OSHA 10-Hour Construction Review flashcards

OSHA requires protective systems (sloping, shoring, or shielding) for all trenches 5 feet (1.52 meters) or deeper, unless excavated in stable rock.

• Protective systems prevent cave-ins.
• Applies regardless of soil type (unless stable rock).
• Competent person must design or approve system.

Memory trick: Five feet down, safety's crown.

The area within the swing radius of heavy equipment must be barricaded to prevent 'struck-by' incidents.

• Engineering control is the most effective.
• Protects workers from unexpected equipment movement.
• Applies to excavators, cranes, backhoes, etc.

Memory trick: Swing zones are danger zones, so barricade the bones!

A permit-required confined space is an enclosed area that has limited means of entry/exit, is not designed for continuous human occupancy, and contains or has the potential to contain recognized serious hazards. Entry requires a specific program and permit.

• Hazards include atmospheric (toxic, flammable, oxygen-deficient), engulfment, and crushing.
• A 'Confined Space Entry Permit' outlines procedures, hazards, and emergency plans.
• This falls under 'Caught-In/Between' hazards due to potential engulfment or entrapment.

Memory trick: Permit First, Test Air, Attendant Ready, Rescue Near.

The procedure for safely managing and stabilizing an uncontrolled swinging load during crane operations.

• Swinging loads are a 'struck-by' hazard.
• Taglines are essential for guiding and controlling loads.
• Slow, deliberate movements are crucial to regain control.

Memory trick: When the load 'SWINGS', use the 'STRINGS'!

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures require that all forms of hazardous energy associated with machinery (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, etc.) are identified, isolated, locked, and tagged before maintenance or servicing begins to prevent accidental energization.

• LOTO is one of OSHA's 'Focus Four Hazards' (Electrocution).
• A 'lockout' physically prevents energy isolation devices from being operated.
• A 'tagout' is a warning placed on the device indicating it must not be operated.

Memory trick: Prepare, Shut Down, Isolate All, Lock/Tag, Verify, Release.

Toeboards must be installed on scaffold platforms to prevent tools and materials from falling onto workers below.

• Minimum 3.5 inches high.
• Prevents 'struck-by' injuries.
• Part of a complete fall protection system for scaffolds.

Memory trick: Toeboards stop the drops, keeping heads safe from plops.

In the event of a powered industrial truck (forklift) tip-over, the operator must stay inside the operator's compartment to minimize the risk of serious injury or death.

• Do not attempt to jump clear.
• Brace yourself and lean in the opposite direction of the overturn.
• Hold firmly to the steering wheel or grab handle.

Memory trick: Stay in your seat, lean away from the street!

Sloping is a method of protecting workers in an excavation by cutting back the sides of the excavation to a safe angle. The maximum allowable slope depends on soil type, with Type C soil requiring a flatter slope due to its instability.

• Type C soil is cohesive soil with an unconfined compressive strength of 0.5 tsf or less, or granular soils such as gravel, sand, or loamy sand.
• OSHA standard 1926.652(b)(1)(iii) specifies the maximum allowable slopes.
• Sloping angles are crucial for preventing cave-ins, which are a leading cause of fatalities in excavation.

Memory trick: Slope Cautiously, Shoring Safely, Shielding Strong.

Portable circular saws are equipped with a lower blade guard that must automatically cover the blade when it's not cutting, preventing accidental contact and serious injury.

• The guard must operate freely and not be tied back or removed.
• It's a primary safeguard against cuts and lacerations.
• Regular inspection of the guard's functionality is required.

Memory trick: Guards Up, Goggles On, Grounded Always.

OSHA's requirement for the maximum angle of repose for excavation walls in Type B soil to prevent cave-ins.

• Type B soil is granular with some cohesion.
• Maximum allowable slope is 1.5:1 (horizontal to vertical).
• This slope corresponds to an angle of 34 degrees from the horizontal.

Memory trick: B for 'B'etter be 1.5:1, or you'll be buried!

Fall protection is required for construction workers exposed to a fall of 6 feet or more to a lower level.

• Applies to unprotected edges, holes, and leading edges.
• Methods include guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems.
• Critical to preventing severe injuries or fatalities.

Memory trick: Six feet or more, safety's the core.

Lockout physically isolates energy, while tagout provides a warning that equipment is locked out and must not be operated.

• Prevents unexpected startup or energy release.
• Protects workers from 'caught-in/between' and electrocution hazards.
• Required for servicing or maintenance of machinery.

Memory trick: Lock says 'no go,' tag says 'don't touch, bro.'

Before entering a permit-required confined space, the internal atmosphere must be tested for oxygen, flammability, and toxicity.

• Identifies immediate life-threatening hazards.
• Must be performed by a qualified person.
• Continuous monitoring may be required during entry.

Memory trick: Atmosphere first, then the rest. Don't guess, just test!

OSHA requires fall protection for open-sided floors and platforms 6 feet or more above a lower level, typically through guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

• Guardrails are a preferred passive protection method.
• The protection must be in place before work begins near the edge.
• Height threshold for general construction is 6 feet.

Memory trick: Guardrails first, nets second, arrest if you must!

A circular saw with a stuck or non-functioning blade guard poses an immediate and severe hazard, requiring the tool to be taken out of service.

• Blade guards protect against accidental contact and flying debris.
• A malfunctioning guard creates a 'caught-in/between' hazard.
• Defective tools must be removed from service and tagged.

Memory trick: Broken tool, broken rule, pull it quick, don't be a fool!

OSHA mandates specific minimum clearance distances for equipment operating near overhead power lines, depending on the line's voltage, to prevent accidental contact and electrocution. For uninsulated, energized lines between 35 kV and 50 kV, this distance is 15 feet.

• Contact with overhead power lines is a leading cause of electrocution fatalities on construction sites.
• The clearance distance increases with voltage.
• If the voltage is unknown, a minimum of 10 feet is required for lines up to 50 kV, but 15 feet is for known 35-50 kV.

Memory trick: Keep Clear, Know Your kV, Call Before You Go.

In the event of an uncontrolled load swing during crane operations, the operator's most critical action is to stop all crane movement and hold the load steady to allow it to stabilize naturally.

• Prevents 'struck-by' incidents from swinging loads.
• Requires smooth, controlled movements by operator.
• Operators must be trained in load handling dynamics.

Memory trick: Load's a swayin'? Stop the playin'!

Maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance from energized overhead power lines of 50 kV or less.

• Distance increases with voltage.
• Applies to all equipment, materials, and personnel.
• Contact with power lines causes electrocution, burns, and explosions.

Memory trick: Ten feet is keen when lines are unseen (or seen and mean).

An OSHA classification for confined spaces that contain one or more serious hazards, requiring a specific entry permit system.

• Limited entry/exit, not for continuous occupancy.
• Contains or has potential for hazardous atmosphere.
• Contains material that could engulf an entrant.
• Has inwardly converging walls or a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.

Memory trick: Permit-required: 'P'otential 'H'azards 'E'xist 'R'eally 'E'verywhere!

A safety feature on circular saws that automatically covers the blade when it's not cutting, preventing accidental contact.

• Retracts when saw enters the workpiece.
• Covers the blade when the saw is lifted or idle.
• Protects against cuts from unintended blade contact.

Memory trick: Lower guard: 'L'ooks out for your 'L'imbs!

Forced-air ventilation is a critical control measure used in confined spaces to maintain a breathable atmosphere, especially where natural ventilation is inadequate or hazardous atmospheres may develop.

• Removes hazardous gases and introduces fresh air.
• Prevents oxygen deficiency or enrichment.
• Must be continuous and directed to the work area.

Memory trick: Test the air, then ventilate with care!

A safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or servicing work.

• Prevents unexpected energization or release of stored energy.
• Applies to all hazardous energy sources (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.).
• Involves placing locks and tags on energy-isolating devices.

Memory trick: Lock it out, tag it out, then you can shout (to start work safely)!

A 'leading edge' is an unprotected edge of a floor or roof that moves horizontally as construction progresses, requiring specific fall protection measures that can adapt to its changing location.

• Workers at a leading edge are exposed to falls as the edge is created.
• Fall protection for leading edges often involves personal fall arrest systems or safety net systems.
• This is a specific type of 'Falls' hazard.

