Page 1 of 112
DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR
CERTIFICATION EXAM|QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE|GRADED
A+|2026 UPDATE|100% CORRECT
1. OSHA's most frequently cited standard in demolition is:
A) Scaffolding (1926.451)
B) Fall protection (1926.501)
C) Excavations (1926.651)
D) Hazard communication (1926.59)
Answer: B
Rationale: Fall protection is consistently the most cited violation in
construction, including demolition, due to working at heights on
structures being taken down.
,Page 2 of 112
2. According to OSHA 1926.850(a), a competent person must
conduct an engineering survey of the structure before demolition
to determine:
A) The color of the building
B) The condition of the framing, floors, and walls, and possibility
of unplanned collapse
C) The number of windows
D) The age of the building
Answer: B
Rationale: The engineering survey assesses structural integrity,
identifies hazards like weakened floors or walls, and determines
the method of demolition.
3. True or False: A "competent person" is defined by OSHA as
someone who can identify hazards and has authority to correct
them.
Answer: True
,Page 3 of 112
Rationale: OSHA 1926.32(f) defines a competent person as one
capable of identifying hazards and authorized to take prompt
corrective measures.
4. What is the minimum distance a demolition worker must stand
from the edge of a floor or roof during manual demolition
without fall protection?
A) 2 feet
B) 6 feet
C) 10 feet
D) 15 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA 1926.850(g) requires workers to stay at least
6 feet from floor openings or roof edges unless protected by
guardrails or fall arrest systems.
5. Scenario: A demolition contractor is taking down a 5-story
building. Workers are on the 3rd floor interior. What fall
, Page 4 of 112
protection is required?
A) None if interior
B) Guardrails or fall arrest systems at all openings and edges
C) Safety nets only
D) Warning lines only
Answer: B
Rationale: Fall protection (guardrails, safety nets, or personal
fall arrest) is required at 6 feet or more above lower levels,
including interior floor openings.
6. True or False: A "pre-demolition survey" must include testing
for asbestos and other hazardous materials.
Answer: True
Rationale: OSHA 1926.1101 requires asbestos inspection;
similarly, lead, PCBs, mercury, and other hazards must be
identified before demolition.
DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR
CERTIFICATION EXAM|QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE|GRADED
A+|2026 UPDATE|100% CORRECT
1. OSHA's most frequently cited standard in demolition is:
A) Scaffolding (1926.451)
B) Fall protection (1926.501)
C) Excavations (1926.651)
D) Hazard communication (1926.59)
Answer: B
Rationale: Fall protection is consistently the most cited violation in
construction, including demolition, due to working at heights on
structures being taken down.
,Page 2 of 112
2. According to OSHA 1926.850(a), a competent person must
conduct an engineering survey of the structure before demolition
to determine:
A) The color of the building
B) The condition of the framing, floors, and walls, and possibility
of unplanned collapse
C) The number of windows
D) The age of the building
Answer: B
Rationale: The engineering survey assesses structural integrity,
identifies hazards like weakened floors or walls, and determines
the method of demolition.
3. True or False: A "competent person" is defined by OSHA as
someone who can identify hazards and has authority to correct
them.
Answer: True
,Page 3 of 112
Rationale: OSHA 1926.32(f) defines a competent person as one
capable of identifying hazards and authorized to take prompt
corrective measures.
4. What is the minimum distance a demolition worker must stand
from the edge of a floor or roof during manual demolition
without fall protection?
A) 2 feet
B) 6 feet
C) 10 feet
D) 15 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA 1926.850(g) requires workers to stay at least
6 feet from floor openings or roof edges unless protected by
guardrails or fall arrest systems.
5. Scenario: A demolition contractor is taking down a 5-story
building. Workers are on the 3rd floor interior. What fall
, Page 4 of 112
protection is required?
A) None if interior
B) Guardrails or fall arrest systems at all openings and edges
C) Safety nets only
D) Warning lines only
Answer: B
Rationale: Fall protection (guardrails, safety nets, or personal
fall arrest) is required at 6 feet or more above lower levels,
including interior floor openings.
6. True or False: A "pre-demolition survey" must include testing
for asbestos and other hazardous materials.
Answer: True
Rationale: OSHA 1926.1101 requires asbestos inspection;
similarly, lead, PCBs, mercury, and other hazards must be
identified before demolition.
