Deck 14: Risk Management and Worker Protection

Question 1

Common recommendations for U.S.companies with facilities in countries vulnerable to terrorism include all the following EXCEPT

A) make protection payments to people with influence in the local underworld.
B) use physical barriers such as concrete barricades in front of its buildings.
C) use metal detectors on all packages, briefcases, and other items brought into the building..
D) use electronic security devices in offices.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following jobs/occupations could a person over 16 and under 18 legally perform according to the FLSA?

A) driving a shuttle between a parking lot at the state fairgrounds to the fairgrounds entrance.
B) killing turkeys at an organic farm
C) counter staff in a donut store in a high-crime neighborhood
D) working as a roofer on one-story residences.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

____ was passed to "assure as far as possible every working man or woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources."

A) Worker's compensation legislation
B) The Occupational Safety and Health Act
C) The Fair Labor Standards Act
D) The Americans with Disabilities Act

Answer 3

B

Question 4

All of the following are actions undertaken by employers to reduce the potential costs of workplace risks to employees EXCEPT

A) liability waivers by employees in exchange for long-term health insurance.
B) internal conflict resolution systems.
C) mandatory arbitration of disputes over safety and risk issues.
D) Employee Practices Liability Insurance.

Question 5

All of the following industries EXCEPT _____________have serious ergonomic problems for which OSHA has developed guidelines for reducing employee injuries.

A) coal mining.
B) retail grocery stores
C) poultry processors.
D) nursing homes.

Question 6

An American employee of a major U.S.government contractor in Argentina has been kidnapped.She is being held for ransom.This firm has been working in Argentina and other hazardous locations for many years.The ransom will probably be paid by

A) the firm's insurance company.
B) directly by the employer.
C) the U.S. government.
D) no one. It is the policy of the U.S. government that kidnap ransoms not be paid because it encourages terrorists and criminals to continue the practice of kidnapping for ransom.

Question 7

The three major causes of injury in the workplace include all of the following EXCEPT

A) texting.
B) overextending.
C) falling.
D) bodily reaction.

Question 8

A computer chip manufacturing company outside of San Francisco is concerned about the impact of an earthquake on its operations and employees.In order to better coordinate disaster and recovery planning activities,the company has created a new HR position,that of

A) compliance officer.
B) security chief.
C) risk management officer.
D) governmental agency liaison.

Question 9

Indirect costs of accidents in the workplace include all of the following EXCEPT

A) work time lost by the injured employee(s).
B) cost of training substitute for injured employee(s)
C) damage to equipment.
D) compensation costs.

Question 10

Who provides the funds for workers' compensation?

A) employers through insurance premiums
B) employees through paycheck deductions
C) the federal government through taxes
D) state and local government through taxes

Question 11

The major contributor(s)to the increase in workers' compensation costs is/are

A) the escalation in the number and seriousness of on-the-job accidents.
B) higher medical costs and litigation expenses.
C) injuries to employees while working in foreign locations.
D) employees injured while working at home.

Question 12

Arlene works as a teller for a bank.During an armed robbery,Arlene was injured by flying glass.She needed hospitalization for several days.Under workers' compensation,Arlene can expect all of the following EXCEPT

A) payments to replace lost wages.
B) 12 weeks of FMLA leave.
C) payments to cover medical bills.
D) retraining for another position if she has psychological impairment from the episode that makes her unable to work as a teller.

Question 13

Morse and Cremona,Inc.,has hired a private investigator to follow an employee who has filed a workers' compensation claim for a disabling back injury.What legitimate reason would Morse and Cremona have to consider the expense of the private investigator cost-beneficial?

A) The company wants to discredit the employee's claim so that it is not vulnerable to OSHA fines for unsafe workplace conditions.
B) False workers' compensation claims increase the company's premiums.
C) The employee may intend to sue the company for negligence.
D) The employer does not want to pay a valid workers' compensation claim.

Question 14

According to the data presented in the textbook,which of the following workers' compensation covered injuries results in the MOST average days away from work?

A) amputation.
B) burns.
C) concussion.
D) carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 15

____ refers to a condition in which the physical well-being of people is protected.____ refers to protecting employees and organizational facilities.

