CES Ergonomic Standards & Regulations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which U.S. federal agency has primary authority over workplace ergonomic hazards in general industry?
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) (Correct answer)
- NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
- ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
Correct answer: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
OSHA enforces workplace safety regulations under the OSH Act, including ergonomic hazards through the General Duty Clause when specific standards are absent.
Question 2: Under OSHA's General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)), when can ergonomic hazards be cited?
- When recognized hazards cause or are likely to cause serious harm and feasible abatement exists (Correct answer)
- Only when a specific ergonomic standard has been violated
- Exclusively after a workplace fatality occurs
- Only if the employer has more than 100 employees
Correct answer: When recognized hazards cause or are likely to cause serious harm and feasible abatement exists
The General Duty Clause allows OSHA to cite ergonomic hazards when they are recognized, likely to cause serious physical harm, and feasible methods of abatement exist.
Question 3: Which NIOSH document provides the revised lifting equation used to calculate the Recommended Weight Limit (RWL)?
- Applications Manual for the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation (1994) (Correct answer)
- OSHA 3123 Ergonomic Guidelines
- ACGIH TLV Handbook
- ANSI Z365 Standard
Correct answer: Applications Manual for the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation (1994)
The 1994 NIOSH Applications Manual presents the revised lifting equation and multipliers used to calculate the RWL and Lifting Index for manual handling assessment.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for hand-arm vibration?
- Establishing exposure limits to prevent hand-arm vibration syndrome in workers (Correct answer)
- Setting maximum power tool weight limits
- Defining grip force requirements for tool handles
- Regulating tool purchase decisions in industry
Correct answer: Establishing exposure limits to prevent hand-arm vibration syndrome in workers
ACGIH TLVs for hand-arm vibration define daily vibration exposure limits designed to protect workers from developing hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and related disorders.
Question 5: Which ANSI standard specifically addresses ergonomics for video display terminal (VDT) workstations?
- ANSI/HFES 100 (Correct answer)
- ANSI Z10
- ANSI A10.32
- ANSI/AIHA Z9.7
Correct answer: ANSI/HFES 100
ANSI/HFES 100 (Human Factors Engineering of Computer Workstations) provides standards and guidelines for VDT workstation design including visual, hardware, and environmental elements.
Question 6: What does the ISO 9241 standard series primarily address?
- Ergonomics of human-system interaction including displays and input devices (Correct answer)
- Manual material handling weight limits
- Personal protective equipment design
- Chemical exposure limits in workplaces
Correct answer: Ergonomics of human-system interaction including displays and input devices
ISO 9241 covers ergonomics of human-system interaction, providing guidelines for display design, input devices, software interfaces, and workstation usability.
CES Ergonomic Standards & Regulations 1
Which U.S. federal agency has primary authority over workplace ergonomic hazards in general industry?