CHAPTER 12—PROMOTING SAFETY AND HEALTH
TRUE/FALSE
1. Employee morale can be affected by accidents and illnesses attributed to the workplace.
2. Back injuries are the nation’s number one workplace safety problem.
3. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) covers all employers in all states.
4. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can develop rules and standards only
when petitioned by other agencies such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH).
5. OSHA has an established system for inspection priorities with a special emphasis given to the
correction of specific employee complaints.
6. OSHA is legally permitted to inspect workplaces unannounced.
7. OSHA violations are categorized into three types: Willful, Serious, and Minor.
8. A willful violation of OSHA standards that results in death can result in penalties of $250,000 and
imprisonment.
9. It is usually safe for an HR manager to assume that willful violations of safety and health laws and
regulations will result in more severe penalties.
10. If an employer has been approved for a voluntary protection program, it is not inspected for three
years.
11. Ninety percent of fatal work injuries involve workers in private industry.
12. Under OSHA, it is the employer’s sole responsibility to comply with all applicable OSHA standards.
13. In 2009, worker fatalities were less than one-third of what they were in the late 1960s.
14. The incidence rate of injury and illness is calculated by dividing the number of injuries and illnesses
by 200,000 (which equals the base number for 100 workers working 40 hours/week, 50 weeks/year).
15. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provides a system for communicating data on health hazards to
employees.
16. A common complaint of OSHA is that their standards are out-of-date, failing to keep up with the
realities of the workplace.
17. A recent survey by the American Institute of Plant Engineers failed to show a direct correlation
between an increase in management’s commitment to safety and a decrease in accidents.
18. A supervisor’s obligation to employee safety is to communicate safety standards and train employees
in safe practices.
19. Self-employed workers are not covered under OSHA.
20. In recent years OSHA has cooled off its enforcement activities.
21. Typically, OSHA inspectors arrive at a work site unannounced and ask for a meeting
with a representative of the employer.
22. OSHA citations may be issued immediately following the inspection or later by mail.
23. OSHA requirements mandate that employers with eleven or more employees maintain records of
occupational injuries and illnesses.
24. Recordable cases that must be reported on OSHA Form 300 include any injury or illness treated with
first aid.
25. OSHA can adjust penalties upward and downward.
26. The OSHA Hazard Communication standard is the most frequently cited OSHA standard for general
industry.
27. To comply with OSHA standards, all hazardous chemical containers must be labeled with the identity
of the contents and must state any appropriate hazard warnings.
28. Because of the increased danger to their reproductive systems, it is legal to bar women from positions
that have been shown to be of high risk.
29. The rising use of video display terminals at work has led to the proliferation of visual difficulties,
radiation hazards, muscular aches and pains, and increased job stress for employees using personal
computers or network work stations on the job.
30. Video display terminals (VDTs) have become a major safety concern within the office environment.
31. To minimize the negative effects of computer use, the monitor should be placed at an angle view,
above the user’s line of sight.
32. To capitalize on the benefits of video display terminals while safeguarding employee health,
employers should make sure that employees sit in a stable chair with the computer screen 4 to 9 inches
above eye level.
34. Musculoskeletal injuries resulting from cumulative trauma or repetitive motion are “recordable cases”
and must be reported on OSHA Form 300.
35. No citations are issued in connection with a consultation, however, the consultant’s files may be used
to trigger an OSHA inspection.
36. Perhaps no federal government agency has been more severely criticized than the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration.
37. Employees who work alone are at a lower risk of encountering workplace assaults.
38. Terrorism is a major concern to U.S. employers in airlines and energy plants.
39. Crisis management teams should also concern themselves with the aftermath of violence, such as the
guilt and fear employees may have.
40. Improved employee health is associated with lower levels of absenteeism and increased efficiency.
41. Obesity and overweight is a major health and wellness issue faced by employers.
42. Because employees with emotional problems represent such a small segment of the workforce,
employer programs to assist these employees are quite rare.
43. Personal crises and domestic violence are among the most prevalent employee problems.
44. Low spirits, gloominess, and sadness are frequent symptoms of depression.
45. Alcoholism is a disease that runs a predictable course.
46. If one is to help an alcoholic, it is necessary to awaken the individual to the reality of the condition.
47. Alcoholism is classified as a disability under ADA.
48. The federal government now requires that employers with government contracts maintain a drug-free
work environment.
49. Upper-level operational managers and supervisors have traditionally been the bedrock
for encouraging health and safety in their organizations.
50. Stress is any demand on the individual that requires coping behavior.
51. Even the first serious violation of a workplace safety rule may be a cause for termination.
52. Eustress is the feeling of euphoria one gets after a strenuous workout.
53. Inadequate recognition can be a major stressor.
54. Career burnout is primarily due to lack of personal fulfillment or lack of positive feedback about
performance.
55. The leading cause of worker fatalities each year is motor vehicle crashes.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A recent study by Liberty Mutual found that employers saved ____ dollars for each dollar invested in
workplace safety.
a.
two
b.
three
c.
four
d.
five
2. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, people who send text messages
while driving are _____ times more likely to crash than other drivers.
a.
two
b.
three
c.
five
d.
ten
3. Each of the following can begin health and safety standards procedures except:
a.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
b.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
c.
American Medical Association (AMA)
d.
state and local governments
4. The major source of OSHA standards is:
a.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
b.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
c.
American Medical Association (AMA)
d.
state and local governments
5. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, distracted driving accounts for
______ of all accidents.
a.
25 percent
b.
50 percent
c.
60 percent
d.
80 percent
6. Of the following, which circumstances are of the highest priority for OSHA inspections?
a.
situations that present imminent danger to employees
b.
investigations of catastrophes, fatalities, or injuries of several workers
c.
investigations of employee complaints
d.
high-risk industries
7. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the U.S. Department of Labor may do any of the
following except:
a.
conduct workplace inspections.
b.
close plants that are extremely dangerous.
c.
issue citations to offending employers.
d.
impose fines of up to $7,000 for an other-than-serious violation.
8. OSHA may cite employers under all of the following violations except:
a.
Willful
b.
Serious
c.
Other-than-serious
d.
Minor
9. OSHA may adjust penalties for violations for all of the following circumstances except:
a.
employer’s good faith
b.
employer’s ability to pay
c.
employer’s history of previous violations
d.
size of employer’s business
10. In a survey by the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center, ____ of employees
“agree” or “strongly agree” that safety and health conditions where they work are good.
a.
12 percent
b.
48 percent
c.
71 percent
d.
92 percent
11. On–site consultation may qualify employers for ____ year(s) exemption from routine OSHA
inspection.
a.
one
b.
two
c.
three
d.
four
12. Strategic Partnership Programs (SPPs):
a.
attempt to get employers to go beyond the basics of OSHA law and provide workers with
better protection on the job.
b.
allow employers to sidestep OSHA legislation.
c.
are long-term agreements between employers and OSHA aimed at reducing serious
workplace hazards and to achieve a high level of worker safety and health.
d.
cover only transportation-related industries.
13. Voluntary protection programs (VPPs):
a.
attempt to get employers to go beyond the basics of OSHA law and provide workers with
better protection on the job.
b.
allow employers to sidestep OSHA legislation.
c.
are contained within state-based, right-to-know legislation.
d.
cover only transportation-related industries.
14. Employers with exemplary health and safety records may receive recognition under the ____ program.
a.
VPP
b.
good faith
c.
SHARP
d.
consultation
15. Under OSHA, employers must do all of the following except:
a.
compensate employees who have been injured or have become ill due to work-related
factors.
b.
keep records of all work-related accidents and injuries.
c.
inform employees of OSHA requirements.
d.
refrain from disciplining employees who have filed safety complaints with OSHA.
16. The number of injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees during a given year is:
a.
illness rate
b.
accident rate
c.
incidence rate
d.
safety rate
17. It is the responsibility of ____ to ensure employees use protective equipment on the job.
a.
OSHA
b.
SHARP representatives
c.
the employee
d.
the employer
18. Laws that require employers to disclose relevant safety information to employees are known as:
a.
wellness laws.
b.
right-to-know laws.
c.
admission laws.
d.
hazardous data laws.
19. Material Safety Data Sheets:
a.
replace the Hazard Communication Standard under federal employee safety law.
b.
are safety data collection instruments that were ruled illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court.
c.
are a primary method of informing employees about health risks and handling instructions
associated with chemicals and potentially hazardous substances.
d.
are aimed predominantly at transportation workers such as truck drivers.
20. Criticisms of OSHA‘s enforcement of rules include all of the following except:
a.
OSHA standards are outdated
b.
OSHA both sets and enforces its own standards
c.
uneven enforcement between administrations
d.
OSHA is overly zealous
21. Frequently, employers will create a group consisting of representatives of various segments of the
organization to work on safety-related issues. These groups are commonly referred to as:
a.
safety committees.
b.
OSHA monitors.
c.
labor-management committees.
d.
human resources assistants.
22. An OSHA inspection of imminent danger situations is a ____ priority.
a.
first level
b.
second level
c.
third level
d.
fourth level
23. An OSHA investigation of catastrophes, fatalities, and accidents that result in hospitalization of five or
more employees are _____ priorities.
a.
first level
b.
second level
c.
third level
d.
fourth level
24. An OSHA investigation of valid employee complaints of alleged violations of standards or of unsafe
or unhealthful working conditions is a ____ priority.
a.
first level
b.
second level
c.
third level
d.
fourth level
25. OSHA’s special-emphasis inspections aimed at specific high-hazard industries, occupations, or
substances that are injurious to health are ____ priorities.
a.
first level
b.
second level
c.
third level
d.
fourth level
26. Penalties for violation of safety rules by employees are usually stated in the:
a.
employee handbook
b.
appointment letter of the employees
c.
Federal Register
d.
OSHA
27. The log of work-related injuries and illnesses is filed:
a.
on OSHA Form 300
b.
on OSHA Form 301
c.
online
d.
by the employer’s insurance company
28. Injury and Illness Report form is also known as:
a.
OSHA Form 300
b.
OSHA Form 301
c.
OSHA Form 302
d.
OSHA Form 303
29. Which of the following would not be considered a “recordable case” under OSHA law?
a.
an employee killed on the job
b.
a coal miner’s “black lung” disease
c.
an employee’s broken leg suffered in a fall on a slippery spot on the plant floor
d.
an employee’s finger cut at home
30. The following are methods of preventing health hazards in the workplace except:
a.
substituting materials
b.
issuing protective equipment
c.
hiring an outside vendor to do the work
d.
enclosing or isolating a process
31. The average penalty imposed by OSHA for serious violations is now ____.
a.
$2,000-$3,000
b.
$3,000-$4,000
c.
$6,000-$7,000
d.
$10,000-$12,000
32. If a willful violation results in the death of an employee, OSHA can assess penalties
up to ____ for an individual or ____ for a corporation.
a.
$50,000;$100,000
b.
$100,000;$250,000
c.
$250,000;$500,000
d.
$500,000;$1 million
33. Problems associated with video display terminal use include all of the following except:
a.
visual difficulty
b.
muscle ache
c.
job stress
d.
lung disease
34. Recommendations for minimizing the negative effects of video display terminal use do not include:
a.
place monitor 4-9 inches below eye level
b.
use a screen with adjustable brightness and contrast
c.
place monitor at a 45° angle to reduce glare
d.
use blinds or shades to reduce glare
35. The best method to capitalize on the benefits of video display terminals while safeguarding employee
health is:
a.
placing the computer monitor to the side of the desk.
b.
placing the computer screen 4 to 9 inches below eye level.
c.
placing the computer screen 12 inches above eye level.
d.
adjusting the brightness and contrast controls on the screen to be as high as possible.
36. Jobs least likely to cause cumulative trauma disorder would be:
a.
outside salespersons
b.
meat cutters
c.
dental hygienists
d.
textile workers
37. Injuries that result from workers using the same motions again and again are known as:
a.
ambidextrous.
b.
muscular dysfunctions.
c.
cumulative trauma disorders.
d.
systematic trauma.
38. The largest ever fine by OSHA was a(n) _____ penalty levied in 2009 against the oil giant BP after a
2005 explosion killed 15 workers and injured 170 others at a BP refinery in Texas.
a.
$27 million
b.
$87 million
c.
$147 million
d.
$217 million
39. Employee musculoskeletal injuries must be reported on OSHA Form:
a.
300
b.
301
c.
302
d.
303
40. Which of the following is NOT a category of OSHA’s voluntary protection program?
a.
Star
b.
Achiever
c.
Merit
d.
Demonstration
41. In a Zogby poll, _____ of American adults said they had been bullied at work.
a.
18 percent
b.
37 percent
c.
55 percent
d.
68 percent
42. Which of the following organizations are not required to follow OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen
standards?
a.
hospitals
b.
nursing homes
c.
funeral homes
d.
travel agencies
43. High risk work circumstances that are associated with workplace violence include all of the following
except:
a.
delivery of passengers or services
b.
dealing with the exchange of money
c.
working with information technology
d.
working in small numbers
44. In terms of workplace violence, which of the following should organizations avoid?
a.
holding managers responsible for preventing acts of violence
b.
analyzing the workplace to uncover areas of potential violence
c.
refraining from hiring persons with arrest records
d.
providing violence prevention training
45. Workplace violence warning signs include all of the following except:
a.
veiled threatening statements
b.
fascination with stories of violence
c.
concentration problems and excessive excuses
d.
chronic fatigue
46. Studies show that _____ of night-shift workers report falling asleep at least once a week while on the
job.
a.
10 to 30 percent
b.
30 to 50 percent
c.
50 to 70 percent
d.
70 to 90 percent
47. A survey of more than 2,000 employers conducted by the National Safety Council found that ____ had
some type of cell-phone usage policy in place.
a.
26 percent
b.
37 percent
c.
46 percent
d.
58 percent
48. Alternative approaches to health include all of the following, except:
a.
pre-employment medical examinations
b.
chiropractic
c.
homeopathy
d.
massage
49. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly ____ million Americans suffer from
depression each year.
a.
12
b.
17
c.
22
d.
