ASP ASP Ergonomics & Occupational Health 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which occupational disease is caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust and results in scarring of lung tissue?
- Asbestosis
- Silicosis (Correct answer)
- Berylliosis
- Byssinosis
Correct answer: Silicosis
Silicosis is a fibrotic lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica particles, commonly affecting workers in mining, quarrying, and construction.
Question 2: Under OSHA's hearing conservation standard (29 CFR 1910.95), at what 8-hour TWA noise level must employers implement a hearing conservation program?
- 75 dBA
- 80 dBA
- 85 dBA (Correct answer)
- 90 dBA
Correct answer: 85 dBA
OSHA requires a hearing conservation program when workers are exposed to noise levels at or above 85 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Question 3: What is the primary health concern associated with occupational exposure to lead?
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Peripheral neuropathy and central nervous system damage (Correct answer)
- Contact dermatitis
- Occupational asthma
Correct answer: Peripheral neuropathy and central nervous system damage
Lead is a neurotoxin that affects the peripheral and central nervous system, and at high levels can cause encephalopathy, renal damage, and hematopoietic effects.
Question 4: Which index is commonly used to assess heat stress risk by combining temperature, humidity, wind speed, and radiant heat?
- Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) (Correct answer)
- Heat Index
- Humidex
- Apparent Temperature
Correct answer: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)
The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index is the most commonly used occupational heat stress measure as it accounts for multiple environmental factors including radiant heat.
Question 5: Which term describes the concentration of a chemical in the air to which nearly all workers can be repeatedly exposed for a working lifetime without adverse health effects?
- Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
- Threshold Limit Value-Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA) (Correct answer)
- Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL)
- Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH)
Correct answer: Threshold Limit Value-Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA)
The TLV-TWA, published by ACGIH, represents the airborne concentration for a normal 8-hour workday and 40-hour workweek that nearly all workers can tolerate without adverse effects.
Question 6: Carpal tunnel syndrome is best classified as which type of occupational health condition?
- Occupational lung disease
- Cumulative trauma disorder / musculoskeletal disorder (Correct answer)
- Occupational skin disease
- Noise-induced hearing loss
Correct answer: Cumulative trauma disorder / musculoskeletal disorder
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a musculoskeletal disorder caused by compression of the median nerve, often associated with repetitive hand and wrist motions.
ASP ASP Ergonomics & Occupational Health 2
Which occupational disease is caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust and results in scarring of lung tissue?