CIH - Certified Industrial Hygienist IH Program Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

An industrial hygienist is asked by management to re-sample a work area for a specific chemical after initial results indicated an exposure above the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).
Management suggests waiting for a day when production is scheduled to be significantly lower.
According to the AIHA Code of Ethics, what is the IH's primary responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Uphold professional integrity by advising management that sampling must be representative of typical employee exposures to be valid.

Answer

Follow the management directive to maintain a good working relationship and ensure future access for sampling.

Answer

Resample on the lower production day but report the average of the two different sampling events.

Answer

Refuse to conduct the sampling and report the company to the appropriate regulatory agency immediately.

Question 2

Which of the following is considered the foundational first step when establishing a comprehensive industrial hygiene program at a new manufacturing facility?

Accepted Answer

Conducting a baseline qualitative exposure assessment to anticipate and recognize potential hazards.

Answer

Purchasing and distributing personal protective equipment for all production employees.

Answer

Performing quantitative air sampling for all chemicals listed on Safety Data Sheets.

Answer

Developing detailed engineering control plans for all manufacturing processes.

Question 3

The "Plan-Do-Check-Act" (PDCA) cycle is a management method used for continuous improvement. In the context of managing an industrial hygiene program, which of the following activities best represents the "Check" phase?

Accepted Answer

Conducting annual audiometric testing and analyzing exposure data trends for the hearing conservation program.

Answer

Implementing a newly designed local exhaust ventilation system for a welding station.

Answer

Developing a sampling strategy for a newly introduced solvent in the facility.

Answer

Training employees on the proper use and maintenance of their assigned respirators.

Question 4

An industrial hygienist completes an exposure assessment for lead and finds that while all 8-hour TWA results are below the OSHA PEL, several are above the Action Level. What is the most appropriate next step regarding risk communication?

Accepted Answer

Notify the affected employees in writing of their individual results within the mandated timeframe.

Answer

Inform only the management team, as no PELs were exceeded and no immediate action is required.

Answer

Wait until the next round of sampling to see if a trend develops before communicating results.

Answer

Post a single summary of the area results in a common area without notifying employees individually.

Question 5

According to OSHA's standard on Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records (29 CFR 1910.1020), which of the following records must be retained for the duration of employment plus 30 years?

Accepted Answer

An employee's personal medical records related to workplace exposures.

Answer

Calibration logs for direct-reading instruments.

Answer

Minutes from monthly safety committee meetings.

Answer

Annual fit-test records for an employee's respirator.

Question 6

When auditing a facility's Hearing Conservation Program, which of the following findings would represent the MOST significant programmatic failure?

Accepted Answer

Baseline audiograms are not being established for new employees exposed at or above the action level.

Answer

The written program has not been formally reviewed by management in the last two years.

Answer

Training records are missing for approximately 10% of the enrolled employees.

Answer

A few employees were observed wearing their hearing protection incorrectly in a high-noise area.