COSS - Certified Occupational Safety Specialist OSHA Standards and Compliance Questions and Answers

Question 1

An employer has a piece of machinery with an exposed rotating shaft. There is no specific OSHA standard that addresses this particular type of machine. Under which provision can OSHA still cite the employer for this hazard?

Accepted Answer

The General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)

Answer

The General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, requires employers to provide a workplace "free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm." It is used to cite employers for serious hazards when no specific standard applies.

Question 2

A work-related incident occurs at 10:00 AM on a Monday, resulting in the immediate amputation of a worker's finger. The employer learns of the incident at 10:15 AM the same day. By what deadline must the employer report this event to OSHA?

Accepted Answer

Within 24 hours of the employer learning of the incident

Answer

According to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1904.39, an employer must report any work-related in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye within 24 hours of learning about it. The 8-hour reporting requirement is for fatalities.

Question 3

A manufacturing facility uses a solvent that emits hazardous vapors. According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following actions would be considered the MOST effective method for protecting workers?

Accepted Answer

Replacing the hazardous solvent with a non-toxic, water-based cleaner.

Answer

The hierarchy of controls ranks methods from most to least effective: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and PPE. Substituting the hazardous solvent with a safer alternative is a higher-level control than engineering controls (ventilation), administrative controls (time limits), or PPE (respirators), and is therefore considered the most effective option presented.

Question 4

Which of the following situations would receive the HIGHEST priority for an OSHA inspection?

Accepted Answer

A media report of a trench collapse with a worker trapped inside.

Answer

OSHA prioritizes its inspections. The highest priority is given to situations of imminent danger, where there is a reasonable certainty that a danger exists that could cause death or serious physical harm immediately. A trench collapse with a trapped worker clearly falls into this category.

Question 5

Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), an employer is required to develop a written program that includes several key elements. Which of the following is a required component of this written program?

Accepted Answer

Procedures for providing employees with access to Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

Answer

The Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to develop, implement, and maintain a written program that describes how they will meet the requirements for labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and employee training. Ensuring employees have access to SDSs for the hazardous chemicals they work with is a fundamental part of the standard.

COSS - Certified Occupational Safety Specialist Practice Test

COSS - Certified Occupational Safety Specialist Practice Test

COSS - Certified Occupational Safety Specialist OSHA Standards and Compliance Questions and Answers