HSE Workplace Safety Management and Risk Control 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following describes a 'safety culture' in an organization?
- The set of rules listed in the employee safety handbook
- The shared values, beliefs, and behaviors related to safety that employees exhibit (Correct answer)
- The number of safety inspections performed per quarter
- The total PPE budget allocated per fiscal year
Correct answer: The shared values, beliefs, and behaviors related to safety that employees exhibit
Safety culture is the collective attitudes and behaviors that determine how safety is prioritized and practiced throughout an organization.
Question 2: A confined space that contains a hazardous atmosphere or other serious safety hazard is classified under OSHA as a:
- Non-permit required confined space
- Permit-required confined space (Correct answer)
- Restricted access workspace
- Controlled entry zone
Correct answer: Permit-required confined space
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 defines a permit-required confined space as one with potential for hazardous atmospheres, engulfment, or other recognized serious hazards.
Question 3: What is the primary difference between a 'hazard' and a 'risk' in safety terminology?
- They are interchangeable terms meaning the same thing
- A hazard is the potential source of harm; risk is the likelihood and severity of that harm occurring (Correct answer)
- A risk is a physical condition; a hazard is a probability calculation
- A hazard is measured in numbers; a risk is a qualitative description
Correct answer: A hazard is the potential source of harm; risk is the likelihood and severity of that harm occurring
A hazard is the source or condition with potential to cause harm, while risk combines the probability of occurrence with the severity of consequences.
Question 4: OSHA requires that employers report a worker fatality to OSHA within:
- 24 hours
- 8 hours (Correct answer)
- 72 hours
- 48 hours
Correct answer: 8 hours
Under 29 CFR 1904.39, employers must report all work-related fatalities to OSHA within 8 hours of learning of the event.
Question 5: Which safety management system standard provides a framework for occupational health and safety management systems and was published by ISO?
- ISO 14001
- ISO 9001
- ISO 45001 (Correct answer)
- ANSI Z10
Correct answer: ISO 45001
ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard specifying requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system.
Question 6: In a safety audit, what is the main distinction between an 'audit' and an 'inspection'?
- An audit is informal; an inspection requires written documentation
- An audit evaluates the management system and its effectiveness; an inspection examines physical conditions for compliance (Correct answer)
- An inspection is conducted by regulators; an audit is always internal
- An audit checks equipment; an inspection reviews employee behavior
Correct answer: An audit evaluates the management system and its effectiveness; an inspection examines physical conditions for compliance
Audits systematically evaluate whether the safety management system is working effectively, while inspections focus on identifying physical hazards and compliance issues.
Question 7: Which element of a Safety Management System (SMS) focuses on identifying what could go wrong before it does?
- Safety assurance
- Safety risk management (Correct answer)
- Safety policy
- Safety promotion
Correct answer: Safety risk management
Safety risk management involves proactively identifying hazards, analyzing the associated risks, and implementing controls to prevent incidents.
HSE Workplace Safety Management and Risk Control 5
Which of the following describes a 'safety culture' in an organization?