ASP - Associate Safety Professional Workplace Ergonomics Questions and Answers

Question 1

An assembly line worker is required to use a pistol-grip vibrating power tool for several hours a day. Which of the following ergonomic risk factors is the PRIMARY concern for this task?

Accepted Answer

Vibration

Answer

The primary ergonomic concern associated with prolonged use of vibrating power tools is exposure to vibration, which can lead to conditions like Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). While other risk factors may be present, the tool's inherent vibration is the most significant hazard.

Question 2

A safety professional is evaluating a manual lifting task where a 40-pound box is lifted from the floor to a conveyor belt. To quantitatively assess the risk of a back injury, which of the following is the most appropriate tool to use?

Accepted Answer

NIOSH Lifting Equation

Answer

The NIOSH Lifting Equation is specifically designed to quantitatively evaluate the risk of low-back injury associated with two-handed manual lifting tasks. It calculates a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) to compare against the actual weight being lifted.

Question 3

Which of the following is the BEST example of an engineering control to mitigate ergonomic risks in an office setting?

Accepted Answer

Providing employees with an adjustable-height desk.

Answer

An adjustable-height desk is an engineering control because it physically changes the workstation to fit the employee, reducing risks associated with static postures. Training, stretch breaks, and job rotation are administrative controls.

Question 4

A distribution center has identified that employees are suffering from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) related to awkward postures when packing boxes. All of the following are ergonomic principles for workspace design that could address this issue EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Providing anti-fatigue matting for all workstations.

Answer

While anti-fatigue matting is a beneficial ergonomic intervention for reducing fatigue from prolonged standing, it does not directly address the risk factor of awkward postures during packing tasks. The other options all directly relate to designing the workspace to improve posture and reduce reaching.

Question 5

An employee who spends most of their day performing data entry at a computer workstation reports experiencing pain and numbness in their wrist and hand. These symptoms are most commonly associated with which work-related musculoskeletal disorder?

Accepted Answer

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Answer

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common musculoskeletal disorder caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. It is frequently associated with repetitive hand and wrist motions, such as typing, and its symptoms include pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers.

(ASP) Associate Safety Professional Practice Test

(ASP) Associate Safety Professional Practice Test

ASP - Associate Safety Professional Workplace Ergonomics Questions and Answers