OSHA 10-Hour Construction Review flashcards

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!

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.

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!

When scaffold guardrails are temporarily removed, alternative fall protection must be immediately implemented to protect workers.

• Common reason for removal: material handling.
• PFAS (Personal Fall Arrest System) is the primary alternative.
• Fall protection must be in place before guardrail removal.
• Guardrails must be replaced as soon as the task is complete.

Memory trick: No Rail, No Fail: Harness Up.

The maximum vertical distance between points where a scaffold must be tied, braced, or guyed to a structure for stability, specifically for light-duty frames.

• First tie at 4x base dimension
• Subsequent ties max 26 feet vertical
• Ensures scaffold stability

Memory trick: Light-duty, 26 feet, for stability, can't be beat!

Acceptable materials for scaffold work platforms, ensuring they possess the necessary strength and integrity for worker safety.

• Scaffold grade lumber
• Fabricated planks (e.g., LVL)
• Must be free from defects
• Rated for intended load

Memory trick: Strong planks, no pranks!

Suspension ropes for two-point adjustable scaffolds (swing stages) must have a very high safety factor to prevent catastrophic failure.

• Each suspension rope must support 6 times the maximum intended load.
• This higher factor accounts for dynamic loading, wear, and potential single-point failure.
• Applies specifically to two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds.
• Inspections of ropes are critical before each use.

Memory trick: Six Times the Strength, Saves Your Breath.

Specific rules must be followed when moving a mobile scaffold to prevent tipovers and falls.

• Workers generally prohibited from riding on moving scaffolds.
• Scaffold must be cleared of loose materials before moving.
• Ensure the surface is level and free of obstructions.
• Lock wheels/casters once the scaffold is in position.

Memory trick: Move it Safely, No Riders Allowed.

Key safety principles and procedures to follow when disassembling a scaffold to prevent accidents and ensure worker protection.

• Reverse order of erection
• Maintain fall protection
• Competent person supervision
• Lower components safely

Memory trick: Reverse the build, keep safety thrilled!

OSHA allows for alternative scaffold designs if a registered professional engineer certifies their equivalent safety and compliance.

• Applies when prescriptive requirements are not strictly met.
• Requires design by a Registered Professional Engineer (RPE).
• Must demonstrate equivalent or greater safety.
• Documentation of the design and approval must be available.

Memory trick: Engineer's Stamp, Safety's Champ.

The maximum permissible gap between a suspension scaffold platform and the face of the building or structure.

• Maximum 18 inches
• Applies to suspension scaffolds
• Prevents workers from falling through gap

Memory trick: Eighteen inches max, or you'll fall through the cracks!

The minimum safe distance required between any part of a scaffold and energized power lines carrying 50 kilovolts (kV) or less.

• Minimum 10 feet clearance
• Applies to lines 50 kV or less
• Prevents electrocution hazards

Memory trick: Fifty kV or less, ten feet, no stress!

Scaffolds must be dismantled in a specific order, typically from top to bottom, to maintain stability and prevent collapse.

• Dismantling must be supervised by a competent person.
• Guardrails and fall protection remain in place until no longer needed.
• Components should be lowered, not thrown.
• Never remove components that could compromise stability.

Memory trick: Top Down, Stays Sound.

The minimum width required for supported scaffold platforms to ensure worker safety and stability.

• Minimum 18 inches wide
• Applies to supported scaffolds
• Ensures adequate working space

Memory trick: Eighteen inches wide, or you're in for a ride!

The top edge of a scaffold guardrail must be positioned at a specific height range above the working platform to prevent falls.

• Minimum height: 38 inches (97 cm)
• Maximum height: 45 inches (114 cm)
• Midrails are also required, approximately halfway between the top rail and the platform.

Memory trick: Guardrails Keep Workers Safe, High and Tight.

Any damage that compromises the strength, stability, or integrity of a scaffold component renders it unsafe and requires immediate action.

• Cracks, bends, or missing components are critical defects.
• Damaged components must be repaired or replaced before reuse.
• Scaffolds with defects must be tagged 'DO NOT USE' and removed from service.
• Regular inspections are crucial for identifying defects.

Memory trick: Cracks and Bends, Safety Ends.

Supported scaffolds must have a stable height-to-base ratio, or they require additional stabilization measures.

• Maximum unsupported height-to-base ratio: 4:1.
• If ratio exceeds 4:1, scaffold must be tied, guyed, or braced.
• This prevents tipping and ensures overall scaffold stability.
• A competent person must determine the adequacy of these measures.

Memory trick: Four-to-One, Tie it Done.

The distance a scaffold plank can extend beyond its support without additional securing measures is strictly regulated to prevent tipping.

