Occupational Health and Hygiene Flashcards
7 cards from real HSE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Occupational Health and Hygiene flashcards as text
A short-term exposure limit (STEL) is defined as the maximum concentration a worker may be exposed to for up to how long without suffering irritation, tissue damage, or narcosis?
Answer: 15 minutes
A STEL is the airborne concentration to which workers can be exposed for up to 15 minutes, no more than 4 times per day, with at least 60 minutes between exposures.
Which type of respirator provides the highest level of respiratory protection for IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) atmospheres?
Answer: Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) in positive-pressure mode
A positive-pressure SCBA provides the highest protection factor and is the required respirator for IDLH atmospheres because it supplies its own air supply.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is classified as which type of hearing loss?
Answer: Sensorineural hearing loss affecting the cochlea's hair cells
NIHL is a sensorineural hearing loss caused by permanent damage to the hair cells in the cochlea from excessive sound pressure levels.
OSHA's Hearing Conservation Amendment requires hearing protection and audiometric testing when an employee's 8-hour TWA noise exposure equals or exceeds what level?
Answer: 85 dBA
The OSHA action level is 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA, at which point employers must implement a hearing conservation program including audiometric testing and hearing protection.
What is the primary health risk associated with chronic inhalation of crystalline silica dust?
Answer: Silicosis (irreversible fibrotic lung disease)
Chronic inhalation of respirable crystalline silica causes silicosis, an irreversible and potentially fatal fibrotic lung disease, and also increases lung cancer risk.
In occupational health, what does the term 'sensitizer' describe?
Answer: A substance that, after repeated low-level exposure, causes the immune system to react upon subsequent exposure
A sensitizer induces an allergic immune response after repeated exposure; once sensitized, a worker may react severely even to trace amounts.
Which of the following is the correct order of steps in a quantitative occupational exposure assessment?
Answer: Hazard identification → Exposure measurement → Data evaluation against standards → Control recommendation
A systematic quantitative exposure assessment follows: identify hazards, measure exposures, compare data against occupational exposure limits, then recommend and implement controls.