Professional Ethics and Legal Responsibilities of Safety Professionals Flashcards

Which event must an employer report to OSHA within 24 hours?

Answer: An in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye

29 CFR 1904.39 requires reporting of in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and eye losses within 24 hours.

Under 29 CFR 1977.12, an employee may lawfully refuse a dangerous task when all of the following apply EXCEPT which one?

Answer: The employee has first obtained written permission from OSHA

No advance OSHA permission is required; the right rests on good faith, reasonableness, urgency, and having asked the employer to fix it.

During the period from February 1 to April 30, what must covered employers post in a conspicuous location?

Answer: The OSHA 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses

The 300A annual summary must be certified and posted from February 1 through April 30 of the following year.

After a serious incident, a superintendent tells the CHST to discard damaged rigging before investigators arrive. What legal concern does this raise?

Answer: Spoliation of evidence

Destroying or altering evidence relevant to an investigation or anticipated litigation is spoliation and can bring sanctions or criminal liability.

Under most state workers' compensation systems, what is the general effect of the 'exclusive remedy' doctrine?

Answer: Employees generally cannot sue their employer in tort for covered work injuries

Workers' compensation is typically the employee's sole remedy against the employer, though third parties may still be sued.

Which OSH Act section places a duty on employees themselves to comply with applicable safety and health standards?

Answer: Section 5(b)

Section 5(b) requires each employee to comply with OSHA standards and rules applicable to their own conduct, though OSHA cannot cite employees.

A CHST discovers an imminent danger condition that a supervisor refuses to correct, and workers remain exposed. What is the most appropriate professional action?

Answer: Escalate to higher management and, if still uncorrected, notify the appropriate authority while protecting workers

Safety professionals' paramount duty is protecting people, which requires escalation and, when necessary, reporting to authorities.