AutoQuiz is edited by Joel Don, ISA's social media community manager.

This automation industry quiz question comes from the ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP) certification program. ISA CAP certification provides a non-biased, third-party, objective assessment and confirmation of an automation professional's skills. The CAP exam is focused on direction, definition, design, development/application, deployment, documentation, and support of systems, software, and equipment used in control systems, manufacturing information systems, systems integration, and operational consulting. Click this link for more information about the CAP program.

Which of the following is true of operating instructions?

a) they require a set of books covering the total operation
b) OSHA requires operating procedures for all installations
c) they may be included in a functional specification or operating description
d) ISA standards guide in the development of operating instructions
e) none of the above

Answers B and D are not correct. There are no ISA standards available to aid in developing operating instructions. OSHA requires operating procedures for all installations handling hazardous chemicals, but not for those that do not.

Answer A is not correct. Operating instructions can be printed (e.g., books or manuals) or electronic (e.g., PDF) and can cover from one step of the process to an entire operation. For each use, operating procedures are usually limited to a single operation or set of operations.

The correct answer is C, “They may be included in a functional specification or operating description.” Operating instructions may be included in a functional specification or operating description and may range from a few pages describing how to operate one part of a plant to a complete set of directions covering all parts of a facility.

Reference: Nicholas Sands, P.E., CAP and Ian Verhappen, P.Eng., CAP., A Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge. To read a brief Q&A with the authors, plus download a free 116-page excerpt from the book, click this link.

About the Editor
Joel Don is the community manager for ISA and is an independent content marketing, social media and public relations consultant. Prior to his work in marketing and PR, Joel served as an editor for regional newspapers and national magazines throughout the U.S. He earned a master's degree from the Medill School at Northwestern University with a focus on science, engineering and biomedical marketing communications, and a bachelor of science degree from UC San Diego.

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