ASP - Associate Safety Professional Workplace Ergonomics Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An assembly line worker is required to use a pistol-grip vibrating power tool for several hours a day. Which of the following ergonomic risk factors is the PRIMARY concern for this task?
- Repetitive motion
- Awkward posture
- Contact stress
- Vibration (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Vibration
The primary ergonomic concern associated with prolonged use of vibrating power tools is exposure to vibration, which can lead to conditions like Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). While other risk factors may be present, the tool's inherent vibration is the most significant hazard.
Question 2: A safety professional is evaluating a manual lifting task where a 40-pound box is lifted from the floor to a conveyor belt. To quantitatively assess the risk of a back injury, which of the following is the most appropriate tool to use?
- Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)
- Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
- NIOSH Lifting Equation (Correct answer)
- OSHA 300 Log
Correct answer: NIOSH Lifting Equation
The NIOSH Lifting Equation is specifically designed to quantitatively evaluate the risk of low-back injury associated with two-handed manual lifting tasks. It calculates a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) to compare against the actual weight being lifted.
Question 3: Which of the following is the BEST example of an engineering control to mitigate ergonomic risks in an office setting?
- Providing employees with an adjustable-height desk. (Correct answer)
- Training employees on proper sitting posture.
- Implementing a policy for mandatory 5-minute stretch breaks every hour.
- Rotating employees between data entry and filing tasks.
Correct answer: Providing employees with an adjustable-height desk.
An adjustable-height desk is an engineering control because it physically changes the workstation to fit the employee, reducing risks associated with static postures. Training, stretch breaks, and job rotation are administrative controls.
Question 4: A distribution center has identified that employees are suffering from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) related to awkward postures when packing boxes. All of the following are ergonomic principles for workspace design that could address this issue EXCEPT:
- Keeping materials and tools within easy reach.
- Using adjustable height workbenches and platforms.
- Providing anti-fatigue matting for all workstations. (Correct answer)
- Designing tasks to be performed at or near elbow height.
Correct answer: Providing anti-fatigue matting for all workstations.
While anti-fatigue matting is a beneficial ergonomic intervention for reducing fatigue from prolonged standing, it does not directly address the risk factor of awkward postures during packing tasks. The other options all directly relate to designing the workspace to improve posture and reduce reaching.
Question 5: An employee who spends most of their day performing data entry at a computer workstation reports experiencing pain and numbness in their wrist and hand. These symptoms are most commonly associated with which work-related musculoskeletal disorder?
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Raynaud's syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common musculoskeletal disorder caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. It is frequently associated with repetitive hand and wrist motions, such as typing, and its symptoms include pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers.
Question 6: When developing a comprehensive workplace ergonomics program, which of the following elements should be included FIRST to ensure the program is effective and addresses actual workplace issues?
- Medical management for injured employees.
- Training and education for all staff.
- Worksite analysis and hazard identification. (Correct answer)
- Procurement of new ergonomic equipment.
Correct answer: Worksite analysis and hazard identification.
The foundational step in any effective ergonomics program is to perform a worksite analysis to identify existing hazards and risk factors. This proactive approach ensures that subsequent actions, such as training, equipment procurement, and medical management, are targeted at the specific ergonomic issues present in the workplace.
ASP - Associate Safety Professional Workplace Ergonomics Questions and Answers 1
An assembly line worker is required to use a pistol-grip vibrating power tool for several hours a day.
Which of the following ergonomic risk factors is the PRIMARY concern for this task?