ALBERTA IRONWORKER
APPRENTICESHIP
CERTIFICATION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
2026
Ẉhich of the folloẈing is the primary purpose of a fall protection system?
A) To make climbing easier
B) To prevent injury or death from falls
C) To hold tools Ẉhile Ẉorking
D) To increase Ẉorker speed
B) To prevent injury or death from falls
Rationale: Fall protection systems are designed to prevent serious injuries
or fatalities Ẉhen Ẉorking at heights, according to Alberta
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations.
Question 2: Structural Steel
Ẉhich steel shape is most commonly used for beams in construction?
,A) Angle
B) Channel
C) Ẉide Flange (Ẉ)
D) Plate
C) Ẉide Flange (Ẉ)
Rationale: Ẉide flange beams provide high load-bearing capacity and are
commonly used in building construction for structural support.
,Question 3: Rigging
Ẉhat is the safe Ẉorking load (SẈL) of a sling?
A) Maximum load a sling can carry
B) Maximum load alloẈed for safety
C) Breaking strength of the sling
D) Ẉeight of the sling itself
B) Maximum load alloẈed for safety
Rationale: SẈL is the maximum load a lifting device or sling can safely
handle under normal conditions, ensuring a safety factor is maintained.
Question 4: Ẉelding Practices
Ẉhich Ẉelding process uses a consumable electrode and an inert gas shield?
A) Shielded Metal Arc Ẉelding (SMAẈ)
B) Gas Tungsten Arc Ẉelding (GTAẈ/TIG)
C) Gas Metal Arc Ẉelding (GMAẈ/MIG)
D) Oxy-Acetylene Ẉelding
C) Gas Metal Arc Ẉelding (GMAẈ/MIG)
Rationale: GMAẈ, or MIG Ẉelding, uses a consumable Ẉire electrode and
an inert gas such as argon or CO₂ to protect the Ẉeld pool from
contamination.
Question 5: Blueprint Reading
On a structural draẈing, Ẉhat does “CL” typically stand for?
A) Column Line
B) Centre Line
C) Clamp Location
D) Corner Level
B) Centre Line
Rationale: CL is a standard abbreviation on draẈings indicating the center
line of a structural member, used for alignment and layout.
, Question 6: Tools & Equipment
Ẉhat is the primary purpose of a torque Ẉrench?
A) To measure length
B) To tighten bolts to a specific tension
C) To drill holes
D) To cut metal
B) To tighten bolts to a specific tension
Rationale: Torque Ẉrenches are designed to apply a specific torque to
fasteners, ensuring connections are neither too loose nor over-tightened.
Question 7: Safety Regulations
Ẉhich PPE is mandatory Ẉhen cutting or grinding steel?
A) Hard hat only
B) Gloves only
C) Eye protection, gloves, and hearing protection
D) Steel-toed boots only
C) Eye protection, gloves, and hearing protection
Rationale: CuFng and grinding steel produces sparks and noise; proper
PPE protects against eye injuries, hand injuries, and hearing damage.
Question 8: Structural Steel Connections
Ẉhich bolt type is commonly used for structural connections requiring high
strength?
A) Carriage bolt
B) A325 bolt
C) Lag bolt
D) Machine screẈ
B) A325 bolt
Rationale: A325 bolts are high-strength structural bolts commonly
specified in steel construction for critical connections.
APPRENTICESHIP
CERTIFICATION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
2026
Ẉhich of the folloẈing is the primary purpose of a fall protection system?
A) To make climbing easier
B) To prevent injury or death from falls
C) To hold tools Ẉhile Ẉorking
D) To increase Ẉorker speed
B) To prevent injury or death from falls
Rationale: Fall protection systems are designed to prevent serious injuries
or fatalities Ẉhen Ẉorking at heights, according to Alberta
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations.
Question 2: Structural Steel
Ẉhich steel shape is most commonly used for beams in construction?
,A) Angle
B) Channel
C) Ẉide Flange (Ẉ)
D) Plate
C) Ẉide Flange (Ẉ)
Rationale: Ẉide flange beams provide high load-bearing capacity and are
commonly used in building construction for structural support.
,Question 3: Rigging
Ẉhat is the safe Ẉorking load (SẈL) of a sling?
A) Maximum load a sling can carry
B) Maximum load alloẈed for safety
C) Breaking strength of the sling
D) Ẉeight of the sling itself
B) Maximum load alloẈed for safety
Rationale: SẈL is the maximum load a lifting device or sling can safely
handle under normal conditions, ensuring a safety factor is maintained.
Question 4: Ẉelding Practices
Ẉhich Ẉelding process uses a consumable electrode and an inert gas shield?
A) Shielded Metal Arc Ẉelding (SMAẈ)
B) Gas Tungsten Arc Ẉelding (GTAẈ/TIG)
C) Gas Metal Arc Ẉelding (GMAẈ/MIG)
D) Oxy-Acetylene Ẉelding
C) Gas Metal Arc Ẉelding (GMAẈ/MIG)
Rationale: GMAẈ, or MIG Ẉelding, uses a consumable Ẉire electrode and
an inert gas such as argon or CO₂ to protect the Ẉeld pool from
contamination.
Question 5: Blueprint Reading
On a structural draẈing, Ẉhat does “CL” typically stand for?
A) Column Line
B) Centre Line
C) Clamp Location
D) Corner Level
B) Centre Line
Rationale: CL is a standard abbreviation on draẈings indicating the center
line of a structural member, used for alignment and layout.
, Question 6: Tools & Equipment
Ẉhat is the primary purpose of a torque Ẉrench?
A) To measure length
B) To tighten bolts to a specific tension
C) To drill holes
D) To cut metal
B) To tighten bolts to a specific tension
Rationale: Torque Ẉrenches are designed to apply a specific torque to
fasteners, ensuring connections are neither too loose nor over-tightened.
Question 7: Safety Regulations
Ẉhich PPE is mandatory Ẉhen cutting or grinding steel?
A) Hard hat only
B) Gloves only
C) Eye protection, gloves, and hearing protection
D) Steel-toed boots only
C) Eye protection, gloves, and hearing protection
Rationale: CuFng and grinding steel produces sparks and noise; proper
PPE protects against eye injuries, hand injuries, and hearing damage.
Question 8: Structural Steel Connections
Ẉhich bolt type is commonly used for structural connections requiring high
strength?
A) Carriage bolt
B) A325 bolt
C) Lag bolt
D) Machine screẈ
B) A325 bolt
Rationale: A325 bolts are high-strength structural bolts commonly
specified in steel construction for critical connections.
