COHN Health and Safety Programs 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal regulation requires employers to maintain a written hazard communication program?
- OSHA 1910.120
- OSHA 1910.1200 (Correct answer)
- OSHA 1910.134
- OSHA 1910.147
Correct answer: OSHA 1910.1200
OSHA 1910.1200 (HazCom/GHS) requires a written hazard communication program including SDS access and employee training.
Question 2: An occupational health nurse is developing an ergonomics program. Which element is MOST critical to include first?
- Purchasing new equipment
- Conducting a worksite analysis to identify risk factors (Correct answer)
- Training all employees on proper lifting
- Establishing a return-to-work committee
Correct answer: Conducting a worksite analysis to identify risk factors
A worksite analysis to identify ergonomic risk factors (force, repetition, awkward posture) is the foundational step before interventions.
Question 3: The hierarchy of controls lists which option as MOST effective for eliminating workplace hazards?
- Administrative controls
- PPE
- Engineering controls
- Elimination (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Elimination
Elimination removes the hazard entirely and is the most protective level in the hierarchy of controls.
Question 4: Under the OSH Act, which entity has primary authority to enforce workplace safety regulations for private sector workers?
- CDC
- NIOSH
- OSHA (Correct answer)
- EPA
Correct answer: OSHA
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has authority to set and enforce workplace safety standards for private sector employees.
Question 5: A health and safety program's effectiveness is BEST measured by tracking:
- Number of safety posters displayed
- Incident rates, lost workdays, and near-miss reports (Correct answer)
- Frequency of safety committee meetings
- Number of employees trained per quarter
Correct answer: Incident rates, lost workdays, and near-miss reports
Lagging indicators (incident/injury rates, lost workdays) and leading indicators (near-miss reports) together best measure program effectiveness.
Question 6: Which document serves as the primary written guide outlining an organization's overall approach to occupational health and safety?
- Job hazard analysis
- Safety data sheet
- Health and safety policy statement (Correct answer)
- Incident investigation report
Correct answer: Health and safety policy statement
The health and safety policy statement communicates management's commitment and the organization's overall approach to workplace safety.
Question 7: When conducting a job hazard analysis (JHA), the occupational health nurse should PRIMARILY focus on:
- Employee performance reviews
- Each step of a job task and associated hazards (Correct answer)
- Payroll records and shift schedules
- Equipment purchase costs
Correct answer: Each step of a job task and associated hazards
A JHA breaks a job into steps, identifies hazards at each step, and recommends controls—forming the core of proactive hazard prevention.
COHN Health and Safety Programs 2
Which federal regulation requires employers to maintain a written hazard communication program?