A) Wellness, Risk management
B) Health, Security
C) Protection, Prevention
D) Safety, Security

Question 16

An employee of a U.S.oil company has become extremely ill while working in an isolated area of Africa.He has been treated with the company's emergency medical kit,but has continued to worsen.Top-quality medical assistance is not available locally,and the location is politically unstable and dangerous.In this case,it is most likely that the company will

A) fly in a high-quality physician and medications to treat the employee.
B) be unable to help the employee. This is the reason why jobs in risky locations carry hazard pay.
C) evacuate the employee to a first-world quality medical facility.
D) establish communication with local physicians and direct them in their care of the employee.

Question 17

According to the textbook,people who are self-employed are more likely to be killed while working because

A) they are self-supervising and so much more likely to work in an unsafe manner.
B) they often work in dangerous industries such as farming.
C) OSHA does not regulate self-employed workers.
D) most coal miners and oil platform workers are independent contractors and considered self-employed

Question 18

Employers who make accommodations for injured employees through light-duty work may unwittingly

A) increase their workers' compensation premiums due to the increased risk of re-injury.
B) violate FMLA regulations which require leave time rather than accommodation.
C) be held liable for any accidents caused by the injured employee.
D) undercut what really are essential job functions, as defined by the ADA.

Question 19

What does the ADA require regarding medical-related information?

A) It should be maintained separately from all other confidential files, with restricted access and security provisions.
B) It is be given to the employee. No copies may be made or kept by the employer.
C) It should be used only by the safety committee when deciding what accommodations can be made for the individual employee affected.
D) It should be filed with all other confidential information about the employee, with access restricted to a "need-to-know" basis.

Question 20

The main purpose of effective ____ programs in organizations is to prevent work-related injuries and accidents.

A) safety
B) job restructuring
C) human engineering
D) security

Question 21

Florence is a short-order cook at a busy diner-type restaurant.On July 4,she fainted from the heat in the kitchen because the restaurant's air conditioning was broken.Florence revived within a few seconds when her co-workers put a cold cloth on her head.She got up and went right back to work with no ill effects.The employer

A) does not have to record this incident because Florence missed no work.
B) does not have to record this incident because a cold cloth is not a "medical treatment."
C) must record the incident because it would be an illness with loss of consciousness.
D) must record the incident because the loss of air conditioning caused unhealthy working conditions.

Question 22

A de minimis OSHA violation

A) can carry a jail term of six months.
B) involves condition that could impact employee's health or safety, but would probably not cause death or serious harm.
C) does not require the OSHA compliance officer to write a citation.
D) is a work injury that requires only first aid and does not involve the employee missing more than 60 minutes of work time.

Question 23

An employer is responsible for a "serious" OSHA violation that could cause death or serious physical harm to an employee

A) only if it actively caused the condition.
B) only if it knew about the existence of the violation and did not do anything to alleviate the problem.
C) if it did not know about the violation, but should have known about it.
D) if the condition exists regardless of the employer's causing the problem or being able to know about the problem.

Question 24

Construction workers on a high-rise job site have walked off the job because they say the scaffolding on which they are to work is unsafe.All of the following conditions must be satisfied for this to be a legal walkout,EXCEPT

A) the workers are receiving hazardous-duty pay.
B) their fear that the scaffolding is dangerous is objectively reasonable.
C) the employees have tried to have the dangerous condition corrected by talking with their supervisor and the owner of the company.
D) using normal procedures to solve the problem has not worked.

Question 25

The generic term for muscle and skeletal injuries that occur when workers repetitively use the same muscles to perform tasks is

A) repetitive trauma syndrome.
B) ergonomic strain injuries.
C) musculo-skeletal trauma.
D) cumulative trauma disorder.

Question 26

Typically,once an OSHA inspector's credentials have been examined and an opening conference has been held with an HR representative,the OSHA inspector's first step will be to

A) interview a selection of employees.
B) conduct an on-the-spot inspection of the workplace.
C) use testing equipment to test the company's compliance with OSHA standards.
D) examine the organization's safety records.

