CEA Ergonomic Design & Intervention Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hierarchy of controls level provides the greatest long-term effectiveness in ergonomic intervention?
- Administrative controls
- Engineering controls
- PPE
- Elimination (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Elimination
Elimination removes the hazard entirely and is the most effective level in the hierarchy of controls.
Question 2: A workstation redesign reduces a worker's required reach distance from 26 inches to 16 inches. This is an example of which intervention type?
- Administrative control
- PPE intervention
- Engineering control (Correct answer)
- Work practice control
Correct answer: Engineering control
Modifying the physical workstation layout to reduce reach distance is an engineering control.
Question 3: When applying the NIOSH Lifting Equation, what does the Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) represent?
- The absolute maximum weight any worker may lift
- The weight a healthy worker can lift without injury risk over a shift (Correct answer)
- The average weight lifted across all tasks
- The weight limit set by OSHA standards
Correct answer: The weight a healthy worker can lift without injury risk over a shift
The RWL is the weight that nearly all healthy workers can lift repeatedly over an 8-hour shift without increased injury risk.
Question 4: A job rotation program is introduced to alternate workers between high-force and low-force tasks. Which limitation is most important to consider?
- Rotation increases training costs
- Workers may still be exposed to cumulative loading if rotated tasks use the same muscle groups (Correct answer)
- Rotation always reduces productivity
- OSHA prohibits rotation as a sole ergonomic control
Correct answer: Workers may still be exposed to cumulative loading if rotated tasks use the same muscle groups
If rotated tasks engage the same muscle groups, cumulative loading and fatigue may persist despite the change in activity.
Question 5: Which seated workstation dimension adjustment would most directly reduce lumbar compression forces?
- Raising monitor height by 2 inches
- Providing adjustable lumbar support (Correct answer)
- Widening the armrests
- Increasing keyboard tray depth
Correct answer: Providing adjustable lumbar support
Adjustable lumbar support maintains the natural lordotic curve, reducing spinal compressive forces during prolonged sitting.
Question 6: The Strain Index (SI) tool is primarily designed to assess risk associated with:
- Whole-body vibration exposure
- Distal upper extremity disorders (Correct answer)
- Lower back cumulative loading
- Thermal stress in industrial settings
Correct answer: Distal upper extremity disorders
The Strain Index evaluates six task variables to estimate risk of distal upper extremity (wrist, hand, forearm) disorders.
Question 7: During a participatory ergonomics program, why is worker involvement considered essential?
- Workers are legally required to approve all interventions
- Workers possess firsthand knowledge of task demands that analysts may miss (Correct answer)
- Workers must receive financial compensation for their input
- Participation reduces the need for ergonomic assessments
Correct answer: Workers possess firsthand knowledge of task demands that analysts may miss
Workers performing the tasks daily have practical insights into hazards, variability, and feasibility of solutions that outside analysts often overlook.
CEA Ergonomic Design & Intervention Strategies 2
Which hierarchy of controls level provides the greatest long-term effectiveness in ergonomic intervention?