I85PREP
⌘ K
COSHEM study materials
COSHEM study resources

COSHEM practice questions

One question at a time. Build your COSHEM understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

Under Japan's Industrial Safety and Health Act, which entity bears the primary legal duty to ensure the safety and health of workers at a workplace?

  1. The individual worker
  2. The employer operating the business Correct answer.
  3. The prefectural labour standards office
  4. The labour union safety committee

Explanation

The Industrial Safety and Health Act places the duty to secure worker safety and health on the employer who operates the business. Workers have duties to cooperate and follow instructions, but the primary legal obligation rests with the employer. Enforcement agencies supervise compliance rather than assume the duty themselves.

Question 2Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

In the occupational safety and health management system, what is the primary purpose of a risk assessment?

  1. To identify hazards and evaluate the level of risk so controls can be prioritised Correct answer.
  2. To satisfy documentation requirements without changing work practices
  3. To assign blame to individual workers after an incident occurs
  4. To calculate the exact monetary cost of workplace accidents for insurance

Explanation

Risk assessment is a systematic process to identify hazards, evaluate the likelihood and severity of harm, and decide which controls are needed and in what order. It is proactive and focuses on prevention rather than blame or accounting. Documentation is a by-product, not the purpose.

Question 3Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

Which of the following is the most appropriate first step in the hierarchy of controls when addressing a workplace hazard?

  1. Train workers to be more careful
  2. Post warning signs near the hazard
  3. Eliminate the hazard from the process Correct answer.
  4. Provide personal protective equipment

Explanation

The hierarchy of controls ranks measures by effectiveness, and elimination of the hazard at source is the most reliable. Personal protective equipment, signage, and training are lower-order measures that depend on human behaviour and equipment performance. Controls should be applied in descending order of reliability.

Question 4Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

A worker is exposed to a chemical substance for which an occupational exposure limit is set. What does the exposure limit represent?

  1. The maximum amount that may be stored in a warehouse at any time
  2. The concentration permitted only during emergency response operations
  3. A concentration in workplace air that should not be exceeded over the specified reference period Correct answer.
  4. The dose at which acute poisoning is guaranteed to occur

Explanation

Occupational exposure limits define airborne concentrations considered acceptable for a defined averaging period, such as an 8-hour shift or a short-term peak. They guide control measures and monitoring, not storage quantities. They are health-based benchmarks rather than thresholds of guaranteed harm.

Question 5Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

An employer must notify the relevant labour standards authority when a serious accident occurs at the workplace. Which event most clearly triggers this statutory reporting duty?

  1. A machine is damaged but no one is injured
  2. A worker reports feeling fatigued at the end of a shift
  3. A worker takes approved annual leave
  4. A worker dies as a result of a work-related accident Correct answer.

Explanation

Serious incidents such as a fatality, or specified serious injuries and dangerous occurrences, must be reported promptly to the labour standards authority. Minor events without injury or defined dangerous occurrence generally do not trigger this statutory notification. The duty is tied to defined serious outcomes, not routine operational matters.

Question 6Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

What is the main objective of a workplace safety and health committee required in certain workplaces?

  1. To replace the employer's legal obligations with collective decisions
  2. To conduct external regulatory inspections on behalf of the government
  3. To enable labour and management to jointly investigate and discuss safety and health issues Correct answer.
  4. To set the salaries of safety officers

Explanation

Safety and health committees provide a forum where employer and worker representatives jointly review hazards, incidents, and preventive measures. They support the employer's obligations but do not transfer them or perform government inspections. Their role is consultative and investigative within the workplace.

Question 7Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

Which statement best describes the purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet, now commonly called a Safety Data Sheet, in the workplace?

  1. To certify that the substance has been approved for unrestricted sale
  2. To communicate hazard information and safe handling requirements for a chemical substance Correct answer.
  3. To provide the price and delivery schedule for the substance
  4. To record the daily attendance of workers handling the substance

Explanation

A Safety Data Sheet communicates hazards, first-aid measures, handling, storage, and exposure controls for a chemical substance. It supports risk assessment and safe use but is not a marketing approval or an administrative log. Employers must make the information available to workers.

