MSHA Hazardous Energy Control Program
Training Certification Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a hazardous energy control
program in a mining environment?
A. To increase production efficiency
B. To prevent unauthorized access to the mine
C. To prevent accidental release of energy that could cause injury
or death
D. To reduce equipment maintenance costs
Rationale: The primary purpose of a hazardous energy control program
is to protect workers from injuries caused by the unexpected release of
energy (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, or
thermal). It is a critical safety procedure rather than a productivity or
cost initiative.
2. Which type of energy is NOT typically addressed by a hazardous
energy control program?
A. Electrical energy
B. Mechanical energy
C. Thermal energy
D. Solar energy
,Rationale: While hazardous energy programs cover electrical,
mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, and thermal energy, solar
energy from the sun is not a workplace-controlled source of energy and
is therefore not directly addressed.
3. When should hazardous energy control procedures be
implemented?
A. Only during maintenance
B. Only during shift changes
C. Only for high-voltage equipment
D. Before any maintenance, repair, or servicing that could expose
workers to energy hazards
Rationale: Hazardous energy control procedures must be implemented
anytime maintenance, repair, or servicing work could expose employees
to stored or residual energy, ensuring safety at all times.
4. What is the first step in a lockout/tagout procedure?
A. Apply the lock
B. Notify affected employees
C. Test the equipment
D. Remove energy sources
Rationale: Employees who could be affected must be informed before
any energy control procedures are applied. Notification ensures that
workers are aware and can prepare for the shutdown safely.
5. What does a lockout device do?
A. Reduces energy usage
B. Physically prevents equipment from being operated
C. Alerts employees to a hazard
D. Measures stored energy
,Rationale: Lockout devices physically block the operation of energy-
isolating devices, ensuring equipment cannot be started while work is
being performed.
6. Which of the following is true about tagout devices?
A. They physically block equipment operation
B. They serve as a warning not to operate equipment
C. They increase production speed
D. They measure hazardous energy
Rationale: Tagout devices are warning tags attached to energy-isolating
devices to alert workers that equipment must not be operated. Unlike
locks, tags do not physically prevent operation.
7. Who is authorized to apply a lockout or tagout device?
A. Any employee
B. Supervisors only
C. Contractors only
D. Only trained and authorized employees
Rationale: Only employees who are trained and authorized are
permitted to apply lockout/tagout devices to ensure proper procedures
are followed and safety is maintained.
8. What should be done after energy-isolating devices are locked or
tagged?
A. Start the equipment
B. Verify that the energy has been effectively isolated
C. Notify all miners to evacuate
D. Apply additional locks
, Rationale: Verification ensures that the equipment is fully de-energized
and cannot operate unexpectedly, which is crucial before beginning
maintenance or servicing.
9. How can stored energy in a machine be released safely?
A. By ignoring safety procedures
B. By bleeding, blocking, or grounding the energy source
C. By increasing the load
D. By turning off unrelated machinery
Rationale: Stored energy must be neutralized or safely relieved before
work begins, which can include bleeding hydraulic lines, releasing
compressed springs, or grounding electrical circuits.
10. Which statement about group lockout/tagout procedures is
correct?
A. Only one employee needs to apply a lock
B. Locks are unnecessary if a tag is used
C. Each authorized employee must apply their own lock or tag
D. A supervisor applies a single lock for the group
Rationale: For group work, each authorized employee must attach their
own lock or tag to ensure that no one removes energy isolation until all
employees are safe.
11. Before removing a lock or tag, what must be done?
A. Leave the area
B. Ensure the work is complete and that no employees are
exposed to hazard
C. Test the equipment immediately
D. Notify external contractors
Training Certification Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a hazardous energy control
program in a mining environment?
A. To increase production efficiency
B. To prevent unauthorized access to the mine
C. To prevent accidental release of energy that could cause injury
or death
D. To reduce equipment maintenance costs
Rationale: The primary purpose of a hazardous energy control program
is to protect workers from injuries caused by the unexpected release of
energy (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, or
thermal). It is a critical safety procedure rather than a productivity or
cost initiative.
2. Which type of energy is NOT typically addressed by a hazardous
energy control program?
A. Electrical energy
B. Mechanical energy
C. Thermal energy
D. Solar energy
,Rationale: While hazardous energy programs cover electrical,
mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, and thermal energy, solar
energy from the sun is not a workplace-controlled source of energy and
is therefore not directly addressed.
3. When should hazardous energy control procedures be
implemented?
A. Only during maintenance
B. Only during shift changes
C. Only for high-voltage equipment
D. Before any maintenance, repair, or servicing that could expose
workers to energy hazards
Rationale: Hazardous energy control procedures must be implemented
anytime maintenance, repair, or servicing work could expose employees
to stored or residual energy, ensuring safety at all times.
4. What is the first step in a lockout/tagout procedure?
A. Apply the lock
B. Notify affected employees
C. Test the equipment
D. Remove energy sources
Rationale: Employees who could be affected must be informed before
any energy control procedures are applied. Notification ensures that
workers are aware and can prepare for the shutdown safely.
5. What does a lockout device do?
A. Reduces energy usage
B. Physically prevents equipment from being operated
C. Alerts employees to a hazard
D. Measures stored energy
,Rationale: Lockout devices physically block the operation of energy-
isolating devices, ensuring equipment cannot be started while work is
being performed.
6. Which of the following is true about tagout devices?
A. They physically block equipment operation
B. They serve as a warning not to operate equipment
C. They increase production speed
D. They measure hazardous energy
Rationale: Tagout devices are warning tags attached to energy-isolating
devices to alert workers that equipment must not be operated. Unlike
locks, tags do not physically prevent operation.
7. Who is authorized to apply a lockout or tagout device?
A. Any employee
B. Supervisors only
C. Contractors only
D. Only trained and authorized employees
Rationale: Only employees who are trained and authorized are
permitted to apply lockout/tagout devices to ensure proper procedures
are followed and safety is maintained.
8. What should be done after energy-isolating devices are locked or
tagged?
A. Start the equipment
B. Verify that the energy has been effectively isolated
C. Notify all miners to evacuate
D. Apply additional locks
, Rationale: Verification ensures that the equipment is fully de-energized
and cannot operate unexpectedly, which is crucial before beginning
maintenance or servicing.
9. How can stored energy in a machine be released safely?
A. By ignoring safety procedures
B. By bleeding, blocking, or grounding the energy source
C. By increasing the load
D. By turning off unrelated machinery
Rationale: Stored energy must be neutralized or safely relieved before
work begins, which can include bleeding hydraulic lines, releasing
compressed springs, or grounding electrical circuits.
10. Which statement about group lockout/tagout procedures is
correct?
A. Only one employee needs to apply a lock
B. Locks are unnecessary if a tag is used
C. Each authorized employee must apply their own lock or tag
D. A supervisor applies a single lock for the group
Rationale: For group work, each authorized employee must attach their
own lock or tag to ensure that no one removes energy isolation until all
employees are safe.
11. Before removing a lock or tag, what must be done?
A. Leave the area
B. Ensure the work is complete and that no employees are
exposed to hazard
C. Test the equipment immediately
D. Notify external contractors
