OSHA 10 Construction Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 3 for the OSHA 10 Construction Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Workplace safety
United States
80 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
At what height must workers on a scaffold be protected from falls?
- More than 4 feet above a lower level
- More than 10 feet above a lower level
- More than 6 feet above a lower level
- More than 20 feet above a lower level
Show answer
Answer: B. More than 10 feet above a lower level
Under 1926.451(g)(1), fall protection is required on scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level.
Question 2 of 25
When must a competent person inspect a scaffold for visible defects?
- Only when it is first built
- Once a year
- Before each work shift
- Once a month
Show answer
Answer: C. Before each work shift
Scaffolds and their components must be inspected by a competent person before each shift and after any occurrence that could affect structural integrity.
Question 3 of 25
How much load must a scaffold be able to support?
- Its own weight and 4 times the maximum intended load
- Twice its own weight, but no extra load
- Half the maximum intended load, for safety
- Exactly the maximum intended load, and no more
Show answer
Answer: A. Its own weight and 4 times the maximum intended load
Each scaffold and component must support its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load.
Question 4 of 25
Who may erect, move or dismantle a scaffold?
- Anyone, as long as they wear a harness
- Trained workers supervised by a competent person
- Any worker who needs to use it that day
- Only the owner of the site
Show answer
Answer: B. Trained workers supervised by a competent person
Scaffolds must be erected, moved, dismantled or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person.
Question 5 of 25
Can you use concrete blocks or loose bricks to support a scaffold?
- Yes, if the blocks are brand new
- Yes, for short jobs only
- Yes, if the ground is level
- No, unstable objects must not be used
Show answer
Answer: D. No, unstable objects must not be used
Scaffolds need firm footing, such as base plates and mud sills. Unstable objects like loose bricks can crumble.
Question 6 of 25
A portable ladder is used to reach an upper landing. How far must its side rails extend above the landing?
- At least 3 feet
- They should stop at the landing
- At least 6 inches
- At least 1 foot
Show answer
Answer: A. At least 3 feet
Under 1926.1053(b)(1), side rails must extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface.
Question 7 of 25
At what angle should a non-self-supporting ladder be set?
- About 1/2 of the working length out from the wall
- About 1/4 of the working length out from the wall (4 to 1)
- Straight up, flat against the wall
- Always 2 feet out, whatever the length
Show answer
Answer: B. About 1/4 of the working length out from the wall (4 to 1)
The horizontal distance from the top support to the foot should be about one-quarter of the working length.
Question 8 of 25
Can you stand on the top step of a stepladder?
- Yes, if someone holds the ladder at the bottom
- No, the top or top step must not be used as a step
- Yes, for short tasks of a few minutes
- Yes, if the ladder is new and in good shape
Show answer
Answer: B. No, the top or top step must not be used as a step
OSHA forbids using the top or top step of a stepladder as a step.
Question 9 of 25
How should you face when climbing up or down a ladder?
- Away from the ladder
- It does not matter
- Toward the ladder
- Sideways
Show answer
Answer: C. Toward the ladder
When going up or down a ladder, the user must face the ladder.
Question 10 of 25
How many hands must you use to grasp the ladder while climbing?
- Exactly two at all times
- None, if the ladder is tied off
- At least one
- None, if you are carrying tools
Show answer
Answer: C. At least one
Each worker must use at least one hand to grasp the ladder when moving up or down. Do not carry loads that could make you lose balance.
Question 11 of 25
What must happen to a ladder with a broken rung?
- Tag it "Do Not Use" and take it out of service
- Leave it for someone else to deal with
- Skip over the broken rung
- Keep using it, but carefully
Show answer
Answer: A. Tag it "Do Not Use" and take it out of service
Defective ladders must be tagged or marked and withdrawn from service until repaired.
Question 12 of 25
What kind of ladder must you use where you could contact exposed energized electrical equipment?
- A steel ladder
- An aluminum ladder
- Any ladder, if you wear gloves
- One with nonconductive side rails
Show answer
Answer: D. One with nonconductive side rails
Ladders must have nonconductive side rails if the worker or ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.
Question 13 of 25
At what break in elevation must a stairway or ladder be provided at access points?
- 6 feet or more
- 6 inches or more
- 19 inches or more
- 36 inches or more
Show answer
Answer: C. 19 inches or more
Under 1926.1051(a), a stairway or ladder is required at points of access where there is a break in elevation of 19 inches or more.