Question 8Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

A factory introduces a new machine that emits high noise levels. Which action best reflects application of the hierarchy of controls at the design stage?

  1. Issue earplugs to operators and continue normal production
  2. Place a warning sign stating that the area is noisy
  3. Select a quieter machine or enclose the noise source before relying on hearing protection Correct answer.
  4. Rotate workers so each spends less time near the machine

Explanation

At the design stage the most effective approach is to reduce noise at source, for example by choosing quieter equipment or installing acoustic enclosures. Hearing protection, rotation, and signage are lower-order measures used when source controls cannot fully solve the problem. Applying higher-order controls first reduces reliance on worker behaviour.

Question 9Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

During a risk assessment, a task is found to have a high severity of potential harm but a very low likelihood of occurrence. How should the risk be treated?

  1. Wait until an incident occurs before taking action
  2. Evaluate the combination of severity and likelihood and apply controls proportionate to the resulting risk Correct answer.
  3. Treat it as automatically unacceptable regardless of likelihood
  4. Ignore the risk because it is unlikely to happen

Explanation

Risk is a function of both the severity of harm and the likelihood of occurrence, so a low-probability but high-consequence hazard still requires serious consideration. Controls should be proportionate to the combined risk, and high-severity scenarios may justify strong preventive measures. Ignoring the risk or waiting for an incident is not acceptable.

Question 10Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

A worker develops a health condition that may be related to workplace exposure. What is the appropriate role of the periodic health examination under occupational health practice?

  1. To replace workplace exposure monitoring entirely
  2. To detect early signs of work-related health effects and inform preventive action Correct answer.
  3. To certify the worker as fit for any job without restriction
  4. To determine whether the worker should be dismissed

Explanation

Health examinations aim to detect early effects of occupational exposure and to trigger preventive measures such as improved controls or reassignment. They are not tools for dismissal decisions and do not replace environmental monitoring. Fitness conclusions are specific and should be based on proper assessment.

Question 11Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

A confined space has an oxygen level below the safe range and may contain toxic gas. Which control approach is most appropriate before entry?

  1. Test the atmosphere, isolate and ventilate the space, and provide standby arrangements before entry Correct answer.
  2. Enter alone to minimise the number of people exposed
  3. Rely on a worker's sense of smell to detect danger
  4. Enter quickly to finish the task before symptoms appear

Explanation

Confined space entry requires atmospheric testing, isolation of hazardous energy and substances, ventilation, and standby or rescue arrangements. Oxygen deficiency and toxic gases cannot be detected reliably by smell, and rapid entry or solo entry increases the risk of fatality. Controls must be in place before anyone enters.

Question 12Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

What is the main function of a permit-to-work system for high-risk maintenance activities?

  1. To transfer legal responsibility from the employer to the permit issuer
  2. To formally authorise specific work after confirming that required controls are in place Correct answer.
  3. To replace the need for worker training on the task
  4. To document the worker's holiday entitlement

Explanation

A permit-to-work system is a formal control that verifies hazards have been identified and precautions such as isolation and gas testing are in place before high-risk work begins. It supports, but does not replace, training and the employer's legal duties. Responsibility remains with the employer and the persons involved.

Question 13Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

An employer is selecting respiratory protective equipment for a task involving fine dust. Which consideration is most important for the equipment to be effective?

  1. Selecting equipment based only on worker preference for colour
  2. Correct fit to the wearer's face and suitability for the contaminant and concentration Correct answer.
  3. Choosing the lowest-cost model available
  4. Assuming any mask provides full protection in all atmospheres

Explanation

Respiratory protection is effective only when the device is suitable for the contaminant and concentration and fits the wearer's face properly, often verified by fit testing. Cost or appearance should not drive selection, and no single mask protects in all atmospheres, especially oxygen-deficient ones. Selection must match the specific hazard.

Question 14Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

Under occupational safety and health law, what is the general obligation when a new chemical substance is introduced into a workplace process?

