Free Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) Red Seal Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) Red Seal Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A worksite chemical label bears the WHMIS pictogram showing a flame over a circle. Which hazard does that pictogram identify?

   1. A.An oxidizing hazardCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A corrosive hazard
   3. C.An acute toxicity hazard
   4. D.A compressed-gas hazard

   Explanation: CCOHS explains: "The flame over circle pictogram is only used for hazardous products that are oxidizing solids, liquids, or gases." Other pictograms may communicate additional hazards of the same product.

   Reference: CCOHS: Hazardous Products Using the Flame Over Circle Pictogram — What are the hazards of products that have the flame over circle pictogram?

2. 2A solid steel plate to be lifted measures 4 ft by 3 ft by 1/2 in. Using the Red Seal steel density of 490 lb/ft³, what is the plate's approximate weight, excluding rigging?

   1. A.122.5 lb
   2. B.245 lbCorrect answer: B
   3. C.490 lb
   4. D.2,940 lb

   Explanation: The official exam information gives "Density of steel = 490 lb./ft³". Thickness is 0.5 ÷ 12 = 1/24 ft, so volume is 4 × 3 × 1/24 = 0.5 ft³ and weight is 0.5 × 490 = 245 lb. The 122.5-lb result halves the thickness twice; 490 lb treats it as 1 in.; and 2,940 lb uses 0.5 ft instead of converting inches to feet.

   Reference: Red Seal: Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) Exam Information — Math Formulas, Constants

3. 3Temporary steel or timber supports hold structural components while they are erected or pre-assembled. What are these supports called?

   1. A.Girts
   2. B.FalseworkCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Purlins
   4. D.Joists

   Explanation: The RSOS glossary defines falsework as "temporary steel or wooden supports upon which structural components are erected or pre-assembled". Girts, purlins and joists are structural members, rather than this temporary support system.

   Reference: Red Seal Occupational Standard – Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) — Appendix C, Falsework

4. 4A hydraulic line has been isolated before dismantling. What type of valve does CCOHS identify for bleeding residual pressure from the line?

   1. A.A pressure relief valveCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A flow-control valve
   3. C.A check valve
   4. D.An isolation valve

   Explanation: CCOHS explains: "This residual energy can be removed by bleeding the lines through pressure relief valves." Closing an isolation valve alone does not dissipate trapped pressure; consult the manufacturer when no relief valve is available.

   Reference: CCOHS: Lockout/Tag Out — 5. Dissipation (Removal) of Residual or Stored Energy

5. 5An ironworker needs information about a hazardous product before handling it. Which document should be consulted and followed?

   1. A.Bill of lading
   2. B.Safety data sheetCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Equipment inspection log
   4. D.Erection drawing

   Explanation: WHMIS information includes safety data sheets, whose directions must be followed. The standard states: "directions on Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are followed".

   Reference: Red Seal Occupational Standard – Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) — A-1.01.04P

6. 6A balanced 4,000 lb load is lifted by a symmetrical two-leg bridle. Each leg is 10 ft long and rises 8 ft vertically. Ignoring rigging weight, what is the tension in each leg?

   1. A.1,600 lb
   2. B.2,000 lb
   3. C.2,500 lbCorrect answer: C
   4. D.5,000 lb

   Explanation: Crosby states: "LOAD ON EACH LEG OF SLING = VERTICAL SHARE OF LOAD X LOAD ANGLE FACTOR" and "FACTOR = L/H". Each leg carries a vertical share of 4,000 ÷ 2 = 2,000 lb. The factor is 10 ÷ 8 = 1.25, so tension is 2,000 × 1.25 = 2,500 lb. The 1,600-lb result inverts the factor, 2,000 lb ignores the angle, and 5,000 lb applies the factor without dividing the load between legs.

   Reference: Crosby: Rigging Information – Sling Angles — Sling Angles, Two Legged Sling, p. 473

7. 7According to the Red Seal occupational standard, when can falsework be removed from structural members?

   1. A.When the members are initially aligned
   2. B.When the members are initially plumbed
   3. C.When the members can support themselvesCorrect answer: C
   4. D.When the members are completely surveyed

   Explanation: The 2025 standard states: "falsework is removed once structural members can support themselves" according to engineering specifications, task and industry standards. Alignment, plumbness and survey completion alone do not establish that the members are self-supporting.

   Reference: Red Seal Occupational Standard – Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) — C-10.01.07P

8. 8A technician, a supervisor and two co-workers each apply their own lock before disassembly. Under the CCOHS general lockout procedure, whose lock should the technician remove?

   1. A.The supervisor's lock
   2. B.The technician's lockCorrect answer: B
   3. C.The first co-worker's lock
   4. D.The second co-worker's lock

   Explanation: CCOHS states: "Locks can only be removed by those who installed them and should only be removed using a specific process". Each worker controls the lock they installed, subject to the established removal process.

   Reference: CCOHS: Lockout/Tag Out — 6. Lockout/Tag Out

9. 9Which worksite condition is directly addressed by routine housekeeping?

   1. A.Ultraviolet radiation
   2. B.Overhead power lines
   3. C.Clutter and obstructed accessCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Unprotected leading edges

   Explanation: The standard states that the "site is free of obstructions, debris and clutter". Housekeeping addresses those conditions; the other choices are hazards requiring other controls.

   Reference: Red Seal Occupational Standard – Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) — A-1.01.10P

10. 10A load consists of two components weighing 3,000 lb and 1,000 lb. Their centres of gravity lie on a horizontal line 4 ft apart, and their weights account for the entire load. How far is the combined centre of gravity from the heavier component's centre?

    1. A.1 ftCorrect answer: A
    2. B.2 ft
    3. C.3 ft
    4. D.4 ft

    Explanation: NASA states: "The center of gravity is the mass-weighted average of the component locations." Taking the heavier component as the reference, the combined position is [(3,000 × 0) + (1,000 × 4)] ÷ 4,000 = 1 ft. Two feet assumes equal weights, three feet reverses the weights, and four feet places the whole load at the lighter component.

    Reference: NASA Glenn Research Center: Aircraft Center of Gravity — Newton’s Weight Equation