EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL OF HEALTH SCIENCES/UNZA

FINAL EXAMINATIONS FOR DIPLOMA IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGISTS

OHS 312: - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

DATE: 8 JUNE, 2015

TIME: 9:00 – 12:00 HOURS

Candidate’s Examination Number: ………………………………………………………………………………………

Candidate’s NRC N umber: …………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Examination Centre:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Check that you have the correct examination paper in front of you. There are FOUR (4)
sections in this paper, ONE, TWO, THREE and FOUR Read the instructions very carefully in
each section before attempting to answer.

All questions must be answered on the examination answer booklet provided only.
Write down the number of the questions that you have answered on the cover of the
examination answer booklet. No books, files or mechanical aids are permitted in the
examination room. There are shall be no form of communication between students during
the examination. Any student caught doing this will be disqualified

CELLPHONES & PROGRAMMABLE CALCULATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE EXAMINATION

ROOM

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO BY THE INVIGILATOR

SECTION ONE: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

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There are fourty (40) questions in this section.
Answer ALL questions in this section
Write the best answer of your choice in the examination answer booklet provided
(Total marks = 40)

1. Depending on the dose one receives coupled with other factors, it is recommended that the
following standard (s) are sufficient to protect the worker exposed to noise
(a) 85 dB one can work for 8 hours
(b) 90 dB one can work for 4 hours
(c) 95 dB one can work for 2 hours
(d) All of the above
(e) Only (b) and (c)

2. The proper order for hazard recognition is (choose the best answer):
(a) Collection of information on the process, detailed observation, analysis of the
observations
(b) Detailed observation, collection of information on the process, analysis of the
observations
(c) Workplace intervention, detailed observation, analysis of the observations
(d) Detailed observation, workplace intervention, analysis of the intervention
(e) Review of medical surveillance data, workplace intervention, and analysis of the
intervention

3. Education and training of the workforce should include information on:

(a) Hazards in the workplace
(b) Safe work practices and good housekeeping
(c) Proper use and maintenance of protective equipment
(d) Reasons for and results of any monitoring program
(e) All of the above

4. Respiratory protective equipment should be selected for the following conditions:

(a) Chronic exposure above time-weighted average occupational limits
(b) Chronic exposure below time- weighted average occupational limits
(c) Whenever environmental control mechanisms are not technically feasible
(d) Acute exposure to dust at concentration below occupational limits
(e) Operations involving large numbers of workers

5. Personal protective equipment programmes should address all of the following except:
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 (a) Educating the worker on the consequences of exposure
(b) Fit-testing prior to use of respiratory protective equipment
(c) Appropriate cost to the employee for use of respiratory protective equipment
(d) Providing suitable storage facilities for the respiratory protective equipment
(e) Monitoring the programme to ensure continued effectiveness

6. Many sounds are unpleasant or unwanted - these are called noise. The quietest sound
that can be heard by an average person is called the threshold of hearing. What is the
audible sound pressure at this threshold of hearing?
(a) 0 dBA
(b) 100 Pa
(c) 30 Pa
(d) 25 dBA
(e) 50 Pa

7. WHO describes Occupational Health and Safety as:

(a) The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social
well-being of workers in all occupations
(b) The protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors
which are detrimental to health
(c) The placement and maintenance of the worker in an occupational environment
adapted to his/her physical and psychological conditions
(d) All of the above

8. The ILO definition of pneumoconiosis

is……………………………………………………………………………
(a) The accumulation of dust in the lungs
(b) Radiographic abnormalities resulting from silica exposure
(c) The development of respiratory symptoms following dust exposure
(d) The accumulation of dust in the lungs and the tissue reaction to its presence
(e) All of the above

9. Which of the following is the most accurate statement about dust?

(a) Concentrations of dust not visible to the eye are not injurious to the lungs
(b) Respirable particles are visible to the eye without assistance
(c) Dust clouds visible to the eye do not pose a potential health hazard
(d) The visual appearance of a dust cloud will vary with the angle of viewing relative
to the light source
(e) Options (b) and (c)
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10. Which of the following is the most accurate statement about silicosis?
(a) Most cases of silicosis are sudden in onset
(b) Silicosis is a fibrotic lung disease caused by overexposure to dusts composed of or
containing free crystalline silica
( c ) Only underground miners develop silicosis
(d) New onset tuberculosis can always be detected by chest x-ray in workers with
silicosis
(e) None of the above

11. Which one of the following sources of hazards is likely to cause glare and eye irritations,
skin and other tissue injuries including genetic disorders in a work place?
(a) Pressure
(b) Noise and Vibrations
( c) Ionizing radiation
(d) Electric current
(e) All of the above

12, Cessation of sweating, skin hot and dry, red faces , high body temperature,
consciousness, convulsions and collapse may be caused by one of the following heat
stress related
conditions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
..
(a) Heat syncope
(b) Dehydration
( c) Heat exhaustion
(d) Heat cramps
(e) Heat stroke
13. The dust particles that is small enough to penetrate the nose and upper respiratory
system and deep into the lungs is classified
as………………………………………………………………………………..
(a) Inhalable dust
(b) Total dust
( c) Fibrogenic dust
(d) dust
(e) Nuisance dust

14. Which one of the following is not an objective of risk assessment in a work place?

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 (a) Identify significant risks arising out of work
(b) Enable the employer to identify and prioritize the measures that need to be taken
( c) Be timely and appropriate to the nature of work
(d) Individual needs are rarely taken into account at a health-promoting preventive level
(as well as through rehabilitation)
(e) All of the above