  1. Assume it is safe until an accident proves otherwise
  2. Investigate its hazards and take necessary measures to prevent harm to workers Correct answer.
  3. Restrict information about the substance to management only
  4. Rely solely on the supplier's verbal assurances

Explanation

Before introducing a chemical substance, the employer must investigate its hazardous properties and implement appropriate controls such as substitution, ventilation, and exposure prevention. Assuming safety or relying on verbal assurances is inadequate. Hazard information must be communicated to affected workers.

Question 15Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

Which arrangement best reflects the principle of machine safeguarding to prevent access to dangerous moving parts during operation?

  1. Scheduling maintenance only during busy production periods
  2. Training workers to keep their hands away from moving parts
  3. Warning labels placed on the machine casing
  4. Fixed guards or interlocked guards that prevent access while parts are moving Correct answer.

Explanation

Machine safeguarding should physically prevent access to dangerous parts, for example with fixed guards or interlocks that stop the machine when a guard is opened. Labels and training are supplementary and rely on human behaviour. Maintenance timing does not address routine operational access.

Question 16Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

What is the primary purpose of an incident investigation in occupational safety and health management?

  1. To allocate insurance premiums among departments
  2. To close the case as quickly as possible
  3. To identify underlying causes and prevent recurrence Correct answer.
  4. To determine disciplinary penalties for the workforce

Explanation

Incident investigation seeks to understand the root and contributing causes so that effective corrective actions can prevent recurrence. It is distinct from disciplinary or financial processes, and speed should not compromise thoroughness. The focus is learning and prevention.

Question 17Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

A worker is required to perform repetitive manual handling tasks throughout the shift. Which control measure best addresses the risk of musculoskeletal disorders at source?

  1. Instruct the worker to work faster to finish sooner
  2. Provide a wrist brace as the only control
  3. Increase the shift length to reduce the number of days worked
  4. Redesign the task or use mechanical aids to reduce force and repetition Correct answer.

Explanation

Ergonomic risks are most effectively reduced by redesigning work to lower force, repetition, and awkward posture, often with mechanical aids. Speeding up, relying solely on a brace, or extending shifts increase exposure and risk. Engineering and work-design controls rank above personal measures.

Question 18Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between occupational safety and health law and voluntary standards?

  1. Compliance with a voluntary standard automatically proves legal compliance
  2. Legal requirements apply only to large enterprises, while standards apply to all
  3. Voluntary standards override legal requirements when they are more detailed
  4. Law sets mandatory minimum requirements, while voluntary standards provide detailed guidance that can support compliance Correct answer.

Explanation

Legislation establishes enforceable minimum duties, and voluntary standards offer technical guidance on how those duties can be met. Standards do not override the law, and following a standard does not automatically guarantee legal compliance. Legal duties generally apply regardless of enterprise size unless a provision states otherwise.

Question 19Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

An employer plans to assign a worker to a job involving a known health hazard. What does the principle of fitness for work require?

  1. Assess whether the worker's health status is compatible with the specific job demands and exposures Correct answer.
  2. Assign the task without regard to individual health information
  3. Use fitness testing to exclude workers with any minor health condition
  4. Assume all workers are equally fit for every task

Explanation

Fitness for work means matching the individual's health status and capacity to the specific demands and exposures of the job, with appropriate follow-up. It does not assume universal fitness or justify blanket exclusion based on minor conditions. Individual health information must be handled appropriately.

Question 20Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

A workplace introduces a new shift pattern that includes long night shifts. Which occupational health consideration is most relevant?

  1. Removing all rest breaks to shorten the working week
  2. Assuming night work improves alertness for all workers
  3. Assessing fatigue, sleep, and circadian effects and adjusting work design and rest arrangements Correct answer.
  4. Ignoring shift timing because it does not affect health

Explanation

Long night shifts can disrupt circadian rhythms, increase fatigue, and affect alertness and health, so work design, rest breaks, and monitoring should be reviewed. Shift timing clearly affects health and safety. Removing rest breaks would worsen fatigue rather than improve it.

Question 21Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

An inspector finds that a workplace has failed to implement required safety measures. Which description best reflects the legal consequence under occupational safety and health enforcement?

