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Section 7 of 7

CSLB Hazardous/Unknown Materials Practice Questions

10 free practice questions on hazardous/unknown materials, part of the Safety section (about 14% of the exam). Try each one, then open the answer: every choice is explained and the law is quoted.

Questions and answers

  1. Safety

    1. A contractor's crew uses hazardous chemicals and works at one job site for the whole shift. Under the Cal/OSHA Hazard Communication standard, what must the employer do with the safety data sheets (SDSs)?

    • A. Keep one for each chemical, readily accessible to workers on each shift
    • B. Keep them only at the main office, and send them to workers on request
    • C. Get them only for chemicals that have already caused an injury
    • D. Send them to Cal/OSHA instead of keeping copies at the workplace
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A

    • A. Keep one for each chemical, readily accessible to workers on each shift

      Correct answer

      Correct. Section 5194 requires an SDS for each hazardous chemical used, with copies kept in the workplace and readily accessible to employees in their work area during each work shift.

    • B. Keep them only at the main office, and send them to workers on request

      Keeping SDSs only at the main office and sending them on request does not give ready access in the work area. A central location is allowed only when workers travel between sites during a shift.

    • C. Get them only for chemicals that have already caused an injury

      The rule covers every hazardous chemical the employer uses, not only chemicals that have already caused an injury.

    • D. Send them to Cal/OSHA instead of keeping copies at the workplace

      Sending SDSs to Cal/OSHA does not replace the duty to keep copies in the workplace where employees can readily get them.

    Explanation

    Title 8 section 5194 says employers must have a safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they use. They must keep copies in the workplace and make sure the sheets are readily accessible to employees in their work area during each work shift. Keeping them only at the main office and sending them on request does not give that ready access. A central location is allowed only when workers travel between sites during a shift, and even then they must be able to get the information immediately in an emergency. The rule covers every hazardous chemical used, not only ones that caused an injury, and sending sheets to Cal/OSHA does not replace keeping copies.

    Sources

  2. Safety

    2. Under Labor Code section 6501.5, an employer must register with the Division of Occupational Safety and Health before asbestos-related work that involves how much asbestos-containing material?

    • A. 10 square feet or more of surface area
    • B. 50 square feet or more of surface area
    • C. 100 square feet or more of surface area
    • D. 500 square feet or more of surface area
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C

    • A. 10 square feet or more of surface area

      Ten square feet is below the threshold and does not trigger this registration rule. Registration is required for work involving 100 square feet or more.

    • B. 50 square feet or more of surface area

      Fifty square feet is below the threshold and does not trigger this registration rule. Registration is required for work involving 100 square feet or more.

    • C. 100 square feet or more of surface area

      Correct answer

      Correct. An employer or contractor doing asbestos-related work involving 100 square feet or more of surface area of asbestos-containing material must register with the Division.

    • D. 500 square feet or more of surface area

      This sets the trigger too high. Registration is required starting at 100 square feet, well before 500 square feet.

    Explanation

    Labor Code section 6501.5 says any employer or contractor doing asbestos-related work that involves 100 square feet or more of surface area of asbestos-containing material must register with the Division. Smaller amounts, such as 10 or 50 square feet, do not trigger this registration rule. The rule applies well before 500 square feet.

    Source

  3. Safety

    3. A crew will remove old vinyl floor tile that contains asbestos. The tile is not pipe or boiler insulation, and it is not sprayed-on surfacing material. Under Title 8 section 1529, what class of asbestos work is this?

    • A. Class I asbestos work
    • B. Class II asbestos work
    • C. Class III asbestos work
    • D. Class IV asbestos work
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B

    • A. Class I asbestos work

      Class I is the removal of thermal system insulation, such as pipe insulation, and surfacing material. Floor tile is neither.

    • B. Class II asbestos work

      Correct answer

      Correct. Class II work is removing asbestos-containing material that is not thermal system insulation or surfacing material, and the rule names floor tile as an example.

    • C. Class III asbestos work

      Class III is repair and maintenance work where asbestos material is likely to be disturbed, not the removal of the material.

    • D. Class IV asbestos work

      Class IV is maintenance and custodial work that touches but does not disturb asbestos material. Removing floor tile is removal work.

    Explanation

    Title 8 section 1529 defines Class II asbestos work as removing asbestos-containing material that is not thermal system insulation or surfacing material, and it names floor tile as an example. Class I is the removal of thermal system insulation (such as pipe insulation) and surfacing material. Class III is repair and maintenance work where asbestos material is likely to be disturbed, not its removal. Class IV is maintenance and custodial work that touches but does not disturb asbestos material.

    Source

  4. Safety

    4. A worker must wear protective coveralls while scraping lead paint. At the end of the shift, the worker wants to drive home in them and wash them at home. Under Title 8 section 1532.1, is this allowed?