Question 27

An OSHA inspector has arrived at the reception desk of Poultry Land Processors and has presented her credentials.The CEO refuses to allow the inspector into the plant.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) The CEO must allow the inspector to enter because the poultry processing industry has been identified by OSHA as a high-risk industry.
B) The CEO has the right to appeal to the regional OSHA office and reschedule the inspection.
C) The OSHA inspector must have probable cause to search the premises.
D) The OSHA inspector must leave, but she may return with a search warrant.

Question 28

The Occupational Safety and Health Act states that employers have a general duty to

A) obey all rules and regulations developed by the OSHA.
B) inform OSHA when there are no rules to apply in a specific situation.
C) provide safe and healthy working conditions, even in areas where there are no OSHA standards.
D) conform to typical and accepted industry safety practices and standards.

Question 29

With a few high-risk industry and agriculture exceptions,every employer engaged in commerce with ____ employees is covered by OSHA.

A) one or more
B) 10 or more
C) 25 or more
D) 50 or more

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a criticism of OSHA?

A) complexity of regulations.
B) financial cost of compliance with regulations.
C) many employers ignore OSHA regulations.
D) excessive number of OSHA inspections disrupt the workplace.

Question 31

The federal Hazard Communication Standard requires that employers who use hazardous chemicals

A) limit the amount of time that an employee can work in areas where the chemicals are in use or stored.
B) provide material safety data sheets readily accessible to those who work with the chemicals..
C) provide supplemental medical insurance for all employees working with the chemicals.
D) allow employees to "opt out" of jobs using these substances and to be transferred to jobs with equivalent pay.

Question 32

The purpose of a material safety data sheet (MSDS)is to

A) track the use of hazardous materials on the job.
B) record employee accidents or injuries that result from using hazardous substances.
C) collect data for scientific research concerning the long term effects on workers who are exposed to hazardous substances.
D) provide employees or rescue workers with antidotes or actions to be taken if exposure to hazardous materials occurs.

Question 33

A damp floor that is not marked by a warning sign is probably a/an ____ OSHA violation.

A) serious
B) imminent danger
C) other than serious
D) de minimis

Question 34

____ is the study and design of the work environment to address the physiological and physical demands on individuals.

A) Occupational safety and health
B) Environmental design
C) Ergonomics
D) Industrial physiology

Question 35

Workplace standards are developed through research by

A) OSHRC.
B) the FLSA.
C) the CDC and the FDA.
D) NIOSH.

Question 36

After lunching with his boss,Alex,a graphic designer,fell down several stair steps entering the office building and sprained his ankle.Alex went to the company nurse who wrapped his ankle in elastic bandages.Alex was back at his desk about an hour later.OSHA would categorize this as a/an

A) lost-time or disability injury.
B) medical care injury.
C) minor injury.
D) other than serious injury.

Question 37

Carpal tunnel syndrome would be LEAST likely to affect

A) a violinist in a symphony orchestra.
B) a police detective.
C) a checker at a grocery store.
D) the wardrobe seamstress for a theatre company.

Question 38

Eric,a security guard at an apartment complex,and the apartment complex manager were making a routine call when they were attacked by two vicious dogs owned by a renter.The manager was badly mauled,and Eric had dog bites and lacerations.A maintenance worker at the apartment complex gave first aid to Eric and the apartment manager before EMS arrived.This is a circumstance where OSHA regulations on ____ would come into force.

A) hazardous occupations
B) infectious disease control
C) bloodborne pathogens
D) personal protective equipment

Question 39

OSHA representatives who conduct inspections are called

A) inspectors general.
B) compliance officers.
C) safety and health auditors.
D) control agents.

Question 40

The purpose of OSHA's lock out/tag out regulations is to

A) prevent accidental start-up of defective machinery during repair or adjustment.
B) deny access to the workplace by unauthorized individuals.
C) ensure that hazardous substances are kept under lock and key when not being used.
D) close down a workplace judged unsafe by an OSHA inspector.

Question 41

The ____ approach to safety management focuses on designing jobs,developing and implementing safety policies,and using safety committees.

A) engineering
B) systems
C) organizational
D) individual

Question 42

Most fitness-for-duty test failures are due to

A) fatigue, illness and personal problems.
B) illegal drug use.
C) alcohol abuse.
D) use of legal, prescription drugs.

