COSS - Certified Occupational Safety Specialist Hazard Recognition and Control Questions and Answers

Question 1

A safety specialist is evaluating a manufacturing process where workers are exposed to loud noise from machinery.
According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following actions represents the MOST effective method for controlling this hazard?

Accepted Answer

Replacing the noisy machinery with a newer, quieter model.

Answer

Requiring workers to wear hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs).

Answer

Conducting annual audiometric testing for all exposed workers.

Answer

Placing warning signs in the area indicating high noise levels.

Question 2

A construction company has implemented a new policy requiring daily pre-task safety briefings and has seen a significant increase in the number of reported near-misses. How should these metrics be classified?

Accepted Answer

Both are leading indicators because they are used to prevent future incidents.

Answer

Both are lagging indicators because they measure past events.

Answer

The briefings are a leading indicator, and the near-miss reports are a lagging indicator.

Answer

The briefings are a lagging indicator, and the near-miss reports are a leading indicator.

Question 3

When conducting a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), what is the correct sequence of the primary steps involved?

Accepted Answer

Select the job, break the job into steps, identify hazards, determine preventive measures.

Answer

Identify hazards, select the job, determine preventive measures, break the job into steps.

Answer

Break the job into steps, determine preventive measures, identify hazards, select the job.

Answer

Determine preventive measures, break the job into steps, select the job, identify hazards.

Question 4

A safety manager at a chemical plant needs to prioritize which hazards to address first. A risk matrix is used for this purpose. What two factors are primarily used in a risk assessment matrix to determine the level of risk?

Accepted Answer

Likelihood of occurrence and severity of potential harm.

Answer

Cost of control and feasibility of implementation.

Answer

Number of employees exposed and duration of exposure.

Answer

OSHA regulations and industry best practices.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of an engineering control?

Accepted Answer

Installing a guard on a machine's moving parts.

Answer

Implementing a mandatory job rotation schedule for a repetitive task.

Answer

Providing training on the safe use of a new chemical.

Answer

Requiring the use of safety glasses in a specific area.

Question 6

During a workplace inspection, a COSS identifies several hazards. Which of the following would be best classified as a 'physical' hazard?

Accepted Answer

Constant loud noise from a generator exceeding 90 dBA.

Answer

An improperly adjusted workstation causing back strain.

Answer

Exposure to toxic fumes from a welding process.

Answer

A culture of workplace bullying and excessive workload.

A safety specialist is evaluating a manufacturing process where workers are exposed to loud noise from machinery.According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following actions represents the MOST effective method for controlling this hazard?

A safety specialist is evaluating a manufacturing process where workers are exposed to loud noise from machinery.
According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following actions represents the MOST effective method for controlling this hazard?