Question 1

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can adjust penalties upward and downward.

Accepted Answer

OSHA has the authority to adjust penalties based on factors such as the size of the employer, the gravity of the violation, the employer’s history of violations, and the good faith of the employer in attempting to comply with regulations. Penalties can be increased or decreased depending on these factors.

Question 2

Certain equipment used at BidSystems was not up to code and could lead to serious injury. While certain employees were aware of this, they did notify their managers. An OSHA inspector discovered the violation, and determined that management had the responsibility to conduct internal audits, which it did not, and therefore should have known about this. Under OSHA, BidSystems has committed a willful violation.

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes negligence on the part of BidSystems for failing to conduct internal audits and discover the equipment issue, but for a violation to be considered willful under OSHA, there must be evidence that the employer acted with intentional disregard for the law or with plain indifference to employee safety. The scenario does not indicate that BidSystems intentionally ignored the equipment issue.

Question 3

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations may be issued immediately following an inspection or later by mail.

Accepted Answer

OSHA citations may be issued immediately following an inspection or later by mail.

Question 4

Kendra is a member of the crisis management team at BidSystems. The company just experienced an incident of workplace violence, when a former employee returned and sabotaged some equipment, shutting down key operations for a limited period of time. One of Kendra's responsibilities now is to help get employees back to work and making sure they get paid.

Accepted Answer

Kendra's responsibility after the incident of workplace violence is to help get employees back to work and ensuring they get paid.

Question 5

Ron is facing a number of tight deadlines at work and does not feel that he can meet them. He feels insecure and unable to do his job, and this had led to feelings of helplessness and desperation. Ron is experiencing distress.

Accepted Answer

Ron's feelings of insecurity and inability to do his job, as well as his feelings of helplessness and desperation, indicate that he is experiencing distress.

Question 6

RioFit was cited for a violation that had a direct relationship to job safety. However, the violation was not considered to be likely to cause death or serious harm. This would be classified as an other than serious violation.

Accepted Answer

An other than serious violation is a violation that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but would not likely cause death or serious physical harm.

Question 7

Senior management at BidSystems knew that their equipment was not up to code and could lead to injury. However, they could not afford to upgrade the equipment, and chose to continue operations anyway. Under OSHA, BidSystems has committed a willful violation.

Accepted Answer

A willful violation is defined as a violation in which the employer either knowingly failed to comply with a legal requirement (purposeful disregard) or acted with plain indifference to employee safety. In the given scenario, senior management at BidSystems knowingly continued operations with equipment that was not up to code and could lead to injury, despite being aware of the risk. This constitutes a willful violation.

Question 8

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements mandate that employers with 11 or more employees maintain records of work-related occupational injuries and illnesses.

Accepted Answer

This is a requirement under OSHA's recordkeeping rule (29 CFR 1904). Employers with fewer than 11 employees are exempt from this requirement but are still required to report any workplace incident that results in a fatality, hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye to OSHA within a specified time frame.

Question 9

Because of the increased danger to their reproductive systems, it is legal to bar women from positions that have been shown to be of high risk.

Accepted Answer

It is illegal to bar women from positions solely based on their sex. It is discriminatory and goes against equal opportunity laws. Jobs cannot be restricted based on the perceived risk to reproductive systems, as this assumes that women's primary role is reproduction and ignores their autonomy to make their own choices about their bodies and careers. Employers can, however, implement safety measures to protect all workers, regardless of gender.

Question 10

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication standard is the most frequently cited OSHA standard for general industry.

Accepted Answer

According to OSHA's Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards for FY2020, the Hazard Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) is the second most frequently cited standard for general industry. However, it is still one of the most commonly cited standards overall across all industries.

Question 11

Recordable cases that must be reported on Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Form 300 include any injury or illness that is treated with first aid.

Accepted Answer

Recordable cases that must be reported on OSHA Form 300 include injuries or illnesses that result in death, days away from work, restricted work activity, or medical treatment beyond first aid.

Question 12

Tia has complaining lately of sore eyes along with pains in her back, neck, and shoulders at the end of a work day. It is likely that Tia spends her day working at a computer screen.

Accepted Answer

Spending long hours in front of a computer screen can cause eye strain and upper body pain due to poor posture and repetitive motion. Tia's symptoms are commonly associated with computer use.

Question 13

Managers can help employees with emotional problems by taking on the role of a psychologist and trying to diagnose an employee's condition.

Accepted Answer

It is not appropriate for managers to diagnose employees' emotional problems. It is important for managers to create a supportive environment and refer employees to trained professionals such as counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists.

Question 14

Employees who perform manual tasks continuously are strong candidates for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Accepted Answer

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that can result from repetitive movements of the hands and wrists, such as those performed during manual tasks. Therefore, employees who regularly perform manual tasks are at a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Question 15

No citations are issued in connection with a consultation; however, the consultant's files may be used to trigger an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection.

Accepted Answer

OSHA consultations are confidential and separate from enforcement inspections. The consultant's findings are not reported to OSHA enforcement staff, and the consultation itself does not trigger an OSHA inspection.

Question 16

Terrorism is included in the workplace emergencies for which companies must have an emergency action plan.

Accepted Answer

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires companies to have an emergency action plan that includes procedures for responding to workplace emergencies, such as fires, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism.

Question 17

RioFit was cited for a violation that did not have a direct relationship to job safety. However, the violation was considered to be likely to cause death or serious harm. This would be classified as an other than serious violation.

Accepted Answer

An other than serious violation is defined as a violation that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but would not usually cause death or serious physical harm. A violation that is likely to cause death or serious harm would be classified as a serious violation.

Question 18

To capitalize on the benefits of video display terminals while safeguarding employee health, employers should make sure that employees sit in a stable chair with the computer screen four to nine inches above eye level.

Accepted Answer

While it is important to ensure that employees are using ergonomically designed chairs and that computer screens are positioned properly to minimize eye strain, the recommended distance for the top of the screen is actually at or slightly below eye level, not four to nine inches above it. This helps to reduce neck strain and discomfort.

Question 19

Musculoskeletal injuries resulting from cumulative trauma or repetitive motion that lead to days away from work or work restrictions are "recordable cases" and must be reported on OSHA Form 300.

Accepted Answer

Musculoskeletal injuries resulting from cumulative trauma or repetitive motion that lead to days away from work or work restrictions are considered recordable and must be reported on OSHA Form 300.

Question 20

Improved employee health is associated with lower levels of absenteeism and increased efficiency.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that when employees are healthier, they are less likely to miss work due to illness, and they are more productive when they are at work. This can lead to significant cost savings for employers in terms of reduced absenteeism and increased efficiency.

Quiz 12: Promoting Safety and Health