Hazard Identification and Control Flashcards
6 cards from real STSC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Hazard Identification and Control flashcards as text
A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) has identified that a specific task requires workers to use a solvent-based paint with high VOCs inside a poorly ventilated space. According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following is the most effective measure to protect the workers?
Answer: Using a water-based, low-VOC paint instead.
The hierarchy of controls prioritizes hazard control methods from most to least effective. Substitution, which involves replacing a hazardous material or process with a less hazardous one, is more effective than engineering controls (exhaust fan), administrative controls (shorter shifts), or Personal Protective Equipment (respirators).
A construction supervisor is reviewing safety metrics to proactively identify and address potential risks before incidents occur. Which of the following is a leading indicator of safety performance?
Answer: Number of safety observations and near-miss reports submitted.
Leading indicators are proactive, forward-looking measures that track activities designed to prevent incidents. The number of safety observations and near-miss reports is a leading indicator because it reflects active employee engagement in identifying hazards before they cause an accident. TRIR, DART rate, and compensation costs are all lagging indicators, as they measure past incidents and outcomes.
During a daily site inspection, a supervisor notices a large, unmarked puddle of clear liquid on a concrete walkway in a high-traffic area. What is the supervisor's most immediate and appropriate first step?
Answer: Barricade the area and post a warning sign.
The most immediate priority in hazard control is to prevent employee exposure to the identified hazard. Barricading the area and posting a warning sign isolates the hazard and warns others, which is the first crucial step to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Investigating the source and cleaning the spill are necessary subsequent steps, but the immediate control is to prevent access.
Which of the following is a key component of an OSHA-compliant Hazard Communication (HazCom) program on a construction site?
Answer: Ensuring Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for all hazardous chemicals are readily accessible to employees.
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200 and 1926.59) requires employers to maintain a written program that includes labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for all hazardous chemicals, and employee training. Making SDSs readily accessible is a fundamental right for workers and a core requirement of the standard.
A crew is tasked with installing siding on a two-story building. The supervisor must decide on the primary method for fall protection. Applying the hierarchy of controls, what would be considered an engineering control?
Answer: Erecting scaffolding with guardrails around the work area.
Engineering controls are physical changes to the workplace that isolate people from the hazard. Scaffolding with guardrails is a physical structure that provides a barrier between the worker and the fall hazard. Personal fall arrest systems are PPE, training is an administrative control, and scheduling is also an administrative control.
What is the primary purpose of conducting a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) before starting a new construction task?
Answer: To proactively identify potential hazards and establish controls to prevent incidents.
The fundamental purpose of a JHA (also known as a Job Safety Analysis or JSA) is to be a proactive tool. It involves systematically evaluating a job task to identify potential hazards and then determining the safest way to perform the task by implementing specific control measures.