CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Health and Safety Management Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An industrial process generates a significant amount of hazardous airborne dust. According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following is the most effective and preferred method for protecting workers?
- Implementing a job rotation schedule to limit individual exposure times.
- Providing all exposed workers with N95 filtering facepiece respirators.
- Installing a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system at the point of dust generation. (Correct answer)
- Requiring workers to use wet methods to suppress dust during the process.
Correct answer: Installing a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system at the point of dust generation.
The hierarchy of controls ranks methods from most to least effective: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Installing a local exhaust ventilation system is an engineering control that removes the hazard at its source, making it more effective than administrative controls like job rotation or PPE, which only protect the individual worker and rely on employee behavior.
Question 2: A maintenance team must enter a large storage tank to perform an inspection. The tank is considered a permit-required confined space. The entry supervisor has conducted atmospheric testing and all conditions are acceptable. According to 29 CFR 1910.146, what is a critical prerequisite before any authorized entrant can enter the space?
- The attendant must first enter the space to ensure it is safe.
- All rescue equipment must be staged at least 50 feet away from the entry point.
- A written entry permit, completed and signed by the entry supervisor, must be posted at the entrance. (Correct answer)
- The entrant must have completed initial confined space training within the last 3 years.
Correct answer: A written entry permit, completed and signed by the entry supervisor, must be posted at the entrance.
OSHA's standard for Permit-Required Confined Spaces, 29 CFR 1910.146, mandates the use of a written permit system to control entry. The permit verifies that pre-entry checks have been completed and specifies acceptable entry conditions. It must be completed and signed before entry is authorized and made available at the time of entry to all authorized entrants.
Question 3: The primary goal of conducting a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is to:
- Assign responsibility for any incidents that may occur.
- Proactively identify potential hazards and determine safe procedures and controls before a job begins. (Correct answer)
- Fulfill the annual safety training documentation requirement for employees.
- Calculate the risk score for a facility to determine insurance premiums.
Correct answer: Proactively identify potential hazards and determine safe procedures and controls before a job begins.
A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a process to identify existing or potential hazards associated with the specific steps of a job and to develop controls to mitigate those risks. The core purpose is to prevent injuries and illnesses by anticipating and eliminating or controlling hazards before an incident occurs.
Question 4: A worker is required to wear a tight-fitting, air-purifying respirator when handling a specific volatile chemical. According to OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134), which of the following must the employer provide for the worker BEFORE they are fit-tested and required to use the respirator?
- A copy of the facility's emergency action plan.
- A medical evaluation to determine their fitness to wear a respirator. (Correct answer)
- Annual audiometric testing for hearing conservation.
- Hazmat technician level training under HAZWOPER.
Correct answer: A medical evaluation to determine their fitness to wear a respirator.
OSHA's standard 29 CFR 1910.134(e) requires employers to provide a medical evaluation to determine an employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee is fit-tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. This evaluation, performed by a physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP), ensures the worker can handle the physiological burden of wearing a respirator.
Question 5: Following a minor chemical spill that resulted in no injuries, a health and safety manager launches an incident investigation. What is the most important objective of this investigation?
- To determine the root causes of the spill to prevent a recurrence. (Correct answer)
- To discipline the employee responsible for the spill.
- To complete the OSHA 301 Injury and Illness Incident Report.
- To calculate the total cost of the spill cleanup and lost material.
Correct answer: To determine the root causes of the spill to prevent a recurrence.
The primary purpose of an incident investigation is to identify the root causes of an event to implement corrective actions and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Effective investigations focus on prevention and system improvements rather than assigning blame.
Question 6: Which of the following is a core requirement of an employer's energy control program under OSHA's Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard, 29 CFR 1910.147?
- Conducting monthly fire extinguisher inspections in the LOTO area.
- Ensuring all new machinery is painted a specific safety color.
- Developing, documenting, and utilizing procedures to control hazardous energy. (Correct answer)
- Providing first aid training to all authorized employees.
Correct answer: Developing, documenting, and utilizing procedures to control hazardous energy.
The LOTO standard, 29 CFR 1910.147, requires employers to establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training, and periodic inspections. A central component is developing and documenting specific procedures for affixing lockout or tagout devices to control hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance.
CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Health and Safety Management Questions and Answers
An industrial process generates a significant amount of hazardous airborne dust.
According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following is the most effective and preferred method for protecting workers?