NEWEST SAFETY TRAINED SUPERVISOR
CONSTRUCTION (STSC) EXAM OFFERED BY
BOARD OF CERTIFIED SAFETY
PROFESSIONALS | COMPLETE EXAM Q&A
WITH RATIONALES
1. A construction supervisor observes a worker on a
scaffold that is missing a guardrail. The scaffold is 12
feet above ground. What is the most appropriate
immediate action?
A) Allow the worker to continue if they are careful
B) Stop the work and instruct the worker to use a
personal fall arrest system (PFAS) until guardrails
are installed
C) Remove the scaffold from service immediately
D) Report the issue to the safety department after the
shift
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The worker needs fall protection. A PFAS
can be used temporarily, but the scaffold should not
be used without guardrails or PFAS. The best answer
is to stop work and ensure PFAS is used until
guardrails are installed.
,2. An excavation is 8 feet deep. The soil is classified
as Type C (least stable). What is the maximum
allowable slope for the excavation walls without
shoring?
A) 1:1 (45 degrees)
B) 1:1.5 (34 degrees)
C) 1:0.5 (63 degrees)
D) Vertical (90 degrees)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: OSHA requires Type C soil to be sloped at
1.5:1 (horizontal:vertical) or 34 degrees. Type A:
0.75:1, Type B: 1:1.
3. A crane is lifting a load of 12,000 pounds. The
crane's load chart indicates a rated capacity of
15,000 pounds at the given radius. What is the load
factor (percentage of rated capacity)?
A) 80%
B) 100%
C) 120%
D) 133%
Correct answer: A
,Rationale: Load factor = (actual load / rated capacity)
x 100 = (12,,000) x 100 = 80%. This is within
safe limits.
4. A worker is using a ladder to access a roof that is
20 feet above ground. The ladder must extend at
least how many feet above the roof line?
A) 1 foot
B) 2 feet
C) 3 feet
D) 4 feet
Correct answer: C
Rationale: OSHA 1926.1053 requires ladders to
extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing
surface to provide a handhold.
5. A trench is 6 feet deep and 10 feet long. The soil is
Type B. What is the maximum allowable distance from
the excavation edge that excavated soil (spoil) can be
placed?
A) 1 foot
B) 2 feet
C) 3 feet
, D) 4 feet
Correct answer: B
Rationale: OSHA 1926.651 requires that excavated
soil be placed at least 2 feet from the edge of the
excavation to prevent it from falling back into the
trench.
6. A construction worker is using a portable circular
saw. The saw has a retractable lower blade guard.
The guard is stuck in the open position. What is the
most appropriate action?
A) Continue using the saw (the guard is not required)
B) Tag the saw out of service and repair or replace
the guard
C) Remove the guard to improve visibility
D) Use the saw only for plunge cuts
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The lower blade guard is a critical safety
device. A saw with a non-functioning guard must be
removed from service until repaired.
7. A scaffold is being erected and must support a
load of 75 psf (pounds per square foot). This is
classified as:
CONSTRUCTION (STSC) EXAM OFFERED BY
BOARD OF CERTIFIED SAFETY
PROFESSIONALS | COMPLETE EXAM Q&A
WITH RATIONALES
1. A construction supervisor observes a worker on a
scaffold that is missing a guardrail. The scaffold is 12
feet above ground. What is the most appropriate
immediate action?
A) Allow the worker to continue if they are careful
B) Stop the work and instruct the worker to use a
personal fall arrest system (PFAS) until guardrails
are installed
C) Remove the scaffold from service immediately
D) Report the issue to the safety department after the
shift
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The worker needs fall protection. A PFAS
can be used temporarily, but the scaffold should not
be used without guardrails or PFAS. The best answer
is to stop work and ensure PFAS is used until
guardrails are installed.
,2. An excavation is 8 feet deep. The soil is classified
as Type C (least stable). What is the maximum
allowable slope for the excavation walls without
shoring?
A) 1:1 (45 degrees)
B) 1:1.5 (34 degrees)
C) 1:0.5 (63 degrees)
D) Vertical (90 degrees)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: OSHA requires Type C soil to be sloped at
1.5:1 (horizontal:vertical) or 34 degrees. Type A:
0.75:1, Type B: 1:1.
3. A crane is lifting a load of 12,000 pounds. The
crane's load chart indicates a rated capacity of
15,000 pounds at the given radius. What is the load
factor (percentage of rated capacity)?
A) 80%
B) 100%
C) 120%
D) 133%
Correct answer: A
,Rationale: Load factor = (actual load / rated capacity)
x 100 = (12,,000) x 100 = 80%. This is within
safe limits.
4. A worker is using a ladder to access a roof that is
20 feet above ground. The ladder must extend at
least how many feet above the roof line?
A) 1 foot
B) 2 feet
C) 3 feet
D) 4 feet
Correct answer: C
Rationale: OSHA 1926.1053 requires ladders to
extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing
surface to provide a handhold.
5. A trench is 6 feet deep and 10 feet long. The soil is
Type B. What is the maximum allowable distance from
the excavation edge that excavated soil (spoil) can be
placed?
A) 1 foot
B) 2 feet
C) 3 feet
, D) 4 feet
Correct answer: B
Rationale: OSHA 1926.651 requires that excavated
soil be placed at least 2 feet from the edge of the
excavation to prevent it from falling back into the
trench.
6. A construction worker is using a portable circular
saw. The saw has a retractable lower blade guard.
The guard is stuck in the open position. What is the
most appropriate action?
A) Continue using the saw (the guard is not required)
B) Tag the saw out of service and repair or replace
the guard
C) Remove the guard to improve visibility
D) Use the saw only for plunge cuts
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The lower blade guard is a critical safety
device. A saw with a non-functioning guard must be
removed from service until repaired.
7. A scaffold is being erected and must support a
load of 75 psf (pounds per square foot). This is
classified as:
