PAS Workplace Ergonomic Interventions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When conducting a workstation ergonomic assessment, which seated posture guideline is most critical for preventing lumbar strain?
- Hips flexed at 90° with lumbar support maintaining natural lordosis (Correct answer)
- Hips flexed beyond 110° to reduce disc pressure
- Knees elevated above hip level to reduce hamstring tension
- Pelvis tilted posteriorly to flatten the lumbar curve
Correct answer: Hips flexed at 90° with lumbar support maintaining natural lordosis
Maintaining 90° hip flexion with lumbar support preserves the natural lordotic curve and minimizes lumbar disc compression.
Question 2: A client who works at a standing desk reports foot and calf fatigue after 2 hours. The MOST effective ergonomic intervention is:
- Switching to an anti-fatigue mat and encouraging weight-shifting (Correct answer)
- Raising the desk height by 4 inches
- Wearing compression stockings only
- Reducing standing time to 30-minute blocks without a mat
Correct answer: Switching to an anti-fatigue mat and encouraging weight-shifting
Anti-fatigue mats reduce ground reaction forces and encouraging weight-shifting activates postural muscles to reduce static loading.
Question 3: For a typist experiencing wrist extensor strain, which keyboard positioning change is the priority ergonomic fix?
- Position keyboard so wrists remain neutral (neither flexed nor extended) (Correct answer)
- Tilt keyboard upward at 15° to reduce ulnar deviation
- Place keyboard in lap to increase shoulder relaxation
- Angle keyboard inward 30° to reduce forearm pronation
Correct answer: Position keyboard so wrists remain neutral (neither flexed nor extended)
Neutral wrist positioning eliminates extensor overload caused by chronic wrist extension during typing.
Question 4: In a PAS ergonomic intervention, which finding would MOST indicate the need to adjust monitor height?
- Client consistently tilts the head back 15–20° to view the screen (Correct answer)
- Client's eyes are level with the top third of the monitor
- Client sits 24 inches from a 24-inch monitor
- Client blinks less than 15 times per minute
Correct answer: Client consistently tilts the head back 15–20° to view the screen
Chronic cervical extension from a low monitor causes upper cervical and suboccipital strain requiring height correction.
Question 5: A dental hygienist has chronic right shoulder elevation from instrument handling. The BEST ergonomic correction targets:
- Lowering the patient chair so the arm hangs near 20° abduction rather than exceeding 30° (Correct answer)
- Raising the patient chair to reduce elbow flexion
- Using a wider grip instrument to decrease pinch force
- Applying kinesiology tape to the upper trapezius during procedures
Correct answer: Lowering the patient chair so the arm hangs near 20° abduction rather than exceeding 30°
Keeping arm abduction under 30° reduces upper trapezius activation and prevents sustained shoulder elevation.
Question 6: Which principle of participatory ergonomics distinguishes it from traditional expert-driven ergonomic assessment?
- Workers actively identify hazards and co-design solutions with specialists (Correct answer)
- A certified ergonomist conducts all assessments without employee input
- Management sets ergonomic standards based on OSHA minimums only
- Interventions are applied uniformly across all workstations
Correct answer: Workers actively identify hazards and co-design solutions with specialists
Participatory ergonomics engages end-users in problem identification and solution design, increasing compliance and effectiveness.
Question 7: A construction worker develops neck pain from prolonged overhead work. The MOST effective ergonomic intervention is:
- Providing a work platform that elevates the task to chest-to-shoulder height (Correct answer)
- Recommending a cervical collar during overhead work
- Scheduling overhead tasks for the end of the shift when the worker is warmed up
- Increasing break frequency from every 2 hours to every 90 minutes only
Correct answer: Providing a work platform that elevates the task to chest-to-shoulder height
Repositioning the task to chest-to-shoulder height eliminates sustained cervical extension and shoulder elevation.
PAS Workplace Ergonomic Interventions 2
When conducting a workstation ergonomic assessment, which seated posture guideline is most critical for preventing lumbar strain?