CES Manual Material Handling & Industrial Ergonomics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which grip type places the most stress on the tendons of the forearm?
- Power grip
- Pinch grip (Correct answer)
- Hook grip
- Cylindrical grip
Correct answer: Pinch grip
Pinch grip requires the finger flexors to generate high force across a small contact area, producing greater tendon load per unit of force than a power grip.
Question 2: Anti-fatigue mats are most beneficial for workers who:
- Sit for more than 4 hours
- Stand on hard floors for prolonged periods (Correct answer)
- Walk continuously on uneven terrain
- Perform overhead tasks
Correct answer: Stand on hard floors for prolonged periods
Anti-fatigue mats encourage subtle leg muscle activity that maintains blood circulation, reducing lower limb fatigue and discomfort during prolonged standing on hard floors.
Question 3: The Liberty Mutual Manual Material Handling Tables (Snook Tables) provide limits based on which key variable?
- Worker age and gender only
- Percentage of the industrial population who can perform the task without excessive strain (Correct answer)
- Maximum OSHA-approved load
- Metabolic energy expenditure in METs
Correct answer: Percentage of the industrial population who can perform the task without excessive strain
Snook Tables give acceptable force/weight limits for various MMH tasks at population percentile levels (e.g., 75th, 90th percentile of workers).
Question 4: What is the correct sequence of controls when reducing manual lifting hazards (hierarchy of controls)?
- Administrative → Engineering → PPE
- Engineering → Administrative → PPE
- PPE → Administrative → Engineering
- Elimination → Substitution → Engineering → Administrative → PPE (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Elimination → Substitution → Engineering → Administrative → PPE
The hierarchy of controls prioritizes elimination or substitution of the hazard first, then engineering controls, followed by administrative controls, and lastly PPE.
Question 5: Which material handling aid most effectively reduces lower back injury risk when moving pallets?
- Back belt
- Powered pallet jack or forklift (Correct answer)
- Lighter-colored packaging
- Anti-fatigue mat
Correct answer: Powered pallet jack or forklift
Powered pallet jacks and forklifts eliminate manual lifting entirely, which is the most effective control versus administrative measures like back belts.
Question 6: Which OSHA standard most directly addresses ergonomic hazards in general industry?
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (Lockout/Tagout)
- 29 CFR 1910.900 (Ergonomics Standard)
- OSHA General Duty Clause Section 5(a)(1) (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.132 (PPE)
Correct answer: OSHA General Duty Clause Section 5(a)(1)
The US currently has no specific federal ergonomics standard for general industry; OSHA uses the General Duty Clause to cite ergonomic hazards where a recognized hazard exists.
CES Manual Material Handling & Industrial Ergonomics 2
Which grip type places the most stress on the tendons of the forearm?