15. Which one or more of the following factors may affect the indoor air quality in home
and at work?
(a) Mould
(b) Radon
( c) Biomass fuel
(d) Asbestos fibres
(e) All of the above

16. Serious conditions such as asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonia, and respiratory

infections (for example Legionnaires’ disease) that are arise in homes and places of work
are good examples
of…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(a) Sick building syndromes
(b) Tight building syndrome
( c) Building related illness
(d) Non-infectious related illness
(e) None of the above

17. Breathing in metal oxides such as zinc and copper can lead to an acute flu-like illness
called 'metal fume fever'. This type of condition is found most commonly found among
the ……….
(a) Kiln workers
(b) Welders
( c) Explosive blasters
(d) Coal workers
(e) Detonators
18. Which one of the follow ing sound monitor measures the sound pressure level and
calculates the so-called noise 'dose' received by the individual during the work shift?
(a) Personal noise dosimeter
(b) Octave-band analyzer
( c) Sound level meter (SL)

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 (d) Noise survey meter
(e) None of the above

19. The science and art devoted to the recognition, evaluation and control of those
environmental health factors which arise in the workplace, and which may cause
sickness, impaired health, discomfort or inefficiency among workers or citizens of the
country is referred to
as……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(a) Environmental Health
(b) Occupational Hygiene
( c) Occupational Medicine
(d) All of the above
(e) Only (a) and (c) are correct

20. Depending on the size of the company and magnitude of health, safety and
environmental concerns arising from business activities of work stations, which one of
the following professionals may be not be part of an Occupational Health Team
(a) First aid and training officer
(b) Occupational psychologist
(c ) Occupational hygienist
(d) Occupational physiotherapist
(e) Civi engineer

21. Occupational deafness is caused by:

(a) Prolonged exposure to noise above 85 dB
(b) Prolonged exposure to noise above 80 dB
( c) Exposure to continuous noise
(d) Failure to use PPE
(e) Intermittent noise above 70 dB

22. The classic occupational model of controlling a hazard is:

(a) Control of the hazard at the source i.e. substitution or enclosure of the hazard
(b) Control of the hazard along the path i.e. general exhaust ventilation
( c) Control of hazard at the receiver i.e. use of PPE
(d) All the above
(e) Only (a) and (c)

23. When assessing the thermal environment heat stress, the whirling hygrometer is used to
measure:
(a) Air temperature
(b) Radiant temperature
( c) Humidity

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 (d)Air velocity
(e) Static air

24. The purposes of a detailed noise survey are:

(a) To obtain specific information on the noise levels existing at each employee workstation
(b) To develop guidelines for establishing engineering and/or administrative controls
(c )To define areas where hearing protection will be required
(d)All of the above
(e) Only (a) and (b) are correct

25. How can the employer protect the worker from inhaling airborne contaminants?
(a) By providing personal protective equipment (PPE)
(b) Providing safe working practices
(c )By providing engineering controls
(d)All of the above

26. Anything that has potential to cause harm is called

(a) Risk
(b) Hazard
(c ) Danger
(d)Harmful
(e) Vulnerability

27. Heat cataract is an occupational disease which is caused by:

(a) Poor lighting conditions in underground work operations
(b)Exposure to excessive fumes and dust
(c ) Excessive exposure to heat and microwaves
(d)Exposure to mist and fog
(e) None of the above

28. Non- ionizing is radiation that does not have sufficient kinetic energy to eject electrons from the
atom. Which among the following is not an example of none ionizing radiation?
(a) Microwaves
(b) Infrared rays
(c )Ultra violet radiation
(d)Radio waves
(e) Gamma radiation

29. The occupational disease known as ‘’pneumoconiosis’’ is by inhalation of:

(a) Asbestos fibres
(b) Silica dust

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 (c ) Coal dust
(d)All the above
(e) Only (b) and (c) are correct

30. Safety is the responsibility of:

(a) Safety officer
(b) Management
(c )The worker
(d)All the above
(e) Both (a) and (c) are correct

31. Accidents:
(a) Cannot be avoided
(b) Only happen to people who deserve them
(c )Are largely preventable
(d)Are completely unpredictable
(e) All of the above

32. The term ‘’hazard’’ means:

(a) The likelihood or probability for an injury or disease to occur
(b)Anything that has potential to cause harm
(c)Anything that causes peril or liability of exposure to harm
(d)All of the above

32. The study and practice of cleanliness as means of promoting and maintaining good health
standards and preventing disease is a definition of:
(a) Occupational health
(b) Occupational hygiene
(c )Hygiene
(d)Occupational medicine
(e) Good house keeping

33. The science and art which is devoted to the recognition, evaluation and control of those
environmental factors which arise in the workplace, and which may cause sickness, impaired
health, discomfort or inefficiency among workers, is a definition of:
(a) Occupational health
(b) Occupational hygiene
( c) Hygiene
(d)Occupational medicine
(e) All of the above

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34. Once absorbed into the human body, the toxicological effects of hazardous chemicals may
include:
(a) Irritation and inflammation
(b)Acute and chronic poisoning
(c )Genetic disorders
(d)All the above
(e) Only (b) and (c) are correct

35. The sources of biological or infective hazards in workplaces do not include:

(a) Hospitals
(b)Laboratories
( c)Food processing industries
(d)Tannaries
(e)Cotton spinning industries

36. Respirable dust refers to:

(a) All airborne particles, regardless of their size or composition
(b)The dust which enters the body but is trapped in the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract
( c)Dust particles that are small enough to penetrate the nose and upper respiratory system and
deep into the lungs
(d)None of the above
(e) Both (a) and (b) are correct