  1. The inspector personally assumes the employer's safety duties
  2. The finding automatically closes the workplace permanently
  3. The authority may issue corrective orders and, where provided, impose penalties for non-compliance Correct answer.
  4. The employer is exempt from further obligations once the inspection ends

Explanation

Enforcement authorities can require corrective action through orders and may impose penalties where the law provides. Inspectors do not take over the employer's duties, and closure is not automatic. The employer's obligations continue after the inspection.

Question 22Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

Two control options exist for a hazardous task: an engineering enclosure that reduces exposure substantially, and a training programme that encourages careful behaviour. How should a safety professional justify the choice?

  1. Prefer the engineering control because it does not depend on continuous human compliance Correct answer.
  2. Prefer training because it is always cheaper to implement
  3. Prefer training because engineering controls remove worker autonomy
  4. Treat both as equally reliable in all circumstances

Explanation

Engineering controls are higher in the hierarchy because they reduce exposure independent of worker behaviour and are less prone to error. Training is valuable but depends on consistent compliance and memory. Cost and autonomy concerns do not outweigh the greater reliability of engineering controls.

Question 23Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

A company operates several sites and wants a consistent approach to legal compliance in occupational safety and health. Which approach best supports this goal?

  1. Delegate all safety decisions to an external contractor
  2. Address legal requirements only after an accident occurs
  3. Rely on individual site managers to interpret the law independently
  4. Establish a management system that identifies legal requirements, assigns responsibilities, and monitors performance Correct answer.

Explanation

A structured management system helps identify applicable legal requirements, allocate responsibilities, and monitor and review performance across sites. Independent interpretation and reactive approaches create inconsistency and gaps. Legal duties cannot be fully delegated to a contractor.

Question 24Occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and standards

A risk assessment identifies a hazard that cannot currently be eliminated. What is the most defensible professional position regarding residual risk?

  1. Stop all work permanently until elimination becomes feasible
  2. Rely on workers to manage the residual risk individually
  3. Declare the risk acceptable because elimination is impossible
  4. Apply the highest practicable level of control and monitor the residual risk with review and adjustment Correct answer.

Explanation

Where elimination is not practicable, the employer should apply the highest level of control that is reasonably practicable and monitor residual risk, reviewing controls as circumstances change. Declaring the risk acceptable without further action or stopping all work permanently are not balanced responses. Residual risk management remains an employer responsibility.

Question 25Occupational health and safety management systems

Under a typical occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS), what is the primary purpose of a hazard identification and risk assessment process?

  1. To record the names of workers who have previously been injured
  2. To establish which risks are significant and prioritize controls before harm occurs Correct answer.
  3. To satisfy insurers by producing a fixed annual list of accidents
  4. To determine the legal penalties that apply if an incident occurs

Explanation

Hazard identification and risk assessment are proactive processes that determine which hazards can cause harm and how significant each risk is, so that controls can be prioritized and implemented before injury or ill health occurs. They are not retrospective records of accidents and are not driven by insurance lists.

Question 26Occupational health and safety management systems

Which element most clearly demonstrates top management commitment within an OHSMS?

  1. Setting OHS objectives, providing resources, and participating in management reviews Correct answer.
  2. Publishing a safety slogan on a poster in the canteen
  3. Delegating all safety decisions to the most junior supervisor available
  4. Outsourcing the safety function entirely to a contractor

Explanation

Leadership commitment is demonstrated through concrete actions such as setting measurable OHS objectives, allocating resources, and taking part in management reviews. Visible actions that shape decisions carry more weight than slogans or delegation.

Question 27Occupational health and safety management systems

In OHSMS terminology, what does the 'hierarchy of controls' describe?

  1. The ranked order of control measures from most to least effective, such as elimination before PPE Correct answer.
  2. The sequence of steps in an accident investigation report
  3. The organizational chart of the safety department
  4. The order in which workers must report hazards to their supervisor

Explanation

The hierarchy of controls ranks measures by effectiveness, generally placing elimination and substitution at the top and personal protective equipment at the bottom. It guides the selection of controls so that reliance on PPE is a last resort.

