Deck 16: Employee Safety and Health

Question 1

All of the following are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act EXCEPT ________.

A) federal agents
B) hospital nurses
C) crane operators
D) self-employed persons
E) public school teachers

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which of the following would be considered OSHA's lowest priority for inspection?

A) conducting a follow-up inspection
B) investigating an employee complaint
C) investigating the occurrence of a fatality
D) inspecting a site at which a catastrophe occurred
E) performing a high-hazard industry inspection

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following would most likely NOT be considered a reportable injury according to OSHA?

A) Mike breaks his arm while playing in a softball game during a mandatory company picnic.
B) Rachel experiences food poisoning after eating lunch in the company cafeteria.
C) John sprains his ankle after becoming tangled in his car's seat belt in the company parking lot.
D) Leah breaks her wrist after slipping in a puddle on a stairwell inside the company building.
E) Tom injures his back during a traffic accident as he delivers lumber in a company truck.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following accounts for one-third of all industrial accidents?

A) forklifts and wheelbarrows
B) woodworking machines
C) pulleys and flywheels
D) ladders and scaffolds
E) electrical equipment

Question 5

When a complaint indicates the possibility of imminent danger,OSHA conducts an inspection within ________.

A) 12 hours
B) 24 hours
C) 3 days
D) 5 days
E) 20 days

Question 6

According to OSHA,which of the following would most likely be considered the highest priority?

A) investigating the occurrence of a fatality
B) inspecting a site where there may be imminent danger
C) conducting random inspections and follow-up inspections
D) investigating employee complaints of alleged violations
E) conducting a special-emphasis inspection aimed at a high-hazard industry

Question 7

What term is used to describe any abnormal condition or disorder caused by exposure to environmental factors associated with employment?

A) occupational burnout
B) on-the-job accident
C) chronic condition
D) occupational illness
E) work-related disease

Question 8

According to the U.S.Department of Labor,each year there are approximately ________ cases of workplace accidents per 100 full-time workers in the United States.

A) 2
B) 4
C) 8
D) 10
E) 16

Question 9

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act,employers are responsible for ________.

A) transferring workers who are cited for OSHA violations
B) examining workplace conditions for OSHA compliance
C) scheduling annual consultations with OSHA representatives
D) paying monthly dues to OSHA and the Department of Labor
E) replacing old equipment on an annual basis to comply with OSHA

Question 10

Which of the following is LEAST likely to be considered when OSHA calculates a penalty?

A) business size
B) compliance history
C) gravity of violation
D) legal representation
E) employer's good faith

Question 11

Improperly guarded equipment,defective equipment,hazardous procedures,and improper ventilation are all examples of ________.

A) chance occurrences
B) unsafe conditions
C) unsafe employee behavior
D) weather-related accidents
E) normal occupational hazards

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration?

A) set and enforce the safety and health standards for almost all workers in the U.S.
B) ensure that employees of state agencies have safe and healthy working conditions
C) provide safe and healthy working conditions to all self-employed persons
D) ensure that family farms provide healthy and safe working environments
E) prevent the occurrence of occupational illnesses among all employees

Question 13

Which of the following factors is LEAST likely to contribute to accidents at work?

A) unsafe conditions
B) nature of the work
C) hostile co-workers
D) day of the week
E) time of day

Question 14

Which of the following is the supervisor's primary role in safety?

A) conducting daily safety inspections of the workplace
B) helping workers file claims for job-related injuries
C) alerting top management to OSHA inspections
D) setting health and safety standards for the firm
E) issuing safety citations to OSHA representatives

Question 15

Which government agency enforces the standards set out in the Occupational Safety and Health Act?

A) Department of Health and Human Services
B) Department of Agriculture
C) Department of Commerce
D) Department of Education
E) Department of Labor

Question 16

All of the following are effective methods of improving workplace safety EXCEPT ________.

A) analyzing accident rates
B) giving priority to safety issues
C) publicizing an organization's safety policy
D) showing an organizational commitment to safety
E) setting unreasonable but challenging safety goals

Question 17

The Occupational Safety and Health Act was intended to ________.

