CSC Health & Safety Protocols 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A consultant is assessing a site with potential lead paint exposure. Under EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, which buildings are covered?
- All commercial buildings constructed before 1978
- Pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities (Correct answer)
- Any building constructed before 1990 undergoing major renovation
- Only federally funded housing projects built before 1978
Correct answer: Pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities
EPA's RRP Rule applies to pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities to protect against lead dust generated during renovation.
Question 2: NIOSH recommends which recommended exposure limit (REL) for respirable crystalline silica to protect workers?
- 0.05 mg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA
- 0.025 mg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA (Correct answer)
- 0.1 mg/m³ as a 15-minute STEL
- 0.5 ppm as a ceiling value
Correct answer: 0.025 mg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA
NIOSH recommends a REL of 0.025 mg/m³ as a TWA for respirable crystalline silica, lower than OSHA's PEL, to prevent silicosis.
Question 3: In a sustainability-focused workplace wellness program, 'ergonomics' primarily addresses which category of hazard?
- Chemical hazards from cleaning products
- Biological hazards from mold exposure
- Physical hazards related to musculoskeletal strain (Correct answer)
- Radiological hazards from electronic equipment
Correct answer: Physical hazards related to musculoskeletal strain
Ergonomics targets physical hazards such as awkward postures, repetitive motion, and forceful exertions that lead to musculoskeletal disorders.
Question 4: Which US federal agency is responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards under the OSH Act of 1970?
- EPA
- NIOSH
- OSHA (Correct answer)
- CDC
Correct answer: OSHA
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) within the Department of Labor enforces workplace health and safety regulations.
Question 5: A CSC reviewing a chemical plant's emergency response plan should verify compliance with which EPA regulation governing accidental releases of hazardous substances?
- RCRA Subtitle C
- Clean Air Act Section 112(r) – RMP Rule (Correct answer)
- CERCLA Section 103
- TSCA Section 8(e)
Correct answer: Clean Air Act Section 112(r) – RMP Rule
EPA's Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule under CAA 112(r) requires facilities using extremely hazardous chemicals to develop accident prevention and emergency response plans.
Question 6: During a green building assessment, a consultant discovers elevated CO2 levels (>1,000 ppm) in a conference room. This condition most directly indicates:
- Combustion byproduct infiltration from parking structures
- Inadequate outdoor air ventilation for occupant load (Correct answer)
- Presence of volatile organic compounds from furnishings
- Biological contamination from HVAC ductwork
Correct answer: Inadequate outdoor air ventilation for occupant load
CO2 above 1,000 ppm in occupied spaces typically signals insufficient fresh air delivery relative to the number of occupants.
Question 7: Which type of safety training is required when employees are newly assigned to jobs involving OSHA-regulated hazardous chemicals?
- Annual refresher training only
- Initial training before first potential exposure and before new hazards are introduced (Correct answer)
- Training only upon request from the employee
- Training completed within 30 days of assignment start
Correct answer: Initial training before first potential exposure and before new hazards are introduced
OSHA's HazCom standard requires initial training before employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals and whenever a new hazard is introduced to the workplace.
CSC Health & Safety Protocols 3
A consultant is assessing a site with potential lead paint exposure.
Under EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, which buildings are covered?