Deck 13: Health, Safety, and Security and Risk Management

Question 1

The Occupational Health and Safety Act is "strict liability" legislation. Which of the following statements best explains this characteristic?

A)Employees injured in a workplace accident can sue their employers in civil court for damages.
B)criminal liability is imposed on corporations and individuals that violate health and safety regulations.
C)Employees give up their legal right to sue a corporation for damages in exchange for disability payments.
D)Employees can decide whether they are willing to proceed with a particular action or not.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

According to the Criminal Code, an organization guilty of a serious, indictable offence, such as a workplace death, can be fined. Which of the following criteria for fines applies?

A)a maximum fine of $500 000
B)a maximum fine of $1 million
C)a maximum fine of $3 million
D)no limit on the fine

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Organizations offer programs whose main purpose is to prevent work-related injuries and accidents. Which of the following types of programs has this purpose?

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

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Three of the following are the major causes of injury in the workplace. Which listed cause does NOT belong?

A)misusing machinery
B)bodily reaction
C)overextending
D)falling

Question 5

Over the past 10 years for the country as a whole, the pattern for time-loss injuries has changed. Which of the following statements sums up the trend for time-loss injuries?

A)They have been cyclical.
B)They have increased.
C)They have decreased.
D)They have generally stayed the same.

Question 6

Which province has the most time-loss injuries?

A)Saskatchewan
B)Quebec
C)Ontario
D)British Columbia

Question 7

Which of the following terms refers to protecting employees and organizational facilities?

A)safety
B)risk management
C)health
D)security

Question 8

All provincial and territorial occupational health and safety legislation requires employers to fulfill the "general duty clause." Which of the following obligations does the clause refer to?

A)developing health and safety standards unique to each place of employment
B)funding an extended health plan
C)providing a safe work environment
D)paying disability benefits to all injured workers

Question 9

HR can create value and help mitigate some risk to the company pertaining to terrorist attacks, loss of electrical service, bomb threats, and hostage situations. Which of the following does HR need to coordinate in order to achieve this?

A)emergency operations
B)crisis management planning
C)the integration of safety and security
D)compliance with regulations

Question 10

Who is jointly responsible for occupational health and safety in an organization?

A)employers and government
B)employers and owner
C)employees and employers
D)employees and owners

Question 11

When it comes to occupational health and safety, employees have three fundamental rights. Which of the following is NOT one of these rights?

A)to refuse unsafe work without worrying about retaliation
B)to define safe job practices
C)to take part in special committees and to report unsafe practices and conditions
D)to know the hazards associated with the job

Question 12

Which of the following factors is NOT common to provincial and territorial occupational health and safety acts?

A)powers of enforcement
B)duties and responsibilities for employees and others
C)policies on drug testing
D)the right of workers to refuse to do unsafe work

Question 13

Which of the following responsibilities belongs to the HR unit in a typical division of health, safety, and security responsibilities?

A)investigating accidents
B)monitoring the workplace for security problems
C)monitoring the health and safety of employees daily
D)developing the safety reporting system

Question 14

On which of the following do the primary health, safety, and security responsibilities in an organization usually fall?

A)safety teams
B)HR specialists
C)industrial engineers
D)supervisors and managers

Question 15

Employers are expected to take all reasonable measures to prevent injuries or accidents in their specific workplaces. Which of the following terms is associated with the steps they take ?

A)duty of care
B)general duty
C)due diligence
D)strict liability

Question 16

Bill C-45, also known as the Westray Bill, sets out penalties for individuals and corporations that fail to take reasonable measures to protect employees and public safety. Which of the following penalties can the bill impose on negligent individuals and companies?

A)freezing of assets to pay liability claims
B)voiding of workers' compensation coverage, leaving the organization liable for civil damages on the grounds of gross negligence
C)immediate fining for gross negligence
D)laying of criminal charges and if convicted, prison sentences

Question 17

Which of these problems represents the biggest cause of work-related fatalities?

A)circulatory disease
B)asbestos
C)accidents
D)cancer

Question 18

Bill C-45, or the Westray Bill, increased the maximum fine for an organization convicted of a summary offence. Which of these fine figures best applies?

A)$25 000
B)$75 000
C)$100 000
D)$250 000

Question 19

Penalties can be imposed against individuals who show negligence that results in a workplace injury or death. Which of the following penalties might the courts impose for negligence?

A)up to two years in prison for an employee workplace injury or death
B)up to 10 years in prison for a workplace injury or life imprisonment in the case of death
C)no prison time, but a maximum fine of $250 000
D)no prison time for a workplace injury, but five years in prison for a workplace death

Question 20

From a business perspective, emphasizing health and safety in the workplace pays off in many ways; however, which of the following is NOT a benefit?

