OSHA Hazard Communication Quiz — 29 CFR 1926.59 & 1910.1200 Practice Questions — Page 2 of 4
Free OSHA 30-Hour Construction hazard communication practice test with 40 realistic scenarios. GHS labels, Safety Data Sheets, written program, chemical inventory, silica, lead, asbestos, and multi-employer HazCom with 29 CFR 1926 Subpart D references. (Page 2 of 4)
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Q11/ 40
A masonry contractor delivers bagged mortar mix to a residential site. The bags are labeled with a GHS pictogram showing a health hazard symbol (the bust with a star). A worker asks what it means. The foreman says 'don't worry about it — it's just concrete.' What is the employer's obligation?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.59 references 1910.1200(h)(1): the employer shall provide effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in the work area. 1910.1200(h)(2)(i): training must include methods to detect the presence of hazardous chemicals, physical and health hazards, and protective measures. The health hazard pictogram (bust with star) specifically indicates: carcinogenicity, respiratory sensitization, reproductive toxicity, specific target organ toxicity, or aspiration hazard. Portland cement is alkaline (pH 12-13) and causes severe alkali burns on wet skin. Crystalline silica is a known human carcinogen. The foreman's dismissive response is a training violation.
Q12/ 40
A new employee needs to use a solvent-based concrete curing compound. The supervisor hands the employee the can and says 'wear gloves.' The employee asks for the SDS. The supervisor says 'it's in the trailer somewhere.' Is this compliant?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.59 references 1910.1200(g)(8): SDSs shall be readily accessible to employees in their work area during each work shift. 'Readily accessible' means workers can obtain the SDS within a minute or two without barriers (unlocked cabinet, known location, no need to find someone with a key). Electronic access is acceptable if the system is reliable and workers are trained on its use. The supervisor should retrieve the SDS and review it with the worker before the task begins.
Q13/ 40
A construction crew is cutting fiber cement siding containing crystalline silica. They use a circular saw with no water or vacuum dust collection. A cloud of visible dust surrounds the cutting area. The crew wears no respiratory protection. What does the silica standard require?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1153(c)(1) Table 1, Entry 18: for handheld power saws cutting fiber-cement board, the required engineering control is a saw with an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade. If this control is used AND operated per manufacturer's instructions, no air monitoring is required and no respirator is needed. Dry cutting with no dust control is a violation — the visible dust cloud is almost certainly above the PEL of 50 μg/m³. 1926.1153(d)(1): if engineering controls don't reduce exposure below the PEL, respirators are required.
Q14/ 40
A worker at a renovation site is removing old paint from a 1965 steel bridge. The paint likely contains lead. The employer has not done exposure monitoring and provides no respiratory protection. A worker asks about lead hazards. What applies?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.62(d)(1)(iii): initial monitoring must be performed. 1926.62(d)(3): until exposure is determined by monitoring, the employer shall provide respiratory protection, protective clothing, hygiene facilities, and training as if employees are exposed above the PEL. Lead in construction is a well-known hazard — structural steel bridges painted before 1978 almost certainly contain lead-based paint. The action level is 30 μg/m³; the PEL is 50 μg/m³. Hot work (cutting, grinding, welding) on lead paint can generate extremely high airborne lead concentrations.
Q15/ 40
A supervisor notices several chemical containers have faded, unreadable labels. The product names are still barely visible. Workers continue to use these products. What must be done?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.59 references 1910.1200(f)(6): workplace containers must be labeled. 1910.1200(f)(1): labels must include the product identifier, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, pictograms, and supplier info. If the original label is illegible, the employer must replace it — either with a new original label from the supplier or a workplace label meeting GHS requirements. Handwritten labels are acceptable as workplace labels if they contain all required GHS elements, but obtaining replacement supplier labels is preferred for consistency.
