IOSH Occupational Health and Wellbeing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The HSE defines work-related stress as arising when demands of the job exceed a person's ability to cope. Which of the following is NOT one of the HSE Management Standards key work factors?
- Demands placed on the worker
- Control the worker has over their work
- Salary and financial reward (Correct answer)
- Support from managers and colleagues
Correct answer: Salary and financial reward
The six HSE Management Standards are: Demands, Control, Support, Relationships, Role, and Change — salary and financial reward are not among them.
Question 2: What is occupational asthma and what distinguishes it from pre-existing asthma?
- Asthma triggered by cold air in outdoor work environments, distinct because it only occurs outdoors
- A new onset of asthma or worsening of existing asthma caused by sensitisation to a substance encountered at work (Correct answer)
- Asthma managed with inhalers provided by the employer as part of occupational health services
- Asthma that only affects workers over the age of 50 due to accumulated exposure
Correct answer: A new onset of asthma or worsening of existing asthma caused by sensitisation to a substance encountered at work
Occupational asthma is caused by workplace sensitisers (such as isocyanates, flour dust, or latex) and is characterised by symptoms that improve away from work, distinguishing it from pre-existing asthma.
Question 3: What is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and under which regulations is it specifically controlled?
- A repetitive strain injury controlled under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- A neurological and vascular condition caused by vibrating tools, controlled under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (Correct answer)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by computer keyboard use, controlled under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992
- Tendonitis caused by prolonged gripping, controlled under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Correct answer: A neurological and vascular condition caused by vibrating tools, controlled under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
HAVS is a painful and disabling condition affecting nerves, blood vessels, and joints in the hands and arms caused by prolonged use of vibrating tools, governed by the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
Question 4: What is musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) in an occupational health context?
- Any injury to muscles or bones resulting solely from workplace accidents
- Injuries and conditions affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, or spinal discs, often caused or aggravated by work activities (Correct answer)
- Fractures caused by falls from height on construction sites
- Skin conditions caused by contact with harsh chemicals in manufacturing
Correct answer: Injuries and conditions affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, or spinal discs, often caused or aggravated by work activities
MSDs include a broad range of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system — such as back pain, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome — which can be caused or worsened by work-related factors like manual handling and repetitive movements.
Question 5: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is preventable if exposure is controlled. At what daily personal noise exposure level (LEP,d) must UK employers provide hearing protection under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005?
- At or above 75 dB(A)
- At or above 80 dB(A) (lower exposure action value) and must ensure it is used at or above 85 dB(A) (Correct answer)
- At or above 90 dB(A) only
- At or above 100 dB(A) for high-risk industries only
Correct answer: At or above 80 dB(A) (lower exposure action value) and must ensure it is used at or above 85 dB(A)
The Regulations set a lower action value of 80 dB(A) where protection must be made available, and an upper action value of 85 dB(A) where hearing protection use is mandatory and hearing surveillance required.
Question 6: What is the purpose of biological monitoring in an occupational health surveillance programme?
- To test employees for drug and alcohol use at random intervals
- To measure the amount of a hazardous substance or its metabolites in biological samples (e.g. blood or urine) to assess actual body uptake (Correct answer)
- To monitor body mass index and blood pressure as part of general health checks
- To collect data on the number of sick days taken per employee per year
Correct answer: To measure the amount of a hazardous substance or its metabolites in biological samples (e.g. blood or urine) to assess actual body uptake
Biological monitoring measures the internal dose of a substance that has actually been absorbed into the body, providing a more direct assessment of exposure than air monitoring alone.
Question 7: Which of the following is a recognised early symptom that should trigger removal from exposure and immediate occupational health referral in cases of suspected occupational asthma?
- A mild persistent cough that only occurs during the working day and clears at weekends (Correct answer)
- Fatigue at the end of a long shift
- Lower back pain after standing for extended periods
- Skin redness after wearing latex gloves for the first time
Correct answer: A mild persistent cough that only occurs during the working day and clears at weekends
Work-related respiratory symptoms that improve away from the workplace — such as a cough that clears at weekends — are classic warning signs of occupational asthma requiring urgent investigation and possible removal from exposure.
IOSH Occupational Health and Wellbeing 2
The HSE defines work-related stress as arising when demands of the job exceed a person's ability to cope.
Which of the following is NOT one of the HSE Management Standards key work factors?