OSHA general industry hazardous materials practice questions
20 free practice questions from 29 CFR 1910.101 and 1910.106. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
OSHA Hazardous materials
20 questions across 8 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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Compressed gas cylinders
1. Under 29 CFR 1910.101(a), what must each employer determine about the compressed gas cylinders under its control?
- A. That they are in a safe condition, to the extent this can be determined by visual inspection
- B. That each cylinder has been emptied and refilled within the past 30 days
- C. That every cylinder is stored outdoors
- D. That each cylinder was bought from the employer's own state
Show answer
Answer: A. That they are in a safe condition, to the extent this can be determined by visual inspection
"Each employer shall determine that compressed gas cylinders under his control are in a safe condition to the extent that this can be determined by visual inspection."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.101, Compressed gases (general requirements) (as of Nov 3, 2026)
2. Under 29 CFR 1910.101(c), what must compressed gas cylinders, portable tanks and cargo tanks have installed and maintained?
- A. Remote-reading pressure gauges
- B. Pressure relief devices
- C. GPS tracking tags
- D. Locking valve caps
Show answer
Answer: B. Pressure relief devices
Compressed gas cylinders, portable tanks, and cargo tanks "shall have pressure relief devices installed and maintained" in accordance with the Compressed Gas Association pamphlets the rule names.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.101, Compressed gases (general requirements) (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Definitions and categories
3. How does 1910.106(a)(9) define a closed container?
- A. Any container with a screw cap, whether or not vapor escapes
- B. A container kept inside a closed storage cabinet
- C. A container so sealed by means of a lid or other device that neither liquid nor vapor will escape from it at ordinary temperatures
- D. A container that holds no more than 1 gallon
Show answer
Answer: C. A container so sealed by means of a lid or other device that neither liquid nor vapor will escape from it at ordinary temperatures
Closed container "shall mean a container as herein defined, so sealed by means of a lid or other device that neither liquid nor vapor will escape from it at ordinary temperatures."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
4. A Category 4 flammable liquid is heated for use to within 30 °F (16.7 °C) of its flashpoint. How does 1910.106(a)(19)(iv) say it must be handled?
- A. In accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100 °F (37.8 °C)
- B. In accordance with the requirements for a Category 1 liquid
- C. As a liquid outside the scope of 1910.106
- D. With no change, because heating does not affect its category
Show answer
Answer: A. In accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100 °F (37.8 °C)
"When a Category 4 flammable liquid is heated for use to within 30 °F (16.7 °C) of its flashpoint, it shall be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100 °F (37.8 °C)."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
5. A liquid has a flashpoint of 120 °F. Which category does 1910.106 put it in?
- A. Category 1
- B. Category 2
- C. Category 4
- D. Category 3
Show answer
Answer: D. Category 3
"Category 3 shall include liquids having flashpoints at or above 73.4 °F (23 °C) and at or below 140 °F (60 °C)." A 120 °F flashpoint falls in that range.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
6. Besides a spring-closing lid and spout cover, what design feature does the 1910.106(a)(29) definition of a safety can require?
- A. A transparent body so the liquid level can be seen
- B. A locking cap that opens only with a key
- C. It is designed so that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure
- D. A capacity of at least 10 gallons
Show answer
Answer: C. It is designed so that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure
A safety can is an approved container of not more than 5 gallons capacity with a spring-closing lid and spout cover "and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Containers and portable tanks
7. Under Table H-12 in 1910.106, what is the maximum allowable size of a safety can for a Category 1 flammable liquid?
- A. 5 gal
- B. 2 gal
- C. 10 gal
- D. 60 gal
Show answer
Answer: B. 2 gal
Table H-12 lists "Safety cans 2 gal 5 gal 5 gal 5 gal" for Categories 1, 2, 3 and 4, so the Category 1 limit is 2 gallons.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
8. The note to Table H-12 in 1910.106 exempts certain items from the container rules in 1910.106(d)(2)(i) and (ii) when they are packaged according to commonly accepted practices. Which items?
- A. Flammable aerosols kept in stock for resale
- B. Category 1 flammable liquids used for cleaning machine parts
- C. Waste solvents awaiting disposal
- D. Medicines, beverages, foodstuffs, cosmetics, and other common consumer items
Show answer
Answer: D. Medicines, beverages, foodstuffs, cosmetics, and other common consumer items
The note to Table H-12 says "Medicines, beverages, foodstuffs, cosmetics, and other common consumer items, when packaged according to commonly accepted practices, shall be exempt from the requirements of 1910.106(d)(2)(i) and (ii)."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
9. What individual capacity limit does 1910.106(d)(1)(i) set for the drums and other containers covered by the container and portable tank storage rules?
- A. 60 gallons
- B. 30 gallons
- C. 120 gallons
- D. 660 gallons
Show answer
Answer: A. 60 gallons
The paragraph applies "only to the storage of flammable liquids in drums or other containers (including flammable aerosols) not exceeding 60 gallons individual capacity"; the 660-gallon limit is for portable tanks.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Storage cabinets
10. For a metal flammable liquid storage cabinet built as described in 1910.106(d)(3)(ii)(a), what kind of lock must the door have?