A)lower training and monitoring costs
B)fewer work-related accidents
C)lower employee benefits costs
D)lower workers' compensation costs

Question 21

Which of the following terms refers to the kind of hazard capable of causing injury in an accident?

A)occupational hazard
B)physical hazard
C)safety hazard
D)danger hazard

Question 22

Under the occupational health and safety acts, health and safety inspectors have a range of powers, three of which are outlined below. Which of the following powers is NOT exercised by inspectors?

A)requiring employees to comply with any requests
B)issuing any written orders to the employer to comply with the law
C)imposing fines for non-compliance
D)entering any workplace without notice or warrant

Question 23

Arlene works as a teller for a bank. During an armed robbery attempt, Arlene was shot in the left elbow, which may permanently affect her use of that arm. Which of the following benefits should Arlene NOT expect under workers' compensation?

A)retraining for another position if the episode leads to psychological impairment that prevents her from working as a teller
B)payments to replace lost wages
C)punitive damages against the bank if it has been lax in providing security for employees
D)payments to cover medical bills

Question 24

Equipment may need to be made inoperative for repair or adjustment. Which of the following names the procedure associated with doing this?

A)shutdown
B)lockdown
C)lockout/tagout
D)signout

Question 25

Muscle and skeletal injuries can occur when workers use the same muscles over and over again to do their tasks. Which of the following is a generic term referring to that phenomenon?

A)myasthenia gravis
B)cumulative trauma disorder
C)repetitive trauma syndrome
D)musculo-skeletal trauma

Question 26

Under the various occupational health and safety acts, a supervisor has a range of duties. Which of the following duties is a supervisor NOT expected to fulfill?

A)providing training to workers
B)preparing a health and safety policy
C)advising workers of possible hazards
D)disciplining for continuous safety infractions when necessary

Question 27

Which of these industries is subject to the highest level of cumulative trauma disorders?

A)fast food
B)agricultural
C)garment
D)meat-packing

Question 28

Which three elements does WHMIS rely upon?

A)public information sessions, labelling, and employee training
B)material safety data sheets, public information sessions, and labelling
C)material safety data sheets, labelling, and employee training
D)material safety data sheets, public information sessions, and employee training

Question 29

Which of the following workplaces represents somewhere a minor in Canada could be legally employed?

A)pool room
B)garage
C)night club
D)donut store

Question 30

When employees have work-related injuries that prevent them from working, they may receive workers' compensation. On which of these factors are payments based?

A)loss of potential future earnings
B)average five years' earnings
C)prior earnings plus an allowance for pain and suffering
D)a percentage of past earnings

Question 31

Which of these characteristics is common among people with carpal tunnel syndrome?

A)putting their hands through repetitive motions
B)working in places with constant loud noises
C)performing work that produces constant eye strain
D)spending most of the workday standing or leaning over a counter

Question 32

Which of the following ages is the one that most provinces have set as the minimum for child labour?

A)12
B)14
C)15
D)16

Question 33

Which of the following acronyms identifies a comprehensive plan for providing information on the safe handling of hazardous materials in Canadian workplaces?

A)CLC
B)WHMIS
C)MSDS
D)OH&SA

Question 34

Which of the following occupational health and safety responsibilities are workers NOT expected to meet?

A)following all safety procedures
B)properly using safety clothing and equipment
C)ensuring the safety of their co-workers
D)investigating and reporting accidents and illnesses

Question 35

Which of the following groups is responsible for funding workers' compensation?

A)provincial and local governments
B)employees
C)employees and employers jointly
D)employers

Question 36

Which of the following terms refers to the study and design of the work environment to address the physiological and physical demands on individuals?

A)environmental design
B)occupational safety and health
C)ergonomics
D)industrial physiology

Question 37

In 2005, most fatal occupational injuries under federal jurisdiction occurred in one sector. Which of these sectors was it?

A)railway
B)air transport
C)road transport
D)public service departments

Question 38

Which of the following problems can an occupational safety hazard cause?

A)strains
B)cuts
C)repetitive stress injuries.
D)broken bones

Question 39

Which of the following duties is NOT associated with joint health and safety committees?

A)performing routine workplace inspections
B)paying for health and safety courses
C)resolving work refusals
D)identifying risks

Question 40

Which of the following is a major contributor to the increase in workers' compensation costs?

A)injuries to employees while working in foreign countries
B)escalating numbers and seriousness of on-the-job accidents
C)injuries to employees while working at home
D)higher medical costs and fraud

Question 41

One approach to safety focuses on achieving a proper match of people to jobs and emphasizes employee training in safety methods. Which of the following types of experts work from this perspective?

A)safety consultants
B)industrial psychologists
C)ergonomists
D)industrial engineers

Question 42

Which of these warning signs does NOT point to a potentially violent employee?

