ISA UTILITY SPECIALIST (CHAPTERS 1-7) EXAM QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE
2026
In the U.S., enforcement of safety work rules resides with: - Answers Occupational Safety & Health
Administration
(OSHA)
Utility pruning is the pruning of trees located in the vicinity of power lines for the purpose of
__________ __________ __________. - Answers ensuring reliable service
A comprehensive vegetation management program should be __________ rather than reactive, &
based on principals of __________ vegetation management. - Answers proactive;
integrated
What is a volt? - Answers a unit of electrical force
Major storms or __________ weather events are the usual cause of power outages over large areas. -
Answers catastrophic
Without __________, messages can have multiple meanings. - Answers context
ISA BMPs provide a practical guide for implementing __________ __________. - Answers industry
standards
Electrical resistance determines how much __________ is required to move electricity along a
conductor and is measured in __________. - Answers energy;
ohms
When communicating, a person's experience & __________ will influence how the person reacts. -
Answers perceptions
Crew mobilization for a storm event is much more rapid from a __________ status. - Answers
standby
NERC standards are specific to what line voltages? - Answers 200 kV & above
An important first step in any vegetation management program should be to asses system conditions,
which is often done through an __________. - Answers inventory
Which type of cuts are less unacceptable? - Answers internodal cuts
(e.g. topping)
A worker neglecting to wear cut-resistant chaps while operating a chainsaw is committing an unsafe
__________, while an employer failing to provide chaps is creating an unsafe __________. - Answers
act;
condition
A conductor carrying more than __________ volts would be considered a NERC line. - Answers
200,000
Communication is both verbal & nonverbal. When a customer is confronted with contradictory
information, the person will usually believe the __________ message. - Answers nonverbal
Voluntary safety standards for pruning, trimming, repairing, maintaining & removing trees, & cutting
brush: - Answers ANSI Z133
NERC standards require the reporting of all tree caused outages by __________ categories - Answers
three
A traditional cycle will schedule maintenance __________ trees grow into conductors. - Answers
before
Which type of cuts are more acceptable? - Answers nodal cuts
(e.g. drop-crotch, thinning)
The __________-__________ rule suggests that workers should take time before starting a job to
check for potentially unsafe conditions & discuss them. - Answers two-minute
According to ANSI Z133, the minimum approach distance for persons other than qualified line-
clearance arborists for 50 kV & less is __________. - Answers 10 feet
Trees growing into contact with a single-phase distribution conductor pose __________ threat of a
tree-ground fault. - Answers little
Where should the final cut be made for proper utility pruning? - Answers just outside of the branch
bark ridge and the branch collar
A vegetation management scheduling unit may be an entire __________ or a __________
__________. - Answers circuit;
geographical area
2 examples of protective equipment: - Answers circuit breakers
,lightning receptors
On a storm site, cutting should not begin until all risks have been assessed & the __________
approach has been decided & adopted. - Answers safest
Actively __________ can facilitate understanding a customer's perceptions and demonstrate the
utility representative's sincere interest in a customer. - Answers listening
As clearance work progresses, __________ between crews & dispatcher is critically important to
determine locations of downed or damaged lines. - Answers communication
__________ negotiation uses the best aspects from both hard & soft bargaining. - Answers interest-
based
An energized wire or conductor in a circuit is also known as a __________. - Answers phase
Fast-growing, problem species are sometimes known as __________ __________. - Answers cycle
busters
Flush cuts damage which tissues? - Answers the trunk
Clearing for a new distribution line is likely to be paid for by a __________ budget. - Answers capital
Surface temperatures at the point of contact with high voltage can reach __________ degrees F. -
Answers 1,000
__________ __________ occurs when someone touches an energized fixture. __________
__________ can occur when a person touches a conductive object that is in contact with an energized
fixture. - Answers direct contact;
indirect contact
A grid-based scheduling system is most likely to be used by highly __________ utilities. - Answers
urbanized
Why is utility pruning done? - Answers to maintain safety and rights-of-way
Reactive maintenance is often called __________. - Answers hotspotting
True or False?