    • A. Yes, if the worker washes the coveralls apart from family clothes
    • B. Yes, if the worker first brushes the lead dust off the coveralls
    • C. No, unless the worker first gets written permission from the supervisor
    • D. No, because workers may not leave the workplace in required protective clothing
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D

    • A. Yes, if the worker washes the coveralls apart from family clothes

      Washing the coveralls apart from family clothes does not fix the problem. The employer must make sure workers do not leave the workplace in required protective clothing at all.

    • B. Yes, if the worker first brushes the lead dust off the coveralls

      Brushing lead dust off clothing is itself prohibited because it spreads lead into the air. And the worker still may not leave the workplace in the coveralls.

    • C. No, unless the worker first gets written permission from the supervisor

      The rule has no exception for a supervisor's permission. The employer must make sure workers do not leave in required protective clothing, written permission or not.

    • D. No, because workers may not leave the workplace in required protective clothing

      Correct answer

      Correct. The employer must make sure workers do not enter personal vehicles or leave the workplace with protective clothing they must wear during the shift.

    Explanation

    Title 8 section 1532.1 says the employer must make sure employees do not enter personal vehicles or leave the workplace with protective clothing that they must wear during the shift. Washing the coveralls separately at home does not fix this. Brushing lead dust off clothing is also prohibited, because it spreads lead into the air. A supervisor's permission does not create an exception.

    Sources

  5. Safety

    5. A worker removes asbestos pipe insulation (Class I asbestos work) on several jobs each year. Under Title 8 section 1529, when must the employer include the worker in a medical surveillance program?

    • A. When this work totals 10 or more days in a year
    • B. When this work totals 20 or more days in a year
    • C. When this work totals 30 or more days in a year
    • D. When this work totals 60 or more days in a year
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C

    • A. When this work totals 10 or more days in a year

      Ten days is below the trigger. Medical surveillance is required when Class I, II, or III work totals 30 or more days per year.

    • B. When this work totals 20 or more days in a year

      Twenty days is below the trigger. The rule requires medical surveillance at a combined total of 30 or more days per year.

    • C. When this work totals 30 or more days in a year

      Correct answer

      Correct. The employer must include workers who do Class I, II, or III work for a combined total of 30 or more days per year.

    • D. When this work totals 60 or more days in a year

      The rule does not wait until 60 days. Medical surveillance starts at a combined total of 30 or more days per year.

    Explanation

    Title 8 section 1529 requires a medical surveillance program for every employee who does Class I, II, or III asbestos work for a combined total of 30 or more days per year. The same 30-day count applies to employees exposed at or above the permissible exposure limit. Ten or 20 days is below the trigger, and the rule does not wait until 60 days.

    Source

  6. Safety

    6. A supplier did not send a safety data sheet (SDS) for a hazardous chemical the crew uses. The employer has not asked the manufacturer about it before. Under the Hazard Communication standard, what must the employer do?

    • A. Report the supplier to Cal/OSHA within 7 working days
    • B. Ask the manufacturer in writing within 7 working days
    • C. Ask the manufacturer by phone within 30 calendar days
    • D. Keep using the chemical and wait for the next shipment
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B

    • A. Report the supplier to Cal/OSHA within 7 working days

      Wrong. The employer does not report the supplier first; a copy of the inquiry goes to the Director only if there is no response within 25 working days.

    • B. Ask the manufacturer in writing within 7 working days

      Correct answer

      Correct. When a safety data sheet is not provided, the employer must make a written inquiry to the manufacturer or importer within 7 working days, asking for the complete sheet.

    • C. Ask the manufacturer by phone within 30 calendar days

      Wrong. A phone call is not a written inquiry, and 30 days is too late; the rule requires a written inquiry within 7 working days.

    • D. Keep using the chemical and wait for the next shipment

      Wrong. Simply waiting for the next shipment does not meet the rule; the employer must make a written inquiry within 7 working days.

    Explanation

    The Hazard Communication standard (Title 8 section 5194) says that when a safety data sheet is not provided, the employer must make a written inquiry to the manufacturer or importer within 7 working days, asking for the complete sheet. A phone call is not a written inquiry, and 30 days is too late. The employer does not report the supplier first; a copy of the inquiry goes to the Director only if there is no response within 25 working days. Simply waiting for the next shipment does not meet the rule.

    Sources

  7. Safety

    7. On a construction site, a contractor keeps many small containers of the same hazardous chemical. Under the Hazard Communication standard, may it use a written sheet instead of labeling each container?

    • A. Yes, if the sheet identifies and goes with the containers and gives the label information
    • B. No, because on construction sites each container must have its own label
    • C. Yes, if the sheet is kept at the main office and sent to the site on request
    • D. No, because written sheets may be used only for pipes and piping systems
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A

    • A. Yes, if the sheet identifies and goes with the containers and gives the label information

      Correct answer

      Correct. In construction, the employer may use written materials instead of labels on individual containers if they identify and accompany the containers and give the information required on a label.

