Deck 11: A Safe and Healthy Work Environment

Question 1

In pursuit of its mission, OSHA promotes and ensures ________.

A) corporate wellness programs
B) employee assistance programs
C) workplace safety and health
D) global healthcare

Answer 1

C
Explanation: C) The mission of OSHA is to promote and ensure workplace safety and health and to reduce workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. OSHA is committed to ensuring-so far as possible-that every working person in the nation has a safe and healthful working environment.

Question 2

Approximately, how many inspectors does OSHA have?

A) 500
B) 2,000
C) 1,000
D) 3,500

Answer 2

B
Explanation: B) OSHA employs approximately 2,000 inspectors.

Question 3

What agency enforces the Occupational Safety and Health Act?

A) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
B) National Safety Administration
C) Occupational Safety and Health Administration
D) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Answer 3

C
Explanation: C) The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA aims to ensure worker safety and health in the United States by working with employers and employees to create better working environments.

Question 4

Which of the following firms recently received the largest fine in OSHA's history?

A) BP
B) GM
C) Exxon
D) Toyota

Question 5

What is the top leading cause of workplaces injuries and their associated costs?

A) overexertion
B) truck accidents
C) repetitive motion
D) struck against object

Question 6

OSHA has authorized stricter enforcement measures for employers that ________.

A) employ illegal immigrants
B) fail to provide bilingual safety information
C) frequently request voluntary safety checks
D) repeatedly violate health and safety standards

Question 7

Since its inception, OSHA has helped to cut workplace fatalities by how much?

A) 10 percent
B) 30 percent
C) 60 percent
D) 90 percent

Question 8

What involves protecting employees from injuries caused by work-related accidents?

A) safety
B) health
C) wellness
D) morale

Question 9

ABC Manufacturing received one citation for a serious hazard. What is the maximum penalty for this violation?

A) $13,000
B) $11,000
C) $9,000
D) $7,000

Question 10

Which of the following was created to ensure worker safety and health?

A) ADEA
B) FLSA
C) OSHA
D) EEOC

Question 11

Since its inception, OSHA has helped to cut occupational injury and illness rates by how much?

A) 10%
B) 40%
C) 80%
D) 100%

Question 12

A portion the Sarbanes-Oxley Act makes it illegal to fire or otherwise discriminate against a corporate officer for trying to report possible accounting irregularities to higher corporate officials or enforcement agencies. The ________ administers that portion of Sarbanes-Oxley.

A) Department of Homeland Security
B) Internal Revenue Service
C) U.S. Department of Labor
D) Securities and Exchange Commission

Question 13

Thompson Manufacturing has been designated a recalcitrant employer by OSHA. As a result, Thompson will most likely ________.

A) receive a stern warning
B) close its facilities immediately
C) experience numerous inspections
D) downsize its staff and hire contractors

Question 14

Within the Department of Labor, OSHA enforces ________ for workplace safety, the environment, consumer products, the financial system, and other areas.

A) pension benefit guaranties
B) equal employment opportunity statutes
C) whistleblower protection provisions
D) financial disclosure requirements

Question 15

Resilience training is intended to ________.

A) help workers reduce stress
B) strengthen workers after they have experienced stress
C) help workers deal with the symptoms of stress
D) help workers ignore stressful situations

Question 16

The owner of Hanson Manufacturing is considering the idea of establishing a smoke-free workplace and instigating an incentive plan to encourage employees to quit smoking. According to CDC research, Hanson Manufacturing will gain approximately ________ in productivity from each smoker who quits the habit.

A) $200
B) $500
C) $2,000
D) $5,000

Question 17

According to your textbook, all of the following EXCEPT ________ are included within the umbrella definition of safety.

A) musculoskeletal disorders
B) stress injuries
C) natural disasters
D) workplace and domestic violence

Question 18

What term refers to employees' freedom from physical or emotional illness?

A) safety
B) health
C) prevention
D) morale

Question 19

If 10 employees were exposed to one hazard that the employer intentionally did not eliminate, what would be the maximum penalty?

A) $400,000
B) $500,000
C) $600,000
D) $700,000

Question 20

In order to prove that an employer has violated the general duty clause, OSHA must prove all of the following exist EXCEPT that ________.

A) the hazard was likely to cause minor injuries
B) a condition in the workplace presented a hazard
C) a feasible means existed to reduce the hazard
D) the employer or its industry recognized the hazard

Question 21

Which department within a corporation is most likely responsible for anticipating losses associated with safety factors?

