Newfoundland & Labrador Apprenticeship & Trades Automotive
Service Technician Assessment 300 Exam-Style Questions with
Answers, Choices, and Rationales
SECTION 1: SAFETY (Questions 1–25)
1. What does WHMIS stand for?
A) Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
B) Work Health and Management Information System
C) Workplace Hazard Management and Identification System
D) Worker Health and Materials Information Standard
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) is Canada's national
hazard communication standard. It provides information about hazardous materials used in the
workplace through labels, safety data sheets (SDS), and worker education programs. This is a
mandatory course in the Newfoundland and Labrador Automotive Service Technician
apprenticeship program.
2. Which of the following is a required PPE item when handling a corrosive liquid?
A) Cotton gloves only
B) Safety glasses, face shield, and chemical-resistant gloves
C) Leather work gloves
D) No PPE required if handled quickly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When handling corrosive liquids, WHMIS requires appropriate personal protective
equipment including safety glasses, a face shield, and chemical-resistant gloves to prevent
severe burns and eye damage.
3. What is the first step if a technician shows symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning after
working in a closed shop?
,A) Continue working and take a break
B) Move the person to fresh air immediately and seek medical attention
C) Open a window and continue working
D) Give the person water and monitor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbon monoxide poisoning is a medical emergency. The person must be moved to
fresh air immediately, and emergency medical services should be contacted. Symptoms include
headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion.
4. Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for electrical fires?
A) Class A water extinguisher
B) Class B foam extinguisher
C) Class C dry chemical extinguisher
D) Class D metal extinguisher
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Class C fire extinguishers are designed for electrical fires involving energized
electrical equipment. Using water on an electrical fire can cause electrocution.
5. What does the term "lockout/tagout" refer to in automotive service?
A) Locking the shop doors at night
B) A safety procedure to ensure equipment is de-energized before maintenance
C) Tagging tools for inventory purposes
D) Locking the toolbox after use
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lockout/tagout is a safety procedure that ensures hazardous energy sources are
isolated and de-energized before maintenance or repair work begins, protecting technicians
from accidental startup or release of stored energy.
6. What is the primary purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
,A) To provide pricing information for chemicals
B) To provide information about the hazards, handling, and emergency procedures for
chemicals
C) To list the ingredients only
D) To provide marketing information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An SDS provides comprehensive information about a chemical's hazards, safe
handling procedures, emergency measures, and required PPE. Every hazardous chemical in
the workplace must have an SDS available to workers.
7. What should be done with used engine oil?
A) Pour it down the drain
B) Dispose of it in regular trash
C) Recycle it at an approved facility
D) Pour it on the ground
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Used engine oil is a hazardous waste and must be recycled at an approved facility. It
can be re-refined into new oil or used as fuel. Pouring it down drains or on the ground is illegal
and environmentally harmful.
8. Which of the following is a sign of carbon monoxide poisoning?
A) Increased energy
B) Headache, dizziness, and nausea
C) Improved vision
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea,
confusion, and shortness of breath. The gas is colorless and odorless, making detection difficult
without proper ventilation or detectors.
, 9. What is the correct procedure for jump-starting a vehicle?
A) Connect positive to negative, then negative to positive
B) Connect positive to positive, then negative to a ground on the dead vehicle
C) Connect negative to negative, then positive to positive
D) Connect any terminals in any order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct procedure is to connect the positive cable to the positive terminal of the
dead battery, then the positive cable to the positive terminal of the good battery, then the
negative cable to the negative terminal of the good battery, and finally the negative cable to a
ground point on the dead vehicle away from the battery.
10. What should a technician do before working under a vehicle lifted on a hoist?
A) Ensure the hoist is properly engaged and the vehicle is stable
B) Nothing, the hoist is always safe
C) Only work under the vehicle if the engine is running
D) Remove all safety locks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Before working under a lifted vehicle, the technician must ensure the hoist arms are
properly positioned and engaged at the manufacturer's recommended lift points, and the vehicle
is stable and secure.
11. What does a yellow diamond WHMIS symbol indicate?
A) Oxidizing material
B) Flammable and combustible material
C) Cautionary warning
D) Biohazardous infectious material
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The yellow diamond WHMIS symbol indicates a cautionary warning, alerting workers
to potential hazards that require caution during handling.