Guy wires are intended to help support poles but may become unintentionally energized. - Answers
true
One of the highest personal risks in a storm is __________. - Answers fatigue
When trying to negotiate mutually agreeable solutions & gain commitment based on customer
interests, the focus should be on __________, no on specific individuals. - Answers issues
A __________ is similar to a fuse or cutout, but it resets after a predetermined time period. - Answers
re-closer
Always consider that all lines are __________. - Answers energized
Tree replacement programs are an important aspect of many utility customer relations programs &
focus on selecting: - Answers the right tree for the right place
If a structurally weak tree were on or close to the utility right-of-way, __________ __________ &
__________ would be considered targets. - Answers utility lines & equipment
A challenge with grid-based scheduling is that circuits may traverse many grids, allowing for a variety
of __________ __________. - Answers tree conditions
The difference in voltage between two objects someone simultaneously touches: - Answers touch
potential
Which type of pruning encourages the growth of branches away from the wires? - Answers
directional pruning
Minimum working distances for qualified line-clearance arborists are specified in the __________
safety standard. - Answers ANSI Z133
The sound of a running home generator should alert crews to the possibility of __________. -
Answers backfeed
Measuring customer satisfaction by the number of __________ received is a very reactive approach
to customer relations. - Answers complaints
Ideally, TGRs should be applied when a tree is actively growing & __________-__________ months
before pruning takes place. - Answers 2-3
What is the maximum amount of foliage that should be removed in one growing season? - Answers
25%
(this is according to ANSI A300)
The most expensive way to schedule work is: - Answers hotspotting
__________ __________ is the difference in voltage on the ground between two of a person's body
parts near where electricity goes into the ground. - Answers step potential
, A energized human body, tree, or climbing rope are all examples or __________ contact - Answers
indirect
A contractor is paid for each tree pruned or removed when contracted using a __________
__________ contract. - Answers unit price
When is it acceptable to deviate from the pruning standards? - Answers during storm restoration
Besides pruning, __________ & __________ treatments are often part of an integrated vegetation
management program. - Answers mechanical & herbicide
When installing underground conductors, __________ should be used in tree root protection zones. -
Answers tunneling
Crew members should always refer customer relations questions about the status of power
restoration to: - Answers the utility
The __________ has been adopted by most states & regulatory bodies throughout the U.S. as the
recognized document providing safety provisions for those working with or near electric supply
equipment. - Answers NESC
(National Electrical Safety Code)
Customer relations are important during a storm response, but are necessarily a lower priority than: -
Answers safety & power restoration
Because most electrical lines are located on private property, utilities typically secure __________ to
facilitate maintenance of their lines. - Answers easements
The safety acronym S.T.A.R. is valuable for preventing errors, & stands for: - Answers Stop, Think, Act,
Review
Distribution transformers typically __________ primary circuit voltage for the end user. - Answers
reduce
Vegetation can be chemically controlled in a selective manner with either a selective __________, or
a selective __________. - Answers herbicide;
application
True or False?
There are no published safety data related specifically to utility arboriculture. - Answers true
Communication between vegetation managers, contractors, supervisors, & workers should be both
__________ & __________. - Answers written & verbal
Mowing often __________ woody stem count. - Answers increases
Amp: - Answers the measure of electrical current
When responding to a storm emergency, the highest priority for crews should be to: - Answers work
on the circuits feeding hospitals
Because customers are well-informed & expect professionalism, a __________ __________ is the
best utility representative to discuss line clearance with them. - Answers utility arborist
Service lines and secondary distribution lines usually carry voltage between __________-__________
volts. - Answers 120-240
Contract tree crew members can reduce customer concerns about utility work on their property by: -
Answers dressing & conducting themselves professionally
When arriving on a storm site, the highest priority for the crew foreman is to: - Answers immediately
identify & locate downed electrical lines
Long-term planning is __________, while short-term planning is __________. - Answers strategic;
tactical
Which utility right-of-way herbicide application practice is most appropriate for brush control in areas
with sensitive public relations issues? - Answers basal treatment
In the U.S., pruning should be conducted according to __________ __________. - Answers ANSI A300
Of the following, which is an example of an unsafe act?
- Willful rule violation
- Maliciousness
- Human error - Answers all of them
When a tree contacts one electrical conductor, it may cause a __________-to-__________ fault. -
Answers phase-ground fault
Listening to & acknowledging the customer's concerns about tree work on their property is a good
way to: - Answers establish a good customer-utility relationship
Of the following conditions, which is most likely to fail & cause an electrical outage in a moderate
storm?
