Workers' Compensation and Occupational Health Surveillance Flashcards

Under OSHA's recordkeeping rule (29 CFR 1904), which of the following criteria makes a work-related injury RECORDABLE on the OSHA 300 Log?

Answer: An injury resulting in days away from work, restricted duty, job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness

OSHA 29 CFR 1904.7 defines recordable cases as those meeting any of the following criteria: death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or diagnosis of a significant injury/illness by a healthcare professional. Simply visiting a physician or self-reporting within 24 hours is insufficient without meeting one of these criteria.

A return-to-work (RTW) program's primary benefit to a healthcare organization is:

Answer: Reducing total claim costs by returning injured employees to productive work in modified-duty roles during recovery

Structured RTW programs reduce total workers' compensation claim costs by keeping injured employees engaged with modified or transitional duty work matched to their medical restrictions during recovery. This shortens disability duration, reduces indemnity payments, and improves employee outcomes. RTW programs do not eliminate premiums, transfer liability, or fulfill an OSHA 30-day requirement (which does not exist).

Which OSHA standard requires healthcare employers to establish a written Exposure Control Plan (ECP) and provide medical surveillance for employees with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

Answer: 29 CFR 1910.1030 (Bloodborne Pathogens Standard)

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires a written Exposure Control Plan, engineering and work practice controls, PPE, hepatitis B vaccination at no cost to at-risk employees, post-exposure evaluation, and recordkeeping. It is the cornerstone standard for occupational health surveillance in healthcare settings for bloodborne hazards.

An employee in a hospital radiology department undergoes regular whole-body dosimetry monitoring as part of an occupational health surveillance program. The regulatory occupational dose limit for whole-body radiation exposure is set by:

Answer: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) at 5 rem (50 mSv) per year under 10 CFR 20

The NRC sets the occupational whole-body effective dose limit at 5 rem (50 mSv) per year under 10 CFR 20.1201. OSHA's 1910.1096 references the same 5 rem limit for Agreement State facilities, but the NRC is the primary regulatory authority. The CDC sets no occupational dose limits, and facility RSOs cannot override federal limits.

Medical surveillance programs for healthcare workers exposed to glutaraldehyde (a high-level disinfectant) are designed primarily to detect:

Answer: Occupational asthma, skin sensitization, and mucous membrane irritation from chemical exposure

Glutaraldehyde is a respiratory sensitizer and skin irritant used in sterilization/disinfection. Medical surveillance for glutaraldehyde-exposed workers focuses on early detection of occupational asthma (the most serious long-term effect), contact dermatitis, and mucous membrane irritation — all consistent with its chemical hazard profile. It poses no bloodborne, noise, or radiation hazards.

Under OSHA's injury and illness recordkeeping rules, an employer must post the OSHA 300A Summary in a visible workplace location during which time period?

Answer: February 1 through April 30 of the year following the recorded injuries

OSHA requires the 300A Annual Summary to be posted from February 1 through April 30 of the year following the calendar year covered. For example, the 2025 summary must be posted from February 1 to April 30, 2026. Posting for the entire calendar year or only during inspections does not meet the requirement.