**Safety Officer Interview Questions & Answers** 1. **What is Safety?** Safety is the state of being protected from harm, injury, or danger through proactive measures and risk management. 2. **What is Hazard and Risk?** - **Hazard:** A source with potential to cause harm (e.g., chemicals, electricity). - **Risk:** The likelihood and severity of harm from exposure to a hazard. 3. **Classification of Accident** - By severity: Minor, major, fatal. - By type: Slip, fall, struck-by, caught-in. - By cause: Human error, equipment failure. 4. **How to Calculate Safe Man Hours** Multiply the number of workers by hours worked without lost-time injuries. *Example:* 50 workers × 40 hours = 2,000 safe man hours. 5. **Responsibilities of Safety Officer** Ensure regulatory compliance, conduct risk assessments, train staff, investigate incidents, and maintain safety records. 6. **What is Risk Assessment?** A systematic process to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and implement control measures. 7. **What is JSA (Job Safety Analysis)?** A task-specific method to break down job steps, identify hazards, and determine safe procedures. 8. **Difference Between Risk Assessment and JSA** - **Risk Assessment:** Broad evaluation of workplace risks. - **JSA:** Focuses on individual tasks and step-by-step hazards. 9. **Accident, Incident, Nearmiss** - **Accident:** Causes injury/damage. - **Incident:** Any unplanned event (may or may not cause harm). - **Nearmiss:** No harm but potential for injury. 10. **Methods to Prevent Cave-In** Sloping, benching, shoring, trench boxes, and shielding. 11. **Classification of Fire** - Class A: Solids (wood, paper). - Class B: Liquids (gasoline, oil). - Class C: Gases. - Class D: Metals. - Class K: Cooking oils. 12. **Types of Fire Extinguishers** Water, foam, CO₂, dry chemical, wet chemical, Class D powder. 13. **LEL and UEL** - **LEL (Lower Explosive Limit):** Minimum gas concentration to ignite. - **UEL (Upper Explosive Limit):** Maximum concentration to ignite. 14. **Why CO₂ Extinguishers Have No Gauge?** CO₂ is stored as a pressurized liquid; pressure remains constant until empty, making gauges unnecessary. 15. **How to Operate a Fire Extinguisher (PASS)** Pull pin, Aim at base, Squeeze lever, Sweep side-to-side. 16. **Fire Protection vs. Prevention** - **Prevention:** Eliminate fire risks (e.g., removing combustibles). - **Protection:** Systems to suppress fires (e.g., sprinklers). 17. **Fire Triangle** Oxygen, heat, fuel – three elements required for combustion. 18. **Confined Space, Hazards, Precautions** - **Definition:** Limited entry/exit, not designed for occupancy. - **Hazards:** Toxic atmosphere, oxygen deficiency, engulfment. - **Precautions:** Permits, ventilation, gas testing, rescue plans. 19. **Safe Oxygen Limit** 19.5% to 23.5% by volume. 20. **Hot Work** Activities generating sparks/flames (welding, cutting). 21. **Types of Hot Work** Welding, grinding, soldering, brazing, torch cutting. 22. **Safe Distance Between Oxygen & Acetylene Cylinders** 20 feet (6 meters) apart or separated by a fire-resistant barrier. 23. **Dead Man Switch** Safety device stopping machinery if the operator releases control. 24. **Confined Space Communication Methods** Radios, hand signals, rope tugs, or wireless devices. 25. **H₂S (Hydrogen Sulfide)** Toxic, flammable gas with a rotten egg odor; causes respiratory failure. 26. **TWA, STEL, IDLH for H₂S** - **TWA (8-hour):** 10 ppm. - **STEL (15 min):** 15 ppm. - **IDLH:** 100 ppm. 27. **Evacuation for H₂S Leak** Use SCBA, evacuate upwind, account for personnel, and secure the area. 28. **Types of Breathing Apparatus** - SCBA (Self-Contained). - SAR (Supplied Air Respirator). - Air-purifying respirators. 29. **Types of Respirators** N95, half-face, full-face, PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying), SCBA. 30. **TWA, STEL, IDLH for CO (Carbon Monoxide)** - **TWA:** 25 ppm. - **STEL:** 200 ppm. - **IDLH:** 1,200 ppm. 31. **Bump Test vs. Calibration** - **Bump Test:** Verifies sensor functionality with gas exposure. - **Calibration:** Adjusts sensors to a known gas concentration. 32. **Scaffolding Hazards & Precautions** - **Hazards:** Falls, collapse, falling objects. - **Precautions:** Guardrails, inspections, proper assembly. 33. **Scaffolding Tag Purpose** Indicates inspection status (e.g., green = safe, red = unsafe). 34. **Scaffolding Inspection** Check stability, guardrails, base plates, planks, and tags for damage. 35. **Radiography** Using X-rays/gamma rays to inspect materials for defects. 36. **Guardrail** Fall protection system with top rail, mid rail, and toeboard. 37. **Work at Height Hazards & Precautions** - **Hazards:** Falls, falling objects. - **Precautions:** Harnesses, guardrails, safety nets, training. 38. **4-to-1 Ladder Rule** For every 4 feet of height, place the base 1 foot away from the wall. 39. **Fall Protection vs. Prevention** - **Prevention:** Eliminates fall risk (e.g., guardrails). - **Protection:** Minimizes injury if a fall occurs (e.g., harnesses). 40. **3-Point Contact Rule** Maintain three limbs in contact with a ladder/vehicle for stability. 41. **Full Body Harness** PPE distributing fall forces across the body; connects to an anchor. 42. **Lifting Hazards & Precautions** - **Hazards:** Dropped loads, equipment failure. - **Precautions:** Inspect gear, plan lifts, use spotters. 43. **Tandem Lifting** Using two cranes to lift a load, requiring coordination and planning. 