Public Works practice

All 5 free public works questions

1. The general prevailing rate of per diem wages must be paid on all public works except projects at or below what amount?

   • A $1,000 for the project Correct
   • B $15,000 for the project
   • C $25,000 for the project
   • D $30,000 for the project

   Section 1771 of the Labor Code requires not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for all workers employed on public works except on projects of $1,000 or less, so the exemption is measured against the size of the whole project and not against the size of any one subcontract.

   Lab. Code s. 1771

2. Besides a valid contractor license, what must a contractor have to bid on or perform a public work contract?

   • A Current registration with the Department of Industrial Relations Correct
   • B An approved labor compliance program
   • C A wage determination in its own name
   • D A certificate of exemption from the Labor Commissioner

   Section 1771.1(a) of the Labor Code provides that a contractor or subcontractor is not qualified to bid, to be listed in a bid proposal, or to perform any public work contract unless currently registered under section 1725.5, so a contractor license alone does not open public work and being listed in another firm's bid while unregistered breaks the rule.

   Lab. Code s. 1771.1(a)

3. On a public work in an apprenticeable craft, what is the lowest ratio of apprentice work to journeyman work a contractor may run?

   • A One apprentice hour per three journeyman hours
   • B One apprentice hour per four journeyman hours
   • C One apprentice hour per five journeyman hours Correct
   • D One apprentice hour per ten journeyman hours

   Section 1777.5(g) of the Labor Code allows the ratio to be no higher than the one stipulated in the apprenticeship standards the contractor is bound by, but states that in no case may it be less than one hour of apprentice work for every five hours of journeyman work, so 1 to 5 is the floor.

   Lab. Code s. 1777.5(g)

4. Who must obtain the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for each craft needed on a public work, and from whom?

   • A Contractor, from the Labor Commissioner
   • B Awarding body, from the Director of Industrial Relations Correct
   • C Awarding body, from the license board
   • D Contractor, from the local building department

   Section 1773 of the Labor Code requires the body awarding a contract for public work to obtain the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for each craft from the Director of Industrial Relations for the locality where the work is performed, so getting the rate is the awarding body's job and paying it is the contractor's.

   Lab. Code s. 1773

5. How does the Labor Code limit the time of service of a worker employed on a public work?

   • A Forty hours a week, no daily limit
   • B Ten hours a day, forty a week
   • C Eight hours a day, no weekly limit
   • D Eight hours a day, forty a week Correct

   Section 1811 of the Labor Code limits the time of service of any worker employed on public work to eight hours in a calendar day and 40 hours in a calendar week, except as provided under section 1815, so the daily eight hour limit stands on its own and a private sector alternative workweek schedule does not displace it.

   Lab. Code s. 1811