37. A disease/condition exhibiting signs and symptoms as painful muscle spasms and heavy
sweating, and where its first aid treatment are increased water intake, and rest in the shade/
cool environment, can only be:
(a)Heat syncope
(b)Heat exhaustion
( c)Heat cramps
(d)Heat stroke
(e)Heat rash

38. It can be stated that 20% of general population between the ages of 50 to 59 years
experience hearing losses without having had any exposure to industrial noise. What is
the name given to this condition?
(a)Acoustic trauma
(b)Presbycusis
( c)Sensorineural hearing loss
(d)Conductive hearing loss

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 (e)Age induced hearing loss

22. Mineral fibre, which is particularly dangerous, and is found, for example, in maintenance
and demolition of buildings where it had been used as insulation material as well as roofing
material.
(a) Asphalt shingles
(b) Clay & Concrete Tiles
(c) Wood shingles and shakes
(d) Fiber Cement
(e) Friable and non-friable asbestos

23. The occupational hygiene definition of dust is: (select the most appropriate answer)
(a) A sphere of density 1g/cm3
(b) Solid particles 1 - 100 µm in size which may be or become airborne
(c) Particles with diameter < µm, length >5 µm and aspect ratio ≥3 to 1
(d) Particles deposited in the alveolar region of the lungs
(e) Particles deposited in the nasopharyngeal region of the human airway

24. Which one of the following source(s) has high potential for inducing heat stress in a work
place?
(a)Iron and steel foundries
(b)Brick-firing and ceramic plants
(c )Bakeries
(d)All of the above
(e)Only (a) and (b)

25. To undertake surveillance of sanitary, catering and welfare amenities and give advice as
appropriate is one of the obligation of …………………………………………………………………………..
(a) Rehabilitative Service of an Enterprise
(b) Rescue and Evacuation Service of an Enterprise
(c) Environment, Health and Safety Service of an Enterprise
(d) Occupational Health Service of an Enterprise
(e) Only (a) and (c

26. The most appropriate units of measurement for respirable dust include(s):
(a) mg/m3 (milligrams per cubic meter of air)
(b) ppm (parts per million)
(c) ppb (parts per billion)
(d) All of the above

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 (e) Both (a) and b)

27. NIOSH (1986) says that, for workers who have had previous experience in jobs where heat
levels are high enough to produce heat stress, the regimen should be………………………………
(a) 50% exposure on day one, 60% on day two, 80% on day three, and 100% on day four.
(b) 20% on day one, with a 20% increase in exposure each additional day
(c) 30% on day one, with a 500% increase in exposure each additional day
(d) 45% exposure on day one, 50% on day two, 60% on day three, and 90% on day four
(e) 50% exposure on day one, 70% on day two, 90% on day three, and 100% on day four.

28. Acute byssinosis is a reversible respiratory disease caused by one or more of the following:
(a)Inhalation of wood dust
(b)Inhalation of free silica
(c )Inhalation of cotton dust
(d)Inhalation of asbestos fibres
(e)None of the above

29. Environmental effects of dust generation and dispersion include (choose the best answer):
(a) Increased respiratory symptoms in individuals with chronic lung disease
(b) Increased respiratory symptoms in children
(c) For certain dusts, adverse effects on crops
(d) Potential changes in the ecosystem
( e) All of the above

30. Indoor allergens are also referred to as indoor pollutants. Which one(s) of the following
are categorized as indoor allergens:
(a) Domestic mites
(b) Furry pets (cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, mice, guinea pigs and others)
(c )Birds,Insects (cockroaches and fleas); moulds (outdoor and indoor moulds); moulds
and bacteria in air-conditioning units
(d)All of the above

31. The primary mechanisms for ……………………………. are particle capture, bulk
agglomeration and surface stabilization.
(a)Airborne dust suppression
(b)Wet dust suppression
(c )Dilution ventilation
(d)Isolation
(e)Red mud disposal dust control

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32. ……………………………. are formed by gases that condense into small liquid droplets in the
air.
(a)Fumes
(b)Mists
( c)Fog
(d)Vapours
(e)Smog

33. Canary birds are birds which are used to give warning of the presence of ……………… in
the work environment
(a)Hydocarbons
(b)Carbon dioxide
( c)Oxygen
(d)Sulphur dioxide
(e)Carbon monoxide

34. The most effective way to manage microbial contaminants, such as mold, that are the
result of damp indoor environments is
to…………………………………………………………………………….
(a)Eliminate or limit the conditions that foster its establishment and growth
(b)To ensure buildings are designed, operated, and maintained to facilitate water
intrusion and excessive moisture accumulation when possible
( c)The source should be identified and eliminated as soon as practicable to increase the
possibility of problematic microbial growth and building material degradation
(d)All of the above
(e)Only (a) and (c) are correct

35. Dust is controlled by the Dust Control Systems. Which one of the following systems is
commonly used to control dusting on roads, and in crushing, handling and
storage/reclaim operations?
(a)Dust collection systems
(b)Wet dust suppression systems
(c )Airborne dust capture through water sprays
(d)Dilution or isolation
(e)Red mud disposal area dust control

29. Which one of the following is not true about acoustic trauma
Acoustic trauma is injury to the hearing mechanisms in the inner ear due to very loud
noise.

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 (a)Acoustic trauma results in a sudden loss of hearing, partial or complete, caused by an
extremely loud noise, a severe blow to the head, or other trauma
(b)Acoustic trauma may result from exposure to very loud short burst of noise, like gun
shots or explosions, or it can result from longer term exposure to lower volume sounds
from concerts, machinery, loud stereos etc
(c )Acoustic trauma is a condition that interferes with transmission of sound to cochlea
(wax in the external auditory canal, perforation in ear drum, blockage of Eustachian
tube, disease or infection.
(d)None of the above

30. Depending on the dose one receives coupled with other factors, it is recommended that
the following standard (s) are sufficient to protect the worker exposed to noise
(a) 85 dB one can work for 8 hours
(b)90 dB one can work for 4 hours
(c )95 dB one can work for 2 hours
(d)All of the above
(e) Only (b) and (c)

31. In many work environments, it may not be adequate to measure noise exposure at a
fixed location. The practical way to measure noise when workers move to several
locations is with a noise exposure monitor (dosimeter) that can be worn by the worker.
What is the name given to the instrument below?

(a)Personal noise dosimeter

(b)Octave-band analyzer
(c )Sound level meter (SL)
(d)Noise survey meter
(e)None of the above
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32 The continued inhalation of welding fume over long periods of time can lead to the
deposition of iron particles in the lung, giving rise to a benign condition called
(a)Haemolysis
(b)Siderosis and lung cancer
(c )Dead hand disease
(d)Pneumonia
(e)All of the above

1. A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people in the
workplace. Conducting risk assessment in a work environment involves………………………………
(a) Looking for the hazards, recording your findings and telling your employees about
them;
(b) Deciding who might be harmed and how;
(c) Evaluating the risks and deciding whether the existing precautions are adequate or
whether more should be done;
(d) All of the above
(e) Only (a) and (c) are correct

2. A duty that ‘the employer ensures, so far as is practicable, that any control measure is
maintained in an efficient state’ means………………………………………………………………………………..
(a) If it is convenient, the duty may be done
(b) Unless the risk is high, the duty may not be done
(c) If the frequency of the activity is small, the duty need not be done
(d) If the duty is technically possible, it must be done irrespective of any difficulty,
inconvenience or cost.
(e) The employer may ask the Compensation Board to constitute a team to review the
nature of the duty to be done

3. Whenever environmental control mechanisms are not technically feasible in a work

environment, it is a requirement under the safety and health regulations that……………………..
(a) Respiratory protective equipment should be selected for that particular duty
(b) Workers must not attempt under any circumstances to work in such an environment
(c) Acute exposure to dust at concentration below occupational limits is not necessary
(d) Chronic exposure above time-weighted average occupational limits should be
enhanced
(e) Supervisors should resort to administrative measures such as putting in place
schedules of work

4. According to Workers compensation Act No.10 of 1999, CAP 271 of the Laws of Zambia,
which one of the following is not a responsibility of Workers’ Compensation Fund Control
Board?
(a) Receiving notices of accidents and claims for the compensation
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 (b) Inquiring into the cause of injury to made into accidents
(c) Administering and enforcing Occupational Safety and Health Regulations under the
Occupational Safety and health Act No. 36 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia
(d) The Board may promote through funding any organization that takes keen interest
in the promotion of health and safety of workers
(e) Collecting, compiling and maintaining statistics and information relating to the
occurrence or cause of accidents or diseases.

5. A company employs a health and safety practitioner to help it with health and safety issues.
The practitioner...........................................................................................................................
(a) Is responsible for health and safety in the organization
(b) Advises management and employees on health and safety issues
(c) Is responsible for checking that safe systems of work are in place
(d) Ensures that everybody within an organization adheres to health and safety
procedures
(e) All of the above

5. A small fire breaks out in some electrical equipment. Which is the best type of fire
extinguisher to use to minimize damage to the equipment?
(a) Foam
(b) Water
(c) Carbon Dioxide
(d) Sand
(e) Powder

6. A fire assembly point is a place where.......................................................................

(a) The fire fighting team assemble
(b) Firefighting equipment is stored
(c) The fire alarms are activated
(d) People assemble on hearing the fire alarm
(e) The fire fighting team reviews the magnitude of the fire to handled

7. What is the correct definition of respirable dust?

(a) A fine dust that is normally trapped in the nasal passages
(b) A fine dust that can easily be exhaled
(c) A fine dust that lodges at the entrance to the lungs
(d) A fine dust that penetrates deep into the lungs and stays there
(e) A fine dust that accumulates in the mouth and nose

8. During a refurbishment project, a contractor realizes that he may have drilled into
some asbestos. What should the first action be?
(a) All work must stop immediately
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 (b) A sample of the asbestos material must be sent for analysis
(c) Any asbestos dust must be swept up immediately
(d) Special personal protective equipment and clothing must be issued
(e) Isolate the area suspected and work continues

9. Which of the following is a source of ionising radiation?

(a) Radon gas
(b) Microwave radiation
(c) Ultraviolet radiation from the sun
(d) Lasers
(e) Radio waves

10. The correct primary routes of entry of harmful substances into the body are:
(a) Inhalation and absorption through the liver and kidneys
(b) Skin absorption, ingestion and injection
(c) Injection and inhalation of fumes systematically
(d) Eyes, skin, ingestion and inhalation
(e) None of the above

11. Which of the following are worker responsibilities under the Chemical Hazard Regulations?
(a) Control of sources of contamination in excess of the occupational exposure limits
(b) Provides respiratory protective equipment
(c) Participates in employee training
(d) Reads accident documents related to various works stations
(e) Only (c) and (d) are correct

12. Which of the following methods of control is generally regarded to be the least desirable?
(a) Insulation
(b) Ventilation
(c) Chemical substitution
(d) Personal protective equipment
(e) Isolation of the source

13. The accident book is a legal document

that………………………………………………………………………….
(a) Describes how businesses should deal with an accident
(b) Details risk assessments and safety rules
(c) Records the details of any accident in the workplace
(d) Lists the first aid requirements of the workplace
(e) Lists the procedure of handling occupational diseases and accidents
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14. Which of the following is a good example of one of the sources of physiological hazard?
(a) Food processing industries
(b) Monotonous or repetitive work
(c) Toxic materials
(d) Air velocity
(e) All of the above are correct

15. One of the following activities has high potential for inducing heat stress in employees
(a) Operations involving strenuous physical activities
(b) Operations involving radio transmissions
(c) Operations involving registry work
(d) Operations involving tractor driving
(e) Operations involving clerical work

16. "Exposure" to occupational hazards: 

(a) At levels below the legal occupational exposure limit cannot result in adverse health effects
(b) Varies with individual skills to the harmful effects of the hazardous agents 
(c) May be measured or assessed by an occupational nurse
(d) Will result in reversible conditions
(e) Requires a worker to be working in isolation

17. The health and safety of people at work are affected by human factors. These factors are
influenced by............................................................................................................................
(a) The organization, the job and health and safety procedures
(b) The organization, the job and personal factors
(c) The organization, the type of products and personal factors
(d) The organization, the job and level of risk
(e) The organization, the job and welfare facilities provision

18. The purpose of First Aid in work environment is to…………………………………

(a) Ensure that all first aid boxes are full and located in each work station
(b) Ensure that only certain medicines are available to injured or ill workers

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 (c) Ensure that suitable health surveillance is undertaken
(d) Preserve life and minimize the consequences of injury or illness until help from a
competent person is obtained
(e) Ensure that competent personnel specifically handle First Aid issues are available
and their offices established

19. A contractor is to re-tile a roof. What is the most important control measure that must be
provided?
(a) Good training and supervision
(b) A secure safety harness
(c) A properly constructed working platform
(d) Suitable airbags or a safety net
(e) Provide air velocity measuring instruments

20. A scaffold used in construction work has been inspected by a competent person
immediately after it was erected. How often after this must it be inspected by a competent
person?
(a) Monthly
(b) Quarterly
(c) Daily
(d) Weekly
(e) Never

21. Which of the following machine hazards are mechanical hazards?

(a) Entanglement
(b) Noise
(c) Radiation
(d) Electricity
(e) Pressure

22. If you have to use a vibrating tool, how can you help reduce the effects of hand-arm
vibration?
(a) Hold the tool tightly
(b) Do the job in one long burst
(c) Only use one hand at a time on the tool
(d) Do the work in short spells
(e) Do the job for the entire shift, say 8 hours

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23. The type of industrial ventilation system which captures or contains the contaminants at
their source before they escape into the work environment is:
(a) General ventilation
(b) Dilution ventilation
(c) Local exhaust ventilation
(d) All the above
(e) Only (a) and (c) are correct

24. The concentration by volume in air under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be
repeatedly be exposed day after day without adverse effects is the:
(a) Permissible exposure limit (PEL)
(b) Threshold limit value (TLV)
(c) Occupational exposure limit (OEL)
(d) Time Weighted Average (TWA) limit
(e) Peak Exposure Level (PEL)

25. According to ILO (2012) report titled “Decent Work Country Profile Zambia – International Labour
Organization”, the biggest challenge to maintaining a safe work environment in Zambia lies in all the
following except one:
(a) Inadequate personnel to carry out health and safety inspections
(b) Inadequate funding to support infrastructure with which carry out statutory
functions
(c) Non-adherence of companies to OSH requirements
(d) Lack of harmony among the assorted Laws of Occupational Safety and Health
(e) Measures and strategies designed to prevent, control, reduce or eliminate
occupational hazards and risks have not been developed over the years to keep pace
with technological and economic changes

26. What is the role of Ministry of Health in the execution of OSH Activities in Zambia?
(a) Occupational safety, health, engineering and environment
(b) Occupational safety, health, engineering and hygiene
(c) Deals with Workers Compensation Fund Control Board whose primary is workers
compensation and OSH inspections
(d) Occupational health and safety institute where a primary task is workers’ health and
OSH inspections including primary health care facilities
(e) All of the above

27. Eye protection in an industrial setting includes:

(a) Hand held or free standing screens
(b) Visors

19
 (c) Goggles and safety spectacles
(d) All of the above
(e) Only (a) and (c) are correct

28. An injury to sensorineural (auditory nerve) element of the inner ear due to exposure of
sudden intense forms of energy, e.g. blasts and explosion, direct injury to the head is
referred to as…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(a) Conductive hearing loss
(b) Noise induced hearing loss
(c) Acoustic trauma
(d) Energy transmission trauma
(e) Eustachian tube trauma

29. Identification of occupational diseases in a work environment is very critical to the health
well being of workers. Which one among the following cannot be categorized as a
respiratory condition?
(a) Rhinitis
(b) Silicosis
(c) Pneumonitis
(d) Contact dermatitis
(e) Asbestosis

SECTION B: TRUE OR FALSE QUESTIONS

There are ten (10) questions in this section.
Answer ALL questions in this section
Each question carries one (1) mark
Indicate the best answer of your choice either TRUE or FALSE in the
answer booklet
(Total marks = 10)
1. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the least effective method of controlling occupational
hazards and should be used only when other methods cannot control hazards sufficiently.
TRUE or FALSE
2. Changing work schedules, for example two people may be able to work four (4) hours each at a
job instead of one person working for eight (8) hours at that job. This is an administrative hazard
control measure.
TRUE or FALSE

20
 3. Pre placement examination of individuals in a workplace is normally carried out every year to
assess their health status.
TRUE or FALSE
4. Long term exposure to asbestos dust results in asbestos fibres accumulating in the bronchioles
of the lungs.
TRUE or FALSE

5. Black lung is a form of pneumoconiosis in which respirable coal dust particles accumulate in the
lungs and darken the tissue TRUE or FALSE
6. It is scientifically known that welding fume over long periods of time rarely causes lung
problems such as haemosiderosis. TRUE or FALSE
7. Sensorineural condition usually affects both ears in the extent and degree of loss and
therefore is one of the manifestations arising from Acoustic Trauma
TRUE or FALSE
8. Presbycusis is a condition that is independent of industrial noise
TRUE or FALSE
9. Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer found among workers linked to occupations such as
building maintenance associated with asbestos materials
TRUE or FALSE
10. crystalline quartz is associated with black lung
TRUE or FALSE
11. Ergonomical hazards is associated with postural strain resulting from lifting heavy
objects
TRUE or FALSE
12. Shielding and insulation are among five major types of administrative controls used to
reduce heat stress in hot work environments. TRUE or FALSE
13. Younger employees and those more physically fit are often likely to have problems of
heat stress. TRUE or FALSE
14. In the mining industry, First Aid is rarely taught to Managers. TRUE or FALSE

15. Viral hepatitis and apergillosis are biological hazards emanating from animal borne
TRUE or FALSE

1. Healthy humans can hear audible sound with a range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz with a maximum
intensity at 3,000 Hz.
TRUE or FALSE
2. A hazard is defined as the prospect of a substance person, activity or process to cause harm
TRUE or FALSE

21
3. In Zambia, the Occupational safety and health guidelines state that the upper exposure level of
85 dB(A) represented the limit at which employers are not needed to provide hearing protection
and hearing zones
TRUE or FALSE
4. Occupational exposure to strong-inorganic-acid mists containing sulfuric acid is carcinogenic to
humans
TRUE or FALSE
5. Repetitive motion injury is not one of the musculoskeletal disorders
TRUE or FALSE
6. If no notification is made of an injury sustained compensation can be obtained for that injury.
TRUE or FALSE
7. When providing a safe working environment for staff, employers must eliminate all risks to
health and safety.
TRUE or FALSE
8. Hazards in a work environment can arise from the use of machinery and substances only
TRUE or FALSE
9. One of the most effective administrative control of hazards at work is enclose or isolate the hazard
through the use of guards or remote handling techniques
TRUE or FALSE
10. Inhalation is usually more dangerous than other routes, because chemicals readily enter the
bloodstream and are quickly transported throughout the body FALSE

3.1 MATCHING QUESTIONS

 Match the element against the correct description:
(Total marks = 5)

3.1.1 ELEMENT:
(i) Fumes B
(ii) Vapours D
(ii) Gases E
(iii) Mist C
(iv) Aerosols A

3.1.2 DESCRIPTION:
(a) Colloidal contaminant in work environment and include fine solid or liquid particles in air such as
dust, fog, fume, mist, smoke, or sprays
(b) Contaminant vaporous exhalation from matter or substance with injurious chemicals such as
cadmium oxides, chromium, copper, fluorides, iron oxide, lead; that flocculate or sometimes
coalesce in the air

22
(c) Contaminant liquid particles present in work environment generated by condensation of a
substance from the gaseous to the liquid state
(d) Contaminant aeriform fluid which may contain carbon monoxide; hydrogen fluoride; nitrogen oxide;
ozone etc
(e) Contaminant in work environment and may exist as solids or liquids under normal temperature and
pressure and include ammonia, chlorine, nitrogen, toluene and formaldehyde

3.2 FILLING IN BLANKS

(Total marks = 5)

TYPICAL PROBLEM (S)

TYPICAL INJURY/ILLNESS
HAZARD ASSOCIATED WITH THE
REQUIRING FIRST AID
HAZARD

Manual handling Repiritive movements eg hands, Spains, strain, fracture

legs

Falls Fall from height, slip if spirppery, Dislocated, fractures, bruises

strip

Electricity Contact with electricity Electricity shock, burns, loss of

consciousness

Hazardous substances Exposure to chemicals eg acids Vomting, eye problem

Temperature, UV radiation Heat or cold from work Heat stroke, sun burns, heat
envinorment. stress, frost bite

SECTION THREE: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

There are six (6) questions in this section
Answer all questions in this section
Each question carries 5 marks each
(Total marks = 30)

QUESTION ONE
If elimination of the hazard is not possible in the work environment, then the risk still exists and should
be minimized by using the most effective method.

23
 State five most effective measures you would adopt in order to maintain safe working environment
for the workers
ANSWER
(5 marks)
 Engineering controls
 Safe working practices
 Air monitoring
 Provide personal protective equipment
 Signs that warn workers of exposure hazards

QUESTION TWO
Employers need to develop a risk management policy so that risks in the workplace can be controlled or
eliminated.
(a) Define risk management in occupational health and safety (1 mark)
(b) Briefly describe four key areas of risk management process (4 marks)
QUESTION THREE
To ensure a safe workplace, hazards must be controlled using a range of methods. The hierarchy of
hazard controls is a list, in order of preference, which can be considered in hazard control. It
emphasizes controlling a hazard at the source. This is done by giving preference to the use of the
engineering controls.
 Outline five engineering controls you would employ as supervisor to protect workers who are
exposed to high temperatures at the work place (5 marks)
ANSWERS
 Need to monitor humidity levels in work area and refer to the
Heat stress index chart
 Need to allow for workers to acclimatize to the weather
conditions
 Rotation of workers
 Need to screening workers to identify heat tolerant individuals
 Training of supervisors and employee’s to identify heat stress
symptoms and orientate them relative to prevention measures
 Ventilation, fans, air cooling, shielding, insulation and isolation of
workers.

QUESTION FOUR
Elucidate five organizational costs associated with work-related injuries? (5 marks)
 Compensate the workers who were injured
 Injured employees to be paid medical costs
 Funeral costs
 Administrative costs

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  Legal costs
 Less productivity
 Property damage

QUESTION FIVE
It is increasingly recognized that the protection of life and health at work is a fundamental workers’
right.
 In relation to the above statement, outline five principles of health and safety?
ANSWERS
 Education and training are vital components of safe , health working environments
 Health promotion is a central component of occupational health practice.
 Work should take place in a safe and health working environment
 Conditions of work should be consistent with workers well – being and human dignity
 Compensation, rehabilitation and curative services must be made available to workers who
suffer

QUESTION ONE
1. Briefly explain the effects of sound under the following headings:
(a) Noise Induced Hearing Loss- Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) - A gradual loss of
hearing caused by exposure to loud noise over an extended period of time, such as in an
individual who works in a noisy environment.

(b) Acoustic Trauma - Acoustic trauma is injury to the hearing mechanisms in the inner
ear due to very loud noise. Acoustic trauma results in a sudden loss of hearing, partial
or complete, caused by an extremely loud noise, a severe blow to the head, or other
trauma
- Acoustic trauma may result from exposure to very loud short burst of noise, like gun
shots or explosions, or it can result from longer term exposure to lower volume sounds
from concerts, machinery, loud stereos etc

(c ) permissible Noise exposure (PNE). It is the noise level that an employee can be
exposed to for a given period of time. Eg office sound should not be more than 50
decibels

(c) Time Weighed Average (TWA). It refers to concentrations of airborne materials

which have been weighed for a certain time duration usually 8 hours, this exposure
does not cause adverse health effects e.g sound should should not exceed 85
decibels in any working environment.
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 (d) Threshold Hearing: This is the 20 Pa which is the quitest sound that can be heard by
an average person.
(e) Sound intensity:
(f) Employee’s hearing zone

QUESTION TWO
Write short explanatory notes under the following headings
Cotton dust and its implications on human health -- Cotton dust is defined
as dust generated into the atmosphere as a result of processing of cotton fibres combined
with any naturally occurring materials such as stems, leaves, bracts, and inorganic matter
which may have accumulated on the cotton fibres during the growing or harvesting
period. Implications of this is that when it is inhalated it cuases bronchitis and acute
byssiosis. (also known as ―brown Lung‖ or ―Monday Morning Fever)
Any dust generated from the processing of cotton through the weaving of fabric in
textiles mills and dust generated in other operations or manufacturing processes using
new or waste cotton fibre by products from textile mills is also considered cotton dust.
For example Mulunglish textiles in Kabwe generated a lot of cotton dust.
(2.5 marks)

Coal dust and its implications on human health- It comes from industrial
processing e.g coal mines and people using coal for boilers or cooking are affected. This
leads to a disease called pneumoconiosis. There are 3 tpyes of pneumoconiosis due to
coal dust, that are silicosis, asbestosis and black lung. This leads to difficulty in
breathing, death in some cases and occupational bronchitis and asthma.
(2.5 marks)

Asbestos dust and its implications on human health – When the material form asbestos
is damaged, it can release a fine dust that contains asbestos fibers. When the dust is
breathed in asbestos fibers enter the lungs and gradually damage them over time.

Wood dust and its implications – this is created when machines are used to cut or shape
wood materials. Wood dust is usually produced in industries that have high risk of
wood –dust exposure such as sawmills, dimension mills, furniture industries and
carpenters. Exposure this kind of dust someone would suffer from dermatitis, allergic
respiratory effects, mucosal and non- allergic respiratory effects and cancer.

QUESTION THREE
Enumerate the composition of an ideal occupational health team in an
enterprise that has just established Occupational Health Service. Explain the
role of each professional member on the team. –
Composition of an occupational health team

26
 Depending on the size of the company and magnitude of health, safety and
environmental concerns arising from business activities of work stations, the following
health professionals may be in employment in one company or in various combinations
Occupational health physician - To integrate general health services in the provision
of health care

Occupational health nurse - To provide health care to the sick worker

Occupational hygienist - To undertake surveillance of sanitary, catering and welfare

amenities and give advice as appropriate

Occupational health physiotherapist- To rehabilitate employees after serious injury

or illness

Safety officer or Safety engineer - To be ware of special work problems and to protect
vulnerable groups such as women and children in an occupational environment
Occupational health psychologist - To provide counselling services to workers and
family members

First aid and training officer - To provide first aid and emergency treatment to the
accident victim

(5 marks)
QUESTION FOUR
Outline the five auditory effects associated with noise in a work environment--
Extra-auditory effects. In addition to effects on hearing, noise:
 Interferes with understanding speech;
 Causes a stress reaction;
 Interferes with sleep;
 Lowers morale;
 Reduces efficiency;
 Causes annoyance;
 Interferes with concentration; and
 Causes fatigue.

(5 marks)
QUESTION FIVE
Some employees are more likely to have heat disorders than others. Describe five risk factors
that might facilitate the employee to be at risk to heat stress—
ANSWER
ANWERS
 HEAT SYNCOPE: This leads to brief fainting and sometimes having blurred visions
SOLUTION OR FIRST AID
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 The person with this condition should increase the intake of water and rest in cool place
 DEHYDRATION: This results in reduced movement and feeling fatigued
SOLUTION OR FIRST AID
Increase in the intake of water and rest in cool places
 HEAT CRAMPS: This leads to heavy sweating, painful muscle spasms
SOLUTION OR FIRST AID
Rest in cool environment and take a lot of water
 HEAT EXHAUSTION: This results in possible fainting, nausea, dizziness; body
temperature slightly elevated weakness and fatigue.
SOLUTION OR FIRST AID
The person needs to lie down in a cool environment, take a lot of water and remove
clothes in order to cool down
 HEAT STROKE: This leads to high body temperature, sweating, collapse, conversions,
confusions and it is also a life threating condition.
SOLUTION OR FIRST AID
There is need for medical emergency immerse the person in water

(5 Marks)
QUESTION SIX
Write short explanatory notes on the following:
Metal fume fever - Breathing in metal oxides such as zinc and copper can lead to an acute flu-
like illness called 'metal fume fever'. It occurs most commonly when welding galvanised steel;
symptoms usually begin several hours after exposure with a thirst, cough, headache sweat, pain
in the limbs and fever. Complete recovery usually occurs within 1 to 2 days of removal from the
exposure, without any lasting effects.
Longer term effects
The continued inhalation of welding fume over long periods of time can lead to the deposition of
iron particles in the lung, giving rise to a benign condition called siderosis. There is evidence that
welders have a slightly greater risk of developing lung cancer than the general population. In
certain welding situations, there is potential for the fume to contain certain forms of chromium
and/or nickel compounds - substances which have been associated with lung cancer in processes
other than welding. As yet, no direct link has been clearly established. Nevertheless, as a sensible
precaution and to minimise the risk, special attention should be paid to controlling fumes which
may contain them. (2.5 marks)

Asphyxiation related to welding (2.5 marks)

Asphyxiation is the deprivation of oxygen to the tissues, special precautions are needed when
welding in confined spaces where there is the risk of asphyxiation due to the build up of inert
shielding gases. Carbon monoxide, formed as a result of incomplete combustion of fuel gases,
can also cause asphyxiation by replacing the oxygen in the blood.

28
4. List the measures you would to take to control airborne contaminants in workplaces.
 Binding/agglomerating agents
 Red mud disposal area dust control
 Chemical dust suppression
 Wetting agents
 General ventilation
 Dust collection systems
 Dilution Ventilation:
 Isolation
 Spills and leaks of coal dust
 Personal hygiene procedures (coal dust)
 Storage of coal dust
 Workplace monitoring and measurement of coal dust

5. Occupational health hazards may be controlled at three levels namely, at source, air path and at
receiver. State the various control measures that would be applied at the ‘’receiver’’ in the case of
noise. Ans
 Reduction of noise at receiver
 Personal protection
 Isolation of the worker
 Rotation of the worker
 Enclosure of the worker
 Audiometry
 Health education
 Noise monitoring at personal level
 Increasing the distance

6. State the various sources of Mechanical Hazards. -MECHANICAL HAZARDS:

ANSWERS
 Sources: Machines and machine parts, transport and transport ways, floors,
working stands and working platforms, ladders and other means of access, poor
housekeeping including repetitive movements of hands and fore-arms

SECTION FOUR: ESSAY QUESTIONS

There are THREE (3) questions in this section.
Answer two (2) questions only from this section
Each question carries 10 marks
(Total marks = 20)

29
QUESTION ONE
Below is the heat index chart that is used in industries where there is likelihood of
workers to suffer from heat stress.

You have been asked to conduct health surveillance in your catchment area to ascertain the
health conditions under which workers in bakeries are exposed to. During your surveillance the
following measurement were taken from three (3) different bakeries
For Bakery 1: the indoor temperature was found to be at 100oF and the relative
temperature humidity was found to be 70%
For Bakery 2: the indoor temperature was found to be at 80oF and the relative
temperature humidity was found to be 60%
For Bakery 3: the indoor temperature was found to be at 88oF and the relative
temperature humidity was found to be 60%

In reference to the above heat index chart:

Analyze the findings from each bakery and interpret what these findings mean
according to the colour code (3 marks)
ANSWERS
 RED – Extreme danger- Heat storke likely to occur when working under these
conditions
 PINK –Dqnger – Heat stoke may occur upon prolong exertion

30
  YELLOW – Extreme caution – Heat cramps or Heat exhaustion likely to occur supervisors will
implement adjusted schedules and procedures
 GREEN – Caution - Heat fatigue may occur. Normal summer working conditions should be
observed
State the course of action you would take for each bakery (7 marks)
ANSWERS
Bakery 1
 According to the heat index chart bakery 1 falls in the color code RED which indicates a
case of extreme danger in terms of heat stress. This means employees mays suffer heat
stoke if working conditions are not improved or safety
Bakery 2
 This bakery falls in the green color code which implies caution. This indicates a chance
for employer to have heat cramps
Bakery 3
 This bakery falls in the yellow color code which indicates extreme caution which
indicates extreme caution to be taken into consideration. It means there are high
chances of employers having