CHST Health Hazards and PPE 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the 'action level' for noise under OSHA's Hearing Conservation Amendment (29 CFR 1910.95)?
- 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA (Correct answer)
- 90 dBA as an 8-hour TWA
- 100 dBA peak sound pressure
- 80 dBA as an 8-hour TWA
Correct answer: 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA
The OSHA action level for noise is 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA, which triggers audiometric testing and hearing conservation program requirements.
Question 2: A construction worker experiences sudden loss of sensation in fingers after extended use of a jackhammer. This condition is MOST likely:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) (Correct answer)
- Raynaud's disease
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
Correct answer: Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) results from prolonged use of vibrating tools and causes vascular and neurological damage to fingers and hands.
Question 3: Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, what information must appear on the inner container label of a hazardous chemical?
- Only the product identifier
- Product identifier, signal word, hazard pictograms, precautionary statements, and supplier information (Correct answer)
- Safety Data Sheet number and emergency contact only
- Product identifier and GHS hazard class number only
Correct answer: Product identifier, signal word, hazard pictograms, precautionary statements, and supplier information
GHS-aligned labels must include the product identifier, signal word, hazard pictograms, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and supplier identification.
Question 4: Which class of fire extinguisher is specifically required when a chemical fire involves energized electrical equipment?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class C
Class C extinguishers use non-conductive agents appropriate for fires involving energized electrical equipment.
Question 5: A worker on a demolition project is exposed to asbestos-containing materials. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, the minimum PPE required for Class I asbestos work includes:
- Half-face APF respirator with P100 filters and disposable coveralls
- Supplied-air respirator in pressure-demand mode and full-body protective clothing with hood (Correct answer)
- PAPR with HEPA filter and regular work clothes
- N100 disposable respirator and chemical-resistant gloves
Correct answer: Supplied-air respirator in pressure-demand mode and full-body protective clothing with hood
Class I asbestos work (removal of TSI or surfacing ACM) requires a supplied-air respirator in pressure-demand mode and full protective clothing including hood and gloves.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) related to health hazards on a construction site?
- To assign blame when an injury occurs
- To systematically identify hazards for each task step and determine appropriate controls before work begins (Correct answer)
- To document injuries for OSHA recordkeeping
- To satisfy insurance requirements for project bonding
Correct answer: To systematically identify hazards for each task step and determine appropriate controls before work begins
A JHA proactively identifies health and safety hazards associated with each step of a task and establishes controls to eliminate or minimize exposure before work begins.
Question 7: A safety technician notices workers mixing two cleaning chemicals that produce chlorine gas. The FIRST action should be:
- Issue air-purifying respirators to exposed workers immediately
- Stop the work, evacuate the area, and ventilate before investigating the SDS (Correct answer)
- Document the incident and report to the site supervisor at end of shift
- Test the air with a colorimetric tube and continue if below PEL
Correct answer: Stop the work, evacuate the area, and ventilate before investigating the SDS
An immediately dangerous gas release requires stopping work and evacuation as the first action to protect workers before any other measures are taken.
CHST Health Hazards and PPE 5
Which of the following best describes the 'action level' for noise under OSHA's Hearing Conservation Amendment (29 CFR 1910.95)?