- A. A padlock hasp, with no other lock
- B. An electronic keypad lock
- C. A three-point lock
- D. No lock of any kind
Show answer
Answer: C. A three-point lock
For metal cabinets deemed in compliance, "The door shall be provided with a three-point lock, and the door sill shall be raised at least 2 inches above the bottom of the cabinet."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
11. For a wooden flammable liquid storage cabinet built as described in 1910.106(d)(3)(ii)(b), how must the joints be made?
- A. Glued, with no fasteners
- B. Nailed in one direction
- C. Held together with metal banding
- D. Rabbetted and fastened in two directions with flathead woodscrews
Show answer
Answer: D. Rabbetted and fastened in two directions with flathead woodscrews
For wooden cabinets deemed in compliance, "All joints shall be rabbetted and shall be fastened in two directions with flathead woodscrews."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Storage rooms and storage areas
12. An inside storage room has a mechanical exhaust system controlled by a switch outside the door. When does 1910.106(d)(4)(iv) require a pilot light adjacent to that switch?
- A. Only when the room is larger than 500 square feet
- B. When Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), are dispensed within the room
- C. Only when the room has no windows
- D. Only when the room stores Category 4 flammable liquids and nothing else
Show answer
Answer: B. When Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), are dispensed within the room
The ventilating equipment and any lighting fixtures are run from the same switch, and "A pilot light shall be installed adjacent to the switch if Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), are dispensed within the room."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
13. Where does 1910.106(d)(4)(iv) require the switch for an inside storage room's mechanical exhaust system to be located?
- A. Outside of the door
- B. Inside the room, next to the door
- C. On the exhaust fan housing inside the room
- D. Inside the room, on the wall opposite the door
Show answer
Answer: A. Outside of the door
"If a mechanical exhaust system is used, it shall be controlled by a switch located outside of the door."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
14. Under Table H-13 in 1910.106, what total allowable quantity (gallons per square foot of floor area) applies to an inside storage room with 2-hour fire resistance and a fire protection system provided?
- A. 12
- B. 20
- C. 25
- D. 10
Show answer
Answer: D. 10
Table H-13's first row reads "Yes 2 hours 500 sq. ft 10": fire protection provided, 2-hour fire resistance, 500 sq. ft maximum size, 10 gallons per square foot.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Incidental use in industrial plants
15. Which of these does 1910.106(e)(2)(i) give as an example of a principal business in which the use and handling of flammable liquids is only incidental?
- A. A petroleum refinery
- B. A bulk plant distributing flammable liquids
- C. Furniture manufacturing
- D. A service station
Show answer
Answer: C. Furniture manufacturing
The incidental storage and use rules apply to portions of an industrial plant "where the use and handling of flammable liquids is only incidental to the principal business, such as automobile assembly, construction of electronic equipment, furniture manufacturing, or other similar activities."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
16. Under 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(a), when must Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids (or Category 3 with a flashpoint below 100 °F) be kept in covered containers at the point of final use?
- A. Only overnight
- B. When not actually in use
- C. Only when stored for more than 30 days
- D. Only in areas open to the public
Show answer
Answer: B. When not actually in use
These liquids "shall be kept in covered containers when not actually in use."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Dispensing, bonding and grounding
17. Which way of transferring flammable liquids inside a building does 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(d) prohibit?
- A. Through a closed piping system
- B. From safety cans
- C. By gravity through an approved self-closing valve
- D. By means of air pressure on the container
Show answer
Answer: D. By means of air pressure on the container
"Transferring by means of air pressure on the container or portable tanks shall be prohibited." The other three are among the methods the rule allows.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
18. Under 1910.106(e)(6)(ii), Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids (or Category 3 with a flashpoint below 100 °F) must not be dispensed into containers unless what condition is met?
- A. The nozzle and container are electrically interconnected
- B. The container is made of plastic
- C. The room temperature is below 70 °F
- D. A second employee holds the container
Show answer
Answer: A. The nozzle and container are electrically interconnected
These liquids "shall not be dispensed into containers unless the nozzle and container are electrically interconnected."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Sources of ignition and fire control
19. Under the fire control rules for container and portable tank storage in 1910.106(d)(7), which materials may not be stored in the same room with flammable liquids?
- A. Empty metal safety cans
- B. Materials which will react with water
- C. Approved flammable liquid storage cabinets
- D. Spare portable fire extinguishers
Show answer
Answer: B. Materials which will react with water
Under the water reactive materials paragraph, "Materials which will react with water shall not be stored in the same room with flammable liquids."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)
20. What disposal interval does 1910.106(e)(9)(iii) set for combustible waste material and residues in an industrial plant building or unit operating area?
- A. Weekly
- B. Monthly
- C. Daily
- D. Whenever the receptacle is full
Show answer
Answer: C. Daily
Such waste "shall be kept to a minimum, stored in covered metal receptacles and disposed of daily."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable liquids (as of Nov 3, 2026)