Certification Exam Practice Questions

Railway Bridge Worker Safety Certification Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)

for bridge workers?

a) To assist in lifting heavy materials

b) To provide support while walking

c) To prevent falls from elevated positions

d) To improve productivity

Rationale: PFAS is designed to protect workers from injuries due to

falls, which are the leading hazard in bridge work.

• What is the minimum safe distance a worker should maintain from an

energized overhead rail line? 1 / 4

• 1 foot
• 10 feet
• 5 feet
• 15 feet

Rationale: OSHA requires a minimum clearance of 10 feet from

energized high-voltage lines to prevent electrocution.

• Which of the following is considered proper PPE for working on a

railway bridge?

a) Shorts and T-shirt

b) Casual shoes

c) Hard hat, high-visibility vest, steel-toed boots, and fall protection

d) Regular gloves

Rationale: PPE must protect against falls, impact, and visibility

hazards in bridge environments.

4. When performing inspections on a railway bridge, workers should:

a) Ignore structural defects if minor

b) Only inspect the parts they are working on

c) Inspect the entire accessible structure for defects before starting

work

d) Inspect the bridge after work is complete

Rationale: Early identification of defects reduces the risk of accidents

and ensures safe working conditions. 2 / 4

• What is the first step when a worker notices a damaged guardrail on a

bridge?

a) Continue working carefully

b) Report the hazard immediately to a supervisor

c) Attempt to repair it themselves

d) Ignore it if it seems minor

Rationale: Reporting hazards immediately ensures proper safety

measures are taken to protect all workers.

• Which type of ladder is safest for accessing a railway bridge?

a) Wooden ladder with cracks

b) Foldable plastic ladder

c) OSHA-approved fiberglass ladder rated for bridge work

d) Aluminum ladder with bent rungs

Rationale: OSHA-approved ladders provide structural integrity and

electrical safety required for bridge work.

• What is the maximum allowable slope for a temporary bridge work

platform?

a) 1:1

b) 1:2

c) 1:4

d) 1:6

Rationale: Platforms should have slopes no steeper than 1:4 to reduce fall risk and maintain worker stability. 3 / 4

• Which of the following is a safe practice when using tools at height on

a bridge?

a) Leaving tools on the edge of the bridge

b) Securing tools with lanyards or tool tethers

c) Passing tools by hand over the gap

d) Using only one hand while holding tools

Rationale: Securing tools prevents them from falling and injuring

workers below or damaging the bridge.

9. When working in cold weather on a bridge, workers should:

a) Wear light clothing for mobility

b) Layer clothing and take regular warm-up breaks

c) Ignore shivering to stay productive

d) Only wear a jacket

Rationale: Layering and scheduled breaks reduce the risk of

hypothermia and cold-related injuries.

• Who is responsible for ensuring bridge workers are trained in fall

protection?

a) The worker themselves

b) Local government

c) The employer

d) Safety inspectors only

Rationale: Employers are legally required to provide training and

ensure workers understand fall protection systems.

• / 4