• Minimum overlap: 6 inches.
• Maximum overhang without restraint: 12 inches (1 foot).
• If exceeding 12 inches, planks must be cleated, hooked, or otherwise restrained.
• Prevents planks from tipping when weight is applied to the unsupported end.

Memory trick: Six to Twelve, Don't Over-Shelve.

The OSHA-mandated range for the height of the toprail in a scaffold guardrail system, measured from the work platform.

• Toprail 38-45 inches above platform
• Midrail halfway between toprail and platform
• Required for scaffolds 10 feet or more high

Memory trick: Toprail's height, 38 to 45, keep it right!

Scaffolds and their components must be designed and constructed to safely support significantly more than their maximum intended working load.

• Must support at least four times the maximum intended load.
• This factor of safety accounts for dynamic loads, material degradation, and unforeseen stresses.
• Applies to all structural components, including planks, frames, and connections.

Memory trick: Four Times the Load, For Your Safety.

Key indicators of damage or wear that necessitate the immediate removal of suspension scaffold ropes from service.

• Check for reduction in diameter
• Look for broken or cut fibers
• Inspect for heat damage or chemical exposure

Memory trick: Diameter drop, safety stop!

The frequency and triggering events for a mandatory inspection of a scaffold by a competent person.

• Before each work shift
• After any event affecting integrity (e.g., storm, impact)
• Performed by a competent person

Memory trick: Shift start, integrity chart, competent person plays the part!

Foot protection is selected based on the specific hazards present in the workplace, such as impact, compression, punctures, chemicals, or electrical risks.

• Safety-toe footwear protects against impact and compression to the toes.
• Metatarsal guards protect the top of the foot from impact.
• Puncture-resistant soles protect against penetration from sharp objects.
• Electrical hazard (EH) footwear provides insulation against electrical shock.

Memory trick: Toes and Tops Need Protection.

Anti-vibration gloves are a type of hand protection designed with specialized padding or dampening materials to reduce the transmission of vibration from tools to the wearer's hands and arms.

• Used for tasks involving vibrating tools (e.g., jackhammers, grinders).
• Aims to reduce the risk of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
• Should be used in conjunction with engineering and administrative controls.
• Often certified to standards like ISO 10819.

Memory trick: Special Hazards Need Special Gloves.

Respiratory protective equipment is categorized into air-purifying respirators (APRs) and atmosphere-supplying respirators (ASRs), each designed for specific hazards and environments.

• APRs filter contaminants from ambient air; require sufficient oxygen and known contaminant levels.
• ASRs (e.g., SARs, SCBAs) provide an independent supply of breathable air; suitable for high concentrations, IDLH, or oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
• Selection depends on contaminant type, concentration, oxygen level, and regulatory requirements.

Memory trick: Always Consider Oxygen and Contaminant Levels First.

A protective reinforcement, typically made of steel, composite, or aluminum, incorporated into the toe area of safety footwear to shield the toes from impact and compression.

• Primary protection against falling or rolling objects.
• Protects against crushing injuries to the toes.
• A fundamental requirement for safety footwear in many industries.

Memory trick: Falling objects? A 'toe-tally' safe cap is key!

ASTM F2413 is the standard specification for performance requirements for protective (safety) toe footwear, with specific markings indicating different protective features.

• I: Impact resistance for the toe area.
• C: Compression resistance for the toe area.
• M: Metatarsal protection.
• EH: Electrical Hazard protection.

Memory trick: Every Hazard Has a Shoe Code.

A component of a personal fall arrest system that is worn by the worker and designed to distribute the forces of a fall over a large area of the body, minimizing injury.

• Connects to a lanyard, which then connects to a lifeline or anchor point.
• Distributes fall forces across the thighs, pelvis, chest, and shoulders.
• Must be properly fitted and inspected before each use.

Memory trick: A 'Harness' holds you 'wholly' and 'harmlessly' in a fall.

For environments with extremely high contaminant concentrations, unknown hazards, or oxygen deficiency, atmosphere-supplying respirators (e.g., supplied-air respirators or SCBAs) are typically required over air-purifying respirators.

• Abrasive blasting creates very high particulate levels.
• Enclosed spaces can lead to oxygen deficiency or rapid contaminant buildup.
• Air-purifying respirators have limitations on contaminant concentration and require sufficient oxygen.
• Supplied-air respirators provide an independent source of clean air.

Memory trick: When it's Dangerous, Supply Your Air.

Personal Protective Equipment, such as rubber insulating gloves and dielectric footwear, specifically designed to protect workers from electrical shock by providing insulation from energized conductors.

• Gloves are rated by voltage class and must be inspected regularly.
• Dielectric footwear provides a secondary layer of insulation from ground.
• Must be used in conjunction with other controls and safe work practices.

