Occupational Health

Question 1

What is occupational health?

Answer 1

• designing, implementing and evaluating health and safety programs
• maintain and enhance employee health (physical, mental and social well-being)
• improve safety
• increase productivity in the workplace

Question 2

How do occupational health and environmental health differ?

Answer 2

See chart.

Question 3

Give examples of chemical hazards.

Answer 3

corrosives, primary irritants, carcinogens, teratogens, sensitizers, acute toxic materials

Question 4

Give examples of particulate/fiber hazards.

Answer 4

silicon, asbestos

Question 5

Give examples of physical hazards.

Answer 5

noise, radiation, vibration, thermal hazards, barometric hazards

Question 6

Give examples of biological hazards.

Answer 6

plants, animals, microorganisms and their products (think health care workers, sewage treatment workers, etc)

Question 7

Give examples of ergonomic hazards.

Answer 7

“the interface of humans with their environment”- think poor posture, carpal tunnel syndrome from typing, having work equipment that isn’t designed for your height, etc.

Question 8

Give examples of psychologic hazards.

Answer 8

workplace stressors, substance abuse, violence in the workplace, workplace fatigue

Question 9

Give examples of safety hazards.

Answer 9

physical conditions in the workplace; slippery surfaces, machines, electrical hazards, ladders, etc.

Question 10

What is the general duty clause of the OSHA act.

Answer 10

“each employer shall provide a place of employment free of recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees”

Question 11

What is an OSHA PEL?

Answer 11

Permissible Exposure Limits (enforceable exposure limits), allows exposures higher than environmental levels

Question 12

When were most OSHA PELs created?

Answer 12

1970s

Question 13

Are OSHA inspectons a deterrent? Explain.

Answer 13

Not really- fines are relatively low (compared to those from EPA for example) and workplaces are unlikely to be inspected

Question 14

What industries account for the largest frequencies of death?

Answer 14

• Construction
• transportation and public utilities
• agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Question 15

Give examples of the different methods for controlling occupational hazards.

Answer 15

product substitution, engineering controls, safe work practices, training & education, personal protective equipment, administrative controls

Question 16

What is the basic rule of risk management of occupational hazards?

Answer 16

Hierarchy of control; basic rule is to control the environment before requiring worker to take action

Question 17

Describe and give examples of the three types of monitoring methods for evaluating occupational hazards.

Answer 17

biological monitoring, workplace exposure monitoring, medical monitoring