Solar O&M Prep

OMAT Safety: Tasks and Knowledge Items

20% of the OMAT exam

Safety is 20% of the exam — the smallest of the four domains, but the one with the least excuse for losing marks: the five tasks are the same five tasks and the same 23 knowledge items that appear in the PV Associate JTA — we compared them line by line, and 22 of the 23 match word for word, the last differing only by "e.g." versus "i.e." If you have studied for PVA, you have studied this domain. What changes is context, not content: the hazards are the ones you meet arriving at a site that is already energised and producing.

Task 1: Hazard Identification and Controls

  1. Hierarchy of Controls (i.e., elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administration controls, and PPE)
  2. Fall hazards (e.g., leading edge, roof openings)
  3. Environmental hazards (e.g., extreme temperature, inclement weather, animal encounters)
  4. Hazardous materials (e.g., chemical, physical)
  5. Digging hazards (e.g., trenching, ground mount systems, underground utilities, soil contamination)
  6. Personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, ear protection, arc and fire rated clothing, footwear)

Task 2: Safe Work Practices

  1. Ergonomics (e.g., manual handling, body positioning, lifting)
  2. Safe use of hand and power tools
  3. Equipment inspections
  4. Vehicle safety and equipment transport (e.g., heavy equipment)

Task 3: Safety Plan

  1. Safety regulations (e.g., OSHA, NFPA)
  2. Equipment staging (e.g., roof load distribution)
  3. Access control (e.g., fence, screening)
  4. Emergency response plan (e.g., first aid, hazardous materials, fire, fall rescue)
  5. Safety meetings
  6. Required on-site documentation (e.g., injury and illness prevention program, safety data sheets)

Task 4: Electrical Safety

  1. Electrical hazards and control methods (e.g., DC/AC, electrical shock, arc flash, de-energization plan, lockout/tagout, working clearance, ground fault)
  2. Safe use of electrical testing equipment
  3. Risk in working with energized and/or faulty equipment (e.g., rapid shutdown)
  4. Battery safety (e.g., insulated tools, face guard, chemical goggles, eye wash, gloves, aprons)

Task 5: Working at Height

  1. Protection systems (e.g., harness, personal fall arrest systems, guardrails, scaffolding, skylight guards)
  2. Equipment handling techniques (e.g., hoisting and rigging methods, tool tethering)
  3. Ladder safety (e.g., selection, use)