Question 28Occupational health and safety management systems

Which of the following best defines a 'near miss' in OHSMS reporting?

  1. An event that could have caused injury or ill health but did not Correct answer.
  2. Any injury that requires more than three days off work
  3. A legal notice issued by an inspector after an incident
  4. A hazard that has been identified but not yet assessed

Explanation

A near miss is an undesired event that had the potential to cause harm but did not result in injury, ill health, or damage. Recording near misses provides early warning of weaknesses in controls.

Question 29Occupational health and safety management systems

What is the main purpose of an internal OHSMS audit?

  1. To discipline workers who breached safety rules
  2. To calculate the cost of workplace injuries for the finance team
  3. To verify that the system conforms to planned arrangements and is effectively implemented Correct answer.
  4. To replace the need for management review

Explanation

Internal audits provide objective evidence that the OHSMS conforms to planned arrangements, requirements, and the organization's own criteria, and that it is effectively implemented and maintained. They inform improvement rather than serving as a disciplinary tool.

Question 30Occupational health and safety management systems

Why is worker consultation and participation a core requirement of an OHSMS?

  1. It transfers legal responsibility for safety from the employer to the workers
  2. It guarantees that no incidents will occur
  3. It removes the need to provide safety training
  4. It improves hazard identification and the practicality of controls by using workers' knowledge Correct answer.

Explanation

Workers understand the tasks and conditions they face, so their participation improves hazard identification and makes controls more practical and accepted. The employer retains legal responsibility regardless of consultation.

Question 31Occupational health and safety management systems

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between an OHS policy and OHS objectives?

  1. Objectives replace the policy once they are written
  2. The policy provides the overall direction and commitment, while objectives set measurable targets to achieve it Correct answer.
  3. The policy is written only after all objectives have been achieved
  4. Objectives and the policy are the same document under different names

Explanation

The OHS policy states the organization's overall intentions and commitment to safety, while objectives translate that commitment into measurable, time-bound targets. Objectives operationalize the policy rather than replace it.

Question 32Occupational health and safety management systems

A factory installs a machine guard that physically prevents access to a rotating shaft. Where does this control sit in the hierarchy of controls?

  1. Administrative control
  2. Engineering control Correct answer.
  3. Personal protective equipment
  4. Elimination

Explanation

A physical guard is an engineering control because it isolates the hazard at its source through a design measure. Elimination would require removing the hazardous task or machine entirely.

Question 33Occupational health and safety management systems

When applying a risk matrix, a task scores high likelihood and moderate severity. What is the most appropriate management response?

  1. Prioritize the risk for prompt additional controls before work continues Correct answer.
  2. Rely solely on PPE for the task
  3. Defer action until the next annual review
  4. Accept the risk because severity is only moderate

Explanation

A high likelihood combined with moderate severity produces an elevated risk rating that should be prioritized for additional controls promptly. Likelihood and severity are combined, so moderate severity does not justify acceptance.

Question 34Occupational health and safety management systems

An organization records many minor incidents but few serious ones. Which leading indicator would best help it act before serious harm occurs?

  1. Number of legal prosecutions concluded
  2. Number of lost-time injuries per year
  3. Number of near misses and unsafe conditions reported per month Correct answer.
  4. Total compensation paid to injured workers

Explanation

Near misses and unsafe conditions are leading indicators because they signal weaknesses before serious harm occurs. Lost-time injuries, compensation, and prosecutions are lagging indicators that measure outcomes after the fact.

Question 35Occupational health and safety management systems

During an incident investigation, why should the analysis focus on underlying causes rather than only the immediate act?

  1. Because systemic factors such as design, training, and supervision usually enable the immediate act Correct answer.
  2. Because blaming individuals is legally required
  3. Because the immediate act is always irrelevant to the outcome
  4. Because underlying causes are quicker to identify

Explanation

Investigations that stop at the immediate act miss the systemic conditions, such as poor design, inadequate training, or supervision gaps, that allowed the act to lead to harm. Addressing root and contributing causes prevents recurrence.

