EMPCO EMPCO Ergonomics & Workplace Injury Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of an ergonomics program in an EMPCO-assessed workplace?
- Reduce musculoskeletal disorders by fitting tasks to workers (Correct answer)
- Increase worker productivity at all costs
- Eliminate all manual labor from the workplace
- Standardize equipment across all departments
Correct answer: Reduce musculoskeletal disorders by fitting tasks to workers
Ergonomics programs aim to reduce musculoskeletal disorders by designing tasks, tools, and workspaces to fit the physical capabilities of workers.
Question 2: Which of the following is a common ergonomic risk factor associated with repetitive strain injuries?
- Adequate lighting
- Repetitive hand and wrist motions (Correct answer)
- Proper chair height adjustment
- Scheduled rest breaks
Correct answer: Repetitive hand and wrist motions
Repetitive hand and wrist motions are a leading ergonomic risk factor that can cause cumulative trauma disorders over time.
Question 3: Under OSHA's General Duty Clause, employers are required to:
- Provide ergonomic furniture to all employees
- Maintain a workplace free from recognized serious hazards (Correct answer)
- Conduct ergonomic assessments every 6 months
- Hire a certified ergonomist for every 50 workers
Correct answer: Maintain a workplace free from recognized serious hazards
The General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
Question 4: What does a job hazard analysis (JHA) typically evaluate in the context of injury prevention?
- Employee satisfaction scores
- Tasks, hazards, and preventive measures for each job step (Correct answer)
- Worker compensation claim history only
- Departmental budget allocations
Correct answer: Tasks, hazards, and preventive measures for each job step
A JHA breaks down each job into steps to identify hazards and determine the best way to reduce or eliminate them.
Question 5: Which lifting technique is recommended to prevent lower back injuries in the workplace?
- Bend at the waist and keep legs straight
- Twist the torso while lifting to build flexibility
- Bend the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the legs (Correct answer)
- Lift quickly to minimize strain duration
Correct answer: Bend the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the legs
Bending the knees and lifting with the legs keeps the spine neutral and transfers load to stronger leg muscles, reducing back injury risk.
Question 6: An EMPCO occupational health nurse notices a pattern of wrist injuries in the assembly department. The FIRST recommended action is to:
- File workers' compensation claims for affected workers
- Conduct an ergonomic worksite evaluation of the assembly tasks (Correct answer)
- Recommend all injured workers take medical leave
- Replace all workers in the department
Correct answer: Conduct an ergonomic worksite evaluation of the assembly tasks
Conducting an ergonomic worksite evaluation identifies root causes of the injury pattern so targeted preventive controls can be implemented.
EMPCO EMPCO Ergonomics & Workplace Injury Prevention 1
What is the primary goal of an ergonomics program in an EMPCO-assessed workplace?