NSC Personal Protective Equipment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to OSHA and NSC guidelines, where does Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) fall in the hierarchy of hazard controls?
- First line of defense, used before any other control
- Last resort, used when engineering and administrative controls are insufficient (Correct answer)
- It is equivalent in priority to engineering controls
- It is only required when administrative controls fail
Correct answer: Last resort, used when engineering and administrative controls are insufficient
PPE is the last line of defense in the hierarchy of controls, used only when engineering controls, substitution, and administrative controls cannot adequately reduce hazards.
Question 2: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132, who bears primary responsibility for providing and paying for required PPE in the workplace?
- The employee must purchase their own PPE
- The employer must provide and pay for necessary PPE (Correct answer)
- Costs are split equally between employer and employee
- A third-party safety vendor must supply all PPE
Correct answer: The employer must provide and pay for necessary PPE
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 requires employers to provide and pay for PPE that is necessary to protect workers from job-related hazards.
Question 3: Which class of hard hat is designed to reduce the danger of contact with low-voltage conductors and provides impact and penetration resistance?
- Class A (Correct answer)
- Class B
- Class C
- Class D
Correct answer: Class A
Class A hard hats provide impact and penetration resistance along with limited voltage protection up to 2,200 volts.
Question 4: Before the first use and before each subsequent use, what must a worker do with their PPE?
- Submit it for laboratory testing
- Inspect it for defects, damage, or deterioration (Correct answer)
- Replace it with a new unit regardless of condition
- Register it with the safety department
Correct answer: Inspect it for defects, damage, or deterioration
PPE must be inspected before each use to identify any damage or defects that could compromise its protective capability.
Question 5: Which type of eye and face protection should be selected when there is a risk of chemical splash to the eyes?
- Standard safety glasses with side shields
- Indirect-vent chemical splash goggles (Correct answer)
- A face shield worn alone without safety glasses
- Tinted sunglasses rated for UV protection
Correct answer: Indirect-vent chemical splash goggles
Indirect-vent chemical splash goggles form a seal around the eyes and prevent liquid splashes from reaching eye tissue, which safety glasses cannot achieve.
Question 6: What is a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) in the context of hearing protection?
- The decibel level at which hearing protection is mandatory
- A measure of how effectively a hearing protector reduces noise exposure (Correct answer)
- The maximum noise level a hearing protector can withstand
- The OSHA permissible exposure limit for noise
Correct answer: A measure of how effectively a hearing protector reduces noise exposure
NRR is a unit of measurement that quantifies the effectiveness of hearing protection devices in reducing sound exposure to the wearer.
Question 7: According to NSC and OSHA guidelines, a written PPE program must include which of the following elements?
- A list of PPE vendors and their pricing
- Hazard assessment, PPE selection, training, and program evaluation (Correct answer)
- Employee medical records and fitness-for-duty evaluations
- Environmental impact statements for PPE disposal
Correct answer: Hazard assessment, PPE selection, training, and program evaluation
A complete PPE program must address hazard assessment, selection of appropriate PPE, employee training, and periodic evaluation of the program's effectiveness.
NSC Personal Protective Equipment 1
According to OSHA and NSC guidelines, where does Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) fall in the hierarchy of hazard controls?