Service Technician Assessment 300 Exam-Style Questions with
Answers, Choices, and Rationales
SECTION 1: SAFETY (Questions 1–25)
1. What does WHMIS stand for?
A) Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
B) Work Health and Management Information System
C) Workplace Hazard Management and Identification System
D) Worker Health and Materials Information Standard
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) is Canada's national
hazard communication standard. It provides information about hazardous materials used in the
workplace through labels, safety data sheets (SDS), and worker education programs. This is a
mandatory course in the Newfoundland and Labrador Automotive Service Technician
apprenticeship program.
2. Which of the following is a required PPE item when handling a corrosive liquid?
A) Cotton gloves only
B) Safety glasses, face shield, and chemical-resistant gloves
C) Leather work gloves
D) No PPE required if handled quickly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When handling corrosive liquids, WHMIS requires appropriate personal protective
equipment including safety glasses, a face shield, and chemical-resistant gloves to prevent
severe burns and eye damage.
3. What is the first step if a technician shows symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning after
working in a closed shop?
,A) Continue working and take a break
B) Move the person to fresh air immediately and seek medical attention
C) Open a window and continue working
D) Give the person water and monitor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbon monoxide poisoning is a medical emergency. The person must be moved to
fresh air immediately, and emergency medical services should be contacted. Symptoms include
headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion.
4. Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for electrical fires?
A) Class A water extinguisher
B) Class B foam extinguisher
C) Class C dry chemical extinguisher
D) Class D metal extinguisher
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Class C fire extinguishers are designed for electrical fires involving energized
electrical equipment. Using water on an electrical fire can cause electrocution.
5. What does the term "lockout/tagout" refer to in automotive service?
A) Locking the shop doors at night
B) A safety procedure to ensure equipment is de-energized before maintenance
C) Tagging tools for inventory purposes
D) Locking the toolbox after use
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lockout/tagout is a safety procedure that ensures hazardous energy sources are
isolated and de-energized before maintenance or repair work begins, protecting technicians
from accidental startup or release of stored energy.
6. What is the primary purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
,A) To provide pricing information for chemicals
B) To provide information about the hazards, handling, and emergency procedures for
chemicals
C) To list the ingredients only
D) To provide marketing information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An SDS provides comprehensive information about a chemical's hazards, safe
handling procedures, emergency measures, and required PPE. Every hazardous chemical in
the workplace must have an SDS available to workers.
7. What should be done with used engine oil?
A) Pour it down the drain
B) Dispose of it in regular trash
C) Recycle it at an approved facility
D) Pour it on the ground
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Used engine oil is a hazardous waste and must be recycled at an approved facility. It
can be re-refined into new oil or used as fuel. Pouring it down drains or on the ground is illegal
and environmentally harmful.
8. Which of the following is a sign of carbon monoxide poisoning?
A) Increased energy
B) Headache, dizziness, and nausea
C) Improved vision
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea,
confusion, and shortness of breath. The gas is colorless and odorless, making detection difficult
without proper ventilation or detectors.
, 9. What is the correct procedure for jump-starting a vehicle?
A) Connect positive to negative, then negative to positive
B) Connect positive to positive, then negative to a ground on the dead vehicle
C) Connect negative to negative, then positive to positive
D) Connect any terminals in any order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct procedure is to connect the positive cable to the positive terminal of the
dead battery, then the positive cable to the positive terminal of the good battery, then the
negative cable to the negative terminal of the good battery, and finally the negative cable to a
ground point on the dead vehicle away from the battery.
10. What should a technician do before working under a vehicle lifted on a hoist?
A) Ensure the hoist is properly engaged and the vehicle is stable
B) Nothing, the hoist is always safe
C) Only work under the vehicle if the engine is running
D) Remove all safety locks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Before working under a lifted vehicle, the technician must ensure the hoist arms are
properly positioned and engaged at the manufacturer's recommended lift points, and the vehicle
is stable and secure.
11. What does a yellow diamond WHMIS symbol indicate?
A) Oxidizing material
B) Flammable and combustible material
C) Cautionary warning
D) Biohazardous infectious material
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The yellow diamond WHMIS symbol indicates a cautionary warning, alerting workers
to potential hazards that require caution during handling.