44. **Critical Lifting** High-risk lifts involving heavy loads, complex rigging, or restricted areas. 45. **Crane Lifting Wind Speed Limit** Typically 20–30 mph (varies by manufacturer; check specifications). 46. **Anti-Two Block Device** Prevents crane hook from contacting the boom tip, avoiding structural failure. 47. **SLI (Safe Load Indicator)** Monitors crane load to prevent overloading. 48. **Web Sling Color & Capacity** - **Example:** Orange (1T), Green (2T), Yellow (3T), Gray (4T). Check manufacturer tags. 49. **SWL (Safe Working Load)** Maximum load equipment can safely handle under normal conditions. 50. **Overhead Powerlines Safe Distance** Minimum 10 feet for ≤50 kV; increase distance for higher voltages. 51. **Crane Radius** Horizontal distance from the crane’s centerline to the load. 52. **Work Permit** Authorization document outlining hazards, controls, and approvals for high-risk tasks. 53. **Types of Work Permits** Hot work, confined space, electrical, excavation, etc. 54. **Earthing vs. Grounding** - **Earthing:** Connects electrical systems to earth. - **Grounding:** Connects equipment to earth for safety. 55. **Bonding** Equalizing electrical potential between objects to prevent sparks. 56. **ELCB vs. GFCI** - **ELCB:** Detects earth leakage. - **GFCI:** Detects current imbalance between live/neutral wires. 57. **Types of Risk Assessment** Qualitative, quantitative, dynamic, site-specific. 58. **HSE Plan vs. Policy** - **Policy:** Outlines safety commitment and goals. - **Plan:** Details procedures to achieve policy objectives. 59. **LMRA (Last Minute Risk Assessment)** Final safety check by workers before starting a task. 60. **Phases of Shutdown** Planning, preparation, execution, startup, review. 61. **Shutdown vs. Turnaround** - **Shutdown:** Temporary stoppage for maintenance. - **Turnaround:** Extended maintenance with upgrades/overhauls. 62. **SIMOPS (Simultaneous Operations)** Managing overlapping high-risk activities safely in the same area. 63. **ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable)** Reducing risks to the lowest feasible level. 64. **Purging** Replacing hazardous substances in a system with inert gas. 65. **Hot Bolting** Tightening/loosening bolts on pressurized equipment under controlled conditions. 66. **Worker Not Wearing PPE** Stop work, educate on risks, enforce PPE use, and report repeat violations. 67. **Why Hire You?** Highlight certifications (e.g., NEBOSH), experience, communication skills, and commitment to fostering a safety culture. 68. **Isolation** Physically disconnecting energy sources (electrical, mechanical) to ensure safety. 69. **Types of Isolation** Electrical lockout, mechanical isolation, pneumatic/hydraulic disconnection. 70. **Line Break Activity** Opening a pipeline containing residual hazardous material. 71. **Line Break Hazards & Precautions** - **Hazards:** Chemical exposure, pressure release. - **Precautions:** PPE, depressurization, containment. 72. **Safety Inspection** Regular checks to identify hazards and ensure compliance with safety standards. 73. **Safety Audit** Systematic review of safety programs, policies, and practices. 74. **Inspection vs. Audit** - **Inspection:** On-site checks for immediate hazards. - **Audit:** Evaluates documentation and system effectiveness. 75. **Types of Safety Inspections** Routine, periodic, special (post-incident), continuous. 76. **Types of Safety Audits** Compliance, program, management system audits. 77. **Line of Fire** Path where a person could be struck by moving objects or energy (e.g., forklifts, falling tools). 78. **Pinch Point** Area where body parts can be caught between moving and stationary objects. 79. **STARRT Card (Safety Task and Risk Reduction Talk)** Tool for workers to discuss risks and controls before starting a task. 80. **Lux Meter** Measures light intensity to ensure adequate workplace illumination. 81. **Geiger Meter** Detects and measures ionizing radiation (alpha, beta, gamma). 82. **KPI (Key Performance Indicator)** Metrics to assess safety performance (e.g., incident rate, training completion). 83. **Assembly Point** Designated safe location for evacuation and headcount during emergencies. 84. **Sand Blasting** Abrasive cleaning using high-pressure sand; risks include silica exposure. 85. **Hydrotesting** Pressure testing pipelines/vessels with water to detect leaks. 86. **Hydrojetting** High-pressure water cleaning for pipes/tanks. 87. **Types of Sand Blasting** Dry, wet, bead, vacuum blasting. 88. **Noise Level for Hearing Protection** 85 dB over 8 hours; hearing protection required above this level. 89. **LOTO (Lockout-Tagout)** Procedure to isolate energy sources during maintenance to prevent accidental activation. 90. **LOTO Steps** 1. Notify affected personnel. 2. Shut down equipment. 3. Isolate energy sources. 4. Apply locks/tags. 5. Verify isolation. 6. Restore after work completion. 91. **SDS (Safety Data Sheet)** Provides chemical hazard information, handling, and emergency measures. 92. **NFPA Diamond** Hazard label with four color-coded sections (health, flammability, instability, special) and ratings 0–4. 93. **CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)** Emergency procedure combining chest compressions and rescue breaths for cardiac arrest. 94. **Brownfield vs. Greenfield** - **Brownfield:** Development on existing industrial sites. - **Greenfield:** Projects on undeveloped land.