PHRca CA Health and Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: California requires employers to keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses on Form 300. How long must these logs be retained?
- 3 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- 7 years
- 10 years
Correct answer: 5 years
California employers must retain injury and illness records (Cal/OSHA 300 logs, 300A summaries, and 301 incident reports) for five years.
Question 2: Which California law requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide a written chemical hazard communication program to workers?
- California Hazard Communication Regulation (CCR Title 8, Section 5194) (Correct answer)
- California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (Proposition 65)
- California Occupational Safety and Health Act (Cal/OSH Act)
- California Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Correct answer: California Hazard Communication Regulation (CCR Title 8, Section 5194)
CCR Title 8 Section 5194, California's Hazard Communication standard (HazCom), requires a written program, Safety Data Sheets, and employee training on chemical hazards.
Question 3: Under California's Indoor Heat Illness Prevention regulation (effective 2024), what indoor temperature triggers employer cooling obligations?
- 82°F
- 87°F
- 90°F (Correct answer)
- 95°F
Correct answer: 90°F
California's indoor heat illness rule (CCR Title 8, Section 3396) requires cooling measures when indoor temperatures reach or exceed 82°F for rest areas and 87°F for work areas; stricter controls begin at 95°F.
Question 4: A California employer wants to establish a medical monitoring program for employees exposed to lead. Which Cal/OSHA standard governs this requirement?
- CCR Title 8, Section 5198 (Lead) (Correct answer)
- CCR Title 8, Section 5194 (HazCom)
- CCR Title 8, Section 5155 (Air Contaminants)
- CCR Title 8, Section 3204 (Access to Medical Records)
Correct answer: CCR Title 8, Section 5198 (Lead)
CCR Title 8 Section 5198 (Lead standard) mandates biological monitoring and medical surveillance for employees with significant lead exposure.
Question 5: Under Proposition 65 (California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act), what must an employer provide before knowingly exposing an employee to a listed chemical?
- A Material Safety Data Sheet
- A clear and reasonable warning (Correct answer)
- Written consent from the employee
- A substitute non-toxic chemical
Correct answer: A clear and reasonable warning
Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide a clear and reasonable warning before knowingly exposing anyone to a listed chemical that can cause cancer or reproductive harm.
Question 6: Which entity must approve an employer's variance from a Cal/OSHA standard in California?
- The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) (Correct answer)
- The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB)
- The California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board (OSHAB)
- The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
Correct answer: The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH/Cal/OSHA) has authority to grant temporary and permanent variances from Cal/OSHA standards.
Question 7: California's IIPP regulation (CCR Title 8, Section 3203) requires which communication mechanism for employees to report safety concerns?
- A toll-free hotline managed by Cal/OSHA
- A system that allows anonymous reporting without fear of reprisal (Correct answer)
- Monthly written safety reports submitted to HR
- Quarterly all-hands safety meetings
Correct answer: A system that allows anonymous reporting without fear of reprisal
The IIPP must include a system that allows employees to communicate freely about safety and health matters without fear of reprisal, which may include anonymous reporting.
PHRca CA Health and Safety 3
California requires employers to keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses on Form 300.
How long must these logs be retained?