27
50. Which of the following is not an outcome associated with depression?
a.
lower individual productivity
b.
decreased substance abuse
c.
increased morale problems
d.
increased absenteeism
51. ____ is the decrease in functional activity accompanied by symptoms of low spirits, gloominess, and
sadness.
a.
Alcoholism
b.
Substance abuse
c.
Morale problems
d.
Depression
52. Most employers should recognize that alcoholism is a:
a.
disease that follows a rather predictable course.
b.
personal problem.
c.
disciplinary problem that may result in penalties to the worker.
d.
predominantly blue-collar problem.
53. If a supervisor suspects that a subordinate has a severe drinking problem, the action to be avoided is:
a.
carefully documenting evidence of declining performance.
b.
confronting the employee with proof that his or her performance is deficient.
c.
confronting the employee with his or her alcoholism during the first meeting and
threatening dismissal if the employee does not seek help.
d.
assuring the employee that help is available without any penalty.
54. The requirements for federal contractors to take steps to ensure a drug-free workplace are found in:
a.
the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
b.
the Drug-Free Workplace Act.
c.
the Executive Order 11246.
d.
the Toxic Substances Control Act.
55. Which of the following is NOT a recommendation for calming an angry employee?
a.
Hold all conversations in private
b.
Recognize the employee’s legitimate concerns or feelings
c.
Keep the discussion as subjective as possible
d.
Listen to the employee with an open mind and nonjudgmental behavior
56. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in __________ that employers may not bar women of childbearing age
from certain jobs because of potential risk to their fetuses.
a.
International Union v. Johnson Controls
b.
Griggs v. Duke Power
c.
Viands v. Sulliver Corp.
d.
Perry v. Green
57. Stress basically comes from two areas. These areas are:
a.
physical and emotional activity.
b.
mental impairment and outside influences.
c.
your family and your spouse or significant other.
d.
emotional distress and work overload.
58. A study by Duke University researchers who examined the records of nearly 12,000
university employees found that obese employees experienced medical costs that
were more than ____ times higher than those of nonobese workers.
a.
two
b.
three
c.
four
d.
five
59. Stress becomes ____ when we begin to sense a loss of our feelings of security and adequacy.
a.
distress
b.
functional stress
c.
eustress
d.
fight-or-flight stress
60. A Duke study found that morbidly obese workers file ____ more workers’ compensation claims and
take longer to recover from injuries.
a.
25 percent
b.
45 percent
c.
65 percent
d.
85 percent
61. When dealing with stress, having too much to do in too short as time is known as:
a.
high demand
b.
high effort
c.
low control
d.
low reward
62. When dealing with stress, having to expend too much mental or physical energy over too long a period
of time is known as:
a.
high demand
b.
high effort
c.
low control
d.
low reward
63. When dealing with stress, having too little influence over the way a job is done on a day-to-day basis
is known as:
a.
high demand
b.
high effort
c.
low control
d.
low reward
64. The most severe stage of distress is:
a.
burnout.
b.
shock.
c.
back pain.
d.
job loss.
65. Lack of personal fulfillment in a job may be a symptom of:
a.
burnout.
b.
a fight-or-flight response.
c.
a workplace disability.
d.
eustress.
66. Employer-sponsored stress-management programs are least likely to include a segment on:
a.
coping skills.
b.
using alcohol to combat stress.
c.
time management.
d.
listening skills.
67. When dealing with stress, receiving inadequate feedback on performance and no recognition for a job
well done is known as:
a.
high demand
b.
high effort
c.
low control
d.
low reward
68. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly _____ of the adult population experience
depression each year.
a.
10 percent
b.
25 percent
c.
33 percent
d.
50 percent
69. A “recordable case” is any occupational death, illness, or injury to be recorded in _________.
a.
OSHA Form 300
b.
Labor Department Industrial Census
c.
HR Annual Studies
d.
OSHA Yearbook
70. Companies with award-winning ergonomics programs list all the following as common elements of
success except:
a.
provide notice and training for employees.
b.
plan and evaluate.
c.
file injury reports.
d.
do not bother to involve your employees – ergonomics is really a complex engineering
science most employees cannot understand.
71. The ___________ department is usually responsible for the safety program for most employers.
a.
finance
b.
sales
c.
HR or industrial relations
d.
engineering
72. Under OSHA, _____________ are required to train employees as required by OSHA standards.
a.
colleges and universities
b.
employers
c.
OSHA itself
d.
consultants
ESSAY
1. Briefly discuss OSHA’s established system of inspection priorities.
2. Briefly discuss the power of OSHA with respect to citations and penalties.
3. What is the role of the supervisor in promoting workplace safety?
4. Explain the various types of workplace emergencies and how employers can effectively deal with such
situations.
5. Compare and contrast the two general types of stress. Include an example of each.
6. Discuss the four major factors that impact employee stress.