Ironworker NCCER Exam Complete
Questions With Answers and Rationales|
Latest Update| Multiple choice with
detailed explanations for each answer
1. What is the primary purpose of wearing a hard hat on a job site?
A) To keep your head warm
B) To protect the head from falling objects and impacts
C) To look professional
D) To hold safety glasses in place
Answer: B
Rationale: Hard hats are designed to protect workers from head injuries caused
by falling objects, bumps, and electrical hazards. Keeping your head warm or
looking professional are not safety-related purposes.
2. When rigging a load, what is the minimum factor of safety that should be
used for the sling?
A) 1
B) 3
,C) 5
D) 10
Answer: C
Rationale: A minimum factor of safety of 5 means the sling’s rated capacity is five
times the weight of the load, ensuring safe handling and preventing sling failure
under stress.
3. Which of the following tools is used to cut steel?
A) Hacksaw
B) Chipping hammer
C) Oxy-acetylene torch
D) Both A and C
Answer: D
Rationale: Both hacksaws and oxy-acetylene torches can be used to cut steel.
Hacksaws are manual tools for smaller cuts; oxy-acetylene torches provide faster
cutting for thicker steel.
4. What type of weld is commonly used to join two pieces of structural steel at a
right angle?
A) Butt weld
B) Fillet weld
C) Groove weld
D) Plug weld
Answer: B
Rationale: Fillet welds are used to join two pieces at a right angle, such as in T-
joints or lap joints, common in structural steel connections.
5. When reading a blueprint, what does a dashed line typically represent?
A) Hidden features
B) Weld symbols
,C) Dimensions
D) Cutting lines
Answer: A
Rationale: Dashed lines on blueprints usually indicate features that are hidden or
not visible from the current view, such as internal structures or edges behind a
surface.
6. What is the recommended maximum load angle for a sling when rigging?
A) 30 degrees
B) 45 degrees
C) 60 degrees
D) 90 degrees
Answer: C
Rationale: Sling angles greater than 60 degrees increase stress on the sling,
risking failure. Therefore, 60 degrees is considered the maximum safe angle.
7. What is the proper sequence for bolting steel connections?
A) Tighten bolts in a random order
B) Tighten bolts from the center outward
C) Tighten bolts from the outside inward
D) Tighten bolts starting at one end
Answer: B
Rationale: Tightening bolts from the center outward distributes tension evenly
across the connection, preventing warping or uneven pressure.
8. When should personal protective equipment (PPE) be inspected?
A) Before each use
B) Once a week
C) After a job is completed
D) Only when it looks damaged
, Answer: A
Rationale: PPE must be inspected before each use to identify any defects or
damage that could compromise safety.
9. What is the purpose of a “shim” in steel erection?
A) To protect welds
B) To level or align steel members
C) To strengthen bolts
D) To measure angles
Answer: B
Rationale: Shims are thin pieces of material used to fill gaps and adjust the
position of steel members to ensure proper alignment and level surfaces.
10. Which welding process uses a consumable electrode coated in flux?
A) TIG welding
B) MIG welding
C) Stick welding (SMAW)
D) Plasma arc welding
Answer: C
Rationale: Stick welding uses a consumable electrode with flux coating, which
provides shielding gas and slag to protect the weld from contamination.
11. What is the minimum clearance required between power lines and steel
erection work?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA mandates a minimum 10-foot clearance from energized power
lines to prevent electrical hazards during steel erection.
Questions With Answers and Rationales|
Latest Update| Multiple choice with
detailed explanations for each answer
1. What is the primary purpose of wearing a hard hat on a job site?
A) To keep your head warm
B) To protect the head from falling objects and impacts
C) To look professional
D) To hold safety glasses in place
Answer: B
Rationale: Hard hats are designed to protect workers from head injuries caused
by falling objects, bumps, and electrical hazards. Keeping your head warm or
looking professional are not safety-related purposes.
2. When rigging a load, what is the minimum factor of safety that should be
used for the sling?
A) 1
B) 3
,C) 5
D) 10
Answer: C
Rationale: A minimum factor of safety of 5 means the sling’s rated capacity is five
times the weight of the load, ensuring safe handling and preventing sling failure
under stress.
3. Which of the following tools is used to cut steel?
A) Hacksaw
B) Chipping hammer
C) Oxy-acetylene torch
D) Both A and C
Answer: D
Rationale: Both hacksaws and oxy-acetylene torches can be used to cut steel.
Hacksaws are manual tools for smaller cuts; oxy-acetylene torches provide faster
cutting for thicker steel.
4. What type of weld is commonly used to join two pieces of structural steel at a
right angle?
A) Butt weld
B) Fillet weld
C) Groove weld
D) Plug weld
Answer: B
Rationale: Fillet welds are used to join two pieces at a right angle, such as in T-
joints or lap joints, common in structural steel connections.
5. When reading a blueprint, what does a dashed line typically represent?
A) Hidden features
B) Weld symbols
,C) Dimensions
D) Cutting lines
Answer: A
Rationale: Dashed lines on blueprints usually indicate features that are hidden or
not visible from the current view, such as internal structures or edges behind a
surface.
6. What is the recommended maximum load angle for a sling when rigging?
A) 30 degrees
B) 45 degrees
C) 60 degrees
D) 90 degrees
Answer: C
Rationale: Sling angles greater than 60 degrees increase stress on the sling,
risking failure. Therefore, 60 degrees is considered the maximum safe angle.
7. What is the proper sequence for bolting steel connections?
A) Tighten bolts in a random order
B) Tighten bolts from the center outward
C) Tighten bolts from the outside inward
D) Tighten bolts starting at one end
Answer: B
Rationale: Tightening bolts from the center outward distributes tension evenly
across the connection, preventing warping or uneven pressure.
8. When should personal protective equipment (PPE) be inspected?
A) Before each use
B) Once a week
C) After a job is completed
D) Only when it looks damaged
, Answer: A
Rationale: PPE must be inspected before each use to identify any defects or
damage that could compromise safety.
9. What is the purpose of a “shim” in steel erection?
A) To protect welds
B) To level or align steel members
C) To strengthen bolts
D) To measure angles
Answer: B
Rationale: Shims are thin pieces of material used to fill gaps and adjust the
position of steel members to ensure proper alignment and level surfaces.
10. Which welding process uses a consumable electrode coated in flux?
A) TIG welding
B) MIG welding
C) Stick welding (SMAW)
D) Plasma arc welding
Answer: C
Rationale: Stick welding uses a consumable electrode with flux coating, which
provides shielding gas and slag to protect the weld from contamination.
11. What is the minimum clearance required between power lines and steel
erection work?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA mandates a minimum 10-foot clearance from energized power
lines to prevent electrical hazards during steel erection.
