CHST Practice Exam

Under the Hierarchy of Hazards Controls, hazards that are identified should be eliminated if possible. If not plausible, substitution should be attempted. Next in order are: engineering controls, and then administrative controls. PPE should be the last option and is considered the "last line of defense."

OSHA's ladder standard 1926.1053(a)(3)(ii) states that "Rungs, cleats, and steps of step stools shall be not less than 8 inches apart, nor more than 12 inches apart, as measured between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps."

LEL is the minimum concentration of vapor in air below which propagation of a flame does not occur in the presence of an ignition source.

According to OSHA, a trench is a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth of a trench is greater than its width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet.
Under the OSHA's excavation standards, tasks performed by a competent person include: classifying soil; inspecting protective systems; designing structural ramps; monitoring water removal equipment; and conducting site inspections. 

Anchorages which are used to attach personal fall arrest systems must be installed, used and designed, under the supervision of a qualified person, as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two. Alternatively, the anchorages must be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and must be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds per worker attached or be capable of supporting at least twice the expected impact load.

Class D.
Class A Extinguishers will extinguish fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper. 
Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc.
Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires.
Class D Extinguishers will extinguish flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. 
Class K Extinguishers, or wet chemical, fire extinguishers are designed specifically for use in restaurant kitchens. 

When the work shift noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise at different levels, the total noise dose over the work day is given by:

D = 100 (C(1)/T(1) + C(2)/T(2) + ... + C(n)/T(n)),
where C(n) indicates the total time of exposure at a specific noise level, and T(n) indicates the reference duration for that level as given by Table G-16a.

(2) The eight-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA), in decibels, may be computed from the dose, in percent, by means of the formula: TWA = 16.61 log(10) (D/100) + 90. For an eight-hour work shift with the noise level constant over the entire shift, the TWA is equal to the measured sound level.
 

According to OSHA, "A job hazard analysis is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment. Ideally, after you identify uncontrolled hazards, you will take steps to eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable risk level."

Procedures for cleaning large chemicals spills can be found in OSHA's regulation 29 CFR 1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER).

OSHA has identified four hazards that are responsible for the majority of losses in the construction industry: Fall Hazards, Caught-In-Between Hazards, Struck-By Hazards and Electrical Hazards.

All of the requirements of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard can be found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations at 29 CFR 1910.1030. The standard's requirements state universal precautions: what employers must do to protect workers who are occupationally exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). These precautions protect workers who are reasonably anticipated to come into contact with human blood and OPIM as though the blood and OPIM are infectious.

An Arc flash happens when there is a breakdown of electrical resistance in the air surrounding a conductor. If there is enough voltage present in the conductor while air resistance is low, the voltage can make its own low-impedance path that arcs through the air and straight to the ground, or to another conductor nearby. An Arc blast is the blast that is a result of a sudden explosion caused by the intense heat from an arc. Arc jump is not a term used in safety.

Supported scaffolds with a height to base width (including outrigger supports, if used) ratio of more than four to one (4:1) must be prevented from tipping by guying, tying, bracing, or equivalent means under regulation 1926.451(c)(1).

The incident commander is the individual who, at any one time, is responsible for and in control of the response effort. This individual is the person responsible for the direction and coordination of the response effort. An incident commander's position should be occupied by the most senior, appropriately trained individual present at the response site. 

Any emergency responder acting as an incident commander should be trained to fulfill the obligations of the position at the level of response they will be providing, as outlined in section 1910.120(q)(6)(v):

• Know and be able to implement the employer's incident command system.
• Know how to implement the employer's emergency response plan.
• Know and understand the hazards and risks associated with employees working in chemical protective clothing.
• Know how to implement the local emergency response plan.
• Know of the state emergency response plan and of the Federal Regional Response Team.
• Know and understand the importance of decontamination procedures.

Tight-fitting goggles completely cover the eyes, and provide protection from dust, flying objects and chemical splashes.

The OSHA Inspector does not issue citations and notification of penalties at the time of the inspection. After the inspection, the Inspector reports the findings to the OSHA area director who evaluates them. OSHA will issue a Citation and Notification of Penalty for any violations which will detail the exact nature of the violation(s) and penalties for that violation. A citation informs the company of the alleged violation, sets a proposed period within which to correct the violation, and proposes the dollar penalties. An opening conference is part of the inspection process. The compliance officer will explain why OSHA selected the workplace for inspection and will describe the scope of the inspection, walkaround procedures, employee representation and employee interviews. Presentation of credentials is part of the inspection process. The on-site inspection begins with the compliance officer presenting his or her credentials. This will include both a photograph and a serial number. A closing conference is part of the inspection process. After conducting a walkaround, the compliance officer will hold a closing conference with the employer and the employee representatives to discuss the findings.

There are direct and indirect costs of workplace illnesses and injuries. Direct costs include workers' compensation payments, medical payments, legal services expenditures. Examples of indirect costs include training replacement employees, accident investigation and implementation of corrective measures, lost productivity, repairs of damaged or destroyed equipment and property, and costs associated with decreased employee morale and absenteeism.

5 Whys is a root cause analysis technique used to explore the cause-and-effect of an accident. The goal is to determine the root cause of a problem by repeating the question "Why?" where each answer forms the basis of the next question. Sakichi Toyoda developed the technique when he observed that it took five iterations to resolve a problem. The technique was subsequently used at Toyota during the evolution of its manufacturing methodologies.

A company disciplinary system can help to ensure workplace safety and health. It may be helpful to re-educate employees on what safety rules they are expected to follow. This will provide workers an opportunity to correct their behavior.

According to OSHA regulations, one must save the privacy case list (if it exists), the OSHA 300 Log, the annual summary, and the OSHA 301 Incident Report forms for five years at the end of the calendar year that these records cover.

The company will receive a willful violation. A willful violation occurs when the company knows or should know the rules and regulations and fails to provide policy, training, and enforcement. In this case, the company failed to train the new employee and provide her with fall protection equipment.

OSHA's violations are categorized as:
Serious - When a business owner or manager knows there is a hazard that can result in injury or death and does not resolve it, OSHA considers this a serious violation. 
Other-Than-Serious - A violation that does not result in injury or death but does compromise an employee's health or safety is considered other-than-serious-threat by OSHA. 
Willful - Willful violations are the most serious. The violation occurs when the employer knows there's a risk to employees and does nothing to resolve it.
Repeated - When a violation is repeated within three years, companies will face stiffer penalties.

Most adults are experienced learners so repeating the information is not necessary.

The following are the basic principles of how adults learn, as related to safety and health training programs:
- Adults are voluntary learners: Most adults learn because they want to not because they must.
- Adults learn needed information quickly. They need to see that the information is relevant to them and to what they want to learn.
- Adults have a great deal of life experience that should be recognized, and they should be encouraged to share their experiences and knowledge.
- Adults need to be treated with respect. They will resent an instructor who is condescending or doesn't respect their ideas and concerns.
- Adults learn more when they are involved in the learning process.
- Adults learn best by doing, “trying-on” and practicing what they are learning.
- Adults need to have clear objectives. Information needs to make sense.
- Adults learn best when new information is reinforced and repeated several times. They need time to master new knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Employers must certify that each operator has received the training and evaluate each operator at least once every three years. Prior to operating the truck in the workplace, the employer must evaluate the operator's performance and determine the operator to be competent to operate a powered industrial truck (PIT) safely. If an operator demonstrates that he or she is deficient in the safe operation of a truck, they must engage in refresher training.

Chemical use in confined spaces is not part of OSHA's HazCom training requirements.

OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard states that training records must include the dates of training, the content of the training sessions, the names and qualifications of trainers, and the names and job titles of those who received training. You have to keep these records for at least three years.

Employers with more than 10 employees are required to keep a record of serious work-related injuries and illnesses for at least five years. However, minor injuries requiring first aid only do not need to be recorded. From February through April, employers must post a summary of the injuries and illnesses recorded the previous year. If requested, copies of the records must be provided to current and former employees, or their representatives. Fatalities must be reported within eight hours.

OSHA does not require medical surveillance for workers who are exposed to heat; however, workers exposed to asbestos, lead and high noise levels do require medical surveillance.

Any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment is deemed to have a disability. Physical or mental impairment includes:
-Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: Neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or
-Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

According to the BCSP, one should only take assignments if one is educationally qualified by experientially qualified in the specific technical fields of the assignment. They must accept responsibility for their continued professional development by acquiring and maintaining competence through continuing education, experience professional training, and keeping current on relevant legal issues.

You must pay annual fees in order to keep your certification.

Superfund clean-up is not a typical responsibility for a CHST. EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of the nation's most contaminated land and responding to environmental emergencies, oil spills and natural disasters.