SPE Health, Safety, and Environment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) in petroleum operations?
- To assign blame after an incident occurs
- To identify hazards and controls before a task begins (Correct answer)
- To document equipment maintenance schedules
- To calculate production efficiency metrics
Correct answer: To identify hazards and controls before a task begins
A JSA proactively identifies hazards and establishes controls for each step of a task before work begins.
Question 2: Under OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, what quantity of flammable liquid triggers coverage if the fluid is at or above its normal boiling point?
- 1,000 pounds
- 5,000 pounds
- 10,000 pounds (Correct answer)
- 25,000 pounds
Correct answer: 10,000 pounds
OSHA PSM (29 CFR 1910.119) covers flammable liquids at or above their normal boiling point at a threshold of 10,000 pounds.
Question 3: Which H2S concentration level is considered immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) by NIOSH?
- 10 ppm
- 50 ppm
- 100 ppm (Correct answer)
- 300 ppm
Correct answer: 100 ppm
NIOSH sets the IDLH for hydrogen sulfide at 100 ppm, above which escape becomes impaired or life-threatening.
Question 4: In the hierarchy of hazard controls, which option provides the highest level of worker protection?
- Administrative controls
- Personal protective equipment
- Engineering controls
- Elimination of the hazard (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Elimination of the hazard
Elimination removes the hazard entirely and sits at the top of the hierarchy, providing the greatest protection.
Question 5: A Material Safety Data Sheet (now Safety Data Sheet under GHS) Section 9 contains which type of information?
- Regulatory information
- First-aid measures
- Physical and chemical properties (Correct answer)
- Toxicological information
Correct answer: Physical and chemical properties
GHS SDS Section 9 covers physical and chemical properties such as boiling point, flash point, and vapor pressure.
Question 6: What does the acronym ALARP stand for in petroleum industry risk management?
- As Low As Reasonably Practicable (Correct answer)
- All Levels Are Risk Protected
- Allowable Limit After Risk Planning
- Absolute Lower Acceptable Risk Parameter
Correct answer: As Low As Reasonably Practicable
ALARP means As Low As Reasonably Practicable, requiring risk reduction until further reduction is grossly disproportionate to the benefit.
Question 7: Which regulatory body oversees offshore safety and environmental compliance for oil and gas operations on the US Outer Continental Shelf?
- EPA
- OSHA
- BSEE (Correct answer)
- Coast Guard
Correct answer: BSEE
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has primary authority over offshore oil and gas safety and environmental regulations on the US OCS.
SPE Health, Safety, and Environment 2
What is the primary purpose of a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) in petroleum operations?