OSHA construction general safety and health practice questions
20 free practice questions from 29 CFR 1926 Subpart C. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
OSHA General safety and health
20 questions across 7 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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Prefer to read? Here is every question in the OSHA General safety and health set, grouped by topic. Open a question to see the answer, why it is right and the official source.
Accident prevention
1. A Part 1926 standard on its face protects a class of persons larger than employees. Under 29 CFR 1926.20(e), to whom does it apply under Part 1926?
- A. Only to employees and their employment and places of employment
- B. To every member of the public near the site
- C. To all visitors and delivery drivers
- D. To the owners of neighboring property
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Answer: A. Only to employees and their employment and places of employment
In that event "the standard shall be applicable under this part only to employees and their employment and places of employment."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.20, General safety and health provisions (as of Nov 3, 2026)
2. A tool on site does not comply with an applicable Part 1926 requirement. What does 29 CFR 1926.20 require?
- A. Keep using it until the end of the shift
- B. Use it only under a supervisor's watch
- C. Tag it as unsafe or lock its controls so it cannot operate, or physically remove it
- D. Use it only after reporting it to OSHA
Show answer
Answer: C. Tag it as unsafe or lock its controls so it cannot operate, or physically remove it
Use of non-complying equipment "is prohibited." It "shall either be identified as unsafe by tagging or locking the controls to render them inoperable or shall be physically removed from its place of operation."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.20, General safety and health provisions (as of Nov 3, 2026)
3. Under 29 CFR 1926.20(a)(1), what may no contractor or subcontractor on covered contract work require a laborer or mechanic to do?
- A. Work more than 40 hours in a week
- B. Work in surroundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to his health or safety
- C. Bring his own hand tools to the job
- D. Work on a weekend
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Answer: B. Work in surroundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to his health or safety
No contractor or subcontractor "shall require any laborer or mechanic employed in the performance of the contract to work in surroundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to his health or safety."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.20, General safety and health provisions (as of Nov 3, 2026)
4. No particular Part 1926 standard applies to a construction operation, but a general standard does apply by its terms. What does 29 CFR 1926.20(d)(2) say?
- A. No standard applies until OSHA writes a particular one
- B. Only a written company policy applies
- C. The employer may choose not to follow the general standard
- D. The general standard applies according to its terms
Show answer
Answer: D. The general standard applies according to its terms
"Any standard shall apply according to its terms to any employment and place of employment in any industry, even though particular standards are also prescribed for the industry to the extent that none of such particular standards applies."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.20, General safety and health provisions (as of Nov 3, 2026)
5. A standard requires PPE, and the employer fails to provide it to four employees who must use it. How does 29 CFR 1926.20(f) treat this?
- A. It counts as one violation for the whole site
- B. Each failure to provide PPE to an employee may be considered a separate violation
- C. It is a violation only if an injury occurs
- D. It is a violation only after a written warning
Show answer
Answer: B. Each failure to provide PPE to an employee may be considered a separate violation
The employer "must provide PPE to each employee required to use the PPE, and each failure to provide PPE to an employee may be considered a separate violation."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.20, General safety and health provisions (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Training
6. Employees are required to handle or use poisons, caustics and other harmful substances. Besides safe handling and use, what must they be made aware of under 29 CFR 1926.21(b)(3)?
- A. The potential hazards, personal hygiene, and personal protective measures required
- B. The retail price of each substance
- C. The supplier's delivery schedule
- D. Only the disposal date of each container
Show answer
Answer: A. The potential hazards, personal hygiene, and personal protective measures required
Such employees "shall be instructed regarding the safe handling and use, and be made aware of the potential hazards, personal hygiene, and personal protective measures required."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.21, Safety training and education (as of Nov 3, 2026)
7. Harmful plants or animals are present in a job site area. What must employees who may be exposed be instructed on?
- A. Only how to identify the species
- B. Nothing, unless an injury has already happened
- C. Only how to report sightings to the owner
- D. The potential hazards, how to avoid injury, and the first aid procedures to use if injured
Show answer
Answer: D. The potential hazards, how to avoid injury, and the first aid procedures to use if injured
Where harmful plants or animals are present, employees who may be exposed "shall be instructed regarding the potential hazards, and how to avoid injury, and the first aid procedures to be used in the event of injury."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.21, Safety training and education (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Definitions
8. How does 29 CFR 1926.32 define a "defect"?
- A. Any cosmetic mark on a tool's surface
- B. Any tool that is more than five years old
- C. Any characteristic or condition which tends to weaken or reduce the strength of the tool, object, or structure of which it is a part
- D. Any item without a manufacturer's label
Show answer
Answer: C. Any characteristic or condition which tends to weaken or reduce the strength of the tool, object, or structure of which it is a part
Defect means "any characteristic or condition which tends to weaken or reduce the strength of the tool, object, or structure of which it is a part."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.32, Definitions (as of Nov 3, 2026)
9. What does "safety factor" mean in the definitions of 29 CFR 1926.32?
- A. The number of competent persons on the site
- B. The share of employees who have completed training
- C. The ratio of the ultimate breaking strength of a member or piece of material or equipment to the actual working stress or safe load when in use
- D. The distance between a worker and an unprotected edge
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Answer: C. The ratio of the ultimate breaking strength of a member or piece of material or equipment to the actual working stress or safe load when in use
Safety factor means "the ratio of the ultimate breaking strength of a member or piece of material or equipment to the actual working stress or safe load when in use."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.32, Definitions (as of Nov 3, 2026)