Memory trick: For 'Electrifying' tasks, 'Gloves and Boots' are your PPE 'Guards'.

The simultaneous use of appropriate eye protection (e.g., goggles) and hearing protection (e.g., earmuffs) when hazards include both eye injury from splashes/particles and excessive noise.

• Goggles protect against liquid splashes and impact.
• Earmuffs provide high noise reduction ratings (NRR).
• Selection should match the specific hazards and their severity.

Memory trick: Noisy splashes? Goggles for 'Gush', Muffs for 'Mute'!

When working near electrical hazards, the hierarchy of controls (elimination, engineering, administrative, PPE) should be followed, with non-conductive tools and equipment being critical engineering controls.

• Eliminate the hazard (de-energize) if possible.
• Substitute conductive equipment with non-conductive alternatives (e.g., fiberglass ladders).
• PPE (insulated gloves, EH footwear) provides individual protection but is secondary to preventing contact.
• Aluminum ladders are highly conductive and pose a severe electrical hazard.

Memory trick: De-energize, Non-Conductive, Then Protect.

OSHA's action level for implementing a hearing conservation program is an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) noise exposure of 85 dBA.

• Triggered at 85 dBA TWA
• Requires audiometric testing, hearing protection, and training
• Aims to prevent noise-induced hearing loss

Memory trick: Eighty-five is where conservation starts, ninety is where protection is paramount.

A protective layer, often made of steel or composite materials, integrated into the sole of safety footwear to prevent sharp objects from penetrating through the bottom of the shoe.

• Protects against nails, screws, metal shards, and other sharp debris.
• Essential in construction, demolition, and waste management.
• Meets ASTM F2413 standards for puncture resistance.

Memory trick: Sharp objects 'puncture'? Get a 'Puncture-Proof' sole!

A disposable filtering facepiece respirator that filters at least 95% of airborne particles, but is not resistant to oil. It is commonly used for protection against non-oil-based particulates like nuisance dust.

• Filters 95% of airborne particles 0.3 microns or larger.
• Does not protect against gases, vapors, or oil aerosols.
• Requires fit testing to ensure proper seal.

Memory trick: Nuisance dust? N95 is the 'No-Fuss' dust protector!

Hard hats are classified based on the types of hazards they protect against: impact, penetration, and electrical shock.

• Class G (General): Protects against impact and penetration, and electrical shock up to 2,200 volts.
• Class E (Electrical): Protects against impact and penetration, and electrical shock up to 20,000 volts.
• Class C (Conductive): Protects against impact and penetration, but offers no electrical protection.

Memory trick: Every Construction Site Needs Electrical Protection.

Eye protection specifically designed to shield the eyes from splashes of hazardous liquids, often featuring indirect ventilation to prevent fogging.

• Provide full enclosure around the eyes.
• Indirect ventilation prevents liquid entry while allowing airflow.
• Essential when working with corrosive or irritating liquids.

Memory trick: Liquid Splash? Goggles are your 'indirect' shield!

Effective foot protection often requires a combination of features to address multiple hazards present in complex construction environments, such as impact, compression, punctures, and top-of-foot injuries.

• Safety toes protect against toe impact and compression.
• Puncture-resistant soles protect against sharp objects from below.
• Metatarsal guards protect the top of the foot from impact.
• Assessing all potential foot hazards is crucial for selecting appropriate footwear.

Memory trick: Cover All Angles for Foot Safety.

Class E (Electrical) hard hats protect against falling objects and electrical shock from high-voltage conductors, up to 20,000 volts.

• Protects against falling objects
• Provides electrical protection up to 20,000 volts
• Used in utility and high-voltage construction environments

Memory trick: Every Electrician Needs Excellent Equipment.

A Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) equipped with high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters, providing a high level of protection against fine dust and aerosols.

• Uses a battery-powered fan to draw air through filters.
• Creates positive pressure inside the facepiece, reducing inward leakage.
• Provides a higher Assigned Protection Factor (APF) than negative-pressure respirators.
• Often recommended for high concentrations of fine particulates like those from abrasive blasting.

Memory trick: For 'blast' of dust, a PAPR with HEPA is the 'positive' choice!

Gloves designed to protect hands from friction, rubbing, and scraping, commonly made from materials like leather, aramid fibers, or specialty synthetic blends.

• Essential for handling rough or coarse materials.
• Protects against cuts, scrapes, and blisters.
• Material choice depends on the specific level of abrasion resistance needed.

Memory trick: Rough materials? Leather is your 'tough' choice!

OSHA requires employers to implement a comprehensive hearing conservation program for employees exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels (dBA).

