CHRP - Certified Human Resources Professional Workplace Health and Safety Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the core principle of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) in Canadian workplace health and safety legislation?

Accepted Answer

Employers and employees share responsibility for health and safety, with accountability based on their level of authority and control.

Answer

The Internal Responsibility System (IRS) is the philosophical cornerstone of Canadian OHS legislation. It posits that the people within the workplace—employers, supervisors, and workers—are in the best position to identify and resolve health and safety concerns. Responsibility is shared, meaning everyone has a role to play in keeping the workplace safe, proportionate to their authority and ability to influence conditions.

Question 2

A manufacturing company with 75 employees in Ontario has established a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). According to provincial standards, what is the minimum composition requirement for this committee?

Accepted Answer

At least four members, with at least two being worker members and at least two being management members.

Answer

In Ontario, for a workplace that regularly employs 50 or more workers, the Joint Health and Safety Committee must consist of at least four members. Of these members, at least half must be workers who do not exercise managerial functions, and they must be selected by the workers or their union. The employer selects the remaining management members.

Question 3

An employee at a construction site is asked to use a scaffold that they believe is unstable and missing a guardrail. Under Canadian OHS legislation, which fundamental right are they exercising if they decline to perform the task?

Accepted Answer

The right to refuse unsafe work

Answer

Canadian workers have three fundamental rights under occupational health and safety law. The right to refuse unsafe work allows a worker to refuse a task they have reasonable grounds to believe is dangerous to their health and safety or that of another worker. The situation described clearly falls under this right, which initiates a specific investigation process.

Question 4

A small business owner is prosecuted after a serious workplace incident. They argue that they were not aware of the specific regulation they violated. Which legal principle would an inspector or court most likely apply, making this argument an invalid defense?

Accepted Answer

Due Diligence

Answer

Due diligence is the primary legal defence for an employer charged under OHS legislation. It requires the employer to prove they took every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers. Simply being unaware of a specific rule is not a valid defense; the employer must demonstrate proactive measures, such as hazard identification, risk assessment, training, and supervision, to meet the standard of due diligence.

Question 5

What are the three core components of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015?

Accepted Answer

Labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and worker education and training.

Answer

WHMIS 2015 is built on three key pillars to ensure workers have the information they need to work safely with hazardous products. These are: 1) Labels on containers of hazardous products; 2) Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), which provide detailed technical information; and 3) Worker education and training programs.

(CHRP) Certified Human Resources Professional Practice Test

(CHRP) Certified Human Resources Professional Practice Test

CHRP - Certified Human Resources Professional Workplace Health and Safety Questions and Answers