CSP Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment 3

Question 1

A Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) is typically performed at which stage of a project or system's life cycle?

Accepted Answer

In the early conceptual or design phase, before detailed design is completed

Answer

During decommissioning and facility closure planning

Answer

After an incident has occurred to determine root causes

Answer

During routine operations as part of the annual safety audit

Question 2

What distinguishes quantitative risk assessment (QRA) from qualitative risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

QRA uses numerical probability values and consequence estimates to calculate risk; qualitative uses descriptive categories like high/medium/low

Answer

QRA is performed only by licensed professional engineers; qualitative assessment can be done by any worker

Answer

QRA focuses exclusively on chemical hazards; qualitative assessment covers physical and ergonomic hazards

Answer

QRA is required by OSHA; qualitative assessment is a voluntary best practice

Question 3

In a risk assessment, 'inherent risk' (also called 'gross risk') refers to:

Accepted Answer

The risk level before any controls or safeguards are applied to the hazard

Answer

Risk that is built into a worker's job description and cannot be eliminated

Answer

Risk caused by a worker's inherent unsafe behaviors and attitudes

Answer

Risk that is permanently acceptable because it is part of normal operations

Question 4

When conducting a hazard identification walk-through, which approach is most consistent with best practices for the CSP exam?

Accepted Answer

Use a systematic, pre-planned checklist covering all work areas and tasks, involving workers who perform the tasks

Answer

Only observe areas where previous incidents have occurred to focus resources efficiently

Answer

Conduct the observation alone without worker involvement to avoid bias in findings

Answer

Focus exclusively on equipment and machinery while excluding administrative work areas

Question 5

Which of the following best describes an 'acceptable risk' level in occupational safety?

Accepted Answer

A risk level that society or an organization deems tolerable given the benefits and costs of further risk reduction

Answer

Zero risk — any level of risk above zero is unacceptable in a professional safety program

Answer

A risk level at which the regulatory penalty is less than the cost of controlling the hazard

Answer

A risk level approved in writing by the facility's insurance carrier

Question 6

What is the primary advantage of using a checklist-based hazard identification method over a brainstorming-based method?

Accepted Answer

Checklists ensure that known, previously identified hazards are not overlooked due to familiarity bias

Answer

Checklists identify novel or previously unrecognized hazards more effectively than brainstorming

Answer

Checklists are more legally defensible than brainstorming sessions under OSHA enforcement

Answer

Checklists require less time to complete and are therefore more cost-effective for all hazard types

Question 7

Which risk assessment technique is best suited for analyzing complex systems with multiple failure modes and quantifying the probability of a top-level undesired event?

Accepted Answer

Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

Answer

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

Answer

What-If Analysis

Answer

Safety Inspection Checklist