A)change in behaviour
B)conflict with others
C)blame put on others
D)absenteeism

Question 43

Which of the following behaviours is NOT an example of workplace bullying by a worker or a supervisor?

A)withholding necessary information
B)addressing performance deficiencies
C)excluding or isolating someone socially
D)removing areas of responsibility without cause

Question 44

Which of the following is at the heart of an organization's safety management?

A)a safety committee consisting of employees from all departments
B)written safety policies and discipline
C)a commitment to a comprehensive safety effort
D)routine inspections by OH&SA compliance officers

Question 45

When accidents occur, they must be investigated. Of the following possibilities, who is responsible for investigating?

A)employees' safety committee
B)the health and safety inspector
C)the supervisor and the shop steward
D)the supervisor

Question 46

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

A)checking arrest records of job applicants
B)not hiring job candidates with mental or emotional disabilities
C)establishing a violence response team
D)discharging employees suspected of behaviours that often precede violence

Question 47

Safety management may focus on designing jobs, developing and implementing safety policies, and using safety committees. Which of the following names that safety management approach?

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

Question 48

A security audit draws on a variety of insiders and outsiders. Which of the following people are LEAST likely to help conduct the audit?

A)computer security experts
B)security consultants
C)police officers
D)employee committee members

Question 49

Morris is the HR manager at a company that has a zero-tolerance policy. Under this policy Morris has terminated employees whose behaviour fell short of company standards. Which of the following behaviours probably did NOT lead to termination?

A)sending emails to a co-worker (who has refused to date him despite persistent requests) with photographs of her house, children, and dog accompanied by the music track to a slasher movie
B)punching another employee over a dispute in the company parking lot
C)telling another employee he was promoted because he had married the CEO's daughter
D)muttering, "I could just kill him," when his supervisor refused a request for a personal day off

Question 50

A large department store was the scene of a homicide. One sales associate in the designer clothing department was shot in front of her co-workers and customers by her estranged ex-husband. HR swung into action with a post-violence response in accordance with recommended practices. Which of the listed actions would the HR department NOT have taken?

A)giving all staff witnesses to the homicide three days of leave
B)giving employees time to meet with HR staff
C)bringing trained counsellors on-site
D)referring employees to EAP resources

Question 51

Which of the following features is NOT associated with the engineering approach to safety management?

A)providing safety training
B)designing work settings and equipment
C)applying ergonomic principles
D)reviewing equipment

Question 52

Clark, an HR staff member, is preparing a presentation for staff and managers on the profile of a potentially violent employee. Which of the following characteristics is the LEAST likely to include in his profile?

A)The person gets easily frustrated.
B)The person focuses all major efforts on paid work.
C)The person tends to carry grudges.
D)The person has overly high self-esteem.

Question 53

Steve is designing a safety program at his parcel delivery company that will demonstrate unsafe methods of lifting heavy packages and will have employees practise safe methods of lifting heavy packages. Which of the following is the name of this approach?

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

Question 54

Businesses that operate in hurricane-prone or earthquake-prone areas need to be able to cope with potential life-threatening situations. Which of these measures should such businesses have in place?

A)crisis analysis
B)evacuation drill
C)disaster plan
D)security audit

Question 55

Which of the following represents the fastest growing category of disability costs in Canada?

A)substance abuse
B)mental health
C)workplace violence
D)accidents

Question 56

By whom are most workplace homicides committed?

A)current employees
B)spouses or significant others of employees
C)disgruntled former employees
D)strangers who enter the premises

Question 57

You are the vice president of HR. A supervisor is bringing an employee to your office. The employee is agitated about something that has happened in her department. She is shouting and angry. Given that your company lacks a zero-tolerance policy, which of these actions do you NOT plan to take?

A)calmly acknowledging the employee's concerns and feelings
B)notifying company security to stand by
C)asking the employee open-ended questions that will allow her to vent
D)calling the police to meet you in your office

Question 58

Jeff, a university student, is going to purchase the personal protective equipment he needs for his first job in construction. Which of these items is UNLIKELY to appear on his shopping list?

A)safety glasses
B)safety boots.
C)hard hat
D)rain gear

Question 59

Which of the following is the main purpose behind wearing personal protective equipment?

A)removing a hazard
B)minimizing a hazard
C)eliminating a hazard
D)guaranteeing protection

Question 60

Which of the following phases is the first in an accident investigation?

A)Prepare recommendations on prevention and needed changes.
B)Interview injured employee, supervisor and any witnesses to the accident.
C)Prepare an accident investigation report.
D)Review the accident scene.

Question 61

Glissande International Consulting has operated in Canada and Western Europe for more than 10 years. It plans to open new offices in Eastern Europe and Latin America over the next three years. The HR director is reviewing Glissande's occupational health and safety policies, and comes to a realization about a needed change. Which of the following ideas is the most likely choice?