Memory trick: Leading Edge Moves, Holes Are Open, Scaffolds Elevate.

For general construction, OSHA requires fall protection for unprotected sides and edges of walking/working surfaces that are 6 feet or more above a lower level. Common methods include guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

• The 6-foot rule is a general construction standard.
• Different thresholds exist for specific tasks like scaffolding (10 ft) or steel erection (15 ft).
• Guardrails are a passive fall protection system, meaning they don't require worker action.

Memory trick: Guard, Net, Harness — Your Fall Defense.

Safety measures to prevent workers from being struck by the rotating superstructure or attachments of heavy equipment.

• Swing radius is the area where the machine's components can rotate.
• Exclusion zones (barricades, spotters) are critical.
• Prevents 'struck-by' injuries, a leading cause of fatalities.

Memory trick: Swing radius: 'S'tay 'S'afe, 'S'tay 'S'eparate!

Grounding provides a safe path for fault current to flow to the earth, preventing electrical shock by ensuring that exposed metal parts of an electrical tool do not become energized.

• Protects against electrocution.
• Requires a continuous path to ground.
• Broken ground prongs or faulty wiring defeat grounding.

Memory trick: Grounding's friend, shock's end.

OSHA's required minimum safe distance between machinery (like cranes) and energized overhead power lines to prevent electrocution.

• Clearance depends on the voltage of the power line.
• For 251 kV to 350 kV, the minimum clearance is 25 feet.
• This distance accounts for potential arcing and unexpected movements.

Memory trick: Higher the 'V', further must 'Flee'!

A component of a personal fall arrest system designed to absorb the kinetic energy of a fall, thereby reducing the impact forces on the worker's body.

• Typically contains a tear-away strap.
• Extends during a fall to dissipate energy.
• Limits the force transmitted to the worker to safe levels (e.g., 1,800 lbs).

Memory trick: Anchors hold, harnesses hug, lanyards lessen, lifelines limit.

The maximum vertical height a worker can safely reach from a portable ladder, typically determined by the highest safe standing rung and an arm's length reach.

• Highest safe standing rung is usually 4 rungs from the top.
• Worker's belt buckle should not go above the highest safe standing rung.
• Safe reach is approximately 4 feet above the highest safe standing level.

Memory trick: Four feet down to stand, four feet up to reach, on solid land!

OSHA requires a minimum 10-foot clearance between equipment and energized overhead power lines rated up to 50 kilovolts (kV).

• Clearance increases with higher voltages.
• Applies to all types of equipment (cranes, excavators, ladders).
• Contact with power lines is a leading cause of electrocution.

Memory trick: Power line's buzz, a 10-foot 'no touch' is a must.

For roofs with a pitch greater than 4:12, workers must use guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

• Pitch is rise over run (e.g., 4:12 means 4 inches of rise for every 12 inches of run).
• Steeper roofs increase fall hazards.
• Warning lines alone are insufficient for steep roofs.

Memory trick: Steep roofs demand the 'GNS' (Guardrail, Net, System) to prevent the fall's blast.

The final and most critical step in a lockout/tagout procedure is to attempt to operate the equipment's normal starting controls to verify that all energy sources are indeed isolated and cannot be accidentally re-energized.

• Confirms effectiveness of energy isolation.
• Prevents accidental startup or release of stored energy.
• Performed by the authorized employee.

Memory trick: Verifying's the key, before you're free.

When a forklift load obstructs the operator's forward view, the operator must drive in reverse with the load trailing.

• Ensures clear line of sight for the operator.
• Reduces the risk of 'struck-by' incidents.
• Applies to all powered industrial trucks.

Memory trick: Backward is best when vision's a mess.

In the event of crane contact with an energized power line, the operator must stay in the cab and try to move the crane away. If exiting is necessary (e.g., fire), the operator must jump clear, landing with both feet together, and shuffle away without touching the crane and ground simultaneously.

• The crane's rubber tires provide some insulation, making the cab relatively safe.
• Step potential is the difference in voltage between the feet of a person standing on energized ground.
• This scenario is a critical 'Electrocution' hazard.