• Action level is 85 dBA TWA.
• Program includes noise monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protection, training, and recordkeeping.
• Aims to prevent occupational hearing loss.

Memory trick: 85 dBA? It's 'Program Time' for hearing conservation!

Cut-resistant gloves, often made from materials like Kevlar, HPPE, or steel mesh, provide specialized protection against cuts and lacerations when handling sharp objects.

• Protects against sharp edges (e.g., metal, glass)
• Available in various cut-resistance levels (ANSI/ISEA 105)
• Material examples: Kevlar, HPPE, Dyneema, steel mesh

Memory trick: Sharp edges demand special gloves.

Welding operations require specialized eye and face protection, such as a welding helmet with an appropriate filter lens, to guard against intense light, radiant energy, sparks, and molten metal.

• Protects against intense light and UV/IR radiation
• Shields face from sparks and molten metal
• Filter lens optical density must match welding process

Memory trick: Welding needs a complete shield.

Type C soil is the least stable soil type, characterized by granular soils (sand, gravel), submerged soil, or cohesive soil with very low unconfined compressive strength (<0.5 tsf). It crumbles easily and lacks cohesion.

• Granular soils (sand, gravel).
• Low or no clay content.
• Easily crumbled, lacks cohesion.
• Least stable soil type.

Memory trick: Rocks and A, B, C's of Soil Safety

Shoring systems are ideal for excavations in confined areas where there isn't enough space for sloping or benching. They actively support the trench walls to prevent cave-ins.

• Suitable for tight or confined spaces.
• Actively supports excavation walls.
• Prevents soil movement and collapse.
• Can be hydraulic, pneumatic, or timber systems.

Memory trick: Space, Soil, Safety Guide Selection

Dynamic loads, such as those from heavy traffic or machinery, introduce additional forces on excavation walls that static protective systems may not adequately address, often requiring engineered shoring.

• Vibrations from traffic can destabilize trench walls.
• Dynamic loads require specific engineering considerations.
• Shoring systems can be designed to resist these forces.

Memory trick: VIBRATIONS demand VIGOROUS support!

For trenches 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth, a safe means of egress must be provided and located so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.

• Required for trenches 4 feet or deeper.
• Egress must be within 25 feet of workers.
• Examples include ladders, ramps, stairways.
• Must be designed by a competent person.

Memory trick: Exit Quickly, Safely, Always

A trench shield, or trench box, is a protective system that protects workers within the shield from cave-ins by creating a safe working space. It does not prevent the trench walls from collapsing.

• Protects workers from cave-ins.
• Does not prevent trench wall collapse.
• Provides a safe zone for workers.
• Must extend at least 18 inches above the excavation floor.

Memory trick: Shiels Save, Shores Support

A surcharge load is any additional weight or pressure placed on the soil near an excavation, such as spoil piles, heavy equipment, or vehicles, which can increase the risk of a cave-in.

• Adds weight and pressure to excavation walls.
• Increases stress on soil, leading to instability.
• Common sources: spoil piles, heavy machinery, stored materials.
• Must be kept a safe distance from the trench edge.

Memory trick: Cave-ins: The Big Dig Danger

Type A soil is a cohesive soil with an unconfined compressive strength of 1.5 tons per square foot (tsf) or greater. It is the most stable type of soil (excluding stable rock) for excavation purposes.

• Cohesive soil type.
• Unconfined compressive strength ≥ 1.5 tsf.
• Most stable soil (besides stable rock).
• Can be sloped at 0.75:1 (53 degrees).

Memory trick: Strength Grades A, B, C Soil

Type A soil is the most stable soil type according to OSHA's classification system, allowing for the steepest excavation slopes.

• Maximum slope for Type A soil is 0.75H:1V (53 degrees).
• Applies to excavations 20 feet or less in depth.
• Requires competent person evaluation.

Memory trick: Always Be Careful: A is steepest, C is shallowest for safety.

For excavations 20 feet (6.1 meters) or greater in depth, all protective systems must be designed by a registered professional engineer (RPE) or based on tabulated data approved by an RPE.

• Applies to excavations 20 feet or deeper.
• Mandates RPE involvement for protective system design.
• Ensures structural integrity for high-risk excavations.
• Tabulated data must also be RPE-approved.

Memory trick: Deep Digs Demand Engineer's Design

Type B soil is a cohesive soil type with intermediate stability, characterized by an unconfined compressive strength greater than 0.5 tsf but less than 1.5 tsf.

• Unconfined compressive strength: >0.5 tsf to <1.5 tsf.
• Includes granular cohesionless soils if they are moist and have some cohesion.
• Requires moderate sloping or other protective systems.

Memory trick: A-B-C: A is Strongest, C is Weakest, B is Between.