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Free OSHA 511 Exam Prep

OSHA #511 — Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry

Prepare for the OSHA 511 exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.

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Your Study Path

OSHA OSHA Training License: Complete Roadmap

Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation

1

Master OSH Act Fundamentals and Regulatory Structure

Start with the OSH Act's purpose, General Duty Clause, inspection/citation process, penalty levels, and 29 CFR 1904 recordkeeping (300/300A/301, reporting timelines). Learn to navigate the 29 CFR 1910 structure: Part → Subpart → Section → Paragraph.

5
hours
Start this step
2

Study Physical Hazard Standards (LOTO, Confined Spaces, Machine Guarding, Electrical)

Deep-dive into 1910.147 LOTO (energy types, authorized vs. affected, group LOTO, annual inspection), 1910.146 PRCS (space classification, testing sequence O₂→LEL→toxic, attendant duties), machine guarding (1910.212, 1910.217 power presses, 1910.219 nip points), and Subpart S electrical safety (grounding, GFCI, approach boundaries, arc flash).

8
hours
3

Study HazCom/GHS and PPE Standards

Master the 16 SDS sections, 6 GHS label elements, 9 pictograms, signal words, and written HazCom program requirements. For PPE: hierarchy of controls, hazard assessment certification, and respiratory protection APF values (half-mask=10, full-face=50, PAPR=1000, SCBA=10,000).

5
hours
4

Study Health Hazards, PELs, and PSM

Focus on noise PEL (90 dBA) vs. action level (85 dBA), hearing conservation program triggers, lead action level (30 μg/m³) vs. PEL (50 μg/m³) vs. medical removal BLL (50 μg/dL), asbestos PEL (0.1 f/cc), bloodborne pathogens (Exposure Control Plan, HBV vaccine offer, post-exposure evaluation), and PSM 14 elements (PHA revalidation every 5 years, compliance audit every 3 years, PSSR before startup).

7
hours
5

Complete 100 Practice Questions

Work through all 100 questions. Aim for 80%+ correct. Focus on specific numerical thresholds (PELs, action levels, reporting timelines, distances), procedural sequences (LOTO steps, atmospheric testing order, PRCS roles), and the ability to cite the relevant CFR section for each answer.

6
hours
Estimated total study time
31 hours
That's about 4 weeks at 10 hours/week

Can You Take the OSHA 511 Exam?

Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements

Age
No minimum age requirement
Education
None required — open to anyone seeking in-depth OSHA general industry knowledge
Experience
None required for OSHA 511; OSHA 501 (next step) requires 5 years of safety experience
Additional Requirements
  • Complete at least 26 contact hours under the authorized Education Center's attendance and completion policy
  • Follow the assessment and materials rules published by the selected OTI Education Center
  • Course must be taken at an authorized OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center
  • When #511 is used as the course prerequisite for #501, it must have been completed within the previous 7 years

OSHA 511 Quick Facts

Time to Get Licensed

At least 26 contact hours; delivery dates and daily schedule vary by authorized OTI Education Center.

From start to license in hand

Exam Provider

OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers (in-person and Virtual Instructor-Led Training available at select centers and OSHA regions)

Remote Testing Available
Schedule Your Exam

Retake Policy

Attendance, assessment, and reassessment policies vary by authorized OTI Education Center. OSHA does not publish one nationwide fixed waiting period or rule requiring every unsuccessful student to repeat the full course.

Total Cost Breakdown

Exam FeeThere is no separate nationwide OSHA exam fee; course price varies by authorized Education Center
Total Estimated CostConfirm tuition, materials, travel, and any reassessment cost with the selected Education Center
Why Choose Us

Free OSHA 511 Prep Tools

Reported exam pass rate: Not published by OSHA for course #511.. Check the exam sponsor for the latest official figure.

