CMSP Occupational Health & Industrial Hygiene Flashcards

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in mining is classified as what type of occupational hazard?

Answer: Physical hazard

Noise is a physical energy hazard; NIHL results from physical damage to the hair cells of the inner ear caused by excessive sound pressure levels.

MSHA's permissible noise exposure limit (action level) for an 8-hour time-weighted average is:

Answer: 85 dBA

MSHA requires hearing conservation program enrollment when miners are exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA or greater (action level).

Which of the following engineering controls is most effective at reducing miner exposure to respirable dust at a continuous miner face?

Answer: Water sprays and scrubber ventilation systems

Water sprays suppress dust at the generation source, and scrubber systems capture airborne dust in the return airstream, directly reducing miners' inhalation exposure.

What is the primary purpose of a Mine Dust Personal Monitor (MDPM) as introduced by MSHA's 2014 dust rule?

Answer: Provide miners with continuous real-time readout of their respirable dust exposure

The MDPM gives miners and supervisors continuous, real-time feedback on dust concentrations so corrective actions can be taken immediately during the shift.

In the context of industrial hygiene, 'engineering controls' for heat stress in deep underground mines primarily include:

Answer: Mechanical refrigeration and increased airflow to cool work areas

Mechanical refrigeration systems and ventilation engineering reduce the ambient heat load at the workplace, addressing heat stress at the source.

Which biological monitoring approach is used to evaluate a miner's internal dose of a toxic substance rather than ambient air concentration?

Answer: Biological exposure index (BEI) testing of blood or urine

Biological monitoring measures metabolites or the substance itself in body fluids, reflecting the actual dose absorbed regardless of exposure route.