Question 36Occupational health and safety management systems

A contractor will perform hot work in a plant operating an OHSMS. What is the most appropriate control arrangement?

  1. Apply a permit-to-work, joint risk assessment, and clear communication of site hazards Correct answer.
  2. Provide a verbal warning only at the gate
  3. Allow the contractor to self-manage without any coordination
  4. Rely on the contractor's own insurance as the control

Explanation

Contractor activities require coordination so that hazards are jointly understood and controlled; a permit-to-work and shared risk assessment are standard for high-risk tasks such as hot work. Communication of site-specific hazards is essential because the contractor lacks the host's local knowledge.

Question 37Occupational health and safety management systems

Why must an OHSMS define competence requirements for each role affecting safety?

  1. To satisfy auditors by producing longer job descriptions
  2. To ensure people have the training, knowledge, and experience needed to perform tasks safely Correct answer.
  3. To transfer safety duties from managers to workers
  4. To reduce the number of employees eligible for promotion

Explanation

Competence requirements specify the education, training, and experience needed so that people can perform tasks safely and fulfill their OHS roles. They link directly to training and authorization decisions.

Question 38Occupational health and safety management systems

What distinguishes an OHSMS 'objective' from a general aspiration?

  1. An objective is only written for external auditors
  2. An objective is measurable and time-bound, with assigned responsibility Correct answer.
  3. An objective is a statement of intent that need never be measured
  4. An objective is the same as a hazard

Explanation

Objectives are specific, measurable, and time-bound, with responsibility assigned so progress can be tracked. Aspirations lack these characteristics and cannot be monitored.

Question 39Occupational health and safety management systems

An organization wishes to demonstrate that its OHSMS meets a recognized standard. What is the role of third-party certification?

  1. It transfers legal liability for safety to the certification body
  2. It guarantees the organization will have zero incidents
  3. It replaces the need for internal audits and management review
  4. It provides independent verification of conformity, while the organization retains responsibility for the system Correct answer.

Explanation

Third-party certification is independent verification that the management system conforms to the standard, but the organization remains responsible for operating the system and for legal compliance. Certification does not replace internal processes or guarantee outcomes.

Question 40Occupational health and safety management systems

A worker reports a damaged ladder. Under an OHSMS, what is the most appropriate immediate action?

  1. Withdraw the ladder from use and tag it until repaired or replaced Correct answer.
  2. Assign the damage to the worker's personal responsibility
  3. Continue using it but warn other workers verbally
  4. Record the report and take no action until the next inspection cycle

Explanation

Equipment with a defect that could cause a fall should be taken out of service immediately and tagged so it cannot be used until repaired or replaced. This removes the hazard from service rather than relying on warnings.

Question 41Occupational health and safety management systems

Which activity best demonstrates 'management review' as an OHSMS element?

  1. A contractor submitting an invoice
  2. A worker completing an induction quiz
  3. A supervisor checking helmets at the gate each morning
  4. Top management evaluating OHS performance, audit results, and opportunities for improvement to decide on changes Correct answer.

Explanation

Management review is a top-management activity that evaluates system performance and information such as audit results and incident trends, then decides on changes and resources. It is distinct from routine checks and individual tasks.

Question 42Occupational health and safety management systems

What is the primary purpose of emergency preparedness and response arrangements in an OHSMS?

  1. To plan, equip, and practice responses so that harm is minimized if an emergency occurs Correct answer.
  2. To shift responsibility for emergencies to local authorities
  3. To document past emergencies for the annual report
  4. To eliminate the need for risk assessments

Explanation

Emergency preparedness involves identifying potential emergency situations, planning responses, providing equipment, and testing arrangements through drills so that harm is minimized. It supplements, rather than replaces, risk assessment and does not shift responsibility to authorities.

Question 43Occupational health and safety management systems

An OHSMS records show that corrective actions from incidents are frequently closed without verification. Which weakness does this most directly indicate?

  1. A policy that is too short
  2. Inadequate follow-up and effectiveness verification within the improvement process Correct answer.
  3. Excessive worker consultation
  4. Over-reliance on leading indicators

Explanation

Closing corrective actions without checking that they worked indicates a gap in the verification step of the improvement process, so the same problems may recur. Effective corrective action requires confirming that the implemented measure removed the cause.

