SSP Environmental Health & Safety 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OSHA standard requires employers to develop and implement a written Respiratory Protection Program when respirators are required?
- 29 CFR 1910.132
- 29 CFR 1910.134 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.146
- 29 CFR 1910.119
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.134
29 CFR 1910.134 is OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard, which mandates a written program including medical evaluation, fit testing, and training when respirators are necessary.
Question 2: A facility experiences a release of a hazardous chemical that exceeds its reportable quantity (RQ). Under CERCLA, the initial notification must be made to:
- State emergency response commission only
- Local fire department only
- National Response Center (NRC) (Correct answer)
- EPA Regional Office within 24 hours
Correct answer: National Response Center (NRC)
Under CERCLA Section 103, releases of hazardous substances in quantities equal to or greater than the RQ must be immediately reported to the National Response Center (NRC).
Question 3: Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for use on energized electrical equipment fires (Class C)?
- Water extinguisher
- AFFF foam extinguisher
- CO2 or dry chemical extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Class K wet chemical extinguisher
Correct answer: CO2 or dry chemical extinguisher
CO2 and dry chemical extinguishers are non-conductive and rated for Class C (energized electrical) fires; water and foam are conductive and can cause electrocution.
Question 4: Under OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, which chemical triggers PSM coverage when stored at or above 10,000 pounds?
- Chlorine
- Flammable liquids with a flash point below 100°F (Correct answer)
- Anhydrous ammonia
- All of the above except chlorine
Correct answer: Flammable liquids with a flash point below 100°F
Under PSM (29 CFR 1910.119), flammable liquids and gases present in quantities of 10,000 lbs or more at or above their boiling point trigger coverage; individual highly hazardous chemicals have their own specific threshold quantities.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan under the Clean Water Act?
- Regulate air emissions from petroleum storage tanks
- Prevent oil from reaching navigable US waters and adjoining shorelines (Correct answer)
- Establish reporting requirements for chemical releases under CERCLA
- Control stormwater runoff at construction sites
Correct answer: Prevent oil from reaching navigable US waters and adjoining shorelines
The SPCC rule (40 CFR Part 112) requires facilities with oil in quantities above threshold to have plans that prevent oil discharges from reaching navigable US waters.
Question 6: Which ergonomic risk factor is most strongly associated with the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace?
- Adequate rest breaks
- Repetitive motion combined with forceful exertion (Correct answer)
- Proper workstation lighting
- Use of anti-fatigue matting
Correct answer: Repetitive motion combined with forceful exertion
Repetitive motion combined with forceful exertion and awkward postures are the primary ergonomic risk factors linked to MSDs such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis.
Question 7: Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA has authority to:
- Regulate pesticides and their application
- Regulate chemical substances and mixtures for unreasonable risk to health or environment (Correct answer)
- Set occupational exposure limits for chemical hazards
- Manage the storage of hazardous waste at TSDFs
Correct answer: Regulate chemical substances and mixtures for unreasonable risk to health or environment
TSCA authorizes EPA to require reporting, record-keeping, and testing of chemical substances and mixtures, and to restrict those that pose unreasonable risks to health or the environment.
SSP Environmental Health & Safety 4
Which OSHA standard requires employers to develop and implement a written Respiratory Protection Program when respirators are required?