Safe Handling and Exposure Flashcards
6 cards from real WHMIS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Safe Handling and Exposure flashcards as text
When implementing safety measures for a hazardous product, which of the following represents the most effective type of control according to the hierarchy of controls?
Answer: Eliminating the hazardous product or substituting it with a less hazardous one.
The hierarchy of controls ranks hazard control methods from most to least effective. Eliminating the hazard entirely or substituting it with a safer alternative is the most effective and preferred approach because it removes the risk at the source.
A worker is required to handle a chemical whose Safety Data Sheet (SDS) specifies the use of nitrile gloves. The only gloves available are standard leather work gloves. What is the appropriate course of action?
Answer: Inform their supervisor that the specified PPE is unavailable and do not proceed with the task.
The specific type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) listed in the SDS (Section 8) is mandatory for safe handling. If the required PPE is not available, the task must not be performed. The worker has a responsibility to inform their supervisor to obtain the correct equipment before starting the work.
An employee accidentally splashes a hazardous liquid, which they know is corrosive, onto their arm. What is the most critical and immediate action they should take?
Answer: Proceed to an emergency shower or flushing station and rinse the affected area with large amounts of water.
For corrosive chemical exposures to the skin or eyes, the immediate priority is to flush the area with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes to dilute and remove the chemical. All other steps, such as notifying a supervisor and consulting the SDS, should happen after this critical first-aid measure has begun.
Which of the following is the best example of an engineering control used to minimize exposure to airborne contaminants from a hazardous product?
Answer: A local exhaust ventilation system, such as a fume hood.
An engineering control is a physical modification to the workplace that isolates workers from the hazard. A local exhaust ventilation system physically captures and removes the contaminant from the air before it can be inhaled. Respirators are PPE, while shorter shifts and warning signs are types of administrative controls.
A worker must store a container of a flammable liquid and a container of a strong oxidizing agent. According to general safe handling principles under WHMIS, what should the worker do?
Answer: Store them in separate, designated areas or in a cabinet that provides segregation for incompatible materials.
Oxidizers can cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials, especially flammables, creating a significant fire or explosion risk. It is a critical safe storage practice to segregate incompatible chemicals according to the instructions found on their respective SDSs (Section 7).
Which of the following is a primary example of an administrative control for managing exposure to hazardous products?
Answer: Developing and enforcing written safe work procedures.
Administrative controls are changes to work practices, policies, or procedures that reduce exposure. Developing and enforcing safe work procedures is a core administrative control that dictates how people must work around a hazard. A splash guard is an engineering control, an apron is PPE, and replacing the solvent is substitution.