Ch 1: Introduction

According to the textbook, approximately how many workers in Canada die each day as a result of a workplace incident?

3 people per day

"Emphasis" is one of the three Es of the traditional views of safety.

False

Due diligence ensures that organizations can avoid all foreseeable accidents.

False

What other group of workers might be as susceptible to "brown lung" as textile workers?

carpenters/cabinet makers

A delivery van driver for Chung's courier company had a collision while on delivery. There was $6500 of damage to the van and a substitute driver needed to be paid while the regular driver was recovering from his injuries. These expenses are best described as examples of which of the following?

direct costs

According to the World Health Organization, which of the following describes a healthy workplace?

health and safety, psychosocial environment, personal human resources, enterprise community involvement

Media stories about unsafe working conditions at overseas suppliers, such as the 2013 garment factory disaster in Bangladesh, lead to what indirect cost for Canadian companies?

negative publicity

Which of the following is a primary barrier to OH&S programming in workplaces?

not everyone is committed to implementing OH&S programs

Which of the following is an example of an employer's responsibility under OH&S legislation?

preparing a written occupational health and safety policy

Lars is a volunteer firefighter and has just watched the safety training video about the new respirators. He finds that the one he has been given by his supervisor does not fit properly over his orthodontic braces. What should Lars do?

report the problem to his supervisor

Which of the following was articulated by the 1974 Royal Commission on the Health and Safety of Workers in Mines?

rights of workers

Which mechanism has been found to be the most influential in terms of health and safety in the workplace?

the internal responsibility system

Being an active member of a Joint Health and Safety Committee at work allows workers to satisfy which one of the principal OH&S employee rights?

the right to participate in identifying and correcting health and safety problems

Enrique is an OH&S professional at a large manufacturing company. The safety programs he implements always emphasize that the managers and workers share responsibility for healthy and safety at work. Which of the following can be said of Enrique's programs?

they use the internal responsibility system

Which of the following does NOT explain why young workers are at particular risk for injury in the workplace?

young workers are more accident prone

Unions are important stakeholders in OH&S.

True

Diego is interested in a career in OH&S. His interests are focused on helping organizations develop motivational health and safety programs. Which of the following careers would be the best fit for him?

a Canadian Registered Safety Professional designation following training in psychology

What is the main reason why the costs of workplace injuries may be higher than $12 billion per year?

a large number of injuries go unreported

Which of the following is a workplace injury that results in an employee missing time from work?

a lost-time injury

Priya is a high school geography teacher. This year there is a new geography curriculum and increased student feedback requirement for teachers. Priya is putting in very long hours to revise her teaching materials and complete report cards for her students. How is this heavy workload best described?

a psychological hazard

Which of the following is an economic benefit of effective OH&S programs?

a reduction in lost-time costs

In OH&S terminology, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced by members of Canada's military as a result of events during their tour of duty would be classified as which of the following?

an illness

Raina is a retail manager. She sprained her wrist when she slipped off a stepladder when moving stock from a high shelf. Which of the following has Raina experienced?

an occupational injury

Duane works for a heavy equipment operator. Recently, the brakes failed on an excavator Duane was assigned to operate. Duane and a construction worker were injured when the excavator drove into a building on the site. This incident was heavily covered in the news and the company now faces fines and a downturn in business due to the smear on its reputation. These expenses are best described as examples of which of the following?

indirect costs

In today's health and safety climate, workplace safety inspectors routinely attribute workplace safety incidents to the accident proneness of the employees involved.

False

Occupational injury is any abnormal condition or disorder caused by exposure to environmental factors associated with employment.

False

The internal responsibility system states that when a worker accepts employment, he or she also accepts all the normal risks associated with that occupation.

False

Under OH&S laws, employers are responsible for conducting research on occupational health and safety.

False

Jean owns a company that cleans up houses after fires and floods. The Ministry of Health is investigating a complaint from one of her employees who claims he has developed a chronic respiratory condition from his work. Jean has obtained a lawyer. Her lawyer reviewed Jean's policies and practices to help demonstrate that Jean took every reasonable precaution to protect the health and safety of her workers. What is the lawyer most likely trying to demonstrate?

Jean's due diligence

According to the text, what was the primary reason why supervisors on construction sites underestimated health and safety risks?

They could not recognize unsafe conditions.

During the summer, Noriko works at a theme park. What is the main reason why seasonal workers like her are exposed to a higher risk of injury by the employer than full-time workers?

They receive less safety training.

A lost-time injury is a workplace injury that results in an employee missing time from work.

True

As an emergency room nurse, Ellie is often exposed to biological hazards such as blood, bacteria, and viruses.

True

Full- and part-time employees of an organization are required by law to report defective equipment and other workplace hazards.

True

Which of the following is NOT considered one of the principal rights of workers outlined by the Royal Commission on the Health and Safety of Workers in Mines?

right to advocate