Question 43

An effective safety training system has all the following characteristics EXCEPT

A) training managers and their subordinates simultaneously.
B) translating safety materials into all employee languages.
C) continuously communicating safety information.
D) posting safety information in many different media.

Question 44

With respect to safety committees,an employer may be in violation of the National Labor Relations Act if

A) workers are excluded from participation.
B) employee participation is compulsory.
C) managers compose a majority on the committee.
D) the company is not located in a state mandating safety committees.

Question 45

Laura,an employee at Extruvent Plastics,has been struck by a forklift driven by Raymond,another employee.The Extruvent safety committee arrives as Laura is being loaded into the ambulance.The first thing the safety committee must do is

A) go to the hospital and interview Laura if she is conscious.
B) review the scene of the accident.
C) interview Raymond and send him for drug testing.
D) locate and interview witnesses to the accident.

Question 46

All of the following are part of the engineering approach to safety management EXCEPT

A) applying ergonomic principles.
B) developing and implementing safety policies.
C) designing work settings and equipment.
D) reviewing equipment.

Question 47

From a business perspective,emphasizing health and safety in the workplace pays off in all the following ways EXCEPT

A) lower employee benefits costs.
B) higher employee productivity.
C) lower employee training costs.
D) lower workers' compensation costs.

Question 48

While reviewing safety statistics for the Oceans of Fun Aquarium,the HR manager noticed that the South Seas exhibit staff have had a 20 percent increase in the number of "slip and fall" accidents over the last year.This should trigger

A) discipline of the South Seas employees because they have been lax in following safety rules.
B) discipline of the South Seas exhibit manager because he has not been properly enforcing safety rules.
C) an investigation of the cause(s) of the slip and fall accidents.
D) sending employees to a workshop on "preventing slips and falls."

Question 49

Will is designing a safety program at his parcel delivery company that will demonstrate safe and unsafe methods of lifting heavy packages.He will also have employees practice safe methods of lifting heavy packages.This approach is called

A) risk management.
B) pre-accident training.
C) cultural change.
D) behavior-based safety.

Question 50

The recommended written policy on substance abuse

A) should prohibit employees coming to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
B) can only address use of illegal drugs, because alcohol use is a legal personal activity.
C) can allow termination only if the use of illegal drugs has negatively affected the employee's work.
D) must allow current users of illegal drugs to seek treatment since substance abuse is a disability.

Question 51

All of the following are ways to measure the effectiveness of safety efforts EXCEPT

A) worker's compensation costs per injury/illness.
B) percentage of illnesses/injuries per department.
C) cost of personal protective equipment per employee.
D) incident rate comparisons within the industry.

Question 52

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act,

A) those addicted to legal prescription drugs are not considered disabled.
B) recovering substance abusers are considered disabled.
C) current illegal drug users are considered disabled.
D) addiction to alcohol is not considered a disability.

Question 53

A strip mining company in the Western U.S.has accident and fatality rates much higher than its peers in the industry.If you were hired by this company as its HR safety specialist,what would be the first thing you would suspect as the most basic underlying cause of a poor safety record?

A) inadequate safety policies, discipline practices and recordkeeping
B) poor safety training and communication.
C) lack of commitment by top management to safety.
D) ineffective safety committees.

Question 54

Typically,HR takes on all the following responsibilities for health,safety and security EXCEPT

A) investigating accidents.
B) developing safety reporting systems.
C) assisting in disaster planning.
D) designing employee identification systems.

Question 55

As director of HR for a glass manufacturing plant,you have hired a/an ________to help reduce the number of accidents and injuries at your plant.The consultant's approach to safety involves a proper match of people to jobs,employee training in safety methods,fatigue reduction and health awareness.

A) time and motion analyst
B) industrial engineer
C) ergonomist
D) industrial psychologist

Question 56

Jessica has been a reliable accountant at a local auditing firm for fifteen years.Recently,her performance has decreased and her supervisor has noted a number of signs that may indicate that Jessica is abusing drugs.All of the following signs that the supervisor has noticed are indicators of possible abuse EXCEPT

A) Jessica shows obsessive attention to detail, often reworking completed projects.
B) Jessica has become argumentative with other employees over minor issues.
C) Jessica often appears tired and had been found asleep at her desk.
D) Jessica often seems "blue" and "down."

Question 57

Which employee would NOT be classified as disabled under the ADA?

A) an alcoholic employee who has dropped out of a 12-step recovery program.
B) an employee diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
C) a recovering crack addict in a 12-step program.
D) an employee with anger-management issues.

Question 58

Angstrom Implements has been reported to OSHA for exposing employees to chemicals harmful to human lungs.When the OSHA compliance officer reviews Angstrom's file,he sees that the company has never submitted an OSHA Form 300.This indicates that Angstrom

A) is in violation of OSHA recordkeeping regulations.
B) may not have had a past record of workplace injuries.
C) has fewer than 20 employees and is so not required to file OSHA Form 300.
D) is exempt from filing OSHA 300 forms because it is in OSHA's labor statistics survey group.

Question 59

Top of the Flock Turkey was cited for unsafe working conditions for its line operators twice in the last year.This month OSHA compliance officers have discovered the same violation at the processing plant.Top of the Flock is vulnerable to a/an ____ violation which carries potential jail time for managers.

A) Federal contempt
B) willful and repeated
C) de minimis
D) imminent danger

Question 60

As an employee assistance program consultant,your client companies who use your substance abuse services most heavily are the companies that employ mostly

A) blue-collar, young, single men.
B) people over 55 working full or part-time in hourly jobs.
C) women between the ages of 18 and 30 in any occupation.
D) white-collar men in high-stress jobs.

Question 61

The recommended action for supervisors when first confronting an employee who is suspected of being a substance abuser is

A) a probationary period which includes random drug and alcohol testing.
B) offering the employee a firm choice between help and discipline.
C) automatic referral to an employee assistance program (EAP).
D) immediate disciplinary action.

Question 62

A fitness-for-duty test is a/an

A) test of physical fitness and mental stability.
B) specific test for substance abuse.
C) attempt to detect impairment of abilities.
D) a pre-employment medical examination to check for serious illness or disease.

Question 63

Substance abuse is of concern to employers because

A) drug use is immoral.
B) substance abuse increases tardiness and absenteeism.
C) abusers tend to make more mistakes.
D) substance abusers tend to work more slowly.

Question 64

The main determinant of whether employees will use an EAP is

A) if the EAP is housed on-site so that it is convenient.
B) if the employees are able to take paid work time to visit the EAP.
C) if the employees have confidence in the quality of the EAP's staff and medical personnel.
D) if employees believe their use of the EAP will be confidential.

Question 65

____ provide(s)counseling and other help in a non-work setting to employees having emotional,physical,or other personal problems.

A) An employee wellness program
B) Industrial psychologists
C) An organizational ombudsman
D) Employee assistance programs

Question 66

Which of the following statements regarding workplace smoking is FALSE?

A) Many smokers quit smoking when workplace smoking bans are implemented.
B) Smoking cessation workshops are often offered through health promotion efforts.
C) Federal no-smoking regulations will make smoking prohibited in workplaces of more than 10 employees by 2014.
D) Smokers complain when smoking bans are instituted,but they adjust within a few weeks.

Question 67

As vice president of HR,Matt is proposing to institute an organizational wellness program at Cliffside Sports Products.Matt tells the CEO that research shows that over half of employees take part in different activities in wellness programs.Then Matt makes his key argument which is

A) OSHA looks favorably on organizations with wellness programs if they are found in violation of non-serious regulations.
B) wellness programs have been shown to reduce the number and severity of accidents in the workplace thus reducing workers' compensation costs.
C) in general, cost-benefit analyses support the use of wellness programs.
D) the company can raise the health insurance premiums for employees who don't take part in wellness programs.

Question 68

One in five homicides of women at work

A) occur during the commission of a crime such as a robbery.
B) are by random killers, such as drive-by shooters.
C) are committed by disgruntled co-workers or subordinates.
D) are perpetuated by current or former romantic partners.

Question 69

All of the following workers must be tested for drugs under the U.S.Department of Transportation rules EXCEPT

A) a worker on an oil pipeline.
B) a tugboat pilot.
C) a mechanic for an airline.
D) a combine/harvester operator on an Iowa farm.

Question 70

Eugene,a highly-regarded project manager for a prominent consulting firm,has been working long hours and weekends on a project for a major client in a neighboring city.Eugene had not reported to the office or returned phone calls for three days.He was finally located at a hospital in an alcohol-induced collapse.The HR manager for the consulting firm should

A) recommend termination on grounds of job abandonment.
B) refer Eugene to the company's employee assistance program.
C) recommend disciplinary action short of termination once Eugene has returned from medical leave.
D) not take any action because Eugene's condition is considered a disability under ADA.

Question 71

Delia,the HR director for a company that employs a large number of Baby Boomer workers is concerned about rising costs of workplace accidents and injuries,since older people heal more slowly than younger people do.Delia plans to implement all the following safety measures EXCEPT

A) correcting ergonomic problems with work stations.
B) requiring older workers to take a driving skills test before they can drive company cars..
C) eliminating repetitive stress as much as possible.
D) preventing slips and falls in the workplace.

Question 72

Clark,an HR staff member,is preparing a presentation for staff and managers on the profile of a potentially violent employee.He includes in this profile all of the following EXCEPT

A) work is the person's sole major activity.
B) the person tends to carry grudges.
C) the person has unrealistically high self-esteem.
D) the person has experienced a recent humiliation.

Question 73

You are the vice president of HR.A supervisor is bringing an employee to your office.The employee,who is ordinarily even-tempered,is agitated about something that has happened in her department,she is shouting and angry.Your company does NOT have a policy for zero tolerance of threatening language.You plan to do all of the following EXCEPT

A) call 911.
B) notify company security to stand by.
C) ask the employee open-ended questions that will allow her to vent.
D) calmly acknowledge the employee's concerns and her feelings.

Question 74

The vast majority of workplace homicides are committed by

A) a person with a personal or domestic relationship with the murder victim.
B) a current or past employee.
C) a person with a legitimate relationship with the business.
D) a person with no legitimate relationship to the business.

Question 75

Which of the following is a recommended approach to the management of workplace violence?

A) Do not hire applicants with a history of mental illness..
B) Do not hire applicants who have been arrested for violent crimes.
C) Discharge employees who display erratic behavior.
D) Establish a violence response team.

Question 76

Laura,the CEO of an EAP,has been asked to list the most common problems are that her company sees in its practice with organizations.Laura lists all of the following issues EXCEPT

A) workplace violence.
B) depression and anxiety.
C) marital and relationship problems.
D) legal difficulties.

Question 77

The most appropriate metric for evaluating the financial contribution of an EAP to the organization would be

A) calculation of return on investment for each dollar spent on the EAP.
B) the average cost of each employee visit to the EAP.
C) total cost per employee of the EAP.
D) benchmarking the per-employee cost of the company's EAP to the industry standard.

Question 78

All of the following should be included as part of security audit EXCEPT

A) identification of mentally-ill employees.
B) the capabilities of guards.
C) crime in the surrounding neighborhood.
D) review of disaster plans.

Question 79

Return to Nature Products,Inc.,goes well beyond compliance with health regulations to promote mind-body health among its employees.It offers free workshops on topics such as nutrition,exercise,meditation,yoga,and purification of the body of toxins such as nicotine and alcohol.It focuses on supporting employee decisions to make healthy lifestyle changes,including offering only natural and organic foods in its cafeteria and paying for employee memberships to a local gym.The company's health insurance will pay for smoking cessation,alcohol addiction,diet supplements,and weight control programs.Return to Nature is

A) engaged in health promotion at the highest level of organizational commitment.
B) crossing the line between organizational responsibilities to its employees and invasion of individual privacy.
C) focusing on the information and awareness level of health promotion.
D) offering a comprehensive employee assistance program (EAP).

Question 80

Obese employees are more expensive for employers than normal-weight employees for all of the following reasons EXCEPT

A) obese employees have more accidents in the workplace.
B) health insurance costs are higher for obese employees.
C) obese employees have higher number of lost work days.
D) obese employees are more likely to have chronic health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.