COKO Occupational Health and Ergonomics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of ergonomics in occupational health?
- To maximize worker productivity at all costs
- To fit the work environment and tasks to the capabilities and limitations of the worker (Correct answer)
- To eliminate all physical activity from the workplace
- To standardize workstations regardless of worker differences
Correct answer: To fit the work environment and tasks to the capabilities and limitations of the worker
Ergonomics aims to design work environments, tools, and tasks to match the physical and cognitive capabilities of workers, reducing injury risk and improving performance.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered a primary ergonomic risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)?
- Adequate lighting
- Repetitive motion combined with high force (Correct answer)
- Proper use of personal protective equipment
- Regular hydration breaks
Correct answer: Repetitive motion combined with high force
Repetitive motion combined with high force is a well-established ergonomic risk factor that significantly increases the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders.
Question 3: What does the NIOSH Lifting Equation primarily help determine?
- Maximum allowable noise levels in the workplace
- A recommended weight limit for manual lifting tasks (Correct answer)
- The optimal frequency of cardiovascular training
- Acceptable repetition rates for assembly work
Correct answer: A recommended weight limit for manual lifting tasks
The NIOSH Lifting Equation calculates a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) for specific lifting tasks to help reduce the risk of low back injury.
Question 4: In occupational health, what is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) used for?
- Assessing an employer's financial capacity to fund safety programs
- Evaluating a worker's physical abilities relative to the demands of their job (Correct answer)
- Measuring the ergonomic quality of workstation design
- Determining psychological readiness for return to work
Correct answer: Evaluating a worker's physical abilities relative to the demands of their job
An FCE is a systematic assessment used to measure an individual's physical capacities and functional abilities, often to determine fitness for work or return-to-work readiness.
Question 5: Which body posture is considered 'neutral' in ergonomic assessments?
- A position that allows maximum reach and force generation
- A position where joints are at their extreme range of motion
- A position that minimizes stress on muscles, tendons, and joints (Correct answer)
- A position standardized across all workers regardless of body size
Correct answer: A position that minimizes stress on muscles, tendons, and joints
Neutral posture refers to a position where the joints are not bent to extremes, minimizing muscle strain and joint stress, thereby reducing injury risk.
Question 6: A kinesiologist conducting a physical demands analysis (PDA) would primarily document which of the following?
- An employee's personal medical history
- The specific physical requirements inherent to a job (Correct answer)
- Workplace financial performance metrics
- Employee satisfaction with job conditions
Correct answer: The specific physical requirements inherent to a job
A PDA systematically documents the physical demands inherent to a specific job, including forces, postures, frequencies, and durations, to match workers to jobs safely.
Question 7: Which Ontario legislation is most directly relevant to a kinesiologist's practice in workplace health and safety?
- The Ontario Human Rights Code
- The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) (Correct answer)
- The Employment Insurance Act
- The Ontario Labour Relations Act
Correct answer: The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) is Ontario's primary legislation governing workplace health and safety obligations, which directly affects kinesiologists working in occupational settings.
COKO Occupational Health and Ergonomics 1
What is the primary goal of ergonomics in occupational health?