OSHA construction scaffolds practice questions

1. A scaffold's maximum intended load and its rated capacity are different figures. Which one sets the limit on how heavily it may be loaded?

• A. The rated capacity, in every case
• B. Whichever of the two is greater
• C. Whichever of the two is less
• D. The maximum intended load plus 25 percent

2. A scaffold hoist has a rated load of 1,000 pounds. Which of these stall loads is within the limit Subpart L sets for that hoist?

• A. 2,500 pounds
• B. 4,000 pounds
• C. 3,500 pounds
• D. 5,000 pounds

3. A qualified person has designed a scaffold. A foreman wants to put more load on it than the design allows because the planks look sturdy. What does the rule require?

• A. Extra load is allowed if a competent person approves it
• B. Extra load is allowed for one work shift
• C. The scaffold must be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design
• D. The design governs erection only, not loading

4. Under Subpart L's definition, what does a scaffold's "maximum intended load" take in?

• A. The weight of the workers only
• B. The total of all persons, equipment, tools, materials, transmitted loads and other loads reasonably anticipated at any one time
• C. The scaffold's own weight multiplied by four
• D. The weight of stored materials only

5. On a fully planked scaffold platform, the space between adjacent platform units is wider than the rule's usual limit. When does the rule allow that?

• A. Whenever the employees on the platform wear personal fall arrest systems
• B. Whenever the planks are thicker than 2 inches
• C. Where the employer can demonstrate that a wider space is necessary, such as to fit around uprights when side brackets extend the platform's width
• D. Whenever the scaffold is less than 10 feet high

6. Platforms are overlapped to create a long scaffold platform. Where may the overlap occur?

• A. Anywhere along the span
• B. Only at the two ends of the scaffold
• C. Only at midspan between supports
• D. Only over supports

7. What does the rule say about covering wood scaffold platforms with opaque finishes?

• A. Opaque paint is allowed on the whole surface if it is slip-resistant
• B. Every wood platform must be painted with an opaque finish
• C. Opaque finishes are allowed on the top surface only
• D. They shall not be covered with opaque finishes, except that platform edges may be covered or marked for identification

8. When may a fork-lift be used to support a scaffold platform?

• A. Whenever the fork-lift's wheels are chocked
• B. Only when the entire platform is attached to the fork and the fork-lift is not moved horizontally while the platform is occupied
• C. Whenever the employees on the platform wear harnesses
• D. Whenever the platform simply rests on the forks and the ground is level

9. A supported scaffold's frames rest on base plates and mud sills. What else does Subpart L require of its poles, legs, posts, frames and uprights to prevent swaying and displacement?

• A. They must be plumb and braced
• B. They must be tied to the nearest utility pole
• C. They must lean slightly toward the building wall
• D. Nothing more; a firm foundation is enough

10. A scaffold platform sits 12 inches horizontally and 30 inches vertically from an adjacent floor. May an employee use direct access, stepping between the floor and the scaffold?

• A. No, because the scaffold is more than 24 inches vertically from the other surface
• B. Yes, because the scaffold is within 14 inches horizontally
• C. Yes, if the employee holds the guardrail while stepping across
• D. Yes, if a competent person watches the crossing

11. A crew plans to use a hook-on ladder for access to a scaffold. What does Subpart L require of the ladder's design?

• A. It must be specifically designed for use with the type of scaffold used
• B. It must be made of wood
• C. Its rungs must be spaced at least 18 inches apart
• D. Any portable ladder may be used if it is tied on with rope

12. On a scaffold, two crossbraces cross 42 inches above the work platform, and their end points at each upright are no more than 48 inches apart. What part of the guardrail system may that crossbracing serve as?

• A. No part of the guardrail system
• B. The midrail
• C. The means of access to the platform
• D. The toprail

13. An employee works on a crawling board (chicken ladder). Which of these is listed as acceptable fall protection for that employee?

• A. A warning line system
• B. A safety monitoring system
• C. A three-fourth inch diameter grabline or equivalent handhold securely fastened beside each crawling board
• D. A controlled access zone

14. An employee more than 10 feet above a lower level works from a boatswains' chair. What fall protection does Subpart L require for that employee?

• A. A personal fall arrest system
• B. A guardrail system with a 200-pound toprail
• C. A safety net below the chair
• D. A grabline fastened beside the chair

15. Manila or synthetic rope is being used as the toprails and midrails of a scaffold guardrail. What does the rule require?

• A. Rope may never be used for toprails or midrails
• B. A competent person must inspect it as frequently as necessary to ensure it continues to meet the strength requirements
• C. It must be replaced every 30 days
• D. It needs inspection only when first installed

16. A scaffold part is found damaged so that its strength is below what the rule requires. What must happen to it?

• A. It may stay in use until the job is finished
• B. It must be immediately repaired or replaced, braced to meet the requirements, or removed from service until repaired
• C. It may stay in use if a warning sign is attached
• D. It must be reported at the next monthly safety meeting

17. A scaffold is covered with ice. When may employees work on it?

• A. Whenever they wear slip-resistant boots
• B. Only as necessary to remove the ice
• C. Whenever a competent person is on site
• D. Whenever the ice covers less than half the platform

18. Scaffold work must be done closer to a power line than the clearance table allows. What must happen before that work proceeds?

• A. A competent person must watch the line during the work
• B. Employees on the scaffold must wear rubber gloves
• C. A warning sign must be posted at the scaffold base
• D. The utility company or electrical system operator must be notified and must deenergize the lines, relocate them, or install protective coverings

19. Besides hardhats, which of these is listed as a way to protect employees on a scaffold from falling hand tools, debris and other small objects?

• A. Warning signs at the scaffold base
• B. A safety monitor on the platform
• C. Debris nets, catch platforms, or canopy structures that contain or deflect the falling objects
• D. Body belts worn by the employees below

20. Which of these is listed as a situation in which an employer must retrain a scaffold worker?

• A. Every six months, whatever the employee's performance
• B. Whenever the weather changes
• C. Whenever the employee moves to a new crew on the same site
• D. Inadequacies in the employee's work involving scaffolds show the employee has not retained the requisite proficiency