Free NCCER Industrial Ironworker Knowledge Assessment Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the NCCER Industrial Ironworker Knowledge Assessment practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An ironworker is arranging oxygen and fuel gas cylinders in storage without a separating barrier. What is the minimum separation distance required by the construction welding standard?

   1. A.10 feet
   2. B.15 feet
   3. C.20 feetCorrect answer: C
   4. D.25 feet

   Explanation: OSHA requires "a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m)" between stored oxygen and fuel gas cylinders unless the specified barrier is used. The stated arrangement has no barrier, so 20 feet is the minimum.

   Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.350 — Gas welding and cutting — 29 CFR 1926.350(a)(10)

2. 2Before a structural steel lift, an ironworker is about to use rigging equipment already set out for the shift. When must it be inspected under OSHA's construction rule?

   1. A.Before use on each shift and as needed during useCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Only when the rigging changes between lifts
   3. C.At the end of the shift after final use
   4. D.Only after the rigging has carried a load

   Explanation: OSHA states that rigging equipment "shall be inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during its use." Waiting for a change, a completed lift, or shift end misses the required pre-use inspection.

   Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251 — Rigging equipment for material handling — 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(1)

3. 3The crane operator cannot see the landing point for a steel beam. Who must direct the lift while that point remains out of view?

   1. A.A designated signal person communicating with the operatorCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A hook rigger working beneath the suspended beam
   3. C.A receiving connector who watches the beam silently
   4. D.A lift director who reviews the plan away from the lift

   Explanation: OSHA lists the need for a signal person when "The point of operation, meaning the load travel or the area near or at load placement, is not in full view of the operator." The hidden landing point is the point of operation, so a signal person must communicate the movement.

   Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1419 — Signals: general requirements — 29 CFR 1926.1419(a)(1)

4. 4A steel erection crew is ready to begin setting columns on new concrete footings. What percentage of intended minimum compressive design strength can satisfy OSHA's written notification criterion, absent a separate showing of sufficient support strength?

   1. A.50 percent
   2. B.60 percent
   3. C.75 percentCorrect answer: C
   4. D.90 percent

   Explanation: OSHA requires written notification that the concrete has attained "either 75 percent of the intended minimum compressive design strength or sufficient strength to support the loads imposed during steel erection." Under the percentage route specified in the question, 75 percent is the threshold.

   Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.752 — Site layout, site-specific erection plan and construction sequence — 29 CFR 1926.752(b)

5. 5An ironworker adjusts the tongue guard on a bench grinder as the wheel wears down. What is the maximum permitted gap between the wheel periphery and the adjustable tongue?

   1. A.1/8 inch
   2. B.1/4 inchCorrect answer: B
   3. C.3/8 inch
   4. D.1/2 inch

   Explanation: OSHA says the distance from wheel periphery to adjustable tongue "shall never exceed ¼ inch (0.635 cm)." The maximum gap is one-quarter inch.

   Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.300 — General requirements for tools — 29 CFR 1926.300(b)(7)

6. 6The steel frame may require temporary plumbing-up equipment for stability during erection. Which project role decides whether that equipment is necessary?

   1. A.A competent personCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A qualified rigger
   3. C.The structural engineer of record
   4. D.The controlling contractor

   Explanation: OSHA says, "When deemed necessary by a competent person, plumbing-up equipment shall be installed." The competent person makes this erection-stage judgment; the other named roles have different duties in the steel-erection rules.

   Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.754 — Structural steel assembly — 29 CFR 1926.754(d)(1)

7. 7A bolted shear connection is designed to transfer load by bearing, but its bolts must be pretensioned for a reason other than slip resistance. Which RCSC joint type should the contract documents designate?

   1. A.Snug-tightened
   2. B.PretensionedCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Slip-critical
   4. D.Bearing-type

   Explanation: RCSC Table 4.1 describes a shear/bearing joint where "Bolt pretension is required, but for reasons other than slip resistance" and gives its type as "PT" (pretensioned). Section 4 requires the Engineer of Record to "specify the joint type in the contract documents as snug-tightened, pretensioned, or slip-critical." The stated case is pretensioned, rather than a slip-critical friction joint.

   Reference: RCSC Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts, 2020 — RCSC 2020 Table 4.1, p. 33, shear-only PT row

8. 8A steel joist at a column spans more than 60 feet. Unless a qualified person's equivalent method is included in the site-specific erection plan, how must it be set?

   1. A.In tandem with all bridging installedCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Singly with only one end bolted
   3. C.Singly with no erection bridging
   4. D.In tandem with bridging deferred

   Explanation: OSHA says joists at or near columns spanning more than 60 feet "shall be set in tandem with all bridging installed" unless the stated alternative method is used.

   Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.757 — Open web steel joists — 29 CFR 1926.757(a)(4)

9. 9An ironworker lays out a rectangular plate 4 feet long and 6 feet wide. How much plate area does the layout cover?

   1. A.10 square feet
   2. B.12 square feet
   3. C.20 square feet
   4. D.24 square feetCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: NIST gives the rectangle formula as "length × width." Multiplying 4 by 6 gives 24 square feet; 10 is an addition, 20 is perimeter, and 12 is half the area.

   Reference: NIST Circumference, Area and Volume — Calculate Circumference, Area and Volume; area of rectangle

10. 10An ironworker is planning to weld headed shear studs to top beam flanges on a composite floor. When must the studs be laid out and installed relative to the metal decking?

    1. A.After the metal decking is installedCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Before any structural members are erected
    3. C.Before the metal decking is placed
    4. D.After the concrete slab has cured

    Explanation: OSHA requires employees to "lay out and install the shear connectors after the metal decking has been installed, using the metal decking as a working platform." This controls the stud-welding sequence.

    Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.754 — Structural steel assembly — 29 CFR 1926.754(c)(2)