COSS Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132, who is responsible for conducting a workplace hazard assessment to determine necessary PPE?
- The employee
- The employer (Correct answer)
- OSHA compliance officer
- The insurance carrier
Correct answer: The employer
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d) requires the employer to assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present that necessitate the use of PPE.
Question 2: Which hierarchy of controls is PPE considered in occupational safety?
- First and most preferred
- Second, after engineering controls
- Last resort after all other controls (Correct answer)
- Equal to administrative controls
Correct answer: Last resort after all other controls
PPE is the last line of defense in the hierarchy of controls, used only when elimination, substitution, engineering, and administrative controls are not feasible or sufficient.
Question 3: What ANSI/ISEA standard governs the selection of high-visibility safety apparel in the US?
- ANSI/ISEA 107 (Correct answer)
- ANSI Z89.1
- ANSI/ISEA Z87.1
- ANSI Z41
Correct answer: ANSI/ISEA 107
ANSI/ISEA 107 is the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.
Question 4: Under OSHA standards, who must pay for required PPE in most general industry situations?
- The employee must pay
- The employer must pay at no cost to the employee (Correct answer)
- Cost is split 50/50
- Government subsidizes PPE costs
Correct answer: The employer must pay at no cost to the employee
OSHA's PPE payment rule (29 CFR 1910.132(h)) requires employers to provide most required PPE at no cost to employees.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a written certification of the PPE hazard assessment required by OSHA?
- To bill the insurance company
- To document that the hazard assessment was performed (Correct answer)
- To notify OSHA of identified hazards
- To excuse employees from wearing PPE
Correct answer: To document that the hazard assessment was performed
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2) requires a written certification identifying the workplace evaluated, the person certifying it, and the date of the assessment.
Question 6: Which type of hearing protection has the highest Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) potential?
- Earmuffs
- Canal caps
- Foam earplugs (Correct answer)
- Semi-insert earplugs
Correct answer: Foam earplugs
Properly inserted foam earplugs can achieve the highest NRR values, often up to 33 dB, because they conform to the ear canal and create a tight seal.
