Deck 12: Promoting Safety and Health

Question 1

What do joint health and safety committees consist of?

A) management and government representatives
B) employee (union) representatives
C) health and safety officers
D) both employee (union) and management representatives

Answer 1

D

Question 2

In British Columbia (BC), which of the following bodies regulate occupational health and safety?

A) the BC provincial government only
B) the federal government only
C) the federal and BC governments
D) the governments of Canada and all the provinces, including BC

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following is a high-risk work circumstance associated with workplace violence?

A) working with information technology
B) working as a politician
C) working as a teacher
D) dealing with the exchange of money

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which category of service workers experiences the highest rate of violence against them?

A) firefighters
B) police
C) nurses
D) bankers

Question 5

Harry Davis has been found guilty of smoking around a volatile substance in his workplace. It is his first offence after 25 years. The employer, ABC Inc., has a progressive disciplinary system where employees are first given a written warning, then suspended for repeated violations, and dismissed as a last resort. What action should ABC Inc. take?

A) ABC Inc. must follow the progressive disciplinary system in punishing Harry.
B) ABC Inc. may choose to terminate Harry, even though it is his first offence.
C) ABC Inc. must involve the courts before making a decision.
D) ABC Inc. must involve the government before making a decision.

Question 6

Who has the primary responsibility to inform employees about the health and safety requirements in the workplace?

A) the employees themselves
B) the employer
C) the health and safety committee
D) the safety officer

Question 7

Which of the following workers has only a limited right to refuse to do unsafe work?

A) a firefighter
B) a human resource management generalist
C) a factory worker at an assembly plant
D) a customer service representative at a bank

Question 8

With respect to the Joint Health and Safety Committees in organizations, which of the following is applicable?

A) One member sits on the Board of Directors.
B) There must be both union and employee representation.
C) These committees can discipline the employer and employees.
D) They are financially supported by the government.

Question 9

What is the key goal of workers' compensation?

A) to return the employee to the workplace as soon as possible
B) to remind employers and employees about the need for a safe and healthy workplace
C) to ensure employers do not suffer significant financial losses
D) to ensure that health care costs are kept at a minimum.

Question 10

Which of the following work schedules/arrangements results in the most fatigue for workers?

A) job rotation
B) night shifts
C) regular day shifts
D) job sharing

Question 11

Which of the following is an outcome of effective health programs in the workplace?

A) increased disability payments
B) increased absenteeism
C) increased employee productivity
D) increased health-related employee complaints

Question 12

What is the key role for the supervisor with respect to safety?

A) to administer employee disciplinary procedures
B) to monitor actions of co-supervisors
C) to inform management about workers who are doing unsafe work
D) to communicate to an employee the need to work safely

Question 13

What is the leading cause of worker fatalities each year?

A) falls from buildings
B) fire
C) attacks by coworkers
D) motor vehicle crashes

Question 14

When is the ideal time for employee safety training to commence?

A) before returning to work after an accident or injury
B) immediately after an accident or injury
C) with new employee orientation
D) after receiving the first paycheque

Question 15

What do we call the number of injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees during a given year?

A) the incidence rate
B) the accident rate
C) the injury and illnesses rate
D) the safety rate

Question 16

Apart from the human resource management department, which other unit typically has responsibility for an organization's health and safety programs?

A) the industrial relations department
B) the marketing department
C) the operations department
D) the finance department

Question 17

Tom Jones was recently injured on the job at ABC Steel Factory. Whose responsibility is it to report the accident to the Workers' Compensation Board?

A) Tom Jones himself
B) Tom Jones's coworkers
C) the government's safety officer
D) ABC Steel Factory

Question 18

Not so long ago, many workers suffered work-related health issues through contact with asbestos in workplaces. What is this an example of?

A) industrial illnesses
B) occupational injuries
C) occupational illnesses
D) industrial diseases

Question 19

Which of the following is a common requirement for employers in all jurisdictions in Canada?

A) They have to employ a Safety Officer.
B) They must store all the relevant data in files located in the human resource management departments.
C) They have to devote at least 1% of their budgets to health-related prevention measures.
D) They have to report all accidents that cause injuries and diseases to the Worker Compensation Boards.

Question 20

Most jurisdictions require the establishment of health and safety committees with both union and management representation. Which of the following is one of the expectations of this approach?

A) It will educate the union about the problems their membership cause.
B) It will show the union how tough management can be.
C) It will help to develop a nonadversarial union-management climate.
D) It will force the union not to strike.