Question 44Occupational health and safety management systems

Two departments apply different risk scoring scales, making company-wide risk priorities inconsistent. What is the most appropriate systemic correction?

  1. Standardize the risk assessment methodology and criteria across the organization and train assessors Correct answer.
  2. Abandon risk assessment altogether
  3. Rank risks only by the cost of controls
  4. Allow each department to keep its own scale to preserve autonomy

Explanation

Consistent methodology and criteria, supported by training, are needed so that risk ratings are comparable and priorities can be set organization-wide. Allowing divergent scales perpetuates inconsistent decisions.

Question 45Occupational health and safety management systems

A safety manager finds that near-miss reports fell sharply after a supervisor began disciplining reporters. What is the most likely interpretation and best response?

  1. The reporting system should be discontinued
  2. Workers have stopped having near misses entirely
  3. The workplace has become safer, so no action is needed
  4. Reporting culture has been suppressed; the manager should address the disciplinary practice and rebuild trust Correct answer.

Explanation

A sharp fall in reports following discipline for reporting strongly suggests that under-reporting has replaced genuine improvement, because fear suppresses reporting. The response should address the punitive practice and rebuild a just reporting culture.

Question 46Occupational health and safety management systems

An auditor notes that the OHS policy commits to legal compliance, but the legal register has not been updated for two years despite new regulations. What is the most accurate conclusion?

  1. Legal registers are optional and need no updating
  2. The system fully conforms because a policy statement exists
  3. The policy should be deleted to remove the commitment
  4. There is a gap between the stated commitment and its implementation, requiring corrective action Correct answer.

Explanation

A commitment to legal compliance must be supported by an up-to-date register of applicable requirements and a process to evaluate compliance. An outdated register shows a gap between the policy commitment and practice, requiring corrective action.

Question 47Occupational health and safety management systems

An organization sets a target of zero recordable injuries but its reporting system penalizes supervisors whose teams report incidents. Why is this objective likely to fail?

  1. Because zero-injury targets are always illegal
  2. Because the punitive reporting system creates pressure to under-report, undermining the data needed to manage risk Correct answer.
  3. Because objectives must never be measurable
  4. Because supervisors cannot influence safety

Explanation

Punitive consequences for reported incidents encourage concealment, so the data used to manage risk becomes unreliable and the target is pursued through suppression rather than prevention. Objectives must be supported by a reporting culture that rewards disclosure.

Question 48Occupational health and safety management systems

A company achieves certification but continues to treat the OHSMS as a set of documents prepared for the audit. Which principle is being violated?

  1. That the OHSMS should be integrated into business processes and used to manage risk day to day Correct answer.
  2. That certification must be renewed every month
  3. That documents should never be produced
  4. That only external auditors may identify hazards

Explanation

An OHSMS is intended to be integrated into the organization's processes so that it actively controls risk, not maintained as documentation for audits. Treating it as paperwork undermines its purpose and is a classic cause of system failure.

Question 49Hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control

Under the hierarchy of controls used in occupational safety, which measure sits at the top level because it removes the hazard entirely?

  1. Warning signage
  2. Personal protective equipment
  3. Administrative control
  4. Elimination Correct answer.

Explanation

The hierarchy of controls ranks measures by reliability, and elimination of the hazard at source is the most effective because exposure can no longer occur. Administrative controls, signage and PPE rely on human behaviour and leave the hazard present.

Question 50Hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control

A risk assessment is described as 'suitable and sufficient'. Which feature best demonstrates this?

  1. It was signed by the most senior manager on site
  2. It identifies hazards, evaluates who may be harmed and how, and records the significant findings Correct answer.
  3. It covers every conceivable hazard regardless of likelihood
  4. It was produced using a commercial template without amendment

Explanation

A suitable and sufficient assessment identifies the significant hazards, evaluates the risk to defined groups of people and records the conclusions so action can follow. Senior sign-off or exhaustive lists do not by themselves make the assessment adequate.