Deck 10: Occupational Health and Safety

Question 1

Occupational health and safety inspectors have all of the following powers except

A) issuing orders to stop work.
B) entering a workplace at any time without a warrant or prior notification.
C) imposing jail terms.
D) carrying out safety inspections of workplaces.
E) issuing orders to stop emission of contaminants.

Answer 1

C
imposing jail terms.

Question 2

All of the following are unsafe conditions in a plant except

A) defective equipment.
B) improperly guarded equipment.
C) computers that are not protected from viruses.
D) hazardous procedures in, on, or around machines or equipment.
E) improper illumination such as glare and insufficient light.

Answer 2

C
computers that are not protected from viruses.

Question 3

An attempt to reduce unsafe acts by workers will meet with little success without the commitment of the critical link in the chain of management, namely

A) first-line supervisors.
B) government officials.
C) competitors.
D) company presidents.
E) safety inspectors.

Answer 3

A
first-line supervisors.

Question 4

Most occupational health and safety legislation in Canada has the following features in common except for

A) joint health and safety committees.
B) enforcement of occupational health and safety laws.
C) responsibilities and rights of employers and employees.
D) control of toxic substances.
E) employee drug testing.

Question 5

Most safety experts agree that safety commitment must begin with

A) the rank-and-file employee.
B) work teams.
C) the line supervisor.
D) top management.
E) middle management.

Question 6

The function of joint health and safety committees is to provide a ________ atmosphere where management and labour can work together to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.

A) structured
B) directive
C) non-adversarial
D) collegial
E) supportive

Question 7

Surveys have shown that ____ percent of Canadians believe that workplace accidents are inevitable.

A) 75
B) 52
C) 64
D) 61
E) 50

Question 8

Every jurisdiction in Canada has an interlaced web of legislation that includes

A) human rights, labour relations, and employment standards.
B) labour relations and employment standards.
C) health and safety, human rights, labour relations, and employment standards.
D) health and safety, WHMIS, and employment standards.
E) health and safety and human rights.

Question 9

A supervisor at a mine site sent employees reporting to him into the mine even though he had read a report stating that underground tremors were likely to occur during the time that the employees were in the mine.Three hours into the employees' work shift, a significant tremor occurred causing part of the mine to collapse.One employee was killed and three others were seriously injured.Under what law could the supervisor be charged with a criminal offense?

A) Employment Standards Act
B) Occupational Health and Safety Act
C) the Criminal Code
D) human rights legislation
E) employment standards Legislation

Question 10

The responsibilities of occupational health and safety committees include all of the following except

A) accident investigation.
B) investigation of employee complaints.
C) hazard identification.
D) paying for safety certification programs.
E) dissemination of information about health and safety laws and regulations.

Question 11

Mechanical and physical conditions that cause accidents are referred to as

A) safety risks.
B) hazards.
C) toxic substances.
D) perils.
E) unsafe conditions.

Question 12

Occupational health and safety legislation falls into three categories.One of those categories is

A) WHMIS.
B) workplace injuries.
C) rules for specific industries.
D) protective clothing.
E) safety inspections.

Question 13

Which of the following are the main causes of accidents in organizations?

A) chance occurrences and unsafe conditions
B) unsafe acts on the part of employees
C) chance occurrences, unsafe conditions, and unsafe acts on the part of employees
D) ineffective health and safety committees and cost cutting
E) unsafe conditions and cost cutting

Question 14

If employees have "reasonable cause" to believe that work is dangerous, they have the right under health and safety legislation to

A) ignore their concern.
B) file a lawsuit against the company.
C) ask someone else to do the work.
D) refuse to do the work.
E) go straight to the company president and complain.

Question 15

The "due diligence" requirement in occupational health and safety legislation requires that every reasonable precaution to ensure the health and safety of workers be taken by

A) employers.
B) safety associations.
C) employers and employees.
D) employees.
E) government.

Question 16

The components of WHMIS are

A) public information sessions, MSDS, and employee training.
B) labelling of hazardous material, MSDS, and employee training.
C) labelling of hazardous material, public information sessions, and MSDS.
D) labelling of hazardous material and employee training.
E) MSDS and employee training.

Question 17

Occupational health and safety legislation is based on the principle of

A) due diligence.
B) complexity.
C) participation.
D) joint responsibility.
E) education.

Question 18

Safety and accident prevention concerns managers because

A) work-related accidents figures are staggering.
B) of global competition.
C) cutting costs is essential.
D) customer service is extremely important.
E) employees need to be motivated.

