BCSP CHST Exam Questions

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1.

Which of the following BEST describes heat transfer by radiation?

  • The transfer of thermal energy between objects via electromagnetic waves without requiring direct contact

  • The process where thermal energy is transferred through direct contact between solid objects

  • The movement of heat by the flow of a heated fluid such as air or liquid

  • The process by which heat is transferred through a solid material due to temperature difference

Correct answer: The transfer of thermal energy between objects via electromagnetic waves without requiring direct contact

Heat transfer by radiation involves the transmission of thermal energy through electromagnetic waves, which allows energy to move between objects without the need for direct physical contact. 

This is different from conduction, where heat is transferred through direct contact between solid objects, or convection, where heat is carried by the movement of a fluid like air or liquid. Unlike conduction and convection, radiation can occur even in a vacuum, as seen with the heat from the sun reaching the Earth. The idea that heat is transferred through a solid material due to a temperature difference also refers to conduction, not radiation.

2.

What is the minimum distance for placing warning lines from an edge to ensure worker safety?

  • Six feet

  • Two feet

  • Four feet

  • 8Eightfeet

Correct answer: Six feet

The minimum distance for placing warning lines from an edge is six feet. This distance provides a buffer zone that allows workers to recognize the hazard and adjust their position to prevent a fall. It also complies with OSHA standards. 

A distance of two or four feet would not provide sufficient space for workers to react and could lead to increased risk of falls. 

An eight-foot distance, while safer, is not the standard guideline and could reduce the working area unnecessarily.

3.

What essential element must be included in an Exposure Control Plan under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?

  • An exposure determination that clearly identifies employees who are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens

  • A comprehensive list of all chemicals present in the workplace to ensure proper handling and storage

  • A detailed emergency evacuation plan specifically tailored for fire and other emergencies

  • A maintenance schedule for all equipment used in handling hazardous materials to prevent malfunctions

Correct answer: An exposure determination that clearly identifies employees who are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens

The Exposure Control Plan must include an exposure determination that clearly identifies which employees are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This is crucial for implementing protective measures. 

While a comprehensive list of workplace chemicals is important for a Hazard Communication program, it is not a requirement of the Exposure Control Plan. A detailed emergency evacuation plan is necessary for overall workplace safety but is not specific to managing bloodborne pathogens. Similarly, a maintenance schedule for equipment, though important, does not fulfill the requirement of identifying at-risk employees under the Exposure Control Plan.

4.

What is the BEST definition of voltage?

  • Voltage is the potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit, acting as the force that pushes current through a conductor

  • Voltage is the amount of resistance encountered as current flows through a conductor

  • Voltage is the flow of electric current within a circuit, driving the energy through wires

  • Voltage is the energy stored in a battery, which is released when connected to a circuit

Correct answer: Voltage is the potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit, acting as the force that pushes current through a conductor

Voltage is defined as the potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit, which creates the force that pushes electric current through a conductor, making it the correct choice. 

Resistance, on the other hand, refers to the amount of opposition a material offers to the flow of electric current, which is not the same as voltage. 

The flow of electric current through a circuit, which is often driven by voltage, is referred to as current, not voltage itself. 

The concept of energy stored in a battery, while related to voltage, is not an accurate description of what voltage is.

5.

What is the MAIN objective of safety slogan, limerick, and poster contests?

  • To engage employees and promote interest in safety

  • To test employees' knowledge of safety regulations

  • To reduce the frequency of safety training sessions

  • To ensure uniform safety practices across all departments

Correct answer: To engage employees and promote interest in safety

The main objective of safety slogan, limerick, and poster contests is to engage employees and promote interest in safety. These contests are designed to get employees thinking about safety in a creative and engaging way, which helps to foster a culture of safety within the organization. They encourage participation from employees and their families, which can lead to increased awareness and commitment to safety practices.

Testing employees' knowledge of safety regulations is not the primary aim of these contests; instead, they focus on involvement and creativity. Reducing the frequency of safety training sessions is not a goal of these contests, as formal training is still necessary for comprehensive safety education. Ensuring uniform safety practices across departments is important but is not the direct objective of these contests. Rather, the contests aim to make safety a more engaging and relatable topic for everyone involved.

6.

Which of the following best describes a characteristic of instructor-led training?

  • It can be presented in a classroom setting or via an online platform

  • It is always conducted through self-paced modules

  • It does not include participant materials

  • It requires learners to complete the training individually without any guidance

Correct answer: It can be presented in a classroom setting or via an online platform

Instructor-led training can be presented in a traditional classroom setting where participants follow the pace set by the instructor or through an online platform that mimics a classroom environment with interactive elements controlled by the instructor. 

Self-paced modules are characteristic of self-paced training, not instructor-led training. The statement that instructor-led training does not include participant materials is incorrect, as it typically includes such materials. The idea that it requires learners to complete the training individually without guidance describes self-paced training rather than instructor-led training.

7.

Which of the following is a limitation of using overhead projectors for training?

  • They are easily blocked by the user's hand or body

  • They provide high-quality color transparencies

  • They require advanced preparation and setup time

  • They have high initial expenses and low operating costs

Correct answer: They are easily blocked by the user's hand or body

Overhead projectors have the limitation of being easily blocked by the user's hand or body, which can obstruct the view of the audience. They do provide high-quality color transparencies, but this is a strength rather than a limitation. They do not require significant advanced preparation and setup time compared to other media types, and they do not have high initial expenses with low operating costs; these attributes are associated with other types of training media such as computer-based interactive training.

8.

Which of the following would NOT be an element OSHA uses to prove a violation of the General Duty Clause?

  • The hazard caused or was likely to cause minor injuries

  • The hazard was recognized by the employer or industry

  • There was a feasible and useful method to correct the hazard

  • The hazard was causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm

Correct answer: The hazard caused or was likely to cause minor injuries

OSHA's General Duty Clause requires certain elements to be present for a violation to be cited. These elements include the hazard being recognized by the employer or within the industry, the existence of a feasible and useful method to correct the hazard, and the hazard causing or being likely to cause death or serious physical harm. 

Minor injuries do not meet the severity required for a General Duty Clause violation. The focus is on significant risks that could lead to severe consequences for worker safety and health.

9.

According to NFPA 101, where should "NOT AN EXIT" signs be placed within a building?

  • On doors that might be mistaken for an exit

  • On doors that lead to storage rooms

  • On all exit doors in the building

  • On windows that are used for ventilation

Correct answer: On doors that might be mistaken for an exit

"NOT AN EXIT" signs are required to be placed on doors that might be mistaken for exits. This is to prevent confusion during an emergency evacuation when every second counts, ensuring that people do not mistakenly try to exit through doors that do not lead to a safe exit path.

Doors leading to storage rooms do not need "NOT AN EXIT" signs unless they could be mistaken for an exit during an emergency. Placing "NOT AN EXIT" signs on all exit doors would be incorrect as those doors should be clearly marked as exits. Windows used for ventilation do not require such signage because they are typically not mistaken for exits.

10.

What is the final step in an emergency management plan?

  • Restoring business operations to normal

  • Conducting a company-wide survey

  • Hiring new employees

  • Redesigning the office layout

Correct answer: Restoring business operations to normal

The final step in an emergency management plan is to restore business operations to normal, ensuring the facility resumes its usual activities as smoothly and efficiently as possible. 

Conducting a company-wide survey, hiring new employees, and redesigning the office layout are not related to the immediate restoration of business operations following an emergency.

11.

What is a "qualified person" as defined by OSHA for electrical work? 

  • Someone who has demonstrated skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of electrical equipment and installations and has received training on the hazards involved.

  • Someone who has completed a college degree in electrical engineering.

  • Someone who has worked for at least ten years in the electrical industry.

  • Someone who holds a managerial position in an electrical company.

Correct answer: Someone who has demonstrated skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of electrical equipment and installations and has received training on the hazards involved.

A college degree in electrical engineering alone does not ensure practical safety skills and knowledge. 

Having ten years of experience in the industry does not necessarily mean the person has the specific training or skills required for safety. 

Holding a managerial position does not ensure the individual has hands-on training or knowledge of electrical safety. 

12.

What is the definition of workplace violence according to NIOSH?

  • Violent acts, including physical assault and threats of assault, directed towards persons at work or on duty

  • Disruptive behavior that affects employee productivity and morale in the workplace

  • Unauthorized access to restricted areas by non-employees

  • Intentional damage to company property by employees

Correct answer: Violent acts, including physical assault and threats of assault, directed towards persons at work or on duty

Workplace violence, as defined by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), encompasses violent acts such as physical assaults and threats of assault directed towards individuals at work or on duty. This definition covers a range of violent behaviors from harassment to serious physical violence, including stalking, assaults, stabbings, shootings, rape, and domestic abuse. 

While disruptive behavior and unauthorized access can pose security issues, they do not specifically define workplace violence under NIOSH's criteria. Similarly, damage to company property, though serious, does not constitute workplace violence according to this definition.

13.

What does Heinrich's Pyramid suggest about the relationship between minor incidents and serious accidents?

  • For every serious accident, there are a larger number of minor incidents and near misses that precede it

  • Serious accidents occur randomly and are unrelated to minor incidents

  • Minor incidents are less important and do not contribute to serious accidents

  • The pyramid represents the different levels of training required for safety in the workplace

Correct answer: For every serious accident, there are a larger number of minor incidents and near misses that precede it

Heinrich's Pyramid suggests that for every serious accident, there are numerous minor incidents and near misses that occur first, highlighting the importance of addressing these smaller incidents to prevent more severe accidents. Serious accidents are not random events; they are often preceded by a series of minor incidents that, if left unchecked, can escalate into more serious outcomes. Therefore, it's incorrect to think that minor incidents are insignificant or that they don't contribute to serious accidents. Additionally, the pyramid does not represent different levels of training required for workplace safety but rather illustrates the frequency and relationship between different types of safety incidents.

14.

What is the likely behavior of a liquid with a specific gravity of less than one when it is spilled in water?

  • The liquid will float on the surface of the water

  • The liquid will sink to the bottom

  • The liquid will mix evenly with the water

  • The liquid will evaporate quickly from the surface

Correct answer: The liquid will float on the surface of the water

A liquid with a specific gravity less than one is lighter than water, meaning it will float on the surface rather than sinking. This is important to know for managing spills, as floating liquids can spread over a large area on the water’s surface. 

The idea that the liquid would sink to the bottom is incorrect because only liquids with a specific gravity greater than one are heavier than water and would sink. The statement that the liquid will mix evenly with the water doesn’t apply here, as specific gravity determines whether the liquid floats or sinks, not how it mixes. The rate of evaporation is not determined by specific gravity but by other factors such as temperature and vapor pressure, so the liquid floating on water wouldn’t necessarily evaporate quickly.

15.

What disorder is commonly referred to as tennis elbow?

  • Lateral epicondylitis

  • Rotator cuff tear

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Medial epicondylitis

Correct answer: Lateral epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the wrist, rotator cuff tear involves the shoulder, and medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) affects the inner part of the elbow.

16.

Which of the following represents the correct order of needs in Maslow's hierarchy, from the most basic to the most advanced?

  • Physiological needs, security needs, social needs, ego needs, self-actualization needs

  • Security needs, physiological needs, social needs, ego needs, self-actualization needs

  • Ego needs, social needs, security needs, physiological needs, self-actualization needs

  • Self-actualization needs, physiological needs, ego needs, social needs, security needs

Correct answer: Physiological needs, security needs, social needs, ego needs, self-actualization needs

The correct order in Maslow's hierarchy starts with physiological needs at the base, followed by security needs, social needs, ego needs, and finally self-actualization needs at the top. 

Security needs cannot come before physiological needs because the basic survival needs must be met first. Ego needs, which involve self-esteem and recognition, come after social needs, which include relationships and belonging. Placing self-actualization at the base and physiological needs at the top is incorrect, as self-actualization represents the pinnacle of personal growth and fulfillment, which can only be pursued once all other needs are satisfied.

17.

What is an important factor that trainers should consider when evaluating audience reaction to a presentation?

  • The comfort of the room

  • The cost of the presentation materials

  • The number of participants

  • The location of the presentation

Correct answer: The comfort of the room

When evaluating audience reaction, trainers should consider factors that directly affect the participants' experience, such as the comfort of the room. A comfortable environment can significantly influence how well the audience engages with and absorbs the material presented. 

Factors like the cost of materials, the number of participants, and the location of the presentation are important but do not directly impact the immediate reaction and comfort of the audience. Ensuring that the room is comfortable helps create a conducive learning environment, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the presentation.

18.

What are Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), and who publishes them?

  • Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) are recommended limits on exposure to workplace hazards, published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).

  • TLVs are legal limits on exposure to workplace hazards, published by OSHA.

  • TLVs are guidelines for safe workplace behavior, published by the National Safety Council (NSC).

  • TLVs are safety standards for equipment usage, published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Correct answer: Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) are recommended limits on exposure to workplace hazards, published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).

Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) are recommended limits on exposure to workplace hazards, designed to protect workers from adverse health effects. These limits are published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). 

TLVs are not legal limits, which are instead set by regulatory agencies such as OSHA. They also are not guidelines for workplace behavior or safety standards for equipment usage, which may be covered by organizations like the National Safety Council (NSC) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

19.

What health problems can be attributed to working in clean rooms?

  • Chronic skin problems, upper respiratory issues, and eye irritation

  • Hearing loss, gastrointestinal issues, and migraines

  • Musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular problems, and digestive issues

  • Allergic reactions, mental health problems, and bone issues

Correct answer: Chronic skin problems, upper respiratory issues, and eye irritation

Health problems associated with working in clean rooms include chronic skin problems due to the dry, hot environment; upper respiratory issues from the rapid air changes and constant airflow; and eye irritation from dust and particles. 

Hearing loss is related to high noise environments, and gastrointestinal issues and migraines are not typically linked to clean room conditions. Musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular problems arise from physical strain and poor ergonomics, while allergic reactions and mental health issues are not directly caused by clean room environments.

20.

What safety precaution should be taken when loading railcars with heavy machinery shipped on skids?

  • Bracing the skids inside the railcar to prevent shifting

  • Using a wrench to secure the skids directly to the railcar floor

  • Ensuring skids with large knots are used to provide extra grip

  • Allowing workers to use their hands to adjust skids during loading

Correct answer: Bracing the skids inside the railcar to prevent shifting

Bracing the skids inside the railcar to prevent shifting is a crucial safety precaution, as it helps ensure that heavy machinery remains stable during transport. 

Using a wrench to secure the skids directly to the railcar floor is discouraged because it can damage the skids or railcar floor. 

Skids with large knots are actually hazardous, as they are more likely to break under pressure. 

Allowing workers to use their hands to adjust skids during loading is unsafe and can lead to injury; proper tools should be used instead.