Safety Engineering Midterm Question and answers

What do employers award in a Worker's Compensation case? - ANS - Employers award the prescribed compensation regardless of the employee's negligence. How much do US employers spend annually for WC insurance? What is the breakdown? - ANS - About $100 billion annually (~$2 per $100). 25% medical 50% compensation pay ~25% admin costs/legal services. What are the objectives of Worker's Compensation? - ANS - They vary widely across states, but the widely accepted objectives are: income replacement injured worker rehab (until fit to return, vocational training) accident prevention (lower premiums - fewer accidents) cost allocation (higher premiums - high risk) Who is not covered by worker's compensation? - ANS - The policy varies across states, but generally: Agricultural workers Domestic workers Hazardous workers Charity/religious workers Railroad & Maritime (FELA) Contractors/Subcontractors Minors Extraterritoriality employees Employees of small organizations What era is Worker's Compensation from? - ANS - The "sweat shop" era. Why do most companies purchase WC insurance? - ANS - To satisfy WC obligations. Who has a difficult time affording any costs involved? - ANS - Small businesses. What are the three primary types of WC insurance? - ANS - State funds Private insurance Self-insurance (Arbitration for disputes) Accident - ANS - Unexpected/unintended event, implies "chance" ( could be prevented) 3 lines of defense - ANS - Engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE What is the OSH act? - ANS - Occupational Safety and Health Act What did the OSH act create? - ANS - OSHAdministration in Department of Labor, NIOSH in CDC and OSHRC Prevention vs Reduction - ANS - Prevention: Completely stop something, Reduction: Decrease frequency of something (More realisitic) 1926 - ANS - Construction 1910 - ANS - General Industry General Duty Clause - ANS - Statement in U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act that requires employers subject to OSHA to provide employees with a safe and healthy work environment. Section of OSHA for general duty clause - ANS - section 5 3 forms for injury reporting - ANS - 301 - 1st report 300 - log 300A - summary of reports Risk - ANS - measures frequency & severity of a hazard Hazard - ANS - Unsafe condition, potential for activity/condition to cause harm Accident - ANS - transfer from potential to kinetic - could have been prevented Incident Rate Equation - ANS - IR = (Incidents * 200,000)/Employee Hrs Worked 5S philosophy - ANS - LEAN depends on 5S to accomplish standardization Sort Set in Order Shine Standardize Sustain 6th S - ANS - Safety When does workers compensation apply? - ANS - Only when the injury arises out of employment (AOE) or occurs in the course of employment (COE) Process of inspection - ANS - OSHA S&H Poster should be posted, with logs and appropriate compliance May need search warrant to enter. Escort inspector Lead tour Allow team to answer truthfully Receive citations (written violations) Incur penalties if violations not abated Contest case ANSI standards - ANS - American National Standards Institute that regulates PPE Factor of Safety Equation - ANS - Maxiumum Stress / Allowable or Working Stress Stress Equation - ANS - Stress = Force / Area Effective Load - ANS - All downward weights Who certifies respirators? - ANS - NIOSH Classes of Hard Hats - ANS - -Class G (General) -Class E (Electrical) -Class C (Conductive) Hearing Conservation Program - ANS - mandatory and includes: exposure monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protection, employee training, and record keeping - required for all employees exceeding 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA or 50% dose Limit vs action level - ANS - Limit: 90 dBA for 8 hours TWA - ANS - Total Weight Average Noise Dose Equation - ANS - Dose = Length work day (hours) / Duration of sound level (hours) Fall Arrest System - ANS - Anchorage Body harness Connector Handrail height - ANS - No more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread. Who does OSHA protect? - ANS - workers, employees Whistleblower Protection Program - ANS - enforces the provisions of more than 20 federal laws protecting employees from retaliation for, among other things, raising or reporting concerns about hazards or violations of various workplace safety and health Duration of OSHA form posting - ANS - 300A - Feb 1 - April 30 OSHA Notice of Violation - 3 working days (or until risk is mitigated) Respirators required - ANS - In presence of respiratory hazards: dust mist fog fumes spray smoke vapor Recordable Occupational Injuries - ANS - employers with 8+ employees must keep a log/summary on... -death -days away from work -restricted work/transfer -medical treatment (not including first aid) -unconsciousness -significant injury/illnesses (keep log for 5 years and make available to employees)