Construction Health and Safety
Technician (CHST) Examination
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a job hazard analysis (JHA)? A. To determine
the insurance premiums for a project. B. To assign blame after an accident
occurs. C. To identify and mitigate hazards before tasks begin. D. To fulfill
documentation requirements without changing work practices. Rationale: A
JHA is a systematic process used to integrate safety and health principles
and practices into a particular task or job operation, allowing for the
identification and control of hazards before they result in injuries or
illnesses.
2. Which of the following is considered the most effective control method
according to the hierarchy of controls? A. Elimination B. Administrative
controls C. Personal protective equipment (PPE) D. Engineering controls
Rationale: Elimination is the most effective method as it physically removes
the hazard from the workplace entirely, whereas other methods only reduce
exposure or protect the worker.
3. Under OSHA standards, what is the minimum height requiring fall
protection for construction activities? A. 4 feet B. 5 feet C. 6 feet D. 10 feet
Rationale: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) requires each employee on a
walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet or
more above a lower level to be protected from falling.
4. Which document must be present at the job site for any hazardous
chemical stored or used? A. Project safety manual B. OSHA inspection log C.
, Certificate of insurance D. Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Rationale: The Hazard
Communication Standard requires that employers maintain accessible SDSs
for each hazardous chemical used in the workplace to ensure employees
understand the risks and necessary precautions.
5. When inspecting a portable ladder, what is a key indicator that it should be
removed from service? A. The ladder is made of aluminum. B. The ladder
has non-slip feet. C. The rails are cracked or split. D. The ladder is less than
10 feet tall. Rationale: Damaged structural components like split or cracked
rails compromise the integrity of the ladder and pose an immediate fall
hazard, necessitating its removal from service.
6. What is the definition of a "competent person" according to OSHA? A. One
who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards and has
authorization to take prompt corrective measures. B. An individual with a
university degree in engineering. C. A person designated by the project
manager regardless of safety training. D. Any employee who has worked on
the site for more than five years. Rationale: OSHA defines a competent
person as one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards
in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous,
or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt
corrective measures to eliminate them.
7. What is the standard color for safety signs indicating "Danger"? A. Yellow B.
Green C. Orange D. Red Rationale: According to OSHA 1910.145, the color
red is the basic color for the identification of danger signs and stop
equipment.
8. Which type of fire extinguisher is best suited for electrical fires? A. Class A
B. Class B C. Class C D. Class D Rationale: Class C extinguishers are
specifically designed for energized electrical equipment, using non-
conductive extinguishing agents.
9. What does the acronym "PASS" stand for in fire extinguisher training? A.
Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep B. Push, Activate, Spray, Stop C. Position, Aim,
, Shoot, Secure D. Prepare, Assess, Spray, Sweep Rationale: PASS is the
standard acronym used to train employees on the proper sequence of
operations for using a fire extinguisher effectively.
10.Which of the following is required for a trench excavation 5 feet or deeper?
A. A surveyor's report. B. Only high-visibility clothing. C. A protective
system (sloping, shoring, or shielding). D. A secondary supervisor on site.
Rationale: OSHA requires a protective system for any trench 5 feet or deeper
to protect workers from potential cave-ins.
11.What is the purpose of a lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure? A. To ensure
tools are stored in a secure shed. B. To track the inventory of construction
equipment. C. To prevent the unexpected startup of machinery during
maintenance. D. To prevent theft of expensive power tools. Rationale: LOTO
procedures are designed to protect workers from hazardous energy by
ensuring that energy-isolating devices are locked and tagged to prevent
equipment from being energized during service.
12.Which agency oversees construction safety in the United States? A. EPA B.
OSHA C. MSHA D. DOT Rationale: The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency responsible for establishing and
enforcing workplace safety and health standards.
13.What is the "Rule of Three" regarding ladder safety? A. Keep three people
on the ladder for stability. B. Maintain three points of contact at all times.
C. Inspect the ladder every three months. D. Only climb the ladder three
times a day. Rationale: Maintaining three points of contact (two hands and
one foot, or two feet and one hand) significantly reduces the risk of falling
from a ladder.
14.How often should a competent person inspect a trench or excavation? A.
Daily, before the start of each shift and as needed throughout the shift. B.
