TheoryOSHA 30 Construction
Practice Test
Go deep on the 30-hour safety curriculum: scaffolding, electrical, health hazards, and supervisory responsibilities. Practice until every topic feels routine.
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OSHA 30 Construction exam — full Q&A walkthrough
Every question read aloud with the answer explained. Play it on your commute, then test yourself.
30 free OSHA 30 Construction questions
Sampled across every topic area — not just the first page. Try them as a quiz or flip them as flashcards.
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OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Under the OSH Act, which of the following is a general duty that every covered employer must fulfill?
Correct — C. Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act — the General Duty Clause — requires every employer to furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Which OSHA recordkeeping form is used to summarize the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses for a calendar year and must be posted in the workplace from February 1 through April 30?
Correct — B. OSHA Form 300A is the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses; 29 CFR 1904.32 requires employers to post it in a conspicuous place from February 1 through April 30 of the year following the period covered. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
A worker believes his employer has created a serious safety hazard on the job site. Under the OSH Act, what right does that worker have?
Correct — A. Section 11(c) of the OSH Act protects workers who exercise their rights — including filing a safety complaint — from retaliation or discrimination by their employer. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
During an OSHA programmed inspection of a construction site, the compliance officer asks to see the employer's OSHA injury and illness logs. The employer must provide those records within:
Correct — A. Under 29 CFR 1904.40, when an OSHA representative requests records, the employer must provide copies of the OSHA 300, 300A, and 301 forms by the end of the next business day — commonly interpreted as within 4 business hours during an on-site inspection. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
A supervisor discovers that a subcontractor on a multi-employer worksite has created an electrical hazard that could expose employees of other trades to harm. Under OSHA's multi-employer worksite policy, which party can OSHA cite for that hazard?
Correct — D. OSHA's multi-employer citation policy allows the agency to cite the creating, exposing, correcting, and/or controlling employer depending on each party's role and knowledge of the hazard. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
After receiving an OSHA citation, an employer who disagrees with the finding must contest it within how many working days of receiving the citation?
Correct — C. Under Section 10(a) of the OSH Act, an employer must notify OSHA in writing of its intent to contest a citation within 15 working days of receipt; failure to contest makes the citation a final order not subject to review. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Which of the following best describes the role of a 'competent person' as defined throughout OSHA construction standards?
Correct — A. 29 CFR 1926.32(f) defines a competent person as one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazardous conditions and who has authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
OSHA Form 301, the Injury and Illness Incident Report, must be completed within how many calendar days of a recordable work-related injury or illness?
Correct — D. 29 CFR 1904.29(b)(3) requires that each OSHA Form 301 (or equivalent) be completed within 7 calendar days of receiving information that a recordable case occurred. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
When OSHA conducts an unprogrammed inspection triggered by a worker fatality, which inspection priority category does this fall under?
Correct — A. OSHA's inspection priority order places imminent-danger situations and fatality/catastrophe investigations at the top, ahead of complaints, referrals, and programmed planned inspections. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
An employer receives an OSHA citation classified as 'willful' with a proposed penalty. Which statement correctly describes a willful violation?
Correct — A. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to, or intentional disregard of, employee safety and health requirements — distinct from repeat violations, which involve a prior citation history. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
A supervisor is developing an accident investigation procedure for the site safety program. Which primary purpose best reflects OSHA's intent for accident investigation?
Correct — D. OSHA's accident investigation guidance emphasizes finding the root cause of failures in management systems and physical conditions so effective corrective actions can prevent recurrence — not punishing workers. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Under 29 CFR 1904, which of the following on-the-job events triggers an employer's obligation to report directly to OSHA within 24 hours?
Correct — C. 29 CFR 1904.39 requires employers to report to OSHA within 24 hours any work-related in-patient hospitalization of one or more employees; fatalities must be reported within 8 hours, and amputations or loss of an eye within 24 hours. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
An effective written safety and health program on a construction site should designate clear authority and responsibility. According to OSHA guidance, which element is most critical for the program to actually change behavior on the site?
Correct — B. OSHA's Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (54 FR 3904) identify management leadership and employee involvement as the cornerstone elements because they establish the culture and accountability that drive all other program components. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
During an OSHA inspection, the compliance officer identifies a hazard that was also cited at the same establishment within the past five years under the same standard. How will OSHA most likely classify the new citation?
Correct — B. OSHA classifies a violation as 'repeat' when an employer has been cited for the same or substantially similar condition under the same standard within the preceding five years, which carries significantly higher maximum penalties than a standard serious citation. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
At what height above a lower level does OSHA's construction standard require employers to provide fall protection for workers on walking/working surfaces?
Correct — B. 29 CFR 1926.502(b) establishes 6 feet as the threshold height triggering fall protection requirements in the construction industry. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Which of the following is NOT one of the three primary fall protection systems recognized by OSHA for construction workers exposed to fall hazards?
