CPHR Workplace Health and Safety Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following BEST describes the principle of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) as it applies to Canadian workplace health and safety?

Accepted Answer

A philosophy where all workplace parties, including employers, supervisors, and workers, share responsibility for health and safety.

Answer

A government-led program that conducts all workplace inspections and enforces penalties.

Answer

The legal doctrine that places sole responsibility for workplace safety on the senior-most executive.

Answer

An internal audit process focused exclusively on the financial costs associated with workplace accidents.

Question 2

In the context of Canadian occupational health and safety legislation, what does the legal concept of 'due diligence' require an employer to do?

Accepted Answer

Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers.

Answer

Purchase the maximum available insurance coverage for workplace accidents.

Answer

Strictly adhere to the absolute minimum standards outlined in the regulations, with no further action required.

Answer

Discipline any employee who is involved in a workplace incident, regardless of the cause.

Question 3

A worker in a warehouse is instructed to use a forklift that has a visibly frayed and damaged safety harness. The worker believes this is unsafe and invokes their right to refuse unsafe work. What is the supervisor's MOST appropriate immediate action according to typical Canadian OHS procedure?

Accepted Answer

Investigate the worker's concern in their presence and attempt to resolve the issue.

Answer

Order another employee to use the forklift immediately.

Answer

Discipline the worker for insubordination and document the refusal.

Answer

Inform the worker that the harness is a minor issue and to proceed with the task.

Question 4

A manufacturing company identifies that a specific grinding machine exposes workers to airborne particulates. According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following interventions would be considered the MOST effective?

Accepted Answer

Installing a ventilation system with a capture hood directly at the source of the dust (Engineering Control).

Answer

Requiring all workers in the area to wear N95 respirators (PPE).

Answer

Implementing a job rotation schedule to limit individual exposure time (Administrative Control).

Answer

Posting signs that warn workers about the respiratory hazard (Administrative Control).

Question 5

What is the primary function of a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) in a Canadian workplace?

Accepted Answer

To act as an advisory body that identifies hazards and makes safety recommendations to the employer.

Answer

To discipline employees who violate safety rules and procedures.

Answer

To purchase and approve all safety-related equipment for the organization.

Answer

To represent the employer in court during legal proceedings following a serious accident.

Question 6

Under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015, what are the three primary elements used to communicate hazard information to workers?

Accepted Answer

Labels on hazardous products, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and worker education and training.

Answer

Employer policies, supervisor instructions, and government audits.

Answer

Workplace inspections, incident reports, and disciplinary records.

Answer

Pictograms, first aid procedures, and emergency contact numbers.