Year 2 Exam Study Guide — master what the exam actually tests, concept by concept.
Construction sites are one of the most hazardous work environments in Canada. Fall protection, scaffold safety, struck-by and caught-in hazards are among the leading causes of fatalities. This section ensures you can identify hazards, apply controls, and know the regulations that protect workers.
Traffic control: advance warning signs (500+ ft), tapers, working zone protection, flagger safety. Safety regulations exist because the consequences of ignoring them are severe — injury, death, or legal liability. Know these requirements the way you know your own name.
Fall arrest: harness (rated), lanyard (6\' max), anchor point (5000 lbs min) all required. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Scaffold: solid base, leveling jacks, cross-bracing, guard rails on platforms. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Confined space permit: test for oxygen/gas, ensure entry/rescue procedures, continuous ventilation. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Building codes, fire codes, and workplace regulations define the minimum standards that protect occupants and workers. These aren't guidelines — they're legal requirements. Knowing your applicable codes means fewer failed inspections, less rework, and a professional reputation that lasts.
Slope: Type A (stable) = steeper, Type C (poor) = 1.5:1 or shoring required. Memorize this formula and practise substituting values — exam questions often give you three variables and ask you to solve for the fourth.
Type A (stable) = steeper, Type C (poor)
Structural calculations, material quantities, load calculations, and slope determinations are all part of journeyperson knowledge. These questions test your ability to move between units, apply geometric principles, and size materials correctly for the application.
Consolidation: vibration removes air; prevents voids, improves surface quality. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Concrete temp: 70°F ideal; cold = slower strength, heat = faster hydration, risk of checking. Memorize this formula and practise substituting values — exam questions often give you three variables and ask you to solve for the fourth.
cold = slower strength, heat = faster hydration, risk of check
Forms: support wet concrete weight; reshoring transfers load as upper forms removed. Safety regulations exist because the consequences of ignoring them are severe — injury, death, or legal liability. Know these requirements the way you know your own name.
Construction materials have specific strengths, limitations, and proper applications. Choosing the wrong adhesive, fastener, or structural member isn't just a quality issue — it can be a structural failure waiting to happen. Know your materials.
Shoring: temporary support preventing cave-in; engineered for soil type and depth. Material selection directly affects performance, code compliance, and longevity. Using the wrong type can fail an inspection or create a hazard down the line.
Powder-actuated: .27/.44 caliber cartridges drive fasteners; requires training/certification. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
All 10 exam concepts from this guide — test your recall before you sit the exam.