IHSA Risk Analysis & Hazard Identification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which risk assessment matrix dimension combines likelihood and consequence to produce a risk rating?
- Frequency vs. duration
- Probability vs. severity (Correct answer)
- Exposure vs. detectability
- Reversibility vs. impact
Correct answer: Probability vs. severity
Risk rating matrices plot probability of occurrence against severity of consequence to prioritize hazards.
Question 2: A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is BEST described as:
- A regulatory compliance checklist completed annually
- A step-by-step breakdown of a task to identify hazards at each step (Correct answer)
- A post-incident root cause analysis tool
- A permit-to-work authorization document
Correct answer: A step-by-step breakdown of a task to identify hazards at each step
A JHA systematically examines each step of a job task to identify associated hazards and controls before work begins.
Question 3: In the hierarchy of controls, substitution means:
- Adding administrative procedures to limit exposure
- Replacing a hazardous material or process with a less hazardous one (Correct answer)
- Installing physical barriers around the hazard
- Providing PPE to the exposed worker
Correct answer: Replacing a hazardous material or process with a less hazardous one
Substitution involves replacing the hazard source with something that presents lower risk.
Question 4: Which technique uses structured 'What-If' questioning to systematically identify potential failure scenarios?
- Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
- HAZOP study
- What-If Analysis (Correct answer)
- Bow-Tie Analysis
Correct answer: What-If Analysis
What-If Analysis uses structured brainstorming questions to explore deviations and failure scenarios.
Question 5: A near-miss incident is most valuable to safety management because it:
- Triggers mandatory OSHA recordkeeping requirements
- Reveals hazards and system weaknesses before they cause injury (Correct answer)
- Eliminates the need for formal risk assessments
- Reduces workers' compensation premiums immediately
Correct answer: Reveals hazards and system weaknesses before they cause injury
Near-misses expose latent hazards and control failures, providing a free opportunity to prevent future incidents.
Question 6: Which of the following best defines a 'latent hazard' in infrastructure environments?
- A hazard that is visible and immediately obvious to workers
- A hidden or dormant condition that may not cause harm until triggered by another event (Correct answer)
- A hazard that has already caused a recordable incident
- A chemical hazard listed on an SDS
Correct answer: A hidden or dormant condition that may not cause harm until triggered by another event
Latent hazards lie dormant in systems and are often revealed only when combined with other failures or triggering events.
Question 7: During a site walkthrough for hazard identification, the IHSA recommends involving front-line workers primarily because:
- It satisfies union contract requirements
- Workers have direct knowledge of actual conditions and task-specific hazards (Correct answer)
- Management lacks the authority to identify hazards unilaterally
- Workers are legally responsible for all on-site hazards
Correct answer: Workers have direct knowledge of actual conditions and task-specific hazards
Front-line workers possess first-hand knowledge of real working conditions that may not be visible to supervisors or safety professionals.
IHSA Risk Analysis & Hazard Identification 2
Which risk assessment matrix dimension combines likelihood and consequence to produce a risk rating?