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

The AIHA Code of Ethics requires industrial hygienists to practice their profession following recognized scientific principles and to act responsibly to uphold the integrity of the profession. Sampling during an uncharacteristically low production day would not be representative of typical exposures and would compromise professional judgment. The correct action is to counsel management on the need for scientifically valid, representative sampling.

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

The first principle of industrial hygiene is anticipation and recognition of hazards. Before any controls can be implemented or quantitative measurements taken, a thorough qualitative assessment must be performed to identify potential chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic hazards associated with the facility's processes and materials. This forms the basis for all subsequent program activities.

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

The "Check" phase of the PDCA cycle involves monitoring, measuring, and analyzing the results of the actions taken in the "Do" phase to see if the desired outcomes were achieved. Conducting audiograms and analyzing data trends are monitoring activities that check the performance and effectiveness of the hearing conservation program against its objectives. The other options represent "Do" (implementing, training) and "Plan" (developing a strategy) phases.

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

The OSHA Lead Standard (29 CFR 1910.1025) explicitly requires employers to notify each employee in writing of their exposure monitoring results within a specific timeframe (e.g., 15 working days) after receiving them. This requirement applies regardless of whether the PEL is exceeded, and it is crucial when exposures meet or exceed the Action Level, as this triggers other requirements like medical surveillance.

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

OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.1020(d)(1)(i) requires that each employee's medical records be preserved and maintained for at least the duration of employment plus thirty (30) years. Employee exposure records must be kept for 30 years, but medical records have the additional requirement of covering the full duration of employment. The other records listed generally have shorter retention requirements.

CIH - Certified Industrial Hygienist Exam Practice Test

CIH - Certified Industrial Hygienist Exam Practice Test

CIH - Certified Industrial Hygienist IH Program Management Questions and Answers