Question 21

Which of the following best describes employees who smoke versus those who are non-smokers?

A) Health care costs are lower for employees who smoke than for non-smokers.
B) Employees who smoke and non-smokers have similar levels of absenteeism and productivity.
C) Non-smoking employees have lower levels of absenteeism than employees who smoke.
D) Employees who smoke are typically more productive and have less absenteeism than non-smokers.

Question 22

Mary is beginning to sense a loss of security and adequacy in her work at ABC Inc. What is it that she is beginning to experience?

A) cumulative trauma disorders
B) distress
C) eustress
D) dysfunctional adaptation

Question 23

What is a common example of a repetitive-motion injury in the workplace?

A) burnout
B) carpal tunnel syndrome
C) eustress
D) depression

Question 24

If an employee is experiencing personal problems, who is the individual most likely to refer the worker to the company's employee assistance program?

A) the employee himself or herself
B) his or her spouse or significant other
C) the CEO or president
D) the employee's supervisor

Question 25

An employee has been diagnosed with depression and possible mental illness. Her manager has organized professional counselling for her as part of the organizational response to her problems. This counselling is most likely a form of which of the following?

A) an employee assistance program
B) a depression diagnostic service
C) a crisis prevention program
D) a mental preparedness program

Question 26

What is burnout?

A) a severe stage of eustress
B) a mild stage of eustress
C) a severe stage of distress
D) a mild stage of distress

Question 27

Which of the following is a good measure to prevent workplace violence?

A) keeping cash register funds to a minimum
B) keeping track of immigrants in the workplace
C) delivering cash by the organization itself, versus a delivery firm
D) keeping a fixed time when cash is picked up

Question 28

Which of the following is least likely to be promoted through company programs and services?

A) increased efficiency
B) reduced absenteeism
C) better morale
D) exemption from safety inspection

Question 29

Who is the most likely perpetuator of workplace bullying?

A) traumatized employees
B) abused employees
C) authority figures
D) junior employees

Question 30

Managerial, technical, or public contact jobs may all experience a kind of stress that usually energizes them. What is this positive stress called?

A) eustress
B) pos-stress
C) distress
D) fight-or-flight stress

Question 31

Assume that you are a new manager at a manufacturing plant. On your first day, you are on the factory floor and notice one employee verbally abusing another; a fight was imminent. Which of the following is a wise strategy for you to follow?

A) try to separate the individuals and ask them to see you individually in private
B) do not intervene but report it later to the CEO/President
C) publicly ask the aggressor to back down, as this would help with developing your authority in the workplace
D) do not get involved as this may escalate the situation

Question 32

An employee is showing signs of depression, including decreased energy, irritability, and hostility, in the workplace. What should the HR manager do?

A) suggest professional help
B) diagnose the problem and urgently try to remedy it
C) do nothing, as the problem will most likely go away
D) suspend the employee so as to prevent workplace violence

Question 33

Which category of employees is at the lowest risk of workplace violence?

A) insurance agents who visit clients' homes
B) postal workers
C) nurses
D) bankers who work in offices

Question 34

What is the best method to capitalize on the benefits of video display terminals while safeguarding employee health?

A) placing the computer monitor to the side of the desk
B) placing the computer screen 10 to 25 cm (4 to 9 inches) below eye level
C) placing the computer screen 30 cm (12 inches) above eye level
D) adjusting the brightness and contrast controls on the screen to be as high as possible

Question 35

Jenny Jones has been working at the same job-typing almost all day-for the past five years. She has now damaged her wrist as a result of the work. What is her problem most likely a form of?

A) ambidextrosis
B) muscular dysfunctions
C) cumulative trauma disorder
D) systematic trauma

Question 36

What program aims to help employees with nutrition, weight control, and avoidance of substances harmful to health?

A) a fitness program
B) an employee assistance program
C) a health service program
D) a wellness program

Question 37

What is the best way to proactively manage workplace violence?

A) develop a zero-tolerance policy for violence
B) implement a strenuous disciplinary policy
C) report violence to the police as soon as it happens
D) hire armed guards to oversee workplace activities

Question 38

Which of the following statements best describes drug testing in the workplace?

A) Managers are exempt from drug testing.
B) Employees may use or abuse legal prescription drugs that affect their behaviour.
C) Managers have a right to test employees for any substance at any time.
D) Human rights legislation encourages drug testing.

Question 39

What's a key issue in the debate on drug testing in Canadian workplaces?

A) rewards for testing
B) what types of drugs to test for
C) who manages the testing
D) potential for privacy violations

Question 40

Which of the following is considered an element of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)?