2026
In the U.S., enforcement of safety work rules resides with: - Answers Occupational Safety & Health
Administration
(OSHA)
Utility pruning is the pruning of trees located in the vicinity of power lines for the purpose of
__________ __________ __________. - Answers ensuring reliable service
A comprehensive vegetation management program should be __________ rather than reactive, &
based on principals of __________ vegetation management. - Answers proactive;
integrated
What is a volt? - Answers a unit of electrical force
Major storms or __________ weather events are the usual cause of power outages over large areas. -
Answers catastrophic
Without __________, messages can have multiple meanings. - Answers context
ISA BMPs provide a practical guide for implementing __________ __________. - Answers industry
standards
Electrical resistance determines how much __________ is required to move electricity along a
conductor and is measured in __________. - Answers energy;
ohms
When communicating, a person's experience & __________ will influence how the person reacts. -
Answers perceptions
Crew mobilization for a storm event is much more rapid from a __________ status. - Answers
standby
NERC standards are specific to what line voltages? - Answers 200 kV & above
An important first step in any vegetation management program should be to asses system conditions,
which is often done through an __________. - Answers inventory
Which type of cuts are less unacceptable? - Answers internodal cuts
(e.g. topping)
A worker neglecting to wear cut-resistant chaps while operating a chainsaw is committing an unsafe
__________, while an employer failing to provide chaps is creating an unsafe __________. - Answers
act;
condition
A conductor carrying more than __________ volts would be considered a NERC line. - Answers
200,000
Communication is both verbal & nonverbal. When a customer is confronted with contradictory
information, the person will usually believe the __________ message. - Answers nonverbal
Voluntary safety standards for pruning, trimming, repairing, maintaining & removing trees, & cutting
brush: - Answers ANSI Z133
NERC standards require the reporting of all tree caused outages by __________ categories - Answers
three
A traditional cycle will schedule maintenance __________ trees grow into conductors. - Answers
before
Which type of cuts are more acceptable? - Answers nodal cuts
(e.g. drop-crotch, thinning)
The __________-__________ rule suggests that workers should take time before starting a job to
check for potentially unsafe conditions & discuss them. - Answers two-minute
According to ANSI Z133, the minimum approach distance for persons other than qualified line-
clearance arborists for 50 kV & less is __________. - Answers 10 feet
Trees growing into contact with a single-phase distribution conductor pose __________ threat of a
tree-ground fault. - Answers little
Where should the final cut be made for proper utility pruning? - Answers just outside of the branch
bark ridge and the branch collar
A vegetation management scheduling unit may be an entire __________ or a __________
__________. - Answers circuit;
geographical area
2 examples of protective equipment: - Answers circuit breakers
,lightning receptors
On a storm site, cutting should not begin until all risks have been assessed & the __________
approach has been decided & adopted. - Answers safest
Actively __________ can facilitate understanding a customer's perceptions and demonstrate the
utility representative's sincere interest in a customer. - Answers listening
As clearance work progresses, __________ between crews & dispatcher is critically important to
determine locations of downed or damaged lines. - Answers communication
__________ negotiation uses the best aspects from both hard & soft bargaining. - Answers interest-
based
An energized wire or conductor in a circuit is also known as a __________. - Answers phase
Fast-growing, problem species are sometimes known as __________ __________. - Answers cycle
busters
Flush cuts damage which tissues? - Answers the trunk
Clearing for a new distribution line is likely to be paid for by a __________ budget. - Answers capital
Surface temperatures at the point of contact with high voltage can reach __________ degrees F. -
Answers 1,000
__________ __________ occurs when someone touches an energized fixture. __________
__________ can occur when a person touches a conductive object that is in contact with an energized
fixture. - Answers direct contact;
indirect contact
A grid-based scheduling system is most likely to be used by highly __________ utilities. - Answers
urbanized
Why is utility pruning done? - Answers to maintain safety and rights-of-way
Reactive maintenance is often called __________. - Answers hotspotting
True or False?