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Q16/ 40
A painting subcontractor brings a solvent-based paint containing toluene onto a multi-employer site. The general contractor's HazCom program doesn't list this product. The GC superintendent sees the paint but says nothing. Who is responsible for HazCom on this site?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.59 references 1910.1200(e)(1): the employer shall develop a written hazard communication program. 1910.1200(e)(2): in multi-employer workplaces, the written program must include methods for providing other employers with SDSs and informing them of precautionary measures. 1926.16(d): the GC has supervisory responsibility for the entire project. The GC must: (1) ensure subs have and follow their HazCom programs, (2) collect SDSs for all chemicals on site, (3) communicate hazards between trades. Toluene is a neurotoxin and flammable liquid — all site workers potentially exposed must be informed.
Q17/ 40
A worker is mixing a two-part epoxy coating in a poorly ventilated basement. The SDS for Part A (epoxy resin) lists: 'May cause allergic skin reaction. Suspected of causing genetic defects.' The worker wears latex gloves 'because they fit best.' After 3 hours, the worker's hands are red and itching. What HazCom failures occurred?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.59 references 1910.1200(h)(1): training must include methods to protect against hazards. The SDS Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection) specifies glove material and breakthrough time. Epoxy resins are known to penetrate latex quickly. The GHS hazard statement 'May cause allergic skin reaction' means the chemical is a skin sensitizer — once sensitized, the worker will react to even trace exposures for life. The employer's failures: (1) not reading/reviewing the SDS before the task, (2) not providing correct gloves, (3) not engineering ventilation, (4) not training the worker on the specific hazards.
Q18/ 40
A construction site stores propane cylinders, oxygen cylinders, and acetylene cylinders together in a storage container. Workers routinely smoke near the container during breaks. What HazCom and storage violations exist?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.350(a)(10): oxygen cylinders shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders by a minimum of 20 feet or a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high with a 1/2-hour fire rating. 1926.350(a)(7): cylinders shall be kept away from open flames and sources of heat. 1926.350(d)(1): 'No Smoking' signs shall be posted. 1910.1200(h): workers must be trained on the hazards of flammable gases and oxidizers. Oxygen is NOT inert — it is an oxidizer that dramatically accelerates combustion. Acetylene is unstable and explosive at pressures above 15 psi. Smoking near this storage is extremely dangerous.
Q19/ 40
A worker on a road construction crew is exposed to asphalt fumes from hot-mix paving. The crew has been doing this work for 2 weeks straight. Some workers report headaches and nausea at the end of the day. What HazCom requirements apply?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.59 references 1910.1200: asphalt is a hazardous chemical. The SDS for asphalt lists: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — probable human carcinogens, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) — toxic gas, and volatile organic compounds. Headaches and nausea are symptoms of acute exposure. 1926.55(a): the employer must limit employee exposure to air contaminants below the PELs. Engineering controls on pavers (fume capture systems), work rotation to limit individual exposure, and respiratory protection when controls are insufficient are required. The symptoms indicate overexposure — air monitoring is warranted.
Q20/ 40
A supervisor instructs workers to clean spray foam equipment with a solvent. The solvent container has a GHS label with: a flame pictogram (fire), an exclamation mark, and a health hazard pictogram. The signal word is 'DANGER.' The workers wear no gloves or respiratory protection. They use the solvent in a confined crawlspace. What does the label communicate?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1910.1200(f)(1)(ii): the signal word 'DANGER' indicates severe hazard categories (Category 1-2), while 'WARNING' indicates less severe (Category 3-4). The flame pictogram = flammable (GHS01). Exclamation mark (GHS07) = skin/eye irritation, skin sensitization, or narcotic effects. Health hazard (GHS08) = carcinogenicity, respiratory sensitization, or specific target organ toxicity. Combined with a confined crawlspace (limited ventilation, potential oxygen displacement by solvent vapors), this is an extremely hazardous operation. 1926.353(b)(1): ventilation shall be provided for solvents. The workers need: respiratory protection (likely supplied-air in a crawlspace), chemical-resistant gloves specified in the SDS Section 8, and mechanical ventilation.