CIH Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CIH facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What common challenge do professionals face when applying Rigging & Material Handling principles? → Balancing theoretical best practices with practical constraints and real-world conditions
2. What common challenge do professionals face when applying Electrical Systems & Wiring principles? → Balancing theoretical best practices with practical constraints and real-world conditions
3. What percentage of all occupational injuries and illnesses in the US do musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) typically represent? → Approximately 30%
4. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies Group 1 carcinogens as: → Carcinogenic to humans (sufficient evidence)
5. What document must employers maintain to record workplace injuries and illnesses? → OSHA Form 300 Log
6. What is the consequence of non-compliance with mandatory regulations? → Penalties including fines, license revocation, and potential legal action
7. LD50 is defined as the dose that causes death in what percentage of a test population? → 50%
8. During a noise sampling campaign, a sound level meter set to 'slow response' and 'A-weighting' is used primarily to measure what? → Steady-state noise approximating human hearing sensitivity
9. What is the consequence of non-compliance with mandatory regulations? → Penalties including fines, license revocation, and potential legal action
10. What does the Lifting Index (LI) value represent in the NIOSH Lifting Equation? → The ratio of actual load to the Recommended Weight Limit
11. Which type of sampling strategy is used when the goal is to measure the worst-case or highest likely exposure in a workday? → Worst-case or high-exposure sampling
12. What is the purpose of a blank sample in an industrial hygiene sampling campaign? → To detect contamination from media preparation or field handling
13. What is the most important competency assessed in Project Planning & Scheduling for professionals in this field? → Applied knowledge and practical problem-solving ability
14. Which best describes the scope of Rigging & Material Handling in professional practice? → A comprehensive area covering both theoretical foundations and practical applications
15. The OSHA ergonomics guidelines for meatpacking (1990) and nursing homes focus primarily on reducing which type of MSD? → Low back disorders from manual patient handling and heavy lifting
16. Why is data security important when using professional technology tools? → To protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, breaches, and loss
17. Which best describes the scope of Blueprint Reading & Technical Drawings in professional practice? → A comprehensive area covering both theoretical foundations and practical applications
18. What is the minimum number of samples recommended by NIOSH to statistically characterize a similar exposure group (SEG)? → 6
19. What does the term "permissible exposure limit" (PEL) refer to? → The maximum concentration of a substance workers may be exposed to over an 8-hour shift
20. What should be the first action when a new regulation is enacted that affects your practice? → Review the regulation, assess its impact, and develop an implementation plan
21. In ergonomics, 'contact stress' refers to what type of hazard? → Localized mechanical pressure on soft tissue from hard surfaces or edges
22. What is the recommended approach to staying current in Electrical Systems & Wiring? → Regular professional development, industry publications, and peer collaboration
23. In toxicology, a 'sensitizer' is a substance that: → Can induce an allergic response upon repeated exposure
24. How often should compliance procedures be reviewed and updated? → Regularly, and whenever regulations change or new risks are identified
25. What is the primary goal of an ergonomic job hazard analysis (JHA)? → Identify and control ergonomic risk factors before injury occurs
26. What common challenge do professionals face when applying Materials Science & Selection principles? → Balancing theoretical best practices with practical constraints and real-world conditions
27. Carbon monoxide causes toxicity primarily by: → Binding to hemoglobin with greater affinity than oxygen
28. What is the primary goal of quality assurance in professional practice? → To ensure consistent delivery of products or services that meet established standards
29. What is the recommended approach to staying current in Mechanical Systems & Maintenance? → Regular professional development, industry publications, and peer collaboration
30. What particle size fraction is collected by an inhalable particulate matter sampler? → Particles up to 100 µm aerodynamic diameter