A) training
B) accidents
C) leadership
D) compensation

Question 41

In Canada, there are over 1 million work-related injuries each year.

Question 42

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

Question 43

Scenario 12.2
Boat Xpress is a shipping firm in a small rural area in Northern Ontario. The company hires mainly part-time workers, but has them work full-time hours. This way, the firm does not have to pay employees benefits or provide them with more than 4 percent vacation pay. The working conditions at Boat Xpress are very bleak, and health and safety standards are non-existent. If an employee is injured on the job, he or she goes home without pay until well enough to resume working. Several employees have tried to organize but they end up getting fired, and the firm threatens to shut down if they continue trying or report incidents. Because employees need these jobs to survive and take care of their families, they believe they have no other choice but to continue working.
Refer to Scenario 12.2. Boat Xpress, like any other Canadian firm, has certain duties. Which of the following is NOT a duty of Boat Xpress?

A) report all accidents that cause injuries to the Workers' Compensation Board
B) provide safety training to all employees
C) reward employees for safe work practices
D) prove due diligence has been carried out

Question 44

Scenario 12.1
Safe Haven is a daycare facility that caters to teenagers and adults with severe disabilities. Employees with Safe Haven get extensive training on how to keep their clients relaxed, stress free, and happy, but the training does not take into consideration how stressful the job is on employees. Recently, there has been an increase in turnover, and employees who do stay for some time tend to take more time off than normal. Even when they return to work, they seem uptight and stressed out. The HR manager wants to design some programs that can assist these employees in dealing with the stress that is inherent with this type of work.
Refer to Scenario 12.1. Which of the following is a step in the right direction if Safe Haven wants to help its employees better deal with job-related stress?

A) redesigning and enriching jobs as much as possible
B) focusing on less important items and making them important
C) recognizing that change is not always good, thus making no changes in the physical factors in the environment
D) making employees' work roles very defined

Question 45

There is legislation pertaining to occupational health and safety in every province and territory in Canada.

Question 46

Scenario 12.1
Safe Haven is a daycare facility that caters to teenagers and adults with severe disabilities. Employees with Safe Haven get extensive training on how to keep their clients relaxed, stress free, and happy, but the training does not take into consideration how stressful the job is on employees. Recently, there has been an increase in turnover, and employees who do stay for some time tend to take more time off than normal. Even when they return to work, they seem uptight and stressed out. The HR manager wants to design some programs that can assist these employees in dealing with the stress that is inherent with this type of work.
Refer to Scenario 12.1. Which of the following is NOT a useful tip in helping to reduce job-related stress at Safe Haven?

A) set realistic deadlines and negotiate reasonable deadlines with managers
B) build rewarding relationships with coworkers
C) talk openly with managers and employees about job or personal concerns
D) wait to act on problems or concerns of importance

Question 47

When are overachievers most likely to experience burnout?

A) when rewards are low
B) when the work is not sufficiently challenging
C) when unrealistic goals are unattainable
D) when work-life balance is achieved

Question 48

Scenario 12.2
Boat Xpress is a shipping firm in a small rural area in Northern Ontario. The company hires mainly part-time workers, but has them work full-time hours. This way, the firm does not have to pay employees benefits or provide them with more than 4 percent vacation pay. The working conditions at Boat Xpress are very bleak, and health and safety standards are non-existent. If an employee is injured on the job, he or she goes home without pay until well enough to resume working. Several employees have tried to organize but they end up getting fired, and the firm threatens to shut down if they continue trying or report incidents. Because employees need these jobs to survive and take care of their families, they believe they have no other choice but to continue working.
Refer to Scenario 12.2. Boat Xpress is violating the occupational health and safety regulations. Which of the following is accurate about the penalties for employer noncompliance?

A) fines up to $500,000 and offenders can be sent to jail
B) fines up to $1,000,000 but jail time is not part of any penalty
C) only a warning for first-time offenders
D) no criminal charges against coworkers, supervisors, or executives

Question 49

Scenario 12.2
Boat Xpress is a shipping firm in a small rural area in Northern Ontario. The company hires mainly part-time workers, but has them work full-time hours. This way, the firm does not have to pay employees benefits or provide them with more than 4 percent vacation pay. The working conditions at Boat Xpress are very bleak, and health and safety standards are non-existent. If an employee is injured on the job, he or she goes home without pay until well enough to resume working. Several employees have tried to organize but they end up getting fired, and the firm threatens to shut down if they continue trying or report incidents. Because employees need these jobs to survive and take care of their families, they believe they have no other choice but to continue working.
Refer to Scenario 12.2. Which of the following is a duty of supervisors at Boat Xpress?

