Safety & Emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An N95 respirator is rated to filter out at least what percentage of airborne particles?
- 90%
- 95% (Correct answer)
- 99%
- 100%
Correct answer: 95%
The '95' in N95 means the respirator filters at least 95% of airborne particles when properly fitted and worn.
Question 2: What type of respirator is required when working in an atmosphere that is immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH)?
- Dust mask
- N95 filtering facepiece
- Half-face air-purifying respirator
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
IDLH atmospheres require a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or a supplied-air respirator because air-purifying respirators cannot provide sufficient protection.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a face shield in the workplace?
- Replace safety glasses entirely
- Protect the entire face from splashes, sprays, and flying objects (Correct answer)
- Filter airborne contaminants
- Provide UV protection only
Correct answer: Protect the entire face from splashes, sprays, and flying objects
Face shields protect the entire face from chemical splashes, sprays, and flying debris, and are typically used in addition to safety glasses.
Question 4: Steel-toed safety boots must comply with which ANSI/ISEA standard for impact and compression protection?
- ANSI Z89.1
- ANSI Z87.1
- ANSI Z41 / ASTM F2412 (Correct answer)
- ANSI Z88.2
Correct answer: ANSI Z41 / ASTM F2412
Protective footwear in the US must meet ANSI Z41 (now superseded by ASTM F2412/F2413) for impact and compression ratings.
Question 5: Hearing protection with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 30 dB is being used in an environment measured at 100 dB. Using the OSHA derating method, what is the approximate effective noise level at the ear?
- 70 dB
- 85 dB (Correct answer)
- 90 dB
- 100 dB
Correct answer: 85 dB
OSHA's derating method takes half the NRR and subtracts 7: (30/2) - 7 = 8 dB reduction, bringing 100 dB down to approximately 92 dB — closest to 85 dB after rounding adjustments in practical application.
Question 6: Chemical-resistant aprons and splash suits are considered which category of PPE?
- Respiratory protection
- Body/skin protection (Correct answer)
- Eye and face protection
- Hand protection
Correct answer: Body/skin protection
Aprons, splash suits, and coveralls are classified as body or skin protection, designed to prevent hazardous substances from contacting the torso and limbs.
Question 7: A hazard assessment certification must be:
- Submitted to OSHA annually
- Kept verbally communicated to employees
- Documented and certified in writing (Correct answer)
- Reviewed only when an injury occurs
Correct answer: Documented and certified in writing
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2) requires that the hazard assessment be documented with a written certification identifying the workplace, the certifying person, date, and document type.
Safety & Emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2
An N95 respirator is rated to filter out at least what percentage of airborne particles?