A) set national, state, and local safety and health standards
B) assure every person safe and healthful working conditions
C) provide safe and healthful working conditions to self-employed persons
D) prevent the occurrence of occupational illnesses among public employees
E) enable all workers to file workers' compensation claims for unsafe work conditions

Question 18

According to OSHA,employers must report occupational injuries that result in any of the following EXCEPT ________.

A) first aid treatment
B) loss of consciousness
C) restriction of motion
D) transfer to another job
E) hospitalization

Question 19

What is the primary cause of workplace accidents?

A) chance occurrences
B) unsafe conditions
C) unsafe employee behavior
D) weather-related accidents
E) insufficient safety training

Question 20

Under OSHA,employers with ________ or more employees must maintain records of and report occupational injuries and occupational illnesses.

A) 6
B) 11
C) 24
D) 35
E) 50

Question 21

Thermo is a plastic supply and custom fabrication company.Thermo serves clients in the medical,solar,and semiconductor industries by making acrylic and polycarbonate sheets,tubes,and rods.The company employs approximately 500 workers at its facility in Ohio.Safety is a top priority at Thermo,and supervisors are required to conduct daily inspections of all equipment.Recently,three workers were seriously injured by a large press used to mold plastic parts.The workers spent time in the hospital for hand injuries,and they are currently recuperating at home.As a result,top management is evaluating all aspects of safety at the facility to determine what changes need to be made. Which of the following,if true,supports the argument that Thermo needs to modify its screening,placement,and training procedures?

A) Interviews with the on-duty supervisor indicate that signs were clearly posted near the accident site explaining the importance of using protective guards.
B) Supervisors use a combination of recognition and monetary incentives to encourage employees to follow safety procedures.
C) Interviews with the injured workers indicate that the most experienced worker removed the safety guard and the other two workers did not know how to respond.
D) Noise emitted from the press and the heat in the Thermo facility are considered distracting and potentially dangerous.
E) In order to save money, Thermo has switched from classroom training programs to online training programs.

Question 22

Which of the following should be the first method used to reduce workplace accidents?

A) enforcing job rotation
B) screening job applicants
C) removing physical hazards
D) requiring employees to use PPE
E) soliciting employee suggestions

Question 23

Thermo is a plastic supply and custom fabrication company.Thermo serves clients in the medical,solar,and semiconductor industries by making acrylic and polycarbonate sheets,tubes,and rods.The company employs approximately 500 workers at its facility in Ohio.Safety is a top priority at Thermo,and supervisors are required to conduct daily inspections of all equipment.Recently,three workers were seriously injured by a large press used to mold plastic parts.The workers spent time in the hospital for hand injuries,and they are currently recuperating at home.As a result,top management is evaluating all aspects of safety at the facility to determine what changes need to be made. Which of the following questions is LEAST relevant to Thermo's decision to minimize unsafe acts at the facility?

A) Have Thermo managers trained employees in the use of the company's mechanical security system?
B) How are employee safety suggestions and complaints currently handled by Thermo managers?
C) How are Thermo employees rewarded or praised for adhering to safety rules and procedures?
D) What is the current level of employee involvement in designing Thermos' safety program?
E) Are employees at Thermo assigned safety responsibilities and provided with checklists?

Question 24

Thermo is a plastic supply and custom fabrication company.Thermo serves clients in the medical,solar,and semiconductor industries by making acrylic and polycarbonate sheets,tubes,and rods.The company employs approximately 500 workers at its facility in Ohio.Safety is a top priority at Thermo,and supervisors are required to conduct daily inspections of all equipment.Recently,three workers were seriously injured by a large press used to mold plastic parts.The workers spent time in the hospital for hand injuries,and they are currently recuperating at home.As a result,top management is evaluating all aspects of safety at the facility to determine what changes need to be made. Which of the following,if true,best supports the argument that Thermo supervisors need additional training in OSHA standards?

A) The three workers were working overtime during an evening shift at Thermo, and only one of them had extensive experience using the press.
B) None of the injured Thermo workers were wearing personal protective equipment because the high temperatures in the facility made the PPE very uncomfortable.
C) The safety gate had been removed from the press to bypass a safety interlock, and the gate was not replaced prior to the three workers using the machine during their morning shift at Thermo.
D) Thermo conducts air sampling on a weekly basis as part of its industrial hygiene program, and the firm has never been cited for poor air quality.
E) All three of the injured workers had worked at Thermo for over thirty years and were nearing retirement age prior to the accident.