A) requesting and receiving information about safety and health conditions
B) advising employees of potential workplace hazards
C) exercising the right to refuse unsafe work without fear of reprisal
D) reporting concerns of hazardous working conditions to supervisors, which will trigger investigations

Question 50

Scenario 12.1
Safe Haven is a daycare facility that caters to teenagers and adults with severe disabilities. Employees with Safe Haven get extensive training on how to keep their clients relaxed, stress free, and happy, but the training does not take into consideration how stressful the job is on employees. Recently, there has been an increase in turnover, and employees who do stay for some time tend to take more time off than normal. Even when they return to work, they seem uptight and stressed out. The HR manager wants to design some programs that can assist these employees in dealing with the stress that is inherent with this type of work.
Refer to Scenario 12.1. If Safe Haven wants to design workshops to help its employees deal with the negative effect of job-related stress, it could include instructions in all of the following EXCEPT which one?

A) relaxation techniques
B) coping skills
C) off-the-job-training
D) listening skills

Question 51

Employees do not have any specific duties related to their safety.

Question 52

Cathy has been experiencing severe stress on the job, including depression, frustration, and a loss of productivity. What is she most likely experiencing?

A) burnout
B) an alarm reaction
C) eustress
D) severe eustress

Question 53

Health and safety committees in the workplace are comprised only of management representatives.

Question 54

Once informed by the employer of safety hazards or health regulations, it is the employee's responsibility to comply with occupational health and safety legislation.

Question 55

Occupational health and safety are regulated solely by the federal government.

Question 56

Employers have many responsibilities in providing safe workplaces for employees.

Question 57

Penalties for violations of health and safety regulations include substantial fines, as well as jail terms.

Question 58

Which of the following statements best describes job-related stress?

A) Burnout is the first stage of distress.
B) Stress that is harmful to some employees may be healthy for others and improve their performance.
C) Providing music of any kind will help relieve stress.
D) Setting ever higher performance goals relieves employee stress by giving them self-esteem about their ability to achieve goals.

Question 59

Costs associated with sick leave, disability payments, replacement of employees who are injured or killed, and workers' compensation far exceed the costs of maintaining a safety and health program.

Question 60

Kent Factory Inc. is a sausage plant that has been receiving bad reports in the press related to its health and safety problems. The reports are causing a loss in profits. Assume that you are the new HR manager. Which of the following would be one of your first initiatives to deal with the problems?

A) fire the HR staff because they have been ineffective in dealing with the problems
B) alert the CEO that you are not a trained psychologist or a safety officer, so another department should handle the issue
C) invite the press for a tour of the facilities
D) diagnose the cause of the problems and formulate a plan to deal with them

Question 61

An occupational injury is any cut, fracture, sprain, or amputation resulting from a workplace accident.

Question 62

Health and safety procedures should be an important part of new employee orientation.

Question 63

In Canada, provinces can make changes to health and safety laws.

Question 64

An individual who suffers clinical depression after a serious accident is eligible for workers' compensation while receiving treatment for the accident.

Question 65

Crisis management teams should also concern themselves with the aftermath of violence, such as the guilt and fear employees may have.

Question 66

Very few Canadian employers have a formal safety program.

Question 67

Crisis management teams are composed of both hourly and managerial employees who develop action plans to respond to violent situations.

Question 68

The members of the safety committee should investigate only accidents resulting in serious injuries.

Question 69

Employees who work alone are at a lower risk of encountering workplace assaults.

Question 70

The emphasis in workers' compensation has been shifting to creating safer workplaces.

Question 71

The goal of workers' compensation is to return the employee to work as soon as possible.

Question 72

The Internet and other forms of information technology can play a key role in health and safety programs.

Question 73

The definitions of accidents and injuries have expanded to include stress.

Question 74

A supervisor's primary obligation to employee safety is to communicate safety standards and train employees in safe practices.

Question 75

In addition to rewards for safe behaviour, it is equally important that organizations enforce safety rules through penalties such as discipline.

Question 76

It is the supervisor's duty to ensure that workers use or wear safety equipment, devices, or clothing.

Question 77

A serious violation of a safety rule may be grounds for employee termination, even for a first offence.

Question 78

The success of a safety program depends largely on the HR department.

Question 79

An employee's supervisor is the primary source of safety-related information.

Question 80

Safety incentive programs are only effective when they are based on monetary rewards.