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OSHA 510 Exam 2026 | Latest Verified Questions
and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The OSHA 510 exam covers the application of 29 CFR 1926 Construction Industry
standards, with a heavy emphasis on the "Focus Four" hazards—falls, electrical, struck-by,
and caught-in/between—which account for over one-third of the questions. The test also
evaluates knowledge of general safety management (including the OSH Act's General Duty
Clause and inspection priorities), construction standards compliance (PPE, Hazard
Communication, recordkeeping), specialized activities (scaffolding, trenching, cranes), and
health hazards (silica, asbestos, noise, confined spaces).
Focus Four Hazards (35-40%)
QUESTION 1
A worker on a residential roof 12 feet above the next lower level is not using any fall
protection. Under 1926.501(b)(13), what is the employer’s obligation?
A) Provide a safety net system only
B) Ensure fall protection is used because the height exceeds 6 feet
C) No fall protection required for residential construction under 15 feet
D) Only guardrails are allowed at this height
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.501(b)(13) requires fall protection for residential
construction at 6 feet or more above a lower level, eliminating any exemption previously
allowed by directive.
QUESTION 2
What is the minimum breaking strength for a lanyard used in a personal fall arrest
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system under 1926.502(d)?
A) 2,500 lbs
B) 3,000 lbs
C) 5,000 lbs
D) 10,000 lbs
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.502(d)(5) requires connectors (including lanyards) to have a
minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds.
QUESTION 3
A guardrail system’s top edge height must be approximately _____ inches above the
walking/working level, plus or minus 3 inches.
A) 36
B) 42
C) 48
D) 54
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.502(b)(1) specifies top rail height of 42 inches (plus or minus
3 inches) from the walking surface.
QUESTION 4
An employee is using a portable extension ladder to access an upper level. The ladder
should extend at least _____ feet above the upper landing surface.
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
CORRECT ANSWER: C
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EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.1053(b)(1) requires portable ladders used for access to an
upper landing to extend at least 3 feet above that surface.
QUESTION 5
What is the maximum free fall distance permitted for a personal fall arrest system before
deceleration begins, unless using a retrieval system?
A) 2 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 6 feet
D) 10 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) limits free fall to 6 feet or less, or the system
must be designed to limit deceleration distance.
QUESTION 6
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are required for all 120-volt, single-phase, 15-
and 20-ampere receptacles on construction sites that are not part of a(n) _____.
A) permanent wiring system
B) assured equipment grounding conductor program
C) temporary lighting circuit
D) overhead power line
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) requires GFCI protection for all receptacles not
on a permanent wiring system, unless an assured equipment grounding conductor
program is in place.
QUESTION 7
The minimum clearance distance for unguarded, energized overhead power lines
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operating at 50 kV or less is:
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.1408 Table A requires a minimum approach distance of 10
feet for lines up to 50 kV.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following is an example of a struck-by hazard?
A) A worker falling into an excavation
B) A crane hook striking a worker during a swing
C) A trench collapse trapping a worker
D) Electrocution from a damaged extension cord
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Struck-by hazards involve impact with objects or equipment; a
swinging crane hook directly hits a worker, fitting the definition under 1926 Subpart
G/O.
QUESTION 9
In trenching operations, a competent person must inspect the excavation and adjacent
areas for signs of potential cave-in after every:
A) shift change
B) rainstorm
C) 2 hours of digging
D) blasting event
CORRECT ANSWER: B
OSHA 510 Exam 2026 | Latest Verified Questions
and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The OSHA 510 exam covers the application of 29 CFR 1926 Construction Industry
standards, with a heavy emphasis on the "Focus Four" hazards—falls, electrical, struck-by,
and caught-in/between—which account for over one-third of the questions. The test also
evaluates knowledge of general safety management (including the OSH Act's General Duty
Clause and inspection priorities), construction standards compliance (PPE, Hazard
Communication, recordkeeping), specialized activities (scaffolding, trenching, cranes), and
health hazards (silica, asbestos, noise, confined spaces).
Focus Four Hazards (35-40%)
QUESTION 1
A worker on a residential roof 12 feet above the next lower level is not using any fall
protection. Under 1926.501(b)(13), what is the employer’s obligation?
A) Provide a safety net system only
B) Ensure fall protection is used because the height exceeds 6 feet
C) No fall protection required for residential construction under 15 feet
D) Only guardrails are allowed at this height
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.501(b)(13) requires fall protection for residential
construction at 6 feet or more above a lower level, eliminating any exemption previously
allowed by directive.
QUESTION 2
What is the minimum breaking strength for a lanyard used in a personal fall arrest
,2|Page
system under 1926.502(d)?
A) 2,500 lbs
B) 3,000 lbs
C) 5,000 lbs
D) 10,000 lbs
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.502(d)(5) requires connectors (including lanyards) to have a
minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds.
QUESTION 3
A guardrail system’s top edge height must be approximately _____ inches above the
walking/working level, plus or minus 3 inches.
A) 36
B) 42
C) 48
D) 54
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.502(b)(1) specifies top rail height of 42 inches (plus or minus
3 inches) from the walking surface.
QUESTION 4
An employee is using a portable extension ladder to access an upper level. The ladder
should extend at least _____ feet above the upper landing surface.
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
CORRECT ANSWER: C
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EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.1053(b)(1) requires portable ladders used for access to an
upper landing to extend at least 3 feet above that surface.
QUESTION 5
What is the maximum free fall distance permitted for a personal fall arrest system before
deceleration begins, unless using a retrieval system?
A) 2 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 6 feet
D) 10 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) limits free fall to 6 feet or less, or the system
must be designed to limit deceleration distance.
QUESTION 6
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are required for all 120-volt, single-phase, 15-
and 20-ampere receptacles on construction sites that are not part of a(n) _____.
A) permanent wiring system
B) assured equipment grounding conductor program
C) temporary lighting circuit
D) overhead power line
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) requires GFCI protection for all receptacles not
on a permanent wiring system, unless an assured equipment grounding conductor
program is in place.
QUESTION 7
The minimum clearance distance for unguarded, energized overhead power lines
, 4|Page
operating at 50 kV or less is:
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: 1926.1408 Table A requires a minimum approach distance of 10
feet for lines up to 50 kV.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following is an example of a struck-by hazard?
A) A worker falling into an excavation
B) A crane hook striking a worker during a swing
C) A trench collapse trapping a worker
D) Electrocution from a damaged extension cord
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Struck-by hazards involve impact with objects or equipment; a
swinging crane hook directly hits a worker, fitting the definition under 1926 Subpart
G/O.
QUESTION 9
In trenching operations, a competent person must inspect the excavation and adjacent
areas for signs of potential cave-in after every:
A) shift change
B) rainstorm
C) 2 hours of digging
D) blasting event
CORRECT ANSWER: B