10. Under 29 CFR 1926.32, what does the term "designated person" mean?
- A. A competent person
- B. A qualified person
- C. An OSHA compliance officer
- D. An authorized person: one approved or assigned by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or to be at a specific location at the jobsite
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Answer: D. An authorized person: one approved or assigned by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or to be at a specific location at the jobsite
Designated person means an authorized person as defined in 1926.32(d), and an authorized person is "a person approved or assigned by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or duties or to be at a specific location or locations at the jobsite."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.32, Definitions (as of Nov 3, 2026)
First aid and fire
11. Under 29 CFR 1926.23, for whom must the employer make first aid services and provisions for medical care available?
- A. Every employee covered by the regulations
- B. Only employees who work at heights
- C. Only employees who ask for them in writing
- D. Only employees who work night shifts
Show answer
Answer: A. Every employee covered by the regulations
"First aid services and provisions for medical care shall be made available by the employer for every employee covered by these regulations." The specific requirements are in Subpart D.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.23, First aid and medical attention (as of Nov 3, 2026)
12. Under 29 CFR 1926.24, during which phases of the work must the employer maintain an effective fire protection and prevention program at the job site?
- A. Only during demolition
- B. Throughout all phases of the construction, repair, alteration or demolition work
- C. Only after the building is enclosed
- D. Only during hot work
Show answer
Answer: B. Throughout all phases of the construction, repair, alteration or demolition work
The employer is responsible for an effective fire protection and prevention program "throughout all phases of the construction, repair, alteration, or demolition work."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.24, Fire protection and prevention (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Housekeeping, lighting and sanitation
13. Under 29 CFR 1926.25(c), what must containers be provided for?
- A. Storing drinking water
- B. Holding first aid supplies
- C. Storing employees' personal belongings
- D. The collection and separation of waste, trash, oily and used rags, and other refuse
Show answer
Answer: D. The collection and separation of waste, trash, oily and used rags, and other refuse
"Containers shall be provided for the collection and separation of waste, trash, oily and used rags, and other refuse."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.25, Housekeeping (as of Nov 3, 2026)
14. What does 29 CFR 1926.25 require of containers used for oily, flammable or hazardous wastes?
- A. They must be made of clear plastic
- B. They must be equipped with covers
- C. They must be emptied only at the end of the project
- D. They must be kept inside the building
Show answer
Answer: B. They must be equipped with covers
"Containers used for garbage and other oily, flammable, or hazardous wastes, such as caustics, acids, harmful dusts, etc. shall be equipped with covers."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.25, Housekeeping (as of Nov 3, 2026)
15. How often must combustible scrap and debris be removed under 29 CFR 1926.25?
- A. Only once, when the project is finished
- B. Only when a fire inspector asks
- C. At regular intervals during the course of construction
- D. Only when the debris pile reaches a set height
Show answer
Answer: C. At regular intervals during the course of construction
"Combustible scrap and debris shall be removed at regular intervals during the course of construction", and safe means must be provided for the removal.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.25, Housekeeping (as of Nov 3, 2026)
16. 29 CFR 1926.26 requires areas where work is in progress to be lighted. Where are the minimum illumination requirements for work areas found?
- A. Subpart D of Part 1926
- B. Subpart E of Part 1926
- C. Subpart M of Part 1926
- D. Subpart P of Part 1926
Show answer
Answer: A. Subpart D of Part 1926
Work areas must be lighted with natural or artificial illumination, and "The minimum illumination requirements for work areas are contained in subpart D of this part."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.26, Illumination (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Means of egress
17. Under 29 CFR 1926.34, in which places may a lock or fastening that prevents free escape from the inside of a building be installed?
- A. Any building still under construction
- B. Mental, penal or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel are continually on duty and effective provisions are made to remove occupants in an emergency
- C. Any building after work hours
- D. Any storage area holding tools
Show answer
Answer: B. Mental, penal or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel are continually on duty and effective provisions are made to remove occupants in an emergency
No such lock "shall be installed except in mental, penal, or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel is continually on duty and effective provisions are made to remove occupants in case of fire or other emergency."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.34, Means of egress (as of Nov 3, 2026)
18. When must access to exits be marked by readily visible signs under 29 CFR 1926.34?
- A. In all cases where the exit or the way to reach it is not immediately visible to the occupants
- B. Only in buildings over three stories
- C. Only when OSHA orders it
- D. Only at night
Show answer
Answer: A. In all cases where the exit or the way to reach it is not immediately visible to the occupants
"Access to exits shall be marked by readily visible signs in all cases where the exit or way to reach it is not immediately visible to the occupants."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.34, Means of egress (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Emergency action plans
19. Under 29 CFR 1926.35(e)(1), what must the employer do before implementing the emergency action plan?
- A. Hold a full-scale drill with the local fire department
- B. File the plan with the OSHA area office
- C. Get every employee's signature on the plan
- D. Designate and train a sufficient number of persons to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees
Show answer
Answer: D. Designate and train a sufficient number of persons to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees
"Before implementing the emergency action plan, the employer shall designate and train a sufficient number of persons to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.35, Employee emergency action plans (as of Nov 3, 2026)
20. An employee alarm system is also used to alert fire brigade members. What does 29 CFR 1926.35 require?
- A. One shared signal for all purposes
- B. A separate alarm panel in each building
- C. A distinctive signal for each purpose
- D. No signal for the fire brigade
Show answer
Answer: C. A distinctive signal for each purpose
"If the employee alarm system is used for alerting fire brigade members, or for other purposes, a distinctive signal for each purpose shall be used."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.35, Employee emergency action plans (as of Nov 3, 2026)