    • B. No, because on construction sites each container must have its own label

      The standard does not require a label on every container in construction. The employer may use written materials instead of labels on individual containers.

    • C. Yes, if the sheet is kept at the main office and sent to the site on request

      A sheet kept at the main office does not go with the containers. The written material must identify and accompany the containers it covers.

    • D. No, because written sheets may be used only for pipes and piping systems

      The rule lets construction employers use written materials in place of labels on individual containers, so it is not limited to pipes. Pipes are not containers under this standard.

    Explanation

    Title 8 section 5194(f)(7) says that in construction, the employer may use written materials instead of labels on individual containers. The written material must identify and accompany (go with) the containers and give the information required on a label. A sheet kept at the main office does not go with the containers. The standard does not require a label on every container in construction, and pipes are not containers under this standard.

    Source

  8. Safety

    8. A worker who does asbestos work gets training at the start of the first assignment. Under Title 8 section 1529, at minimum, how often must the training be repeated after that?

    • A. At least every 6 months
    • B. At least once a year
    • C. At least every 2 years
    • D. At least every 3 years
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B

    • A. At least every 6 months

      Every 6 months is more often than the rule requires. An employer may do it, but the minimum is retraining at least once a year.

    • B. At least once a year

      Correct answer

      Correct. Asbestos training must be given before or at the time of initial assignment and at least annually after that.

    • C. At least every 2 years

      Waiting 2 years is too long. The rule requires training at least annually after the first assignment.

    • D. At least every 3 years

      Waiting 3 years is too long. The rule requires training at least annually after the first assignment.

    Explanation

    Title 8 section 1529 says asbestos training must be given before or at the time of initial assignment and at least annually after that. So the minimum is retraining at least once a year. Every 6 months is more often than the rule requires; an employer may do it, but it is not the minimum. Waiting 2 or 3 years would leave the worker without the yearly training the rule requires.

    Source

  9. Safety

    9. A container of a hazardous chemical arrives at the job with the manufacturer's label. Under the Hazard Communication standard, when may the employer remove that label?

    • A. Whenever the label looks old, even if nothing replaces it
    • B. Only after the chemical has been at the site for 30 days
    • C. At any time, because labels are needed only during shipping
    • D. Only if the container is immediately marked with the required information
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D

    • A. Whenever the label looks old, even if nothing replaces it

      An old-looking label does not allow removal. The employer must not remove the label unless the container is immediately marked with the required information.

    • B. Only after the chemical has been at the site for 30 days

      The rule has no 30-day waiting period, and time at the site does not allow removal. The only exception is when the container is immediately marked with the required information.

    • C. At any time, because labels are needed only during shipping

      Labels are needed in the workplace, not only during shipping. The employer must not remove or intentionally deface labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals.

    • D. Only if the container is immediately marked with the required information

      Correct answer

      Correct. The employer may not remove or intentionally deface the label unless the container is immediately marked with the required information.

    Explanation

    Title 8 section 5194 says the employer must not remove or intentionally deface (damage) labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals. The only exception is when the container is immediately marked with the required information. Labels are needed in the workplace, not only during shipping. Time at the site or an old-looking label does not allow removal.

    Source

  10. Safety

    10. A contractor's crews travel to several job sites during each shift. Under the Hazard Communication standard, where may the safety data sheets (SDSs) be kept?

    • A. Only in each worker's own vehicle, kept with them at every job site
    • B. Anywhere, because traveling crews do not need access to SDSs
    • C. Only at the chemical supplier's office, available by mail request
    • D. At a central place, if workers can get them immediately in emergencies
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D

    • A. Only in each worker's own vehicle, kept with them at every job site

      The rule lets the sheets be kept at a central location at the primary workplace facility. It does not limit them to each worker's own vehicle.

    • B. Anywhere, because traveling crews do not need access to SDSs

      Traveling crews still need access. The employer must make sure employees can immediately get the information in an emergency.

    • C. Only at the chemical supplier's office, available by mail request

      The rule allows a central location at the primary workplace facility, not the supplier's office. A mail request would not let workers get the information immediately in an emergency.

    • D. At a central place, if workers can get them immediately in emergencies

      Correct answer

      Correct. When crews travel between workplaces during a shift, the sheets may be kept at a central location at the primary workplace facility, as long as employees can immediately get the information in an emergency.

    Explanation

    Title 8 section 5194 says that when employees travel between workplaces during a shift, the safety data sheets may be kept at a central location at the primary workplace facility. But the employer must make sure employees can immediately get the information in an emergency. Traveling crews still need access, so the sheets cannot be kept just anywhere or only at the supplier's office.

    Source

Keep studying

Read the Section 7 study notes: Safety

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