SSP Occupational Health & Hazard Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are most commonly associated with which ergonomic risk factor combination?
- Noise and vibration
- Force, repetition, and awkward posture (Correct answer)
- Temperature extremes and humidity
- Lighting levels and glare
Correct answer: Force, repetition, and awkward posture
The triad of force, repetition, and awkward posture are the primary ergonomic risk factors linked to work-related MSDs.
Question 2: What does the term 'permissible exposure limit' (PEL) represent in occupational health?
- The concentration below which no adverse health effect will occur in any worker
- The legal maximum airborne concentration of a substance for an 8-hour workday (Correct answer)
- The recommended guideline set by ACGIH for industrial hygienists
- The emergency response threshold for acute chemical exposures
Correct answer: The legal maximum airborne concentration of a substance for an 8-hour workday
PELs are legally enforceable OSHA limits representing the maximum allowable airborne concentration over an 8-hour TWA.
Question 3: Which OSHA standard requires employers to maintain a written program for controlling hazardous energy during equipment servicing?
- 29 CFR 1910.119 (PSM)
- 29 CFR 1910.132 (PPE)
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (LOTO) (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.146 (Permit-Required Confined Spaces)
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.147 (LOTO)
The Control of Hazardous Energy standard (29 CFR 1910.147) requires a written energy control program, also known as lockout/tagout (LOTO).
Question 4: Heat stress illness progression from least to most severe is:
- Heat cramps → heat exhaustion → heat stroke (Correct answer)
- Heat rash → heat syncope → heat cramps
- Heat syncope → heat cramps → heat exhaustion
- Heat exhaustion → heat cramps → heat stroke
Correct answer: Heat cramps → heat exhaustion → heat stroke
The typical progression of heat-related illness severity goes from heat cramps to heat exhaustion to life-threatening heat stroke.
Question 5: Which respiratory protection program element does OSHA require be documented in writing?
- Qualitative fit testing results only
- The written respiratory protection program itself (Correct answer)
- Employee medical evaluation responses
- Respirator maintenance logs
Correct answer: The written respiratory protection program itself
29 CFR 1910.134 requires employers to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program tailored to the workplace.
Question 6: When conducting a job hazard analysis (JHA), what is the correct sequence of steps?
- Identify hazards → select job → break into steps → propose controls
- Select job → break into steps → identify hazards → propose controls (Correct answer)
- Propose controls → identify hazards → break into steps → select job
- Break into steps → select job → propose controls → identify hazards
Correct answer: Select job → break into steps → identify hazards → propose controls
A JHA follows the sequence: select the job, break it into steps, identify hazards for each step, then propose controls.
Question 7: A facility stores more than 10,000 pounds of a highly hazardous chemical. Which OSHA standard most likely applies?
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 (HazCom)
- 29 CFR 1910.119 (PSM) (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.38 (Emergency Action Plans)
- 29 CFR 1910.1020 (Access to Medical Records)
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.119 (PSM)
OSHA's Process Safety Management standard (29 CFR 1910.119) applies to facilities with threshold quantities of listed highly hazardous chemicals.
SSP Occupational Health & Hazard Control 3
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are most commonly associated with which ergonomic risk factor combination?