A) employee relations
B) risk management
C) health and safety
D) human resources

Question 22

Which of the following is caused by pressure on the median nerve that occurs as a result of a narrowing of the passageway that houses the nerve?

A) carpal isometrics
B) carpal tunnel syndrome
C) ergotism syndrome
D) isometrics syndrome

Question 23

What law requires businesses to communicate more openly about the hazards associated with the materials they use and produce and the wastes they generate?

A) Occupational Communication in Safety and Health Act
B) Safe Communication in Health Act
C) Occupational Safety and Health Act
D) Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act

Question 24

Foley Foods is a mid-size food processing facility that has had a significant increase in business lately. The firm needs to hire additional workers and develop a second shift to meet productivity needs. The HR manager at Foley Foods recommends implementing a safety program. Which of the following suggests that a safety program would be beneficial to Foley Foods?

A) Foley Foods recently became a smoke-free workplace.
B) Foley Foods will be hiring new workers for the night shift.
C) Employees at Foley Foods use simulators during training programs.
D) Managers at Foley Foods will soon be conducting performance appraisals.

Question 25

According to OSHA, who is primarily responsible for employee safety?

A) employee
B) OSHA
C) employer
D) co-workers

Question 26

Which of the following is most likely to reduce the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome?

A) resting the hand and wrist in a neutral position
B) performing similar activities regularly each day
C) positioning computer monitors above eye level
D) keeping keyboards below elbow level

Question 27

What results in a detailed written procedure for safely completing many tasks within a plant?

A) job analysis
B) workplace analysis
C) job hazard analysis
D) quantified hazard analysis

Question 28

Work related musculoskeletal disorders cost U.S. companies ________ just to cover lost productivity.

A) $23.1 billion
B) $768 million
C) $61.2 billion
D) $98.3 billion

Question 29

Foley Foods is a mid-size food processing facility that has had a significant increase in business lately. The firm needs to hire additional workers and develop a second shift to meet productivity needs. The HR manager at Foley Foods recommends implementing a safety program. Which of the following most likely undermines the need for a safety program?

A) Foley Foods has a high employee turnover rate.
B) All machines at Foley Foods are equipped with safety interlocks.
C) Foley Foods' workers' compensation costs are the highest in the industry.
D) Employees at Foley Foods have the option of wearing safety goggles and other PPE.

Question 30

Comprehensive safety programs should primarily focus on unsafe working conditions and on unsafe ________.

A) employee actions
B) equipment
C) management policies
D) products

Question 31

Which of the following is an essential element of a corporate safety program?

A) a culture of fear and reprisal to penalize safety violators
B) a corporate culture where employees are involved and engaged
C) a laissez-faire attitude from the top management team
D) a top-down approach to implementing safety in the workplace

Question 32

In the workplace, ________ are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries nationwide.

A) safety oversights
B) programmed inconsistencies
C) musculoskeletal disorders
D) post workday symptoms

Question 33

Which of the following is a multi-step process designed to study and analyze a task and then break down that task into steps that provide a means of eliminating associated dangers?

A) job analysis
B) job hazard analysis
C) workplace analysis
D) hazard analysis

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a component of a successful JHA program?

A) management support
B) employee training
C) government enforcement
D) management oversight

Question 35

Foley Foods is a mid-size food processing facility that has had a significant increase in business lately. The firm needs to hire additional workers and develop a second shift to meet productivity needs. The HR manager at Foley Foods recommends implementing a safety program. Which of the following questions is LEAST relevant to this decision?

A) How many OSHA citations has Foley Foods received?
B) What engineering controls are used at Foley Foods?
C) What is the annual accident rate at Foley Foods?
D) How does Foley Foods recruit safety engineers?

Question 36

One of the primary tasks of a firm's safety director is to ________.

A) request safety inspections
B) prepare OSHA reports
C) provide safety training
D) act as a line manager

Question 37

Which term refers to conditions that affect the body's muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves?

A) repetition syndrome
B) stress trauma injuries
C) flexible ligament injuries
D) musculoskeletal disorders

Question 38

An employee with which of the following qualities would most likely have fewer work injuries?

A) high productivity rate
B) extensive education
C) lengthy work experience
D) extensive job knowledge

Question 39

Foley Foods is a mid-size food processing facility that has had a significant increase in business lately. The firm needs to hire additional workers and develop a second shift to meet productivity needs. The HR manager at Foley Foods recommends implementing a safety program. Which of the following best supports the implementation of a safety program?

A) At the end of each year, high performing employees at Foley Foods are given bonuses.
B) As a government contractor, Foley Foods must have an employee assistance program.
C) Workers' compensation costs increased significantly in the last year at Foley Foods.
D) Foley Foods' main competitor recently received an OSHA penalty and citation.

Question 40

Individuals in which of the following jobs are LEAST likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome?

A) assembly line workers
B) illustrators
C) teachers
D) carpenters

Question 41

An employer incurs the liability of ________ when it fails to conduct a reasonable investigation of an applicant's background, and then assigns a potentially dangerous person to a position in which he or she can inflict harm.

A) negligent hiring
B) negligent retention
C) negligent investigation
D) negligent assignation

Question 42

Which term refers to physical assault, verbal abuse, or hostility directed toward employees at work?

A) misdemeanor
B) negligent hiring
C) sexual harassment
D) workplace violence

Question 43

Which of the following workers most likely faces the greatest danger from workplace violence?

A) Terry, an administrative assistant at a law firm
B) Robert, a night-shift convenience store clerk
C) John, a foreman at a construction company
D) Holly, an inner-city high school teacher

Question 44

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of ergonomics?

A) encouraging ethical work behavior
B) monitoring worker productivity
C) promoting good posture
D) studying fatigue issues

Question 45

Tanya is a data entry specialist who spends most of her day at a computer workstation. She has recently experienced a weak grip, wrist numbness, and sensitivity to cold. Which of the following recommendations is LEAST likely to benefit Tanya?

A) placing the monitor above eye level
B) taking periodic exercise breaks
C) alternating tasks during the day
D) adjusting her chair height

Question 46

All of the following are areas that an employer is financially affected by domestic violence EXCEPT ________.

A) absenteeism
B) productivity
C) selection
D) turnover

Question 47

In what approach is it the goal to fit the machine and work environment to the person, rather than require the person to make the adjustment?

A) biomechanics
B) ergonomics
C) HR metrics
D) isometrics

Question 48

ABC Manufacturing employs a man who frequently exhibits aggressive behavior towards both co-workers and customers. Managers at ABC realize that the employee has a potential for violence, yet they continue to keep him on the payroll. If the employee harms a co-worker, then ABC Manufacturing could be held liable for ________.

A) hazardous employment
B) negligent retention
C) civil disturbance
D) negligent hiring

Question 49

Which OSHA clause requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognizable hazards that are causing, or likely to cause, death or serious harm to the employee?

A) specific duty
B) general duty
C) negligent retention
D) negligent hiring

Question 50

Which term refers to the liability an employer may incur when a firm keeps individuals on the payroll whose records indicate a strong potential for wrongdoing?

A) faulty metrics
B) negligent hiring
C) erroneous selection
D) negligent retention

Question 51

Elway Transportation provides delivery services to businesses and individuals. Elway drivers frequently complain of back injuries, fatigue, and driving discomfort. Which of the following would most likely benefit Elway Transportation?

A) ergonomics
B) gainsharing
C) broadbanding
D) HR metrics

Question 52

What is the second leading cause of death in the workplace after auto accidents?

A) falls
B) assaults
C) explosions
D) homicides

Question 53

Ryan, an HR manager at a computer firm, has been asked to develop policies for preventing workplace violence. Which of the following policies would most likely be LEAST beneficial?

A) banning weapons on company property
B) requiring workers to be searched daily
C) providing receptionists with panic buttons
D) encouraging workers to report violent acts

Question 54

According to research, which of the following most likely occurs from using ergonomics?

A) improved workplace security
B) lowered selection costs
C) improved recruitment
D) lowered injury rate

Question 55

What is the LEAST common type of workplace violence that occurs?

A) fistfights
B) homicide
C) intimidation
D) verbal threats

Question 56

What Act was passed to help prevent domestic violence and provide shelter and related assistance for victims?

A) Family Violence Prevention and Services Act
B) Violence Against Women Act
C) DOJ Reauthorization Act
D) Workplace Violence Act

Question 57

Some warning signs of employees that might engage in violent behavior include any of the following behaviors EXCEPT ________.

A) poor time management skills
B) erratic behavior
C) hyperactivity
D) absenteeism

Question 58

Individuals who are not prone to violence are more likely to be ________.

A) recovering from substance abuse
B) married with children
C) outwardly focused
D) highly educated

Question 59

The study of human interaction with tasks, equipment, tools and the physical environment is known as ________.

A) HR metrics
B) biomechanics
C) ergonomics
D) isometrics

Question 60

Which of the following would be the best method for an employer trying to minimize violent acts and avoid lawsuits?

A) implement policies that ban employees from owning weapons
B) require employees to submit to weapons searches each day
C) establish policies that encourage employees to report suspicious activities
D) employ a full-time psychologist to test employees regularly

Question 61

According to a recent survey, the most common type of workplace bullying by women is ________.

A) psychological deflection
B) physical intimidation
C) social hostility
D) indirect harassment

Question 62

The body's nonspecific reaction to any demand made on it is referred to as ________.

A) burnout
B) stress
C) carpel tunnel syndrome
D) substance abuse

Question 63

How many states have laws that allow people who leave jobs because of domestic violence to become eligible for unemployment benefits?

A) 10
B) 29
C) 37
D) 50

Question 64

An incapacitating condition where individuals lose a sense of the basic purpose and fulfillment of their work is referred to as ________.

A) stress
B) burnout
C) heart failure
D) arteriosclerosis

Question 65

Which of the following accounts for the rise in workplace stress?

A) increased workloads
B) corporate scandals
C) economic conditions
D) all of the above

Question 66

Which of the following is highest on the list of changeable health risks that contribute to health-care costs?

A) smoking
B) stress
C) obesity
D) depression

Question 67

Burnout can be dealt with in all of the following ways EXCEPT ________.

A) seeking additional on-the-job interests
B) setting realistic expectations
C) workload reduction
D) using relaxation techniques in the workplace

Question 68

The common factor that tends to exist in the most stressful jobs is ________.

A) high degree of flexibility
B) lack of control over work
C) high degree of monotony
D) lack of training opportunities

Question 69

Melanie, a sales representative at a pharmaceutical firm, periodically experiences mild stress associated with her job. Which of the following is the most likely result of this stress?

A) improved productivity
B) poor work attendance
C) decreased job performance
D) increased depression

Question 70

What state has a law that permits employees to take up to three days leave from work in any 12-month period for a variety of activities connected with domestic violence issues?

A) Florida
B) California
C) Michigan
D) Louisiana

Question 71

Raj, a software designer, has been frequently absent from work lately. In addition, his quality of work has declined as well as his ability to manage tasks in a timely manner. These symptoms are most likely indicative of ________.

A) unsafe work conditions
B) occupational illness
C) social anxiety
D) stress

Question 72

The definition of workplace violence has been expanded to include ________, which includes acts of continual hostile conduct that deliberately hurt another person.

A) workplace bullying
B) harmful hazing
C) hateful linguistics
D) wrongful overtures

Question 73

An individual in which of the following jobs is most likely the LEAST stressed?

A) administrative assistant
B) machine operator
C) college professor
D) office manager

Question 74

All of the following EXCEPT ________ are driving the growth in corporate wellness programs.

A) the potential to lower health-related costs
B) federal healthcare reform
C) the design of employer-sponsored healthcare benefits
D) demand for wellness programs from employees

Question 75

According to the American Institute of Stress, employee burnout costs the U.S. economy about ________ annually.

A) $200 million
B) $500 million
C) $700 million
D) $300 million

Question 76

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, bullying tends to occur in all of the following situations EXCEPT ________.

A) lower litigation costs
B) reduced productivity
C) poor organizational climate
D) higher absenteeism and turnover

Question 77

Experts use the term ________ to separate workplace bullying from actions taken against workers who are protected under federal and state statutes.

A) indirect harassment
B) gratuitous harassment
C) neutral harassment
D) status-blind harassment

Question 78

Poor attendance, excessive use of alcohol, poor performance on the job, and overall poor health are common results of ________.

A) burnout
B) stress
C) heart failure
D) arteriosclerosis

Question 79

Kelly is extremely stressed about work, and her productivity is declining. What is the best way for Kelly to manage her stress?

A) exercising regularly
B) starting a diet plan
C) working on the weekend
D) requesting new assignments

Question 80

George, a project manager at a publishing firm, is experiencing many stress-related symptoms. Which of the following is the best advice an HR manager could give George?

A) Focus on making work a priority.
B) Recognize your own limitations.
C) Keep your problems to yourself.
D) Handle work issues immediately.