100 Free Standards Questions

Independent practice covering major 29 CFR 1910 topics from the OSHA #511 course; it is not an official national final-exam blueprint

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What You'll Study

10 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide

OSHA 511 Exam Details

OSHA #511 — Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry

Administered by OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers

Official Source
Not published as a nationwide OSHA standard; assessment and completion policies are set by the authorized OTI Education Center
Passing Score
OSHA
Questions
At
Hours
Varies by authorized OTI Education Center; OSHA does not publish a nationwide course fee
Exam Fee
Study time: At least 26 required course contact hours; any preparation outside class varies by learner and Education Center
Prerequisites: None — open to safety professionals, managers, supervisors, and anyone seeking in-depth OSHA general industry standards knowledge
Valid for: Completion within the previous 7 years is required only when using #511 as the course prerequisite for OSHA #501

Exam Content Breakdown

Based on the official OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers content outline

OSH Act, Inspections, Citations & PenaltiesNot nationally published

OSH Act overview, General Duty Clause, OSHA inspection types and procedures, citation categories, penalty levels, multi-employer worksite policy, employer/employee rights, whistleblower protection (Section 11(c))

Recordkeeping (29 CFR Part 1904)Not nationally published

OSHA 300/300A/301 forms, recordability criteria vs. first aid, reporting timelines for fatalities/hospitalizations/amputations, privacy cases, exemptions

Walking-Working Surfaces & Egress (Subparts D & E)Not nationally published

1910.22 general requirements, 1910.23 fall protection (4-foot threshold), 1910.28 fall protection systems, 1910.30 training, 1910.36/.38 exit routes and Emergency Action Plans, fire prevention plans

Hazard Communication / GHS (1910.1200)Not nationally published

HazCom 2012, 16-section SDS format, 6 GHS label elements, 9 pictograms, signal words (Danger/Warning), written HazCom program, trade secrets, immediate-use container exemption, employee training requirements

Personal Protective Equipment (Subpart I, 1910.132-138)Not nationally published

Hierarchy of controls, hazard assessment and certification, PPE selection and training, eye/face protection, head protection, foot protection, electrical PPE (rubber insulating gloves), respiratory protection (1910.134), APF values, fit testing, PLHCP evaluation

Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)Not nationally published

Energy control procedures, authorized vs. affected vs. other employees, LOTO sequence, stored energy types, group LOTO, tagout equivalency, annual periodic inspection, LOTO restoration sequence, minor servicing exception

Confined Spaces (1910.146)Not nationally published

Permit-required vs. non-permit space classification, 4 PRCS hazard types, atmospheric testing sequence (O₂ → LEL → toxic), entry supervisor/entrant/attendant roles, permit cancellation, non-entry rescue, attendant duty not to enter

Electrical Safety (Subpart S, 1910.303-335)Not nationally published

NRTL listing requirements, system grounding, GFCIs (bathrooms, rooftops, temporary wiring), safe electrical work conditions, qualified vs. unqualified persons, approach boundaries, arc flash PPE, rubber insulating gloves classes

Machine Guarding & Materials Handling (Subparts N & O)Not nationally published

1910.212 general machine guarding, 1910.217 power presses (presence-sensing, two-hand control), 1910.219 power transmission (nip points), 1910.176/.178 materials handling and PITs, forklift rated capacity, operator retraining triggers, tip-over response

Health Hazards, PELs & Industrial Hygiene (Subpart G & Z)Not nationally published

1910.95 noise (PEL 90 dBA, action level 85 dBA, Hearing Conservation Program), Table Z-1 PELs, AREC industrial hygiene paradigm, 1910.1001 asbestos (0.1 f/cc PEL), 1910.1025 lead (action level 30 μg/m³, PEL 50 μg/m³, medical removal at 50 μg/dL BLL), 1910.1030 bloodborne pathogens, 1910.1052 methylene chloride, 1910.1200 HazCom, 1910.119 PSM (14 elements, PHA revalidation 5 years, audit 3 years, PSSR), 1910.106 flammable liquids, 1910.252 welding/cutting

What's Included

10 Chapters

Complete exam coverage

Practice Quizzes

With detailed explanations

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What's Next After the OSHA 511?

After passing the OSHA 511, you can pursue these career paths

OSHA 30-Hour General Industry

Comprehensive OSHA 30-hour outreach training for workers and supervisors in general industry

Coming Soon

OSHA 510 — OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry

The construction industry equivalent of OSHA 511, prerequisite for OSHA 500 Trainer Course

Coming Soon

OSHA 501 — Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for General Industry

Advanced trainer certification that requires OSHA 511 as a prerequisite; authorizes teaching 10-hr and 30-hr OSHA General Industry Outreach courses

Coming Soon

OSHA 511 Exam FAQ

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