Memory trick: Stay Insulated, Move Safe, Or Jump Clear, Shuffle Away.

Tools constructed with two layers of insulating material between live parts and the user, providing protection against electric shock without requiring grounding.

• Identified by a square-within-a-square symbol or a two-prong plug.
• Eliminates the need for a grounding conductor.
• Provides an alternative to grounding for electrical safety.

Memory trick: Grounding is for metal, double is for plastic, GFCI for all else drastic!

OSHA requires fall protection for workers on scaffolds when the working platform is 10 feet or more above a lower level.

• Applies to all types of scaffolds
• Includes guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, or both
• Prevents falls from elevation

Memory trick: Ten feet high, safety ties.

For scaffolds with a working platform more than 10 feet above a lower level, OSHA requires fall protection, typically in the form of guardrails on all open sides and ends, or a personal fall arrest system.

• The 10-foot rule is specific to scaffolds, differing from other fall protection thresholds.
• Guardrails must meet specific height and strength requirements.
• Fall protection is a 'Focus Four Hazard' (Falls).

Memory trick: Build Strong, Guard High, Inspect Daily.

The minimum safe distance that a crane or its load must maintain from energized overhead power lines to prevent electrocution, based on the line's voltage.

• For lines 50 kV or less, the minimum clearance is 10 feet.
• Contact with power lines is a leading cause of crane-related fatalities.
• A spotter is often required when working near power lines.

Memory trick: Under 50kV, ten feet you'll see!

Stairways must be installed at an angle between 30 and 50 degrees from the horizontal to be considered a stairway by OSHA.

• Minimum angle: 30 degrees.
• Maximum angle: 50 degrees.
• Angles outside this range are considered ladders or ramps.

Memory trick: Fifty degrees, that's where the stairway frees.

The distance between rungs on a fixed ladder must not exceed 14 inches (36 cm).

• Ensures uniform foot placement.
• Reduces fatigue and risk of missteps.
• Applies to all fixed ladders in construction.

Memory trick: Fourteen inches, no more, for safe climbing, to the core!

Employers have a limited timeframe to formally challenge an OSHA citation or proposed penalty.

• Must be done within 15 working days.
• Submitted to the OSHA Area Director.
• Leads to informal conference or review by OSHRC.

Memory trick: Fifteen working days to challenge, or the citation's final, no second chance.

To calculate the minimum safe ladder length, add 3 feet to the vertical height to be reached, then adjust for the 4:1 horizontal-to-vertical ratio.

• Required vertical reach = (landing height + 3 feet extension).
• Ladder length must accommodate this vertical reach at a 4:1 angle.
• Extension ladders have an overlap that reduces their maximum working length.

Memory trick: Extension plus three, then four to one, you'll see.

Never stand on the top step or the top cap of a stepladder; they are not designed for standing and doing so increases fall risk.

• Top step and top cap are not standing surfaces.
• Increases risk of tipping or losing balance.
• Always maintain three points of contact on proper rungs/steps.

Memory trick: Don't top out, or you'll wipe out!

For every 4 feet of vertical height a portable ladder reaches, its base should be 1 foot horizontally away from the supporting structure.

• Applies to portable ladders.
• Ensures optimal stability.
• Prevents slipping or tipping.

Memory trick: Four up, one out, no doubt!

Stairway landings must be at least 22 inches (56 cm) wide in the direction of travel and at least 30 inches (76 cm) long.

• Ensures adequate space for users.
• Prevents falls at transitions.
• Applies to all temporary and permanent stairways.

Memory trick: Twenty-two wide, thirty long, so you don't go wrong!

When using a ladder, materials should be handled in a way that allows the climber to maintain three points of contact and keep both hands free.

• Prioritize three-point contact.
• Avoid carrying heavy or bulky items by hand.
• Use hoists, ropes, or another person to move materials.

Memory trick: Hands for climbing, not for hauling!

An OSHA violation where the employer knowingly failed to comply with a legal requirement or acted with plain indifference to employee safety.

• Highest level of violation severity.
• Indicates intentional disregard for safety.
• Carries significant penalties.

Memory trick: Willful wrongs make workers wary, serious slips cause sorrow, other issues are just ordinary.

