COHN Workplace Hazard Identification Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An occupational health nurse is conducting a walk-through inspection of a busy hospital kitchen. Which of the following represents the most common categories of hazards the nurse should anticipate in this specific environment?
- Radiation and psychosocial
- Biological and electrical
- Chemical and ergonomic
- Safety and physical (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Safety and physical
Hospital kitchens present numerous safety hazards, such as wet floors (slips, trips, falls) and sharp objects (cuts), as well as physical hazards like extreme heat from cooking equipment and high noise levels. While other hazards may exist, safety and physical hazards are the most prominent and common in this setting.
Question 2: A key proactive method for identifying workplace hazards involves systematically breaking a job into its basic steps, identifying the hazards associated with each step, and then recommending control measures. This process is best known as:
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
- Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) (Correct answer)
- Incident Investigation
- Workplace Ergonomic Survey
Correct answer: Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), also known as a Job Safety Analysis (JSA), is a fundamental safety management tool used to proactively identify hazards and implement controls *before* an incident occurs. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment. RCA and Incident Investigation are reactive processes performed after an adverse event.
Question 3: An occupational health nurse reviews the company's OSHA 300 logs from the past three years and identifies a recurring pattern of back strains among warehouse employees. This method of hazard identification is an example of:
- Industrial hygiene sampling
- Prospective surveillance
- A Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
- Retrospective data review (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Retrospective data review
Reviewing past records, such as OSHA 300 logs or incident reports, to identify trends and patterns is a form of retrospective data review. This reactive but crucial process helps identify areas where hazards may not have been adequately controlled, guiding future proactive prevention efforts. Prospective surveillance involves monitoring for future events.
Question 4: When assessing the risks associated with a new industrial cleaning agent introduced in the workplace, which document is the most authoritative and comprehensive source for identifying its specific health hazards, required personal protective equipment (PPE), and first-aid measures?
- The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) (Correct answer)
- The manufacturer's marketing brochure
- The container's primary label
- The company's general chemical safety policy
Correct answer: The Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
The Safety Data Sheet (SDS), formerly known as the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), is required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard to provide detailed information about a hazardous chemical. It includes 16 sections covering identification, hazards, composition, safe handling, exposure controls/PPE, and emergency measures.
Question 5: An occupational health nurse is part of a team evaluating hazards in a sterile processing department of a hospital. Which type of hazard should be considered a primary focus due to the nature of the items being handled?
- Psychosocial hazards from high-pressure deadlines
- Ergonomic hazards from repetitive motions
- Biological hazards from contaminated surgical instruments (Correct answer)
- Physical hazards from autoclave noise
Correct answer: Biological hazards from contaminated surgical instruments
While ergonomic, psychosocial, and physical hazards may be present, the primary and most unique hazard in a sterile processing department is the risk of exposure to biological agents like bacteria and viruses from contaminated instruments. This is a critical focus for preventing occupational infections.
Question 6: Which of the following is considered a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to workplace hazard identification?
- Investigating the root cause of an employee injury
- Analyzing near-miss reports to identify trends
- Conducting regular safety inspections and walk-throughs (Correct answer)
- Reviewing workers' compensation claims data
Correct answer: Conducting regular safety inspections and walk-throughs
Conducting regular safety inspections and walk-throughs is a proactive method aimed at identifying and correcting hazardous conditions before they can cause an incident or injury. Investigating injuries, near-misses, and claims data are all reactive approaches, as they respond to events that have already occurred.
COHN Workplace Hazard Identification Questions and Answers
An occupational health nurse is conducting a walk-through inspection of a busy hospital kitchen.
Which of the following represents the most common categories of hazards the nurse should anticipate in this specific environment?