Question 14 of 25
What does a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) do?
- It stores power for use later
- It changes the voltage from 120 to 240 volts
- It cuts power fast when current leaks to ground
- It makes power tools run faster and cooler
Show answer
Answer: C. It cuts power fast when current leaks to ground
GFCIs detect ground faults and cut power fast. 1926.404(b)(1) requires GFCIs or an assured equipment grounding conductor program on construction sites.
Question 15 of 25
You find an extension cord with cracked insulation. What should you do?
- Bury it so no one trips on it
- Use it only in dry weather
- Remove it from service and report it
- Wrap it in tape and keep using it
Show answer
Answer: C. Remove it from service and report it
Damaged cords can expose live wires. Take them out of service until repaired or replaced.
Question 16 of 25
How should you treat overhead power lines on a job site?
- Ignore them if they are high up
- Touch them with a wooden pole to check if they are live
- Assume they are dead unless they spark
- Assume they are energized and keep a safe distance
Show answer
Answer: D. Assume they are energized and keep a safe distance
Contact with overhead lines is a leading cause of electrocution. Always assume lines are live.
Question 17 of 25
Under OSHA's crane rules, what is the minimum clearance from power lines up to 50 kV?
- 50 feet
- 2 feet
- 10 feet
- 5 feet
Show answer
Answer: C. 10 feet
Table A of 1926.1408 lists a 10-foot minimum clearance for voltages up to 50 kV. Higher voltages need more distance.
Question 18 of 25
Before working on electrical equipment, what must be done?
- Turn the tool off at its own switch only
- Wear rubber boots and work on it while it is still live
- The circuit must be de-energized and locked or tagged out
- Ask a coworker to stand by the breaker panel
Show answer
Answer: C. The circuit must be de-energized and locked or tagged out
Locking out and tagging the circuit stops someone from switching it on while you work.
Question 19 of 25
Why is using electric tools in wet conditions dangerous?
- Water makes it easier for current to flow through your body
- Water is only a problem for battery-powered tools
- Water makes tools too quiet to hear when running
- Water makes tools rust and stop working at once
Show answer
Answer: A. Water makes it easier for current to flow through your body
Wet conditions raise the risk of shock. Use GFCI protection and tools rated for the conditions.
Question 20 of 25
What should you wear when working near moving vehicles or traffic?
- Headphones to block out traffic noise
- Dark clothing so you blend in
- High-visibility clothing, such as a vest
- Loose clothing for comfort
Show answer
Answer: C. High-visibility clothing, such as a vest
High-visibility garments help drivers and operators see you.
Question 21 of 25
A crane is lifting a load. Where should you never stand?
- Outside the swing radius
- Under the suspended load
- Behind a barricade
- In the break area
Show answer
Answer: B. Under the suspended load
Loads can slip or fall. Stay out from under suspended loads and outside barricaded swing areas.
Question 22 of 25
A vehicle on site has an obstructed view to the rear. What must it have before backing up?
- A loud radio in the cab
- A working reverse alarm, or an observer
- Nothing, if the driver backs up slowly
- A warning sticker on the bumper
Show answer
Answer: B. A working reverse alarm, or an observer
Under 1926.601(b)(4), vehicles with an obstructed rear view need a reverse alarm audible above surrounding noise, or an observer.
Question 23 of 25
How can you keep tools and materials from falling on workers below?
- Throw tools down to the ground instead of carrying them down the ladder
- Shout a warning to people below after something falls
- Use toeboards, screens or tool lanyards, and keep materials away from edges
- Stack materials at the edge so they are easy to reach
Show answer
Answer: C. Use toeboards, screens or tool lanyards, and keep materials away from edges
Falling objects are a major struck-by hazard. Prevent them falling and protect people below.
Question 24 of 25
When must workers wear hard hats?
- When there is a danger of head injury
- Only on their first day of work
- Only when it is raining
- Only when an inspector is on site
Show answer
Answer: A. When there is a danger of head injury
Under 1926.100(a), protective helmets are required wherever there is a possible danger of head injury.
Question 25 of 25
When is eye or face protection required?
- When flying particles or chemicals could injure the eyes or face
- Only for supervisors and site visitors
- Only when welding or cutting at night under work lights
- Only when the sun is very bright outside
Show answer
Answer: A. When flying particles or chemicals could injure the eyes or face
Under 1926.102, employers must provide eye and face protection when operations present a potential eye or face injury.

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