Portable ladder side rails used for access to an upper landing must extend at least 3 feet (91 cm) above that landing.

• Ensures a stable handhold for users.
• Prevents falls when transitioning on/off the ladder.
• Applies to portable ladders for access.

Memory trick: Three feet gives you solid grip, no slip!

An OSHA violation that has a direct relationship to safety and health, but is unlikely to cause death or serious physical harm.

• May result in a discretionary monetary penalty.
• Requires abatement by the employer.
• Less severe than a Serious or Willful violation.

Memory trick: Other-than-Serious means 'OK, but fix it' – direct but not deadly.

Section 11(c) of the OSH Act protects employees from retaliation for reporting safety hazards, participating in OSHA inspections, or exercising other safety rights.

• Protects against firing, demotion, harassment.
• Complaint must be filed within 30 days of retaliation.
• Covers refusal to work in imminent danger situations under strict conditions.

Memory trick: Section 11(c) is the shield, protecting those who dare to speak and reveal.

Any ladder found to be defective must be immediately tagged 'Defective' or 'Do Not Use' and removed from service.

• Applies to all types of ladders.
• Immediate action required.
• Prevents further use and potential accidents.

Memory trick: Defect detected? Discard, don't neglect it!

A legal document issued by a judge that authorizes an OSHA compliance officer to conduct an inspection, overcoming an employer's initial refusal.

• Issued when an employer refuses voluntary entry.
• Specifies the scope and limits of the inspection.
• Must be honored by the employer.

Memory trick: Warrant's word is law, so let the inspector through the door.

The section of the OSH Act that grants employees the right to file a complaint with OSHA about unsafe or unhealthful working conditions.

• Empowers employees to initiate OSHA action.
• Protects complainants' identity upon request.
• Crucial for identifying workplace hazards.

Memory trick: General Duty is 5(a)(1), Complaint is 8(f)(1), Whistleblower is 11(c).

The highest monetary fine OSHA can assess for a single 'Serious' violation.

• Adjusted annually for inflation.
• Currently $15,625 per violation (as of Jan 2024).
• Applies also to Other-than-Serious and Posting Requirements violations.

Memory trick: Serious is FIFTEEN, Willful is ONE-FIFTY, don't forget the annual hike!

The sections of an extension ladder must overlap sufficiently to maintain structural integrity, as per manufacturer specifications or OSHA minimums.

• Prevents ladder collapse.
• Ensures uniform strength along the ladder.
• A key pre-use inspection point for extension ladders.

Memory trick: Overlap strong, so you won't go wrong!

A meeting between an employer and the OSHA Area Director to discuss citations, proposed penalties, and abatement dates, often held before formally contesting a citation.

• Must be requested within 15 working days of receiving a citation.
• Can result in adjusting penalties or abatement dates.
• Opportunity for informal resolution and clarification.

Memory trick: Informal chat with OSHA can clear the air before the big fight.

Employees have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if they believe their employer is not following OSHA standards or if there is a serious hazard.

• Complaints can be anonymous.
• OSHA investigates serious complaints.
• Workers are protected from discrimination for filing complaints.

Memory trick: When company safety falters, OSHA's door is always open for workers.

Employees protected by Section 11(c) of the OSH Act must file a retaliation complaint with OSHA within 30 days of the alleged discriminatory action.

• Deadline is strict and rarely extended.
• Applies to various forms of discrimination (firing, demotion, etc.).
• Complaint can be filed online, by mail, or in person.

Memory trick: Thirty days is your window, for justice to swiftly flow.

A hazard is 'recognized' if it is known to the employer, or if it is generally known in the industry to be a hazard, or if it is detectable by a reasonably diligent employer.

• Does not require a specific OSHA standard.
• Includes hazards known through industry experience or common sense.
• Employer's knowledge can be actual or constructive.

Memory trick: If you know it, or should know it, it's a recognized hazard, don't blow it!

A type of OSHA violation where there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard, and the employer knew or should have known about it.

• Most common type of violation with significant penalties.
• Requires employer knowledge (actual or constructive).
• Distinguished from other types by potential severity of harm.

Memory trick: From minor misstep to willful woe, OSHA's fines certainly grow.