Once a week. C. Only when an employee enters the trench. D. Once at the
beginning of the project. Rationale: OSHA requires daily inspections to
Technician (CHST) Examination
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a job hazard analysis (JHA)? A. To determine
the insurance premiums for a project. B. To assign blame after an accident
occurs. C. To identify and mitigate hazards before tasks begin. D. To fulfill
documentation requirements without changing work practices. Rationale: A
JHA is a systematic process used to integrate safety and health principles
and practices into a particular task or job operation, allowing for the
identification and control of hazards before they result in injuries or
illnesses.
2. Which of the following is considered the most effective control method
according to the hierarchy of controls? A. Elimination B. Administrative
controls C. Personal protective equipment (PPE) D. Engineering controls
Rationale: Elimination is the most effective method as it physically removes
the hazard from the workplace entirely, whereas other methods only reduce
exposure or protect the worker.
3. Under OSHA standards, what is the minimum height requiring fall
protection for construction activities? A. 4 feet B. 5 feet C. 6 feet D. 10 feet
Rationale: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) requires each employee on a
walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet or
more above a lower level to be protected from falling.
4. Which document must be present at the job site for any hazardous
chemical stored or used? A. Project safety manual B. OSHA inspection log C.
, Certificate of insurance D. Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Rationale: The Hazard
Communication Standard requires that employers maintain accessible SDSs
for each hazardous chemical used in the workplace to ensure employees
understand the risks and necessary precautions.
5. When inspecting a portable ladder, what is a key indicator that it should be
removed from service? A. The ladder is made of aluminum. B. The ladder
has non-slip feet. C. The rails are cracked or split. D. The ladder is less than
10 feet tall. Rationale: Damaged structural components like split or cracked
rails compromise the integrity of the ladder and pose an immediate fall
hazard, necessitating its removal from service.
6. What is the definition of a "competent person" according to OSHA? A. One
who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards and has
authorization to take prompt corrective measures. B. An individual with a
university degree in engineering. C. A person designated by the project
manager regardless of safety training. D. Any employee who has worked on
the site for more than five years. Rationale: OSHA defines a competent
person as one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards
in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous,
or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt
corrective measures to eliminate them.
7. What is the standard color for safety signs indicating "Danger"? A. Yellow B.
Green C. Orange D. Red Rationale: According to OSHA 1910.145, the color
red is the basic color for the identification of danger signs and stop
equipment.
8. Which type of fire extinguisher is best suited for electrical fires? A. Class A
B. Class B C. Class C D. Class D Rationale: Class C extinguishers are
specifically designed for energized electrical equipment, using non-
conductive extinguishing agents.
9. What does the acronym "PASS" stand for in fire extinguisher training? A.
Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep B. Push, Activate, Spray, Stop C. Position, Aim,
, Shoot, Secure D. Prepare, Assess, Spray, Sweep Rationale: PASS is the
standard acronym used to train employees on the proper sequence of
operations for using a fire extinguisher effectively.
10.Which of the following is required for a trench excavation 5 feet or deeper?
A. A surveyor's report. B. Only high-visibility clothing. C. A protective
system (sloping, shoring, or shielding). D. A secondary supervisor on site.
Rationale: OSHA requires a protective system for any trench 5 feet or deeper
to protect workers from potential cave-ins.
11.What is the purpose of a lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure? A. To ensure
tools are stored in a secure shed. B. To track the inventory of construction
equipment. C. To prevent the unexpected startup of machinery during
maintenance. D. To prevent theft of expensive power tools. Rationale: LOTO
procedures are designed to protect workers from hazardous energy by
ensuring that energy-isolating devices are locked and tagged to prevent
equipment from being energized during service.
12.Which agency oversees construction safety in the United States? A. EPA B.
OSHA C. MSHA D. DOT Rationale: The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency responsible for establishing and
enforcing workplace safety and health standards.
13.What is the "Rule of Three" regarding ladder safety? A. Keep three people
on the ladder for stability. B. Maintain three points of contact at all times.
C. Inspect the ladder every three months. D. Only climb the ladder three
times a day. Rationale: Maintaining three points of contact (two hands and
one foot, or two feet and one hand) significantly reduces the risk of falling
from a ladder.
14.How often should a competent person inspect a trench or excavation? A.
Daily, before the start of each shift and as needed throughout the shift. B.
Once a week. C. Only when an employee enters the trench. D. Once at the
beginning of the project. Rationale: OSHA requires daily inspections to