NEWEST SAFETY TRAINED SUPERVISOR (STS)
EXAM OFFERED BY BOARD OF CERTIFIED
SAFETY PROFESSIONALS | COMPLETE EXAM
Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A supervisor observes a worker using a ladder that
is placed on an uneven surface. The worker is
reaching far to the side, causing the ladder to
wobble. What is the most appropriate immediate
action?
A) Warn the worker to be careful
B) Stop the work and instruct the worker to
reposition the ladder on a level surface and keep
body centered
C) Document the observation for the safety
committee
D) Allow the worker to continue if the task is almost
complete
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The supervisor has a duty to stop unsafe
work immediately and correct the hazard. Ladder
safety requires a level base and keeping the body
centered.
,2. A construction supervisor notices that a worker is
not wearing a hard hat in an area where overhead
work is being performed. What is the most
appropriate action?
A) Remind the worker to put on the hard hat
B) Ignore it because the worker is experienced
C) Write a disciplinary report without speaking to the
worker
D) Remove the worker from the site
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The supervisor should immediately correct
the unsafe behavior by reminding the worker to wear
required PPE. Progressive discipline may follow if
repeated.
3. A supervisor is conducting a safety inspection and
finds that a fire extinguisher is missing from its
designated location. What is the most appropriate
next step?
A) Note the deficiency and order a replacement
extinguisher
B) Do nothing because it is not the supervisor's
responsibility
C) Wait for the weekly safety meeting to report it
,D) Remove the fire extinguisher tag
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The supervisor should immediately report
the missing extinguisher and arrange for a
replacement to ensure fire protection is available.
4. A worker reports a near miss where a tool fell from
a scaffold but did not hit anyone. What is the
supervisor's most important responsibility regarding
this near miss?
A) Discipline the worker who dropped the tool
B) Investigate the cause (e.g., lack of toeboards,
improper tool tethering) and implement corrective
actions
C) File a report with OSHA
D) Ignore the near miss because no injury occurred
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Near misses are leading indicators of
potential incidents. Supervisors should investigate
and correct root causes to prevent future injuries.
5. A supervisor is planning a job that requires
working from heights. What is the first consideration
in the hierarchy of controls?
, A) Provide fall arrest harnesses
B) Eliminate the need to work at heights (e.g., use
extended tools or mobile elevating work platforms)
C) Install guardrails
D) Train workers on fall protection
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The hierarchy of controls places
elimination at the top. If work at heights can be
avoided, that is the most effective control.
6. A worker is using a portable grinder without the
guard. The worker states that the guard makes it
difficult to see the work. What is the supervisor's best
response?
A) Allow the worker to remove the guard for this
specific task
B) Instruct the worker to use a grinder with a
different guard design or find another tool
C) Require the worker to wear a face shield instead
D) Ignore the issue because the worker is
experienced
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Guards are required by OSHA. The
supervisor must ensure that equipment is used with
EXAM OFFERED BY BOARD OF CERTIFIED
SAFETY PROFESSIONALS | COMPLETE EXAM
Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A supervisor observes a worker using a ladder that
is placed on an uneven surface. The worker is
reaching far to the side, causing the ladder to
wobble. What is the most appropriate immediate
action?
A) Warn the worker to be careful
B) Stop the work and instruct the worker to
reposition the ladder on a level surface and keep
body centered
C) Document the observation for the safety
committee
D) Allow the worker to continue if the task is almost
complete
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The supervisor has a duty to stop unsafe
work immediately and correct the hazard. Ladder
safety requires a level base and keeping the body
centered.
,2. A construction supervisor notices that a worker is
not wearing a hard hat in an area where overhead
work is being performed. What is the most
appropriate action?
A) Remind the worker to put on the hard hat
B) Ignore it because the worker is experienced
C) Write a disciplinary report without speaking to the
worker
D) Remove the worker from the site
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The supervisor should immediately correct
the unsafe behavior by reminding the worker to wear
required PPE. Progressive discipline may follow if
repeated.
3. A supervisor is conducting a safety inspection and
finds that a fire extinguisher is missing from its
designated location. What is the most appropriate
next step?
A) Note the deficiency and order a replacement
extinguisher
B) Do nothing because it is not the supervisor's
responsibility
C) Wait for the weekly safety meeting to report it
,D) Remove the fire extinguisher tag
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The supervisor should immediately report
the missing extinguisher and arrange for a
replacement to ensure fire protection is available.
4. A worker reports a near miss where a tool fell from
a scaffold but did not hit anyone. What is the
supervisor's most important responsibility regarding
this near miss?
A) Discipline the worker who dropped the tool
B) Investigate the cause (e.g., lack of toeboards,
improper tool tethering) and implement corrective
actions
C) File a report with OSHA
D) Ignore the near miss because no injury occurred
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Near misses are leading indicators of
potential incidents. Supervisors should investigate
and correct root causes to prevent future injuries.
5. A supervisor is planning a job that requires
working from heights. What is the first consideration
in the hierarchy of controls?
, A) Provide fall arrest harnesses
B) Eliminate the need to work at heights (e.g., use
extended tools or mobile elevating work platforms)
C) Install guardrails
D) Train workers on fall protection
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The hierarchy of controls places
elimination at the top. If work at heights can be
avoided, that is the most effective control.
6. A worker is using a portable grinder without the
guard. The worker states that the guard makes it
difficult to see the work. What is the supervisor's best
response?
A) Allow the worker to remove the guard for this
specific task
B) Instruct the worker to use a grinder with a
different guard design or find another tool
C) Require the worker to wear a face shield instead
D) Ignore the issue because the worker is
experienced
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Guards are required by OSHA. The
supervisor must ensure that equipment is used with