Question 19

You are a newly hired human resources professional at a Canadian Border Services office located near the Halifax Port.Employees often have to board container ships and search their cargo.To which law do you look for Canada-wide standards on hazardous materials in the workplace?

A) VDT/RSI
B) Bill C-45
C) MSDS
D) OHSA
E) WHMIS

Question 20

Health and safety hazard control can be achieved by all of the following except

A) addressing safety issues before injuries occur.
B) refusing to do unsafe work.
C) establishing procedures to ensure that a potential hazard will not reoccur.
D) identifying ways in which a hazardous situation can be prevented by workers.
E) addressing safety issues before accidents happen.

Question 21

You are the new human resources professional at a plastics manufacturing company.Which of the following tests human traits that might be related to accidents on a specific job and could be used to determine whether test scores are related to accidents on the job?

A) intelligence tests
B) literacy tests
C) emotional stability and personality tests
D) measures of muscular coordination and visual skills
E) self-awareness tests

Question 22

A program that takes a proactive approach to employee health and well-being is called

A) workplace accommodation.
B) an employee assistance program.
C) a loss-control program.
D) management by objectives.
E) an employee wellness program.

Question 23

Perhaps the most important and effective thing that an employer can do to reduce workers' compensation costs is to develop an aggressive

A) accident investigation program.
B) loss-control program.
C) health and safety program.
D) return-to-work program.
E) accident-reporting program.

Question 24

Personal characteristics, such as personality and motivation, serve as the basis for certain unsafe "behaviour tendencies," such as

A) creating human resource plans and environmental forces.
B) deciding whether to join or not join a labour union.
C) focusing on detail rather than the "big picture."
D) formulating policy and creating norms.
E) the tendency to take risks.

Question 25

Accidents can be caused by behaviour tendencies and undesirable attitudes that result in

A) occupational hazards.
B) unsafe human conditions.
C) accident-prone acts.
D) unsafe acts.
E) at-risk behaviours.

Question 26

In addition to unsafe conditions, which of the following are work-related factors that contribute to accidents?

A) the psychological climate of the workplace and the work itself
B) the job itself, the work schedule and the psychological climate of the workplace
C) the work schedule and the job itself
D) the work schedule and the psychological climate of the workplace
E) none of the above

Question 27

Amin is the manager of an auto parts manufacturing plant in Oakville, Ontario.The plant has experienced a rise in workplace injuries over the past year.Amin is considering which questions he can ask during candidate interviews.Which of the following questions would not pose a legal risk to the company if he asked it?

A) Have you ever been injured at work?
B) How many workers compensation claims have you filed?
C) Do you know of any reason that you would not be able to perform the essential functions of this job?
D) Have you suffered from a workplace-related illness?
E) Are you currently being compensated for a workplace injury?

Question 28

Unsafe acts can be reduced by using a behavioural approach, specifically

A) discipline.
B) extinction.
C) behaviour modification.
D) positive reinforcement.
E) negative reinforcement.

Question 29

Common indicators of job hazards include all of the following except

A) employee modifications to workstations.
B) an increased number of accidents.
C) low levels of absenteeism and turnover.
D) poor product quality.
E) employee complaints.

Question 30

Workers' compensation premiums for employers are proportional to

A) the safety reputation of the firm.
B) the number of employees in the firm.
C) the location of the workplace.
D) the number of workers' compensation claims (experience rate).
E) the variety of different jobs being done by workers.

Question 31

After a workplace accident occurs, the employer can reduce workers' compensation claims in any of the following ways except by

A) telling the worker to take as much time off as necessary.
B) filing any required accident reports.
C) making it clear to the worker that the employer is interested in the employee and his or her fears and questions.
D) providing first aid and ensuring that the injured worker gets medical attention.
E) documenting the accident.

Question 32

You are the new human resources professional at a plastics manufacturing company.In improving the workplace health and safety program, which basic activities should you focus on?

A) policies and procedures within the department
B) turmoil and morale in the plant
C) healthy labour-management relations
D) pro-union or non-union voting
E) reducing unsafe conditions and unsafe acts

Question 33

Accidents are generally most frequent between the ages of 17 and 28, declining thereafter to reach a low

A) in the late twenties and thirties.
B) in the late forties and fifties.
C) in the late thirties and forties.
D) in the late fifties and sixties.
E) at age 65.

Question 34

Senior management commitment to safety can be demonstrated in all of the following ways except by

A) giving the company safety officer high rank and status.
B) giving safety matters high priority in company meetings.
C) including safety training in new workers' training.
D) minimizing the organization's investment in safety equipment.
E) senior managers being personally involved in safety activities on a routine basis.

Question 35

A person who is accident prone on one job may not be on a different job.Thus, accident proneness is

A) age-related.
B) situational.
C) inherited.
D) consistent.
E) unchanging.

Question 36

Wellness programs take a ________ approach to employee well-being and EAPs take a ________ to employee health issues.

A) proactive; proactive
B) reactive; reactive
C) reactive; proactive
D) proactive; reactive
E) none of the above

Question 37

One researcher concludes that a worker who reacts more quickly than he or she can perceive is

A) less likely to have accidents.
B) no better off with respect to frequency of accidents than others.
C) more likely to have accidents.
D) a safe worker.
E) definitely not accident prone.

Question 38

Many experts believe that the psychological climate of the workplace affects

A) labour relations.
B) the accident rate.
C) the external environmental workforce.
D) teamwork.
E) the management rights clause.

Question 39

Most safety experts and managers know that it is impossible to eliminate accidents just by reducing

A) high-tech firms.
B) automation in the workplace.
C) hours of work.
D) unsafe conditions.
E) gross domestic product.

Question 40

One of the most consistent findings in the literature is that successful safety programs require

A) employee teams.
B) career development.
C) behaviour modification.
D) strong management commitment.
E) achievement.

Question 41

In general, when compared to non-smoking employees, smokers exhibit the following characteristics except for

A) higher disability claims.
B) reduced productivity.
C) endangering of coworkers who breathe smoky air.
D) a greater risk of occupational accidents.
E) higher turnover.

Question 42

There is an erroneous perception that cancer-causing agents in the workplace are

A) affecting men and women in the same way.
B) increasing in significance.
C) affecting management's position in collective bargaining.
D) disappearing.
E) increasing costs for employers.

Question 43

The total depletion of physical and mental resources caused by excessive striving to reach some unrealistic work-related goal is referred to by the term

A) nervous breakdown.
B) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
C) stress-related illness.
D) emotional instability.
E) burnout.

Question 44

The art of fitting the workstation and work tools to the individual is known as

A) retrofitting.
B) workplace accommodation.
C) ergonomics.
D) retooling.
E) due diligence.

Question 45

The two main sources of job stress are

A) a lack of control over work and environmental factors.
B) personal factors and unclear company direction.
C) personal factors and inconsistent performance management.
D) environmental factors and personal factors.
E) environmental factors and poor supervision.

Question 46

Maike is a supervisor of a team of oil rig workers.She has discovered that two of her direct reports have a substance abuse problem.Which of the following actions should she take?

A) Make a written record of observed behaviour and follow up on each incident.
B) Ask the employees to see the HR representative since supervisors are never the company's first line of defence with employee substance abuse issues.
C) Troubled employees should be escorted to the organizational psychologist's office for counselling.
D) Fire the employees if they are unfit to work.
E) Regardless of suspicion of substance abuse, only focus on the work to be performed by the employee.

Question 47

Ergonomics will become more and more important as the workforce ages and requires accommodation of physical changes in all of the following except

A) muscular strength.
B) hand function.
C) vision.
D) tolerance for pain.
E) cardiovascular capacity.

Question 48

In Canada, when dealing with alcohol and substance abuse, employers must balance conflicting legal obligations from occupational health and safety legislation and

A) employment standards legislation.
B) human rights and privacy laws.
C) employment equity/pay equity legislation.
D) Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
E) WHMIS.

Question 49

In order for drug and alcohol testing to be legal in Canada, one of the conditions that must be met is that

A) everyone in the organization must undergo the same testing.
B) the test is rationally connected to the performance of the job.
C) the individuals tested must have complete privacy while the test is administered.
D) the test must be administered by an independent third party within two hours of a suspicion of drug or alcohol use or the start of a work shift, whichever is earlier.
E) there are no restrictions to administering drug or alcohol tests in Canada.

Question 50

Specific actions that employers can take to deal with employee alcoholism include any of the following except

A) referral to EAP programs.
B) use of outside agencies such as clinics and AA.
C) taking personal responsibility for the employee.
D) in-house counselling through the HR department or medical staff.
E) use of treatment centres.

Question 51

Virtually all of the energies of burnout victims are focused on

A) family matters.
B) commitment to the organization.
C) attaining unrealistic work-related goals.
D) client problems.
E) getting a promotion.

Question 52

Abacus Inc., a mining company, recently polled its employees about the level of stress they experience at work.The survey indicated that 45% of employees experience moderate to high levels of stress.Which of the following would not be an appropriate measure for managing workplace stress at this company?

A) Provide career planning to ensure the employee moves toward a job that makes sense in terms of his or her aptitude.
B) Insist on strict deadlines for all work projects.
C) Monitor each employee's performance to identify symptoms of stress.
D) Ensure effective person-job match.
E) Use attitude surveys to identify organizational sources of stress.

Question 53

Short-term eye problems like burning, itching, and tearing, as well as eye strain and eye soreness, are common complaints among:

A) human resources managers.
B) students.
C) accountants and bookkeepers.
D) video display operators.
E) industrial engineers.

Question 54

General recommendations regarding the use of video display operators include all of the following except

A) work stations designed for maximum flexibility.
B) glare reduction with devices such as antiglare shades over windows and terminal screens.
C) adequate employee rest breaks every hour.
D) complete pre-placement vision exams.
E) maximum amount of sunlight.

Question 55

Too little stress can create

A) employee commitment.
B) accidents.
C) anxiety.
D) boredom and apathy.
E) creativity.

Question 56

The consequences of job stress can include any of the following except

A) job satisfaction.
B) anger.
C) anxiety.
D) depression.
E) accidents.

Question 57

The leading cause of work-related deaths around the world is

A) accidents/violence.
B) communicable diseases.
C) mental disorders.
D) cancer.
E) none of the above.

Question 58

Warning signs of repetitive strain injury can include any of the following except

A) frequent dropping of tools.
B) hands falling asleep.
C) numbness and tingling in fingertips.
D) tightness or stiffness in the hands, elbow, wrists, shoulder and neck.
E) headaches.

Question 59

A number of health-related issues and challenges can undermine employee performance at work.These can include any of the following except

A) smoking.
B) employee welfare programs.
C) workplace toxins.
D) alcoholism and substance abuse.
E) workplace violence.

Question 60

The following are all traditional techniques used for dealing with worker alcoholism and substance abuse problems except

A) referral to an outside agency.
B) discharge.
C) outplacement counselling.
D) in-house counselling.
E) disciplining.

Question 61

Canadian corporate executives and directors may be held directly responsible for workplace injuries.

Question 62

Safety programs based on positive reinforcement have improved safety at work.

Question 63

Victims of workplace violence are generally

A) police officers.
B) women in health care professions.
C) postal workers.
D) convenience store clerks.
E) construction workers.

Question 64

An employer may be sued directly by the victim of an employee's violent act on the basis of

A) insufficient security.
B) blackmail and duress.
C) malice and larceny.
D) negligence in hiring.
E) employee discrimination.

Question 65

Vision is related to accident frequency for many jobs, since workers who have high visual skills have fewer injuries than those who do not.

Question 66

Smoking in the workplace creates the following costs for an employer except for

A) significantly greater risk of occupational accidents.
B) higher supplementary health care/medical insurance costs.
C) higher disability insurance costs.
D) increased attendance.
E) reduced productivity.

Question 67

Supervisors are the company's first line of defence in combating substance abuse in the workplace and they must act as company detectives.

Question 68

Government health and safety inspectors may enter a workplace at any time, provided they have a warrant and give prior notification.

Question 69

WHMIS is the outcome of a cooperative effort between Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico.

Question 70

The following are all steps employers can take to reduce the incidence of workplace violence except

A) enhancing security arrangements.
B) improving employee screening.
C) promoting unstructured security systems.
D) training for violence reduction.
E) instituting a workplace violence policy.

Question 71

Employee drug testing can be used in virtually all work-related circumstances.

Question 72

HR managers have an important role to play in communicating the importance of health and safety to senior management by demonstrating how it affects the bottom line.

Question 73

The function of joint health and safety committees is to provide a non-adversarial atmosphere where management and labour can work together to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.

Question 74

In addition to unsafe working conditions, other work-related factors contribute to accidents, such as the job itself, work schedules and the psychological climate of the workplace.

Question 75

Most safety experts agree that safety commitment must begin with hourly employees.

Question 76

An employee whose perceptual skill is at a lower level than his or her motor skill is a relatively safe worker.

Question 77

Employers should inquire about the workers' compensation history of job applicants in order to avoid hiring accident-prone individuals.

Question 78

Employees, are responsible for taking reasonable care to protect their own health and safety and, in most cases, that of their co-workers.

Question 79

The "due diligence" requirement for employees mandates that they take every reasonable precaution to ensure their own health and safety.

Question 80

The appropriate time to begin "controlling" workers' compensation claims is before the accident happens, not after.