Guy wires are intended to help support poles but may become unintentionally energized. - Answers
true
One of the highest personal risks in a storm is __________. - Answers fatigue
When trying to negotiate mutually agreeable solutions & gain commitment based on customer
interests, the focus should be on __________, no on specific individuals. - Answers issues
A __________ is similar to a fuse or cutout, but it resets after a predetermined time period. - Answers
re-closer
Always consider that all lines are __________. - Answers energized
Tree replacement programs are an important aspect of many utility customer relations programs &
focus on selecting: - Answers the right tree for the right place
If a structurally weak tree were on or close to the utility right-of-way, __________ __________ &
__________ would be considered targets. - Answers utility lines & equipment
A challenge with grid-based scheduling is that circuits may traverse many grids, allowing for a variety
of __________ __________. - Answers tree conditions
The difference in voltage between two objects someone simultaneously touches: - Answers touch
potential
Which type of pruning encourages the growth of branches away from the wires? - Answers
directional pruning
Minimum working distances for qualified line-clearance arborists are specified in the __________
safety standard. - Answers ANSI Z133
The sound of a running home generator should alert crews to the possibility of __________. -
Answers backfeed
Measuring customer satisfaction by the number of __________ received is a very reactive approach
to customer relations. - Answers complaints
Ideally, TGRs should be applied when a tree is actively growing & __________-__________ months
before pruning takes place. - Answers 2-3
What is the maximum amount of foliage that should be removed in one growing season? - Answers
25%
(this is according to ANSI A300)
The most expensive way to schedule work is: - Answers hotspotting
__________ __________ is the difference in voltage on the ground between two of a person's body
parts near where electricity goes into the ground. - Answers step potential
, A energized human body, tree, or climbing rope are all examples or __________ contact - Answers
indirect
A contractor is paid for each tree pruned or removed when contracted using a __________
__________ contract. - Answers unit price
When is it acceptable to deviate from the pruning standards? - Answers during storm restoration
Besides pruning, __________ & __________ treatments are often part of an integrated vegetation
management program. - Answers mechanical & herbicide
When installing underground conductors, __________ should be used in tree root protection zones. -
Answers tunneling
Crew members should always refer customer relations questions about the status of power
restoration to: - Answers the utility
The __________ has been adopted by most states & regulatory bodies throughout the U.S. as the
recognized document providing safety provisions for those working with or near electric supply
equipment. - Answers NESC
(National Electrical Safety Code)
Customer relations are important during a storm response, but are necessarily a lower priority than: -
Answers safety & power restoration
Because most electrical lines are located on private property, utilities typically secure __________ to
facilitate maintenance of their lines. - Answers easements
The safety acronym S.T.A.R. is valuable for preventing errors, & stands for: - Answers Stop, Think, Act,
Review
Distribution transformers typically __________ primary circuit voltage for the end user. - Answers
reduce
Vegetation can be chemically controlled in a selective manner with either a selective __________, or
a selective __________. - Answers herbicide;
application
True or False?
There are no published safety data related specifically to utility arboriculture. - Answers true
Communication between vegetation managers, contractors, supervisors, & workers should be both
__________ & __________. - Answers written & verbal
Mowing often __________ woody stem count. - Answers increases
Amp: - Answers the measure of electrical current
When responding to a storm emergency, the highest priority for crews should be to: - Answers work
on the circuits feeding hospitals
Because customers are well-informed & expect professionalism, a __________ __________ is the
best utility representative to discuss line clearance with them. - Answers utility arborist
Service lines and secondary distribution lines usually carry voltage between __________-__________
volts. - Answers 120-240
Contract tree crew members can reduce customer concerns about utility work on their property by: -
Answers dressing & conducting themselves professionally
When arriving on a storm site, the highest priority for the crew foreman is to: - Answers immediately
identify & locate downed electrical lines
Long-term planning is __________, while short-term planning is __________. - Answers strategic;
tactical
Which utility right-of-way herbicide application practice is most appropriate for brush control in areas
with sensitive public relations issues? - Answers basal treatment
In the U.S., pruning should be conducted according to __________ __________. - Answers ANSI A300
Of the following, which is an example of an unsafe act?
- Willful rule violation
- Maliciousness
- Human error - Answers all of them
When a tree contacts one electrical conductor, it may cause a __________-to-__________ fault. -
Answers phase-ground fault
Listening to & acknowledging the customer's concerns about tree work on their property is a good
way to: - Answers establish a good customer-utility relationship
Of the following conditions, which is most likely to fail & cause an electrical outage in a moderate
storm?
