LATEST Construction Health and Safety
Technician (CHST) CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFERED BY BOARD OF CERTIFIED
SAFETY PROFESSIONALS (BCSP) | Q&A
WITH RATIONALES
1. A new crew is mixing concrete on a grade slab
using a portable mixer. Which exposure requires the
most immediate control?
A) Noise from the mixer operation
B) Wet cement contact with skin
C) Diesel exhaust from the mixer engine
D) Vibration from the mixer handle
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Wet cement contains hexavalent
chromium and alkalis that cause severe chemical
burns (cement dermatitis). PPE and wash stations
are critical before other controls.
2. An electrician is drilling into an uncut wall and
suddenly cries out and cannot let go of the drill. What
is the most likely cause?
A) Drill bit binding on rebar
,B) Drill motor overheating
C) Drill bit shattering
D) Drill chuck loosening
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A bit binding on rebar can stall the motor,
producing a locked‑rotor condition that delivers
maximum torque and shock risk, causing the worker
to be unable to release the tool.
3. A safety technician observes multiple trades
working in the same area. Tools are lying on the floor,
and electrical cords are tangled in walking paths.
What is the most likely primary hazard?
A) Slip and fall
B) Ergonomic strain
C) Fire
D) Tripping and struck‑by falling objects
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Poor housekeeping leads to trip hazards,
and loose tools can be stepped on or kicked, causing
them to fall and strike workers below.
,4. During a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for welding on
structural steel 25 feet above grade, a fall hazard is
identified. According to the hierarchy of controls,
what is the most effective control?
A) Provide a safety net below the work area
B) Require each welder to wear a full body harness
C) Redesign the erection sequence to perform
welding at ground level before lifting
D) Install warning lines around the perimeter of the
steel
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Elimination is the highest level in the
hierarchy. Redesigning the sequence to eliminate
work at heights removes the fall hazard entirely.
5. A road construction crew is working next to a lane
where traffic is moving at 45 mph. Cones are placed
10 feet from the workers. What is the primary hazard
deficiency?
A) Cones are not reflective
B) Positive protection (barrier) is missing
C) Workers are not wearing high‑visibility vests
D) The speed limit is too high
Correct answer: B
, Rationale: OSHA 1926 Subpart G requires positive
barrier protection (concrete barriers or crash
cushions) when workers are exposed to traffic
moving faster than 45 mph within the work zone.
6. A worker is using a hammer drill to anchor bolts
into a concrete floor. Respirators are available but
not required by the site safety plan. Within minutes,
the worker develops a cough and eye irritation. What
is the most likely hazard?
A) Carbon monoxide from the drill motor
B) Respirable crystalline silica dust
C) High noise level from the hammer drill
D) Ergonomic stress from tool vibration
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Hammer drilling into concrete generates
respirable crystalline silica. The cough and eye
irritation indicate silica dust exposure, which
requires water suppression or a vacuum attachment
and respirators.
7. A trench is being excavated to install a 12‑inch
storm drain. The trench is 8 feet deep in Type B soil.
What is the minimum required slope for the
excavation walls?
Technician (CHST) CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFERED BY BOARD OF CERTIFIED
SAFETY PROFESSIONALS (BCSP) | Q&A
WITH RATIONALES
1. A new crew is mixing concrete on a grade slab
using a portable mixer. Which exposure requires the
most immediate control?
A) Noise from the mixer operation
B) Wet cement contact with skin
C) Diesel exhaust from the mixer engine
D) Vibration from the mixer handle
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Wet cement contains hexavalent
chromium and alkalis that cause severe chemical
burns (cement dermatitis). PPE and wash stations
are critical before other controls.
2. An electrician is drilling into an uncut wall and
suddenly cries out and cannot let go of the drill. What
is the most likely cause?
A) Drill bit binding on rebar
,B) Drill motor overheating
C) Drill bit shattering
D) Drill chuck loosening
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A bit binding on rebar can stall the motor,
producing a locked‑rotor condition that delivers
maximum torque and shock risk, causing the worker
to be unable to release the tool.
3. A safety technician observes multiple trades
working in the same area. Tools are lying on the floor,
and electrical cords are tangled in walking paths.
What is the most likely primary hazard?
A) Slip and fall
B) Ergonomic strain
C) Fire
D) Tripping and struck‑by falling objects
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Poor housekeeping leads to trip hazards,
and loose tools can be stepped on or kicked, causing
them to fall and strike workers below.
,4. During a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for welding on
structural steel 25 feet above grade, a fall hazard is
identified. According to the hierarchy of controls,
what is the most effective control?
A) Provide a safety net below the work area
B) Require each welder to wear a full body harness
C) Redesign the erection sequence to perform
welding at ground level before lifting
D) Install warning lines around the perimeter of the
steel
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Elimination is the highest level in the
hierarchy. Redesigning the sequence to eliminate
work at heights removes the fall hazard entirely.
5. A road construction crew is working next to a lane
where traffic is moving at 45 mph. Cones are placed
10 feet from the workers. What is the primary hazard
deficiency?
A) Cones are not reflective
B) Positive protection (barrier) is missing
C) Workers are not wearing high‑visibility vests
D) The speed limit is too high
Correct answer: B
, Rationale: OSHA 1926 Subpart G requires positive
barrier protection (concrete barriers or crash
cushions) when workers are exposed to traffic
moving faster than 45 mph within the work zone.
6. A worker is using a hammer drill to anchor bolts
into a concrete floor. Respirators are available but
not required by the site safety plan. Within minutes,
the worker develops a cough and eye irritation. What
is the most likely hazard?
A) Carbon monoxide from the drill motor
B) Respirable crystalline silica dust
C) High noise level from the hammer drill
D) Ergonomic stress from tool vibration
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Hammer drilling into concrete generates
respirable crystalline silica. The cough and eye
irritation indicate silica dust exposure, which
requires water suppression or a vacuum attachment
and respirators.
7. A trench is being excavated to install a 12‑inch
storm drain. The trench is 8 feet deep in Type B soil.
What is the minimum required slope for the
excavation walls?
