FREE Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) Hazards & Exposures Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a precursor to an oxygen shortage?
Increased breathing rate is indeed one of the first signs of oxygen deficiency, also known as hypoxia. When the body experiences a decrease in the availability of oxygen in the air or an inability to properly utilize oxygen, it responds by trying to compensate for the reduced oxygen levels.
Developing remedial actions as part of industrial hygiene entails minimizing or eliminating health risks by:
Industrial hygiene involves the development and implementation of corrective measures to control health hazards in the workplace. The primary goal of industrial hygiene is to protect the health and well-being of workers by reducing or eliminating hazards that can cause illness, injury, or other adverse health effects.
What apparatus is employed to gauge electric fields at frequencies higher than 100 kHz:
The instrument used to measure electric fields at frequencies above 100 kHz is a "radio frequency (RF) detector" or an "electric field meter." These devices are specifically designed to detect and measure the strength of electric fields generated by electromagnetic radiation at different frequencies, including those above 100 kHz.
What is a liquid that has been finely separated and is suspended in the air?
Mists can vary in size, with smaller droplets staying suspended in the air for longer periods, while larger droplets may settle more quickly. Depending on the liquid involved, mists can have different properties and may pose different health hazards. For example, oil mists can be generated in industrial settings where metalworking fluids are used, while water mists can be created in spray painting or humidification processes.
Which of the following is not a factor that can affect how noise exposure affects people?
Variation in receptivity is not considered a factor that can influence the effect of noise exposure. The factors that can influence the effect of noise exposure typically include the intensity (loudness) of the noise, the duration of exposure, the frequency or pitch of the noise, the individual's sensitivity to noise (e.g., age, health status), and the presence of other background noises. Variation in receptivity is not a standard term used in the context of noise exposure effects.
What is the eight-hour TWA noise exposure limit?
The 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) limit for noise exposure is 90 decibels (dBA). This means that over an 8-hour work shift, the average noise level to which an employee is exposed should not exceed 90 dBA. The 8-hour TWA is a standard used to measure and regulate occupational noise exposure to protect workers' hearing health. Prolonged exposure to noise levels above this limit can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, which is a common occupational health issue.
What is the noise exposure 4-hour TWA limit?
The 95 dBA value is sometimes used as a threshold for short-term noise exposure limits in certain contexts.
Inadequately designed tools, workstations, or work processes are some of these risks.
Ergonomics, also known as human factors, is the scientific discipline that studies the interactions between humans and their work environment. It focuses on designing and arranging workspaces, tools, equipment, and tasks to fit the capabilities and limitations of the human body. Proper ergonomic design aims to optimize worker performance, productivity, and well-being while reducing the risk of injuries and musculoskeletal disorders.
Which of the following is not a non-technical test to see if there are too many noises in the workplace?
This question is not a nontechnical guideline to determine whether the work area has excessive noise levels. Instead, it suggests that some employees may be voluntarily using hearing protection, which could be an indication that they perceive the noise levels to be high or bothersome. However, relying solely on employees' voluntary use of hearing protection is not a reliable or accurate method for assessing whether the noise levels are excessive and potentially hazardous.
All of the following may be used as exposure control strategies in industrial hygiene, with the exception of:
Rule enforcement generally refers to ensuring compliance with workplace safety regulations and policies rather than directly reducing or eliminating exposure to hazards. While compliance with rules and regulations is essential for maintaining a safe work environment, it is not an exposure control measure in and of itself. Instead, industrial hygiene focuses on implementing proactive measures to prevent or minimize hazards and their potential impact on workers' health and safety.
These dangers result from elevated levels of mists, vapors, gases, or solids in the form of mists or dusts in the air:
Chemical hazards in the workplace can result from the presence of hazardous substances, including chemicals, gases, fumes, vapors, and dust particles. These substances can be inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with the skin, leading to various adverse health effects. The severity of the health effects depends on factors such as the type of chemical, its concentration, the duration of exposure, and individual factors.
What must the employer do initially if the permitted noise exposure levels are exceeded?
If permissible limits for noise exposure are exceeded in the workplace, the employer is required to take action to reduce employee exposure to noise levels that may cause harm to their hearing. The first step that the employer should take is to implement engineering and administrative controls to lower the noise levels and protect the workers' health and safety.
An efficient program for industrial hygiene includes:
Claims management involves efficiently managing and processing workers' compensation claims when an employee is injured or becomes ill due to work-related activities. This process includes investigating the claim, providing medical treatment and support to the affected employee, determining the validity of the claim, and handling any necessary compensation or benefits.
All of the following impacts of noise on people, with the exception of:
The effects of noise on humans can include psychological effects, interference with communications, and physiological effects, but it does not include physical effects. Noise can cause physical effects on the body, such as increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, muscle tension, and stress responses, which fall under the physiological effects category, not physical effects.
These dangers include high amounts of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, as well as noise, vibration, and temperature and pressure extremes:
Physical hazards in the workplace are those factors or conditions that can cause harm or injury to workers through physical means. These hazards do not involve the introduction of harmful substances into the body but rather arise from the physical properties of the environment or work processes. They can lead to immediate injuries or long-term health effects.
Any living thing or its characteristics that could lead to a negative reaction in people are considered hazards:
Biological hazards in the workplace can include various types of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and other biological materials. These hazards can be present in various work settings, including healthcare facilities, laboratories, agricultural settings, and industries dealing with biological materials.