COSS Hazard Recognition and Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a workplace inspection, a safety specialist identifies a chemical stored without a label. Under HazCom 2012, what information is NOT required on a shipped container label?
- Signal word
- Pictograms
- Manufacturer's SDS revision date (Correct answer)
- Hazard statements
Correct answer: Manufacturer's SDS revision date
GHS container labels require signal words, pictograms, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and supplier identity—not the SDS revision date.
Question 2: Which method is used to quantitatively rank hazards by multiplying the likelihood of occurrence by the severity of consequences?
- Fault Tree Analysis
- Risk matrix scoring (Correct answer)
- Preliminary Hazard Analysis
- What-If analysis
Correct answer: Risk matrix scoring
A risk matrix multiplies likelihood by severity to produce a risk score that helps prioritize hazard controls.
Question 3: A construction site has an open excavation 6 feet deep. OSHA requires which control to protect workers from cave-in?
- Spoil pile placement at least 2 feet from edge
- Sloping, shoring, or trench box protection system (Correct answer)
- Safety cones around the perimeter
- A written rescue plan posted on site
Correct answer: Sloping, shoring, or trench box protection system
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652 requires a protective system (sloping, shoring, or trench boxes) for excavations 5 feet or deeper.
Question 4: What type of hazard is produced when welding galvanized steel without ventilation?
- Biological hazard
- Physical hazard
- Chemical hazard from metal fume (Correct answer)
- Radiation hazard
Correct answer: Chemical hazard from metal fume
Welding galvanized steel releases zinc oxide fumes that can cause metal fume fever, a chemical inhalation hazard.
Question 5: Which leading indicator is MOST useful for proactively identifying hazards before incidents occur?
- Workers' compensation claim rate
- Lost workday incident rate
- Near-miss reporting frequency (Correct answer)
- OSHA recordable injury rate
Correct answer: Near-miss reporting frequency
Near-miss reporting is a leading indicator that reveals hazardous conditions before they result in actual injuries.
Question 6: A safety specialist finds that a chemical process operates near its lower explosive limit (LEL). What control would BEST address this flammable atmosphere hazard?
- Post 'No Smoking' signs in the area
- Provide workers with fire-resistant clothing
- Install continuous LEL monitoring with automatic ventilation (Correct answer)
- Conduct monthly air sampling
Correct answer: Install continuous LEL monitoring with automatic ventilation
Continuous LEL monitoring with automatic ventilation provides real-time control by diluting flammable vapors before they reach dangerous concentrations.
Question 7: Under OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, which chemical triggers PSM requirements at or above its threshold quantity?
- Acetone
- Chlorine (Correct answer)
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen
Correct answer: Chlorine
Chlorine is listed as a PSM-covered chemical with a threshold quantity of 1,500 pounds under 29 CFR 1910.119.
COSS Hazard Recognition and Control 3
During a workplace inspection, a safety specialist identifies a chemical stored without a label.
Under HazCom 2012, what information is NOT required on a shipped container label?