HSE Occupational Health and Hygiene 5

Question 1

When performing a personal air sampling for an 8-hour TWA, where should the sampling pump and filter cassette be positioned on the worker?

Accepted Answer

In the worker's breathing zone, within 12 inches of the nose and mouth

Answer

Personal air samples must be collected in the breathing zone — within approximately 12 inches of the nose and mouth — to accurately represent the air the worker actually inhales.

Question 2

Which type of hazardous substance is most effectively captured by a charcoal adsorption tube during air sampling?

Accepted Answer

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and toluene

Answer

Activated charcoal tubes adsorb volatile organic compounds from sampled air; the compounds are later desorbed and analyzed by gas chromatography.

Question 3

In the context of occupational hygiene, what does 'engineering controls' specifically refer to?

Accepted Answer

Physical modifications to the workplace, equipment, or process to reduce hazard exposure

Answer

Engineering controls are physical or mechanical changes — such as enclosures, LEV systems, substitution, or process changes — that reduce or eliminate the hazard at its source.

Question 4

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is most associated with which occupational health disorder?

Accepted Answer

Low back pain and spinal degeneration

Answer

WBV transmitted through a seat or floor (e.g., heavy equipment operators) is strongly associated with low back pain, disc degeneration, and other spinal disorders.

Question 5

The NIOSH lifting equation recommends a maximum weight limit (RWL) based on six task variables. Which factor, when minimized, most significantly reduces the recommended weight limit?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal distance from the body to the object at the start of the lift

Answer

The horizontal distance (H factor) has the greatest mechanical disadvantage on the spine; doubling H from 10 to 20 inches cuts the RWL in half through its reciprocal relationship in the equation.

(HSE) Certified Health Safety Environment Practice Test

(HSE) Certified Health Safety Environment Practice Test

HSE Occupational Health and Hygiene 5