 1910.132

4. 24What must an employer do before choosing PPE?

   AnswerAssess the workplace for hazards that call for PPE, then select equipment that protects against them and fits each affected employee. OSHA 1910.132

5. 25True or false: damaged PPE can be used if nothing else is available.

   AnswerFalse. Defective or damaged PPE shall not be used. OSHA 1910.132

Set 2: Training and records5 questions

1. 26Name three things employees using PPE must be trained to know.

   AnswerWhen PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary, how to put it on, take it off, adjust and wear it, its limitations, and its care, maintenance, useful life and disposal. OSHA 1910.132

2. 27When must an employee show they understand the PPE training?

   Our pick: answerBefore being allowed to do work that requires PPE. OSHA 1910.132

3. 28Name one reason to retrain an employee on PPE.

   AnswerThe workplace or the type of PPE has changed so the earlier training is obsolete, or the employee's knowledge or use of PPE shows they have not kept the understanding or skill. OSHA 1910.132

4. 29What does the written certification of a hazard assessment identify?

   AnswerThe workplace evaluated, the person certifying it, the date of the assessment, and that the document is a certification of hazard assessment. OSHA 1910.132

5. 30True or false: if employees bring their own PPE, the employer has no responsibility for it.

   AnswerFalse. The employer remains responsible for its adequacy, proper maintenance and sanitation. OSHA 1910.132

Set 1: Floors and walking surfaces5 questions

1. 31How must the floor of a workroom be kept?

   AnswerClean and, to the extent feasible, dry. OSHA 1910.22

2. 32Name three hazards that walking-working surfaces must be free of.

   AnswerSharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow and ice. OSHA 1910.22

3. 33A hazard on a walking surface cannot be fixed straight away. What must the employer do?

   Our pick: answerGuard it to stop people using the surface until it is corrected or repaired. OSHA 1910.22

4. 34How often must walking-working surfaces be inspected?

   AnswerRegularly and as necessary. OSHA 1910.22

5. 35Who must perform or supervise a repair that affects a surface's structural integrity?

   AnswerA qualified person. OSHA 1910.22

Set 2: Ladders5 questions

1. 36When must a ladder be inspected?

   AnswerBefore initial use in each work shift, and more often as necessary. OSHA 1910.23

2. 37A ladder has a structural defect. What must happen to it?

   AnswerIt is tagged "Dangerous: Do Not Use" (or similar) and removed from service until repaired or replaced. OSHA 1910.23

3. 38How should you climb up and down a ladder?

   AnswerFacing it, using at least one hand to grasp it. OSHA 1910.23

4. 39How far must a portable ladder's side rails extend above an upper landing?

   AnswerAt least 3 feet (0.9 m). OSHA 1910.23

5. 40True or false: you can use the cap or top step of a stepladder as a step.

   AnswerFalse. The cap (if equipped) and top step of a stepladder are not used as steps. OSHA 1910.23

Set 1: Labels and pictograms5 questions

1. 41How many sections does a safety data sheet have?

   Answer16, in a set order. OSHA 1910.1200

2. 42What are the two signal words on a chemical label?

   Answer"Danger" and "warning". "Danger" is used for the more severe hazards. OSHA 1910.1200

3. 43How many pictograms are designated under the standard?

   AnswerEight. OSHA 1910.1200

4. 44What does a hazard pictogram look like?

   AnswerA symbol on a white background, within a red diamond border. OSHA 1910.1200

5. 45What six pieces of information must a shipped container label carry?

   Our pick: answerThe product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements, and the name, address and phone number of the manufacturer, importer or other responsible party. OSHA 1910.1200

Set 2: Programmes and access5 questions

1. 46Where must safety data sheets be available, and when?

   AnswerIn the workplace, readily accessible to employees in their work area during each work shift. Electronic access is allowed if nothing blocks immediate access. OSHA 1910.1200

2. 47What list must the written hazard communication programme include?

   AnswerA list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present, using a product identifier that can be referenced on the safety data sheet. OSHA 1910.1200

3. 48When must employees get hazard communication training?

   AnswerAt their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard they have not been trained on is introduced into their work area. OSHA 1910.1200

4. 49Must a portable container be labelled when a worker decants a chemical into it from a labelled container for their own immediate use?

   AnswerNo. The employer need not label portable containers that are only for the immediate use of the employee who transferred the chemical. OSHA 1910.1200

5. 50Can an employer remove the label from an incoming container of hazardous chemicals?

   AnswerNot unless the container is immediately marked with the required information. OSHA 1910.1200