Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 4e (Dessler)
Chapter 14 Improving Occupational Safety, Health, and Risk Management
1) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
2) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
1
3) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
5) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
2
6) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
7) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
3
9) 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.
AACSB: Application of knowledge
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Application
10) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
4
11) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
12) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
5
14) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
15) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
16) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
6
17) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
18) 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.
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
19) 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
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
7
20) The Occupational Safety and Health Act does not cover self-employed persons or family
farms.
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
21) An occupational illness is any abnormal condition or disorder caused by exposure to
environmental factors associated with employment.
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
22) OSHA enforces its standards through inspections, which are usually announced so that
employers have time to prepare.
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Concept
8
23) 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.
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates.
Skill: Application
24) What are the three basic causes of workplace accidents? What is the role of OSHA in regard
to workplace accidents?
AACSB: Application of knowledge
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates. 14.2: Explain in detail three basic causes of
accidents.
Skill: Synthesis
9
25) What types of unsafe conditions are the primary focus of OSHA standards? How does OSHA
enforce its standards?
AACSB: Application of knowledge
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates. 14.2: Explain in detail three basic causes of
accidents.
Skill: Synthesis
26) You are a supervisor at a carpet manufacturing facility. How can you reduce unsafe
conditions in the workplace? What would you do to ensure a smooth OSHA inspection of your
facility?
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Chapter: 14
LO: 14.1: Discuss OSHA and how it operates. 14.3: Explain how to prevent accidents at work.
Skill: Synthesis
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