1
OSHA 10-HOUR CERTIFICATION EXAM –
EXAM PREP GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026-
2027 |PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Introduction to OSHA and Worker Rights
OSHA Focus Four Hazards (Construction)
Fall Protection and Walking-Working Surfaces
Electrical Safety
Hazard Communication (HazCom) and GHS
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Fire Protection and Exit Routes
Machine Guarding and Lockout/Tagout
Materials Handling and Storage
Excavations, Scaffolds, and Stairways/Ladders
Health Hazards and Industrial Hygiene
Safety and Health Program Management
,2
Question 1: The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) was signed into
law in which year, establishing the federal framework for workplace safety
regulation in the United States?
A) 1960
B) 1970
C) 1980
D) 1990
Correct Answer: B
President Richard Nixon signed the OSH Act into law on December 29, 1970.
This landmark legislation created the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) and established the federal framework for workplace
safety regulation. Before OSHA, approximately 14,000 workers died annually
from occupational injuries and illnesses.
Question 2: What is the primary mission of the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)?
A) To enforce building codes and zoning regulations
B) To ensure safe and healthful working conditions for employees
C) To provide workers' compensation insurance to injured workers
D) To regulate labor union activities and collective bargaining
Correct Answer: B
OSHA's mission under the OSH Act of 1970 is "to assure safe and healthful
working conditions for working men and women." The agency accomplishes this
by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach,
education, and assistance. Options A, C, and D are functions of other
government agencies or are unrelated to OSHA's core mandate.
Question 3: Under OSHA's General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)), what is the
primary obligation of an employer?
,3
A) To pay for all personal protective equipment without exception
B) To keep records of all injuries, regardless of severity
C) To furnish a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or
likely to cause death or serious physical harm
D) To train employees only when the employee requests additional training
Correct Answer: C
The General Duty Clause requires each employer to furnish to each of his
employees employment and a place of employment which are free from
recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious
physical harm. This is a catch-all provision that applies even when no specific
OSHA standard exists for a particular hazard. Options A and B are specific
requirements under other standards, and Option D misstates the employer's
training obligation.
Question 4: An employee believes there is a serious safety violation at their
workplace and wants to request an OSHA inspection. Under which section of
the OSH Act is this right protected?
A) Section 11(c)
B) Section 8(f)(1)
C) The General Duty Clause
D) The Hazard Communication Standard
Correct Answer: B
Section 8(f)(1) of the OSH Act gives employees the right to request an OSHA
inspection if they believe that a violation of a safety or health standard exists
that threatens physical harm, or that an imminent danger exists. Section 11(c)
(Option A) protects employees from retaliation for exercising their rights, but
Section 8(f)(1) is the specific provision for requesting an inspection.
, 4
Question 5: An employee files a safety complaint with OSHA. Which of the
following statements is true regarding their rights?
A) The employee must identify themselves publicly and cannot remain
anonymous.
B) The employee can request that their name be withheld from the employer.
C) The employee must first obtain permission from their supervisor before
filing.
D) The employee waives their right to continued employment by filing a
complaint.
Correct Answer: B
OSHA allows employees to file complaints and to request that their name be
withheld from the employer. The agency will not reveal the employee's identity
without their consent. This protection encourages workers to report hazards
without fear of retaliation. Section 11(c) of the OSH Act prohibits employers
from retaliating against employees for filing complaints or exercising other
protected rights.
Question 6: The OSH Act covers which of the following groups of workers?
A) All private sector employees
B) Public sector employees in all states without exception
C) Self-employed individuals
D) Family farms with no outside employees
Correct Answer: A
The OSH Act covers most private sector employers and their workers. It does
not cover self-employed individuals (Option C), family farms that do not employ
outside workers (Option D), or public sector employees in states that do not
have an OSHA-approved state plan (Option B is too broad). The Act is
administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.
OSHA 10-HOUR CERTIFICATION EXAM –
EXAM PREP GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026-
2027 |PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Introduction to OSHA and Worker Rights
OSHA Focus Four Hazards (Construction)
Fall Protection and Walking-Working Surfaces
Electrical Safety
Hazard Communication (HazCom) and GHS
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Fire Protection and Exit Routes
Machine Guarding and Lockout/Tagout
Materials Handling and Storage
Excavations, Scaffolds, and Stairways/Ladders
Health Hazards and Industrial Hygiene
Safety and Health Program Management
,2
Question 1: The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) was signed into
law in which year, establishing the federal framework for workplace safety
regulation in the United States?
A) 1960
B) 1970
C) 1980
D) 1990
Correct Answer: B
President Richard Nixon signed the OSH Act into law on December 29, 1970.
This landmark legislation created the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) and established the federal framework for workplace
safety regulation. Before OSHA, approximately 14,000 workers died annually
from occupational injuries and illnesses.
Question 2: What is the primary mission of the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)?
A) To enforce building codes and zoning regulations
B) To ensure safe and healthful working conditions for employees
C) To provide workers' compensation insurance to injured workers
D) To regulate labor union activities and collective bargaining
Correct Answer: B
OSHA's mission under the OSH Act of 1970 is "to assure safe and healthful
working conditions for working men and women." The agency accomplishes this
by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach,
education, and assistance. Options A, C, and D are functions of other
government agencies or are unrelated to OSHA's core mandate.
Question 3: Under OSHA's General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)), what is the
primary obligation of an employer?
,3
A) To pay for all personal protective equipment without exception
B) To keep records of all injuries, regardless of severity
C) To furnish a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or
likely to cause death or serious physical harm
D) To train employees only when the employee requests additional training
Correct Answer: C
The General Duty Clause requires each employer to furnish to each of his
employees employment and a place of employment which are free from
recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious
physical harm. This is a catch-all provision that applies even when no specific
OSHA standard exists for a particular hazard. Options A and B are specific
requirements under other standards, and Option D misstates the employer's
training obligation.
Question 4: An employee believes there is a serious safety violation at their
workplace and wants to request an OSHA inspection. Under which section of
the OSH Act is this right protected?
A) Section 11(c)
B) Section 8(f)(1)
C) The General Duty Clause
D) The Hazard Communication Standard
Correct Answer: B
Section 8(f)(1) of the OSH Act gives employees the right to request an OSHA
inspection if they believe that a violation of a safety or health standard exists
that threatens physical harm, or that an imminent danger exists. Section 11(c)
(Option A) protects employees from retaliation for exercising their rights, but
Section 8(f)(1) is the specific provision for requesting an inspection.
, 4
Question 5: An employee files a safety complaint with OSHA. Which of the
following statements is true regarding their rights?
A) The employee must identify themselves publicly and cannot remain
anonymous.
B) The employee can request that their name be withheld from the employer.
C) The employee must first obtain permission from their supervisor before
filing.
D) The employee waives their right to continued employment by filing a
complaint.
Correct Answer: B
OSHA allows employees to file complaints and to request that their name be
withheld from the employer. The agency will not reveal the employee's identity
without their consent. This protection encourages workers to report hazards
without fear of retaliation. Section 11(c) of the OSH Act prohibits employers
from retaliating against employees for filing complaints or exercising other
protected rights.
Question 6: The OSH Act covers which of the following groups of workers?
A) All private sector employees
B) Public sector employees in all states without exception
C) Self-employed individuals
D) Family farms with no outside employees
Correct Answer: A
The OSH Act covers most private sector employers and their workers. It does
not cover self-employed individuals (Option C), family farms that do not employ
outside workers (Option D), or public sector employees in states that do not
have an OSHA-approved state plan (Option B is too broad). The Act is
administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.
