Health Hazards and Hygiene Flashcards

A worker on a demolition project is experiencing confusion, slurred speech, and has hot, dry skin. The supervisor suspects a heat-related illness. Which condition is most likely, and what is the most critical immediate action?

Answer: Heat stroke; call 911 immediately and begin cooling the worker.

The symptoms of confusion, slurred speech, and hot, dry skin are classic signs of heat stroke, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. The priority is to call for professional medical help (911) and immediately start cooling the person's body to prevent severe damage to vital organs.

According to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.62, which of the following triggers the requirement for an employer to implement specific compliance activities, such as periodic air monitoring and medical surveillance, for lead exposure?

Answer: When employee exposure meets or exceeds the Action Level (AL) of 30 µg/m³.

OSHA's standard for lead in construction (29 CFR 1926.62) establishes an Action Level (AL) of 30 µg/m³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Reaching or exceeding this level, even if it is below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), requires the employer to initiate actions like air monitoring and medical surveillance to protect workers.

A supervisor is setting up a new construction site that will have 35 employees working during the main shift. According to OSHA standard 1926.51, what is the minimum number of toilet facilities required?

Answer: 2 toilets

OSHA's sanitation standard for construction, 1926.51(c), requires one toilet for the first 20 or fewer workers. For 21 to 200 workers, the standard requires 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers. Since 35 workers falls between 21 and 40, one toilet and one urinal would be compliant, but the minimum number of *facilities* is determined by the ratio. With 35 workers, you need facilities for the first 20 (1 toilet) and then the next 15, which falls into the next tier, requiring a second facility. Therefore, 2 toilets are the minimum requirement.

During an asbestos abatement project, which of the following is a critical engineering control used to prevent the spread of asbestos fibers outside the work area?

Answer: Establishing a negative air pressure enclosure with HEPA filtration.

While respirators (PPE), wetting materials (work practice), and proper bagging (disposal) are all crucial parts of asbestos abatement, the primary engineering control to contain the hazard is the use of a negative air pressure enclosure. This system uses HEPA-filtered machines to ensure that air flows into the work area, not out, preventing contaminated airborne fibers from escaping and contaminating other parts of the building.

Which of the following is a key component of a basic hygiene program on a construction site to prevent the spread of infectious diseases?

Answer: Providing accessible handwashing stations with soap and clean water.

The most fundamental aspect of hygiene to prevent disease spread is frequent and thorough handwashing. OSHA and general health guidelines mandate that employers provide handwashing facilities with soap and clean water, especially near toilet facilities and where workers are exposed to contaminants. Hand sanitizer is a supplement, not a replacement, for washing with soap and water.

OSHA's standard for respirable crystalline silica in construction (1926.1153) established a new, lower Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). What is the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) PEL for respirable crystalline silica?

Answer: 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³)

The current OSHA standard, 1926.1153, significantly reduced the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m³), averaged over an 8-hour shift. The standard also established an action level of 25 µg/m³.