A)Increase the life and health insurance on employees assigned to work in the new locations.
B)Hire security guards fluent in the local languages for each location.
C)Recruit local staff for these offices rather than exposing current Glissande employees to hazardous conditions.
D)Contract with a firm that provides emergency services overseas.

Question 62

Which of the following is NOT seen as an indirect cost of stress?

A)occasional absence
B)reduced productivity
C)short-term disability
D)medication

Question 63

Employees having emotional, physical, or other personal problems can gain counselling and other help in a non-work setting. Which of the following resources provides such support?

A)an HR specialist
B)an organizational ombudsman
C)a wellness program
D)an employee assistance program

Question 64

Which of the following are most associated with stressors?

A)external situations
B)work-related consequences
C)psychological states
D)emotional responses

Question 65

The employer may take a supportive approach to facilitating and encouraging healthy actions and lifestyles among employees. Which of the following best defines this approach?

A)self-directed wellness program
B)employee assistance program
C)health promotion plan
D)stress management plan

Question 66

Canadian companies with facilities in countries vulnerable to terrorism may act upon common recommendations, some of which appear below; however, which piece of advice should be ignored?

A)Hire no local staff.
B)Screen entry by all employees.
C)Remove exterior signs from facilities.
D)Use electronic security devices in offices.

Question 67

Laura, the CEO of an EAP, has been asked to identify the most common problems that her company sees in its practice with organizations. Which of the following issues is Laura LEAST likely to list?

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

Question 68

Which of the following conditions is NOT a possible physical reaction to stress?

A)drug abuse
B)sleep disorders
C)increased blood pressure
D)migraines

Question 69

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 actively supports 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. What is Return to Nature Products most likely trying to do?

A)cross the line between organizational responsibilities to its employees and invasion of privacy
B)focus on the information and awareness level of health promotion
C)promote health at the organizational health level
D)offer a comprehensive employee assistance program (EAP)

Question 70

Janice, a nursing supervisor in a major hospital, is concerned about preventing her nurses from suffering burnout. Which of the following matters will she NOT have to consider?

A)ensuring cohesion between employee work expectations and reality
B)reducing role ambiguity
C)giving employees a sense of control over their environment
D)decreasing each employee's level of responsibility

Question 71

Jeremy has been a reliable employee for five years. Recently, his performance has decreased, and his supervisor has seen several indications that Jeremy is abusing drugs. Which of the following signs that the supervisor has noticed do NOT indicate possible abuse?

A)depression
B)fatigue
C)many unscheduled Monday/Friday absences
D)obsessive attention to detail

Question 72

If an employee tests positive for drugs, the employer is obliged to deal with the situation; however, of the possible responses below, there is one that the employer need NOT implement. Which is it?

A)take disciplinary action
B)reassign the employee to a less safety-sensitive position
C)provide medical testing
D)provide counselling

Question 73

Some stressors, including several identified below, are unique to the job. Which of the following examples does NOT relate to this kind of stressor?

A)defence, adjustment, and adaptation
B)underload stress
C)shiftwork or hours of work
D)autonomy

Question 74

Which of the following statements best explains why there may be poor air quality in a sealed building?

A)Fluorescent lighting interacts with oxygen to form ozone.
B)Heat generated by computers and office equipment causes "hot spots."
C)Sealed buildings have more dust.
D)Airflow in the building is reduced to save energy costs.

Question 75

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 of the following arguments is Matt most likely to present?

A)Wellness programs have been shown to reduce the number and severity of accidents in the workplace, thus reducing workers' compensation costs.
B)OH&SA looks favourably on organizations with wellness programs if they are found in violation of minor regulations.
C)Employees who refuse to take part in wellness programs can have their health insurance premiums raised.
D)Cost-benefit analyses support the use of wellness programs.

Question 76

Which of the following terms refers to the positive, usually short-term stress that arises when motivation and inspiration are needed?

A)constructive stress
B)affirmative stress
C)distress
D)eustress

Question 77

Which of the following terms applies to the use of illicit substances or the misuse of controlled substances, alcohol, or other drugs?

A)chemical coping
B)drug addiction
C)substance abuse
D)dependence

Question 78

What are the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) to stress?

A)alarm, defence, and exhaustion
B)stress, reaction, exhaustion
C)alarm, resistance, and exhaustion
D)defence, adjustment, and adaptation

Question 79

Some health programs focus on maintaining or improving employee health rather than dealing with problems after they have arisen. Which types of programs are they?

A)employee assistance
B)health maintenance
C)wellness
D)prevention

Question 80

Which of the following refers to the test most appropriate for determining drug abuse?

A)urinalysis
B)radioimmunoassay of hair
C)blood chemistry
D)Breathalyzer