CPE Safety & Environmental Compliance 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A plant engineer is evaluating noise exposure. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95, at what 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level must a hearing conservation program be implemented?
- 80 dBA
- 85 dBA (Correct answer)
- 90 dBA
- 95 dBA
Correct answer: 85 dBA
OSHA requires a hearing conservation program when workers are exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA or greater, even though the PEL action level is 90 dBA.
Question 2: Which EPA regulatory program addresses the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in older electrical transformers?
- RCRA Subtitle C hazardous waste rules
- TSCA 40 CFR Part 761 (Correct answer)
- CERCLA Superfund cleanup program
- EPCRA community right-to-know provisions
Correct answer: TSCA 40 CFR Part 761
PCB disposal is regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) at 40 CFR Part 761, which sets specific rules for PCB-containing equipment.
Question 3: In a HAZOP study, what does the guide word 'MORE' typically indicate?
- A complete absence of flow or process parameter
- A quantitative increase above design intent for a parameter (Correct answer)
- A qualitative deviation from the intended design
- Reverse or opposite direction of process flow
Correct answer: A quantitative increase above design intent for a parameter
In HAZOP methodology, 'MORE' signifies a quantitative increase (e.g., higher pressure, flow, or temperature) beyond the design intention.
Question 4: Under EPA's Stormwater Phase II rules, which type of facility is required to obtain a general NPDES permit for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity?
- Office buildings with 10 or more employees
- Industrial facilities disturbing one or more acres of land (Correct answer)
- Residential developments with paved driveways
- Municipal parks with paved pathways
Correct answer: Industrial facilities disturbing one or more acres of land
Industrial facilities with stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity, including construction sites disturbing one or more acres, must obtain NPDES permit coverage.
Question 5: A plant engineer conducts a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). Which step comes FIRST in the JHA process?
- Determine appropriate hazard controls
- Identify hazards associated with each job step
- Select the job to be analyzed (Correct answer)
- Implement corrective actions
Correct answer: Select the job to be analyzed
The JHA process begins with selecting the job or task to be analyzed, followed by breaking it into steps, identifying hazards, and then determining controls.
Question 6: Which federal law requires employers to communicate chemical hazards to workers through Safety Data Sheets (SDS), labeling, and training?
- OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) 29 CFR 1910.1200 (Correct answer)
- EPA TSCA Section 8(e) reporting rule
- EPCRA Section 311 hazardous chemical reporting
- DOT 49 CFR Part 172 hazmat labeling
Correct answer: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) 29 CFR 1910.1200
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), aligned with the GHS, requires employers to provide SDS, GHS-compliant labels, and worker training on chemical hazards.
Question 7: During an environmental compliance audit, an auditor finds that a facility has been discharging a regulated pollutant without a required permit for two years. Under the Clean Water Act, what is the maximum civil penalty per day of violation?
- $5,000 per day
- $10,000 per day
- $25,000 per day
- $64,618 per day (Correct answer)
Correct answer: $64,618 per day
The Clean Water Act allows civil penalties up to $25,000 per day per violation adjusted for inflation; with penalty adjustments, the current maximum can reach over $64,000 per day.
CPE Safety & Environmental Compliance 4
A plant engineer is evaluating noise exposure.
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95, at what 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level must a hearing conservation program be implemented?