Correct — D. Under 29 CFR 1926.502, guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems are the primary fall protection methods; safety monitoring alone is only permitted in very limited circumstances such as low-slope roofing and is not a standalone recognized system for all surfaces. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
What is the minimum top rail height for a guardrail system used in construction?
Correct — C. 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1) requires guardrail top rails to be 42 inches (plus or minus 3 inches) above the walking/working surface. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Under OSHA's scaffold standard, what is the minimum required safe load capacity a scaffold must be capable of supporting relative to its intended load?
Correct — A. 29 CFR 1926.451(a)(1) requires scaffolds to be capable of supporting at least four times the maximum intended load without failure. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
A worker is using a personal fall arrest system (PFAS). Which of the following is a correct requirement for the anchorage point used with the PFAS?
Correct — B. 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15) requires anchorages used with personal fall arrest systems to be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds per employee attached. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Which statement correctly describes a key difference between a supported scaffold and a suspended scaffold?
Correct — A. 29 CFR 1926.450 defines supported scaffolds as those erected from below (on legs, frames, poles) and suspended scaffolds as those hung from above by ropes, chains, or similar means. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Before each work shift on a scaffold, and after any event that could affect its structural integrity, OSHA requires that the scaffold be inspected by:
Correct — C. 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3) requires a competent person to inspect scaffolds and scaffold components before each work shift and after any occurrence that could affect structural integrity. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Which of the following is a correct requirement for access to scaffold platforms more than 2 feet above or below a point of access?
Correct — D. 29 CFR 1926.451(e)(1) requires that when scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access, proper means such as portable ladders, hook-on ladders, stair towers, ramps, or walkways must be provided; cross braces are explicitly prohibited as access. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
A competent person overseeing scaffold work discovers a plank that is cracked and deflecting beyond acceptable limits. What is the correct action?
Correct — A. 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3) requires a competent person to remove defective scaffold components from service immediately; allowing continued use of a known defective component violates the standard. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Under OSHA's personal fall arrest system requirements, what is the maximum free-fall distance allowed before the system must begin to arrest a fall?
Correct — C. 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) limits free fall to no more than 6 feet and requires the system to bring the worker to a complete stop with no more than 3.5 feet of deceleration distance. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Which of the following workers on a two-point adjustable suspension (swing stage) scaffold is required to use a personal fall arrest system rather than relying solely on guardrails?
Correct — D. 29 CFR 1926.502(d) and 1926.451(g)(3) require each worker on a two-point adjustable suspension scaffold to be protected by both guardrails and a personal fall arrest system — the two systems are required simultaneously, not as alternatives. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
A competent person for fall protection and scaffolds must be able to do which of the following that an ordinary worker is NOT expected to do?
Correct — B. 29 CFR 1926.32(f) defines a competent person as one who can identify hazardous or dangerous conditions AND who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures — the authority to act, not just report, is what distinguishes a competent person from an ordinary worker. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Which of the following is considered one of OSHA's 'Focus Four' leading causes of construction fatalities?
Correct — D. OSHA identifies Electrocutions as one of the Focus Four hazards responsible for the majority of construction worker deaths, alongside Falls, Struck-By, and Caught-In/Between incidents (29 CFR 1926, Subpart K). -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are required on construction sites when using temporary power. What is the primary purpose of a GFCI?
Correct — C. A GFCI monitors the difference in current between the hot and neutral conductors and trips the circuit within milliseconds when a ground fault is detected, protecting workers from electrocution per 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1). -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
Under the OSHA assured equipment grounding conductor program, which of the following must be performed before equipment is placed into service on a construction site?
Correct — D. 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(iii) requires that under an assured equipment grounding conductor program, all cord sets, receptacles, and equipment be visually inspected and tested for proper grounding before first use and after any incident that may have damaged them, with results documented. -
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
When working near overhead power lines where the voltage is unknown, what is the minimum safe approach distance a worker or equipment must maintain?
Correct — D. 29 CFR 1926.1408 and 1926.416(a)(1) require a minimum clearance of 10 feet from overhead power lines when voltage is unknown or up to 50 kV, to protect workers from electrocution from arc flash or contact.
OSHA 30 Construction sample questions
Tap any question below to reveal the answer and a plain-English explanation.
OSHA 30-Hour Construction A supervisor notices that an electrician has placed a 'Do Not Operate' tag on a breaker that supplies power to a machine being serviced, but has NOT applied a lock. Under 29 CFR 1926.417, what is the most accurate statement about this situation?
A. Tags are only permitted when the energy isolating device is not capable of accepting a lock
B. The tag must be paired with a lock unless the employer can demonstrate that tagging provides equivalent protection through specific additional measures ✓
C. The tag alone is fully compliant because tags provide equivalent protection to locks
D. The supervisor must immediately stop all work because tagout-only programs are prohibited under OSHA construction standards
Correct — B. 29 CFR 1926.417 permits tagout-only programs only when additional measures (such as removing an isolating circuit element, blocking a controlling switch, or opening an extra disconnecting device) are used to provide protection equivalent to lockout, since tags alone do not physically prevent energization.
Real Exam Practice What is the minimum clearance distance between overhead power lines and a person?
A. 4 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 8 feet
D. 10 feet ✓
Correct — D. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.416 requires a minimum clearance of 10 feet from energized overhead power lines for workers.
OSHA 30-Hour Construction During lockout/tagout, a newly hired mechanic asks why the machine must be tested after lockout is applied. Which answer BEST reflects the OSHA-required purpose of this step?
A. To verify that the energy isolating device has effectively de-energized the equipment and released all stored energy ✓
B. To document the serial number of the equipment for insurance records
C. To ensure that the tagout warning tag is visible from at least 10 feet away
D. To confirm that the lock was manufactured to OSHA specifications
Correct — A. 29 CFR 1926.417 and the general LOTO standard require that after applying lockout/tagout devices, the authorized employee must verify that the equipment is de-energized and all stored or residual energy (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic) has been dissipated or restrained before servicing begins.
Real Exam Practice When should you inspect a scaffold?
A. Before each work shift ✓
B. Before each use
C. After each use
D. After an accident occurs
Correct — A. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3) requires scaffolds to be inspected by a competent person before each work shift and after any occurrence that could affect the scaffold's structural integrity.
OSHA 30-Hour Construction A crew is about to perform maintenance on a large air compressor. There are FOUR energy sources: electrical, pneumatic, gravitational (elevated component), and hydraulic. Under OSHA's LOTO requirements, which statement is correct?
A. All four energy sources must be isolated, locked or blocked, and verified before servicing begins ✓
B. Hydraulic and pneumatic energy are exempt from lockout if pressure gauges read zero
C. Only the electrical source requires lockout because other energy types are not covered by 1926.417
D. The crew may proceed once the electrical source is locked out; other energy dissipates naturally
Correct — A. 29 CFR 1926.417 requires that ALL forms of hazardous energy — electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gravitational, thermal, chemical, and mechanical — be isolated and controlled before servicing or maintenance on equipment to protect workers from unexpected energization or release of stored energy.
Real Exam Practice Which of the following is an example of a biological hazard in the workplace?
A. Chemical spill
B. Heat stress
C. Mold exposure ✓
D. Noise exposure
Correct — C. Mold exposure is a biological hazard. Chemical spills are chemical hazards, heat stress is a physical hazard, and noise is a physical hazard.
OSHA 30-Hour Construction Under the OSHA construction standard for overhead power lines, before any equipment can operate closer than the required safe distance, the employer must do which of the following?
A. Assign a spotter to watch the equipment from a distance of at least 50 feet
B. Post a warning sign at the job site entrance noting overhead power line locations
C. Determine the line voltage and obtain from the utility owner confirmation that lines are de-energized, or establish an alternate means of protection such as insulating sleeves or elevated warning lines ✓
D. Reduce equipment speed to less than 5 mph when within 25 feet of any power line
Correct — C. 29 CFR 1926.1408 requires that before equipment operates within the Table A minimum clearance distances, the employer must determine line voltage and either have lines de-energized and grounded by the utility, use insulating links or proximity alarms approved by the utility, or implement another OSHA-accepted protective measure.
Real Exam Practice What is the minimum height for fall protection on a construction site?
A. 2 feet
B. 4 feet
C. 6 feet ✓
D. 8 feet
Correct — C. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 requires fall protection when workers are exposed to falls of 6 feet or more in construction.
About the OSHA 30 Construction test
Practice the supervisor-level safety knowledge covered in the OSHA 30-Hour Construction Outreach program with original questions written from publicly available OSHA construction topics and 29 CFR 1926. Every question has a clear explanation.
What you get
- Managing safety and health programs, fall protection and scaffolds, electrical safety and lockout/tagout, struck-by and caught-in/excavation, cranes, materials handling and tools, and health hazards and hazard communication.
- A clear explanation for every question.
- Timed practice tests to check your knowledge.
Original & safe
Every question is written for this app from public OSHA materials. Nothing is copied from any real exam, test pool or third-party question bank.
You will be tested on
- Work health & safety law and duty of care
- Spotting site hazards and controlling risk
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Emergency procedures and incident reporting
How TheoryPractice helps you pass
- Real exam-style questions with instant, detailed explanations
- Full timed mock exams that mirror the real test format
- Flashcards & quiz modes from the same question bank
- Progress tracking so you know exactly when you're ready
Topics in this question bank
Work health & safety law and duty of care
Spotting site hazards and controlling risk
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Emergency procedures and incident reporting
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