Question 25

According to OSHA standards,which of the following substances has the lowest permissible exposure limit?

A) vinyl chloride
B) formaldehyde
C) cadmium
D) asbestos
E) lead

Question 26

Research indicates that all of the following are associated with high-performance work systems EXCEPT ________.

A) occupational safety
B) selective hiring
C) extensive training
D) mechanical security
E) self-managed teams

Question 27

If your employees are traveling to and from international destinations,which of the following is the most appropriate option for preventing the entry or spread of an infectious disease?

A) dismissing the workers from their positions
B) denying workers facility access for 10 days
C) sending workers to a nearby hospital
D) offering workers a light-work option
E) placing workers on indefinite unpaid leave

Question 28

A safety program that identifies employee conduct that contributes to accidents and then trains workers to avoid such conduct is known as a ________ program.

A) strategic safety
B) incentive-based safety
C) behavior-based safety
D) positive reinforcement safety
E) employee participation-based safety

Question 29

All of the following personality traits are associated with people who file vehicular insurance claims EXCEPT ________.

A) impatience
B) entitlement
C) clumsiness
D) aggressiveness
E) distractibility

Question 30

Toyota uses cadmium pigments in the paint for its cars.At the Toyota plant,air samples are frequently taken as a precautionary measure to ensure that employees are not exposed to levels outside the OSHA safety standards.Which of the following best describes this situation?

A) job simulation tests
B) unsafe conditions
C) industrial hygiene
D) occupational illness
E) screening

Question 31

OSHA standards on respiratory protection require that employees ________.

A) recognize and repair faulty respiratory equipment
B) receive 8 hours of training in respiratory safety standards
C) demonstrate how to inspect, put on, and remove respirator seals
D) pass a written exam on safety inspections of respiratory equipment
E) teach co-workers how to inspect, put on, and remove respirator seals

Question 32

During difficult economic times,all of the following are effective ways that employers reduce safety costs EXCEPT ________.

A) auditing workers' compensation claims
B) conducting frequent safety checks
C) establishing safety responsibilities
D) using classroom training programs
E) using safety management software

Question 33

In most large facilities,who is responsible for reducing unsafe working conditions and reducing unsafe acts by employees?

A) CEO
B) chief safety officer
C) OSHA representative
D) HR supervisor
E) line manager

Question 34

All of the following are considered vulnerable workers EXCEPT ________.

A) young workers
B) male workers
C) immigrant workers
D) women workers
E) aging workers

Question 35

All of the following are major sources of occupational respiratory disease EXCEPT ________.

A) lead
B) asbestos
C) carbon dioxide
D) silica
E) mold

Question 36

How do managers reduce unsafe acts through selection?

A) identify traits linked to job accidents and screen candidates for such traits
B) train employees on the safe and proper use of equipment and tools
C) rotate employees through different positions within the company
D) offer monetary incentives to employee teams with low accident rates
E) respond to employee suggestions to improve possible problem areas

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a method of minimizing workplace accidents?

A) reducing unsafe conditions
B) reducing unsafe acts
C) training employees
D) screening employees
E) paying better wages

Question 38

Supervisors can reduce unsafe acts in all of the following ways EXCEPT by ________.

A) listening to employee suggestions
B) setting a good example with safety
C) identifying employee interests and preferences
D) involving workers in planning safety programs
E) providing workers with comfortable protective equipment

Question 39

Thermo is a plastic supply and custom fabrication company.Thermo serves clients in the medical,solar,and semiconductor industries by making acrylic and polycarbonate sheets,tubes,and rods.The company employs approximately 500 workers at its facility in Ohio.Safety is a top priority at Thermo,and supervisors are required to conduct daily inspections of all equipment.Recently,three workers were seriously injured by a large press used to mold plastic parts.The workers spent time in the hospital for hand injuries,and they are currently recuperating at home.As a result,top management is evaluating all aspects of safety at the facility to determine what changes need to be made. Which of the following,if true,best supports the argument that Thermo needs to implement a positive reinforcement program?

A) Each of the injured workers was given a job simulation test prior to selection and placement.
B) The injured workers removed a safety guard while operating the press in order to speed the process.
C) The press used by the injured workers was an older model that had recently been repaired.
D) The accident reporting rate at Thermo is lower than that of comparable businesses in the area.
E) One of the injured workers was on probation with Thermo for starting a fight with a co-worker.

Question 40

During the early 2000s,which demographic group experienced an increase of almost 50% in workplace fatalities in the construction industry?

A) women
B) Asians
C) Hispanics
D) African-Americans
E) men over age 50

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT required of all employers affected by the Drug-Free Workplace Act?

A) conducting random breath alcohol tests
B) establishing a drug-free awareness program
C) publishing a policy prohibiting the distribution, possession, or use of controlled substances at work
D) informing employees that they are required to abide by the policy as a condition of employment
E) requiring employees to report any criminal convictions for drug-related activities in the workplace

Question 42

Which of the following will most likely increase as a result of employees experiencing significant job stress?

A) productivity
B) punctuality
C) co-worker morale
D) health care costs
E) work quality

Question 43

Experts suggest that burnout can most effectively be reduced by ________.

A) rotating jobs
B) telecommuting
C) taking long vacations
D) changing careers
E) reassessing goals

Question 44

Alcoholism among employees will most likely lead to an increase in ________.

A) on-the-job accidents
B) job satisfaction
C) cautious job behavior
D) job efficiency
E) employee morale

Question 45

The U.S.Department of Transportation requires ________ testing for safety-sensitive employees in the transportation industry.

A) preemployment
B) post-accident
C) reasonable suspicion
D) return-to-duty
E) all of the above

Question 46

Which of the following is one of the earliest indicators of an employee's possible alcoholism?

A) violent outbursts
B) mood swings
C) forgetfulness
D) missed deadlines
E) personal neglect

Question 47

All of the following recommendations are suggested for companies seeking to minimize the entry or spread of infectious diseases EXCEPT ________.

A) staggering lunch breaks
B) monitoring international travel alerts
C) administering drug tests frequently
D) making hand sanitizers easily available
E) cleaning work areas regularly and often

Question 48

Employee depression results in as many as ________ total lost workdays in the United States each year.

A) 100,000
B) 500,000
C) 1,000,000
D) 100,000,000
E) 200,000,000

Question 49

In some cases,employees accused of alcoholism or drug abuse have retaliated by suing the employer for all of the following EXCEPT ________.

A) invasion of privacy
B) wrongful discharge
C) OSHA violations
D) illegal search
E) defamation

Question 50

Lisa,a supervisor at a manufacturing facility,suspects that one of her subordinates may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.Which of the following actions should Lisa take?

A) Lisa should contact the worker's spouse for advice.
B) Lisa should contact the police and a security guard.
C) Lisa should observe the worker for signs of impairment.
D) Lisa should ignore the matter because it is a personal issue.
E) Lisa should check the worker's desk drawers.

Question 51

As an HR manager,you need to be aware of the symptoms of burnout among employees.Which of the following is most likely NOT a sign of employee burnout?

A) irritability
B) exhaustion
C) absenteeism
D) entrapment
E) resentment

Question 52

________ is defined as the total depletion of physical and mental resources caused by excessive striving to reach an unrealistic work-related goal.

A) Depression
B) Job stress
C) Anxiety
D) Burnout
E) Occupational illness

Question 53

All of the following are symptoms of employees in advanced stages of alcoholism EXCEPT ________.

A) drinking on the job
B) walking with an unsteady gait
C) having frequent falls and accidents
D) delegating job responsibilities
E) showing incompetent job performance

Question 54

What employers are bound by the Drug-Free Workplace Act?

A) employers who hire workers under 21
B) employers who use medical equipment
C) employers with more than 200 employees
D) employers with federal government contracts
E) all employers

Question 55

As an employer,which of the following would be your best choice for reducing workplace accidents?

A) preemployment drug testing
B) random employee drug testing
C) preemployment psychological screening
D) a combination of random ongoing drug testing with psychological evaluations
E) a combination of preemployment drug testing and random ongoing drug testing

Question 56

Research estimates that health care costs are almost ________ higher for highly stressed workers than for workers who experience low amounts of stress.

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 50%
D) 75%
E) 100%

Question 57

Which of the following is a personal factor that can lead to stress?

A) poor supervision
B) pace of work
C) family life
D) workplace noise
E) job security

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT one of the primary methods of dealing with a current employee who tests positive for illegal drugs?

A) arrest
B) discipline
C) dismissal
D) in-house counseling
E) referral to outside counseling

Question 59

Employees who wish to lower their job stress will most likely benefit from doing all of the following activities EXCEPT ________.

A) making a list of problems and possible solutions
B) putting off dealing with distasteful problems
C) requesting realistic project deadlines
D) limiting interruptions
E) eating healthy food

Question 60

David is experiencing significant levels of job stress in his position as vice president of marketing.Which of the following is LEAST likely to be a consequence of David's stress?

A) headaches
B) cancer
C) depression
D) heart disease
E) anxiety

Question 61

Despite many managerial warnings,William refuses to wear a hard hat when working as an electrician for Pulte Homes.William cuts his head when he falls from scaffolding that has not been properly secured.Pulte Homes will most likely not be held liable for William's injury.

Question 62

Scaffolding,fall protection,hazard communication,electrical disengagement,and respiratory problems are the most frequent OSHA inspection violation categories.

Question 63

The second biggest cause of fatal workplace injuries is ________.

A) homicide
B) alcoholism
C) drug use
D) smoking
E) unsafe equipment

Question 64

OSHA's standards are vague which has made them difficult to enforce.

Question 65

All of the following are most likely signs of employee depression EXCEPT ________.

A) lack of sleep
B) burnout
C) irritability
D) poor concentration
E) reduced appetite

Question 66

New computers emit chemical fumes,which are linked to sick building syndrome symptoms like headaches and runny noses.

Question 67

Which of the following safety issues became a top priority of employers following the terrorist attacks of September 11,2001?

A) workplace violence
B) employee evacuation
C) employee screening
D) workplace fire hazards
E) employee drug abuse

Question 68

About half of all workplace homicides occur in ________.

A) retail businesses
B) judicial buildings
C) post offices
D) banks
E) schools

Question 69

Which of the following is a true statement regarding workplace smoking?

A) Workplace smoking rules are determined by local unions and federal laws.
B) Employer costs derive exclusively from high fire insurance premiums.
C) OSHA requires employers to establish designated smoking areas.
D) Employers may dismiss workers because they smoke at home.
E) The ADA protects the rights of workers to smoke at work.

Question 70

Even if the employee was treated easily with first aid,employers must report the occupational injury.

Question 71

The security guards and tellers at National Bank receive extensive training on how to handle medical emergencies,angry customers,and suspicious packages.Which of the following security programs is most likely being used at National Bank?

A) mechanical security
B) group security
C) organizational security
D) risk-based security
E) natural security

Question 72

The mail room at Citibank uses special scanners to check the safety of incoming mail.This is most likely an example of ________.

A) mechanical security
B) organizational security
C) natural security
D) architectural security
E) pre-existing security

Question 73

An occupational illness is any abnormal condition or disorder caused by exposure to environmental factors associated with employment.

Question 74

What is the primary motive for homicides that occur at work?

A) disgruntled employees
B) broken relationships
C) jealousy
D) robbery
E) drugs

Question 75

Investigating employee complaints of alleged violation standards is considered the highest priority for OSHA.

Question 76

One of the primary duties of a supervisor in regards to workplace safety is to conduct a daily walk-through of a work site.

Question 77

Which of the following is NOT among the common clues that usually precede a violent incident at work?

A) verbal threat
B) intimidation
C) frustration
D) obsession
E) written threat

Question 78

Which of the following terms refers to taking advantage of a facility's architectural features in order to minimize security problems?

A) mechanical security
B) organizational security
C) natural security
D) evacuation planning
E) risk management

Question 79

Woodworking machines,flywheels,and saws cause the most serious workplace injuries.

Question 80

OSHA insists that occupational injuries be recorded including ankle sprains that occur during voluntary participation in a company softball game.