Recreational Vehicle (RV) Technician Practice Test

What type of protective gear should a technician wear while purging a propane container?

1. Heavy gloves

2. Short-sleeve shirts

3. Lightweight sneakers

4. Standard glasses

The correct answer is: Heavy gloves

When purging a propane container, wearing heavy gloves is essential for several safety reasons. Propane is extremely cold as it rapidly expands from a liquid to a gas, which can cause frostbite or cold burns upon contact with skin. Heavy gloves act as a protective barrier, minimizing the risk of injury while handling the container. Additionally, these gloves often provide resistance to cuts and abrasions, which is important when dealing with pressurized containers that could potentially leak or rupture. In contrast, wearing short-sleeve shirts does not provide adequate skin coverage and increases the risk of exposure to cold burns. Lightweight sneakers do not provide the necessary protection for foot injuries that may occur in an industrial environment, especially where heavy equipment is involved. Standard glasses may offer some eye protection, but they do not offer any thermal protection from propellant gas releases and do not fully shield the eyes from potential splashes of liquid propane. Therefore, heavy gloves are the most appropriate choice for ensuring safety during the purging process.