Deck 14: Improving Occupational Safety, Health, and Risk Management

Question 1

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

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

Answer 1

B
Explanation: B) OSHA still makes extensive use of inspections. OSHA takes a "worst-first" approach in setting inspection priorities. Priorities include, from highest to lowest, imminent dangers, catastrophes and fatal accidents, employee complaints, high-hazard industry inspections, and follow-up inspections.

Question 2

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

A) chance occurrences
B) unsafe conditions
C) unsafe behavior by employees
D) weather-related accidents

Answer 2

B
Explanation: B) Unsafe conditions refer to any mechanical and physical conditions that cause accidents, such as defective equipment and improper ventilation. Factors involved in many unsafe conditions include faulty scaffolds, frayed wiring, and improper ventilation.

Question 3

Which of the following terms refers to a summons that informs employers and employees about regulations that have been violated at the workplace?

A) warrant
B) penalty
C) citation
D) inspection

Answer 3

C
Explanation: C) After an inspector submits an inspection report to the local OSHA office, the area director determines what citations, if any, to issue. The citations inform the employer and employees of the regulations and standards that have been violated and of the time set for rectifying the problem.

Question 4

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

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

Question 5

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

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

Question 6

Each year there are roughly ________ million occupational injuries and illnesses in the United States.

A) 1.2
B) 3.8
C) 5.4
D) 9.8

Question 7

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

Question 8

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

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

Question 9

Which of the following personality traits is LEAST likely to be associated with people who are considered accident prone?

A) impulsive
B) extroverted
C) highly fastidious
D) sensation seeking

Question 10

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

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

Question 11

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

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

Question 12

The basic purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is to ________.

A) set and enforce the safety and health standards that apply to almost all workers in the United States
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) prevent the occurrence of occupational illnesses among all employees

Question 13

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

A) size of business
B) compliance history
C) gravity of violation
D) legal representation

Question 14

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 Commerce
C) Department of Agriculture
D) Department of Labor

Question 15

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

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

Question 16

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

A) occupational injury
B) work-related disease
C) chronic illness
D) occupational illness

Question 17

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

A) high workplace temperature
B) hostile co-workers
C) day of the week
D) time of day

Question 18

As a supervisor, which of the following is the LEAST recommended action to take during an OSHA inspection?

A) establishing the focus and scope of the planned inspection
B) accompanying the inspector and taking detailed notes
C) referring the inspector to your OSHA coordinator
D) volunteering all hazard and safety information

Question 19

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

A) reducing unsafe conditions
B) reducing unsafe acts
C) training employees
D) paying high wages

Question 20

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

A) 5
B) 11
C) 25
D) 100

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, best supports the argument that Thermo needs to implement a positive reinforcement program?

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

Question 22

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) unsafe acts
B) industrial hygiene
C) infectious disease
D) ergonomic hazard

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?

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, 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) Noises emitted from the press and the high temperatures in the Thermo facility are considered distracting and potentially dangerous.
D) 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.

Question 25

How do managers reduce unsafe acts through selection?

A) identify traits linked to job accidents and screen candidates for such traits
B) rotate employees through different positions within the organization
C) offer monetary incentives to employee teams with low accident rates
D) respond to employee suggestions to improve possible problem areas

Question 26

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

A) performance
B) punctuality
C) work quality
D) health care costs

Question 27

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) None of the injured Thermo workers were wearing personal protective equipment because the high temperatures in the facility made the PPE very uncomfortable.
B) The three workers were working overtime during an evening shift at Thermo, and only one of them had extensive experience using the press.
C) 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.
D) 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.

Question 28

Gwen works as a stockbroker, and she is experiencing the symptoms of job stress. All of the following would most likely help Gwen reduce her stress levels 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

Question 29

When managers identify a trait associated with workplace accidents and then use this trait as part of the selection process for new hires, they are using ________ to reduce unsafe acts.

A) job rotation
B) screening
C) training
D) incentives

Question 30

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

A) drinking on the job
B) walking with an unsteady gait
C) delegating job responsibilities
D) performing the job incompetently

Question 31

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

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

Question 32

Kevin is a supervisor at a manufacturing facility that has experienced a high rate of on-the-job accidents. Which of the following methods should Kevin use first to reduce the number of workplace accidents?

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

Question 33

Which of the following terms refers to people who feel driven to always be on time and meet deadlines?

A) lifelong learner
B) team player
C) workaholic
D) supervisor

Question 34

________ 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

Question 35

According to experts, burnout can most effectively be reduced by ________.

A) telecommuting
B) rotating jobs
C) changing careers
D) reassessing goals

Question 36

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) anxiety
B) cancer
C) headaches
D) heart disease

Question 37

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) exhaustion
B) absenteeism
C) entrapment
D) resentment

Question 38

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) a combination of random, ongoing drug testing with psychological evaluations
D) a combination of preemployment drug testing and random ongoing drug testing

Question 39

Unsafe acts can be reduced through all of the following methods EXCEPT by ________.

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

Question 40

Research estimates that the cost of health care is nearly ________ higher for highly stressed workers than for workers with low levels of stress.

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

Question 41

TGV Enterprises wants to prevent workplace violence. What is the first step the firm should most likely take?

A) strengthening security
B) screening employees
C) checking references
D) conducting drug tests

Question 42

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

A) verbal threats
B) written threats
C) erratic behavior
D) loner tendencies

Question 43

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

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

Question 44

William, a manager at a computer firm, noticed that one of the technicians in his group has been showing signs of persistent sadness, reduced appetite, and poor concentration. Such symptoms are most likely an indication that the technician is experiencing ________.

A) occupational disease
B) depression
C) alcoholism
D) burnout

Question 45

Tina is a data entry specialist who spends most of her day at a computer workstation. She has recently experienced eyestrain, neck aches, and pain in her wrist. Which of the following recommendations is LEAST likely to benefit Tina?

A) taking 3-5 minute breaks every 30 minutes
B) working in an area with indirect lighting
C) resting her wrists lightly on a pad
D) placing the screen above eye level

Question 46

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) sending workers to a nearby hospital
B) offering workers a light-work option
C) denying workers facility access for 10 days
D) placing workers on indefinite unpaid leave

Question 47

________ means taking advantage of a facility's architectural features in order to minimize security problems.

A) Mechanical security
B) Organizational security
C) Natural security
D) Architectural security

Question 48

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) pre-existing security

Question 49

Which term refers to using security and surveillance systems cost effectively in order to reduce the need for constant human surveillance?

A) natural security
B) mechanical security
C) architectural security
D) organizational security

Question 50

Bursitis, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome are examples of ________.

A) denied workers' compensation claims
B) ergonomic health conditions
C) repetitive motion disorders
D) unsafe work conditions

Question 51

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

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

Question 52

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

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

Question 53

Larry smokes, but he would like to quit. His employer will pay the costs of a smoking cessation program. How much money will Larry's employer most likely save each year if Larry quits smoking as a result of the program?

A) $50
B) $200
C) $750
D) $1000

Question 54

Most homicides and assaults that occur in the workplace are committed by ________.

A) co-workers
B) supervisors
C) customers
D) terrorists

Question 55

Identifying security and other corporate risks is known as ________.

A) worker risk assessment
B) supply chain management
C) performance assessment
D) enterprise risk management

Question 56

On average how many workers are murdered eack week while at work?

A) 10
B) 20
C) 50
D) 90

Question 57

In most cases, what is the first step in establishing a basic security program at a workplace?

A) analyzing the facility's current level of risk
B) establishing mechanical security features
C) screening current and new employees
D) minimizing natural security features

Question 58

Which term refers to using good management to improve the security of a facility?

A) natural security
B) mechanical security
C) architectural security
D) organizational security

Question 59

The majority of women murdered in the workplace are the victims of ________.

A) unknown assailants
B) family members
C) co-workers
D) friends

Question 60

You are a manager at a retail store, and you need to fire an employee who has threatened violence against a co-worker. Which of the following would be most appropriate in this situation?

A) avoid offering a severance package
B) keep the termination meeting brief
C) conduct the meeting at the end of the day
D) allow the employee to return to the work area

Question 61

What is the primary role of supervisors in improving employee safety?

A) writing organizational safety policies
B) developing online safety manuals
C) conducting regular safety inspections
D) attending safety training workshops

Question 62

Which of the following is NOT a step a business can take to protect itself from terror attacks?

A) check mail carefully
B) prepare evacuation plans
C) assemble a crisis management team
D) identify an on-site location for a staging area

Question 63

Which of the following is a true statement about OSHA's voluntary consultation program?

A) Firms are charged a one-time fee for consultations.
B) Safety inspections are handled by federal employees.
C) Inspections that uncover citations trigger small penalties.
D) The consultation program is separate from OSHA inspections.

Question 64

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

Question 65

A toxic safety climate is best described as a work environment that ________.

A) involves dangerous chemicals
B) hires inexperienced workers
C) promotes unsafe acts
D) encourages overtime

Question 66

The Occupational Safety and Health Act does not cover self-employed persons or family farms.

Question 67

Which of the following is a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating hazards before accidents occur?

A) behavior-based safety analysis
B) operational safety review
C) job hazard analysis
D) lockout/tagout

Question 68

All of the following would most likely contribute to a firm's OSHA liability EXCEPT ________.

A) voluntary consultations
B) irregular safety meetings
C) sporadic workplace inspections
D) lack of a systematic safety approach

Question 69

OSHA enforces its standards through inspections, which are usually announced so that employers have time to prepare.

Question 70

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

Question 71

Which type of security program primarily involves training security personnel?

A) organizational security
B) architectural security
C) mechanical security
D) natural security

Question 72

Accidents occur more frequently in facilities with ________.

A) bright lighting
B) congested work areas
C) strong union support
D) low seasonal layoff rates

Question 73

The most serious workplace accidents involve ________.

A) wheelbarrows
B) improper ventilation
C) forklift trucks
D) woodworking machines

Question 74

In order to protect employees and assets from terrorist attack, employers should most likely ________.

A) mandate facility evacuations
B) require all personnel to telecommute
C) designate risk management security measures
D) establish an emergency text-messaging policy

Question 75

According to the text, why is DuPont's accident rate significantly lower than the industry average?

A) employee safety incentive plans
B) organizational commitment to safety
C) selection procedures focused on safety
D) superior safety technology and training

Question 76

Which of the following would LEAST likely be categorized as a vulnerable worker?

A) minority workers
B) young workers
C) immigrant workers
D) female workers

Question 77

Safety training should be bilingual in situations where employees speak English as a second language or are not fluent in English.

Question 78

Which term refers to the formal procedure for disabling power equipment in the workplace?

A) job hazard analysis
B) lockout/tagout
C) voltage check
D) ergonomics

Question 79

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) group security
B) natural security
C) mechanical security
D) organizational security

Question 80

Reviews conducted by agencies to determine if units in their jurisdiction are complying with safety laws and regulations are known as ________ reviews.

A) risk assessment
B) behavioral safety
C) job hazard
D) operational safety