PSI Workplace Safety and Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, what must appear on every chemical container label?
- Product name, signal word, and hazard pictograms (Correct answer)
- Manufacturer's phone number only
- Employee handling instructions
- The date the chemical was manufactured
Correct answer: Product name, signal word, and hazard pictograms
OSHA's HazCom Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires labels to include the product identifier, signal word, hazard pictograms, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and supplier information.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
- To list the price of hazardous chemicals
- To provide detailed hazard and safe handling information for chemicals (Correct answer)
- To record workplace injuries related to chemical exposure
- To document employee training on chemical use
Correct answer: To provide detailed hazard and safe handling information for chemicals
An SDS provides comprehensive information about a chemical substance including hazards, safe handling, storage, disposal, and emergency response procedures.
Question 3: Which OSHA standard establishes the requirement for employers to provide a written Hazard Communication Program?
- 29 CFR 1910.147
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1926.502
- 29 CFR 1910.132
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.1200
29 CFR 1910.1200, the Hazard Communication Standard, requires employers to maintain a written program explaining how they will comply with labeling, SDS, and training requirements.
Question 4: An employee is exposed to a chemical with a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 ppm as an 8-hour TWA. If air monitoring shows 60 ppm, what action is required?
- Document the exposure and continue working
- Immediately implement controls to reduce exposure below the PEL (Correct answer)
- Evacuate the entire facility
- Require employees to hold their breath while working
Correct answer: Immediately implement controls to reduce exposure below the PEL
When exposure exceeds the OSHA PEL, employers must immediately implement engineering controls, administrative controls, or provide appropriate PPE to bring exposure below the limit.
Question 5: Which type of ventilation is most effective at controlling airborne chemical hazards at their source?
- General dilution ventilation
- Local exhaust ventilation (Correct answer)
- Natural ventilation through open windows
- Recirculating HVAC systems
Correct answer: Local exhaust ventilation
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) captures contaminants at or near the source before they disperse into the work area, making it more effective than dilution ventilation for hazardous chemicals.
Question 6: What does the hierarchy of controls prioritize as the MOST effective method for eliminating workplace hazards?
- Personal protective equipment
- Administrative controls
- Elimination of the hazard (Correct answer)
- Engineering controls
Correct answer: Elimination of the hazard
The hierarchy of controls ranks elimination (physically removing the hazard) as the most effective control because it completely removes the risk rather than managing it.
Question 7: Under OSHA regulations, how long must exposure monitoring records for toxic substances be retained?
- 1 year
- 5 years
- 30 years (Correct answer)
- Indefinitely
Correct answer: 30 years
OSHA requires that employee exposure records for toxic substances be retained for at least 30 years to allow for detection of long-latency occupational diseases.
PSI Workplace Safety and Compliance 2
Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, what must appear on every chemical container label?