Workplace Health and Safety Basics Course (EU): Common hazards: slips, screens, noise, chemicals and signs

1. Question 1 of 20

   How does EU-OSHA describe slips, trips and falls at work?

   • AAs a rare type of accident
   • BAs the largest cause of accidents in all sectors
   • CAs a problem only outdoors
   • DAs a problem that happens mainly on building sites
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   Answer: B. As the largest cause of accidents in all sectors

   EU-OSHA's factsheet says slips, trips and falls are the largest cause of accidents in all sectors, from heavy industry to offices.

2. Question 2 of 20

   Which of these is a typical trip hazard?

   • AA well-lit, empty corridor
   • BA cable trailing across a walkway
   • CA secure handrail fixed along a staircase
   • DA dry, level floor
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   Answer: B. A cable trailing across a walkway

   Trips happen when the foot catches on something, such as cables, loose mats or uneven edges.

3. Question 3 of 20

   Someone spills water in a corridor. What is the right action?

   • ALeave it to dry on its own
   • BCover it with a sheet of cardboard and carry on working
   • CWait until the end of the shift
   • DClean it up at once and warn people until it is dry
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   Answer: D. Clean it up at once and warn people until it is dry

   Spills should be cleaned up immediately with a suitable method, with warning signs and another route while the floor is wet.

4. Question 4 of 20

   When is a fall on stairs more likely?

   • AWhen going down the stairs
   • BOnly when the stairs are carpeted
   • COnly when the stairs are outdoors
   • DWhen going up the stairs
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   Answer: A. When going down the stairs

   OSHwiki notes that descending stairs is more likely to result in a fall than ascending.

5. Question 5 of 20

   Which slip and trip control should be tried before relying on non-slip footwear?

   • APutting a rule about footwear in the staff handbook for everyone to read
   • BRemoving the hazard at source, such as levelling an uneven floor
   • CTelling workers to hurry less
   • DBuying thicker socks for workers
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   Answer: B. Removing the hazard at source, such as levelling an uneven floor

   EU-OSHA's order is elimination at source, then substitution, then separation, and only then personal protection such as footwear.

6. Question 6 of 20

   What must the employer do for workers who use display screens?

   • ABan any screen work that lasts longer than one hour in a single day
   • BAnalyse workstations for risks to eyes, body and mental stress
   • CPay for workers' home internet
   • DGive every worker a second screen
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   Answer: B. Analyse workstations for risks to eyes, body and mental stress

   Directive 90/270/EEC requires employers to analyse workstations for risks to eyesight, physical problems and mental stress, and act on them.

7. Question 7 of 20

   How should daily screen work be organised?

   • AWorkers should work without a break to finish early
   • BWith regular breaks or changes of activity
   • CBreaks are allowed only at lunchtime
   • DWorkers should switch screens off every 10 minutes
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   Answer: B. With regular breaks or changes of activity

   Article 7 says screen work should be periodically interrupted by breaks or changes of activity.

8. Question 8 of 20

   A screen worker has eye problems that may be caused by screen work. What are they entitled to?

   • AAn appropriate eye and eyesight test
   • BA move to a job with no screen
   • CNothing, because eyes are a private matter
   • DExtra pay instead of a test
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   Answer: A. An appropriate eye and eyesight test

   Workers are entitled to an eye test before starting screen work, at regular intervals, and when they have visual difficulties that may be due to screen work.

9. Question 9 of 20

   A screen worker needs special glasses for screen work because normal glasses are unsuitable. Who pays?

   • AThe worker's own health insurance must pay for them
   • BThe worker pays half the cost
   • CThe worker pays the full cost
   • DNot the worker; it must not cost them anything
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   Answer: D. Not the worker; it must not cost them anything

   Special corrective appliances for the work must be provided if needed, and these measures must not involve workers in extra financial cost.

10. Question 10 of 20

    Which is a minimum requirement for the chair at a screen workstation?

    • AIt has a leather cover
    • BThe seat height can be adjusted
    • CIt has a fixed back that does not move
    • DIt has a built-in heater
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    Answer: B. The seat height can be adjusted

    The directive's annex says the seat must be adjustable in height and the back adjustable in height and tilt.

11. Question 11 of 20

    What does the display screen directive require for the keyboard?

    • AIt has a built-in mouse
    • BIt is built into the bottom edge of the screen
    • CIt is wireless
    • DIt tilts and is separate from the screen
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    Answer: D. It tilts and is separate from the screen

    The annex says the keyboard must be tiltable and separate from the screen so the worker can find a comfortable position.

12. Question 12 of 20

    What is the lower exposure action value for daily noise in Directive 2003/10/EC?

    • A70 dB(A)
    • B87 dB(A)
    • C85 dB(A)
    • D80 dB(A)
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    Answer: D. 80 dB(A)

    The lower exposure action value is a daily exposure of 80 dB(A). The upper action value is 85 dB(A) and the limit value is 87 dB(A).

13. Question 13 of 20

    A worker's daily noise exposure is above the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A). What must happen?

    • AHearing protectors are optional
    • BThe worker must use hearing protectors
    • CNothing changes until exposure reaches 87 dB(A)
    • DThe worker must leave the job
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    Answer: B. The worker must use hearing protectors

    Where exposure matches or exceeds the upper exposure action value, individual hearing protectors must be used.

14. Question 14 of 20

    What is special about the noise exposure limit value of 87 dB(A)?

    • AIt must never be exceeded, counting hearing protectors worn
    • BIt applies only to outdoor work
    • CIt is checked without counting hearing protectors
    • DIt can be exceeded for short periods with a manager's approval
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    Answer: A. It must never be exceeded, counting hearing protectors worn

    The limit value must not be exceeded. When checking it, the reduction given by the worker's hearing protectors is taken into account; it is not counted for the action values.

15. Question 15 of 20

    A worker's daily noise exposure is 82 dB(A). What must the employer do?

    • AStop the work immediately
    • BOffer hearing protectors, information and training
    • CForce the worker to wear hearing protectors at all times
    • DNothing, because it is below 85 dB(A)
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    Answer: B. Offer hearing protectors, information and training

    82 dB(A) is above the lower action value (80) but below the upper (85). Protectors must be made available and the worker must get information and training.

16. Question 16 of 20

    Which measures are at the top of the hierarchy for controlling dangerous substances?

    • AWarning signs
    • BElimination and substitution
    • CHealth checks after exposure
    • DPersonal protective equipment
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    Answer: B. Elimination and substitution

    EU-OSHA says elimination and substitution are at the top of the hierarchy; PPE is the last resort.

17. Question 17 of 20

    On a CLP chemical label, what does the signal word "Danger" show?

    • AThe product is past its use-by date
    • BThe product is completely safe
    • CThe product is in one of the most severe hazard categories
    • DThe product is only harmful to the environment, not to people
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    Answer: C. The product is in one of the most severe hazard categories

    CLP labels use "Danger" for the most severe hazard categories and "Warning" for the others.

18. Question 18 of 20

    What do CLP hazard pictograms on chemical labels look like?

    • AA diamond shape with a red frame
    • BA blue circle
    • CAn orange square
    • DA yellow triangle with a black border
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    Answer: A. A diamond shape with a red frame

    CLP pictograms are diamond-shaped with a red frame. They replaced the old orange danger symbols.

19. Question 19 of 20

    What does a round blue safety sign with a white symbol mean?

    • AThis is the way to an emergency exit or first aid
    • BThere is a danger ahead
    • CSomething is forbidden
    • DYou must do something, such as wear PPE
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    Answer: D. You must do something, such as wear PPE

    Under Directive 92/58/EEC, mandatory signs are round, with a white pictogram on a blue background.

20. Question 20 of 20

    What does a green rectangular or square safety sign show?

    • AWhere to find firefighting equipment such as extinguishers
    • BEmergency escape routes or first aid
    • CSomething you must not do
    • DA hazard that needs care
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    Answer: B. Emergency escape routes or first aid

    Green signs give information on emergency exits, escape routes and first aid. Firefighting equipment signs are red.

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