CMI Health & Safety Standards 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of an exposure control plan (ECP) required under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard?
- To document chemical inventory
- To identify tasks with BBP exposure risk and establish protective measures (Correct answer)
- To schedule employee vaccinations
- To log all cleaning chemical purchases
Correct answer: To identify tasks with BBP exposure risk and establish protective measures
An Exposure Control Plan identifies job classifications and tasks involving BBP exposure risk and documents the protective measures, PPE, training, and post-exposure procedures the employer will use.
Question 2: A cleaning supervisor is conducting a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). The first step in this process is to:
- Select appropriate PPE for the task
- Identify the job steps and potential hazards for each step (Correct answer)
- Train employees on safe procedures
- Document corrective actions taken
Correct answer: Identify the job steps and potential hazards for each step
A JHA begins by breaking a job into its component steps and identifying the potential hazards associated with each step before controls or PPE are determined.
Question 3: Which type of ventilation system is preferred for controlling chemical vapor exposure during high-chemical-use cleaning tasks?
- General dilution ventilation
- Local exhaust ventilation (Correct answer)
- Natural ventilation through open windows
- Recirculated HVAC airflow
Correct answer: Local exhaust ventilation
Local exhaust ventilation captures chemical vapors at the source before they spread into the worker's breathing zone, providing superior exposure control over dilution ventilation.
Question 4: For a cleaning worker who handles regulated medical waste (sharps, bloody materials), proper waste disposal requires:
- Standard trash bags clearly labeled 'Biohazard'
- Puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers labeled with the biohazard symbol (Correct answer)
- Double-bagging in clear plastic bags
- Sealing waste in zip-lock bags before disposal
Correct answer: Puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers labeled with the biohazard symbol
Regulated medical waste must be placed in puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and properly labeled biohazard containers to prevent injury and exposure during handling and disposal.
Question 5: According to OSHA's walking-working surfaces standard, wet cleaning areas must have floor surfaces that are:
- Covered with rubber matting only at entry points
- Kept clean, dry, and slip-resistant where possible (Correct answer)
- Marked only with wet floor signs and no other requirements
- Restricted from all foot traffic until fully dry
Correct answer: Kept clean, dry, and slip-resistant where possible
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 requires that floors be kept clean, dry, and maintained in a slip-resistant condition; where wet conditions exist, drainage and slip-resistant surfaces or mats are required.
Question 6: Which chemical concentration method is most effective for ensuring cleaning workers apply disinfectants at the correct dilution?
- Estimating by color of the solution
- Using pre-measured dispensing systems or test strips to verify concentration (Correct answer)
- Following the 'more is better' principle for stronger kill rates
- Relying on smell to gauge concentration
Correct answer: Using pre-measured dispensing systems or test strips to verify concentration
Pre-measured dispensing systems and chemical test strips ensure accurate dilutions, preventing both under-concentration (ineffective disinfection) and over-concentration (chemical hazards).
Question 7: Heat stress is a recognized health hazard for cleaning workers in hot environments. The MOST effective administrative control for heat stress prevention is:
- Providing water after the work shift ends
- Scheduling heavy cleaning tasks during cooler periods and implementing work-rest cycles (Correct answer)
- Requiring workers to wear extra protective clothing
- Posting heat stress warning signs in the work area
Correct answer: Scheduling heavy cleaning tasks during cooler periods and implementing work-rest cycles
Scheduling intensive tasks during cooler times of day and implementing mandatory work-rest cycles are the most effective administrative controls for preventing heat-related illness in cleaning workers.
CMI Health & Safety Standards 5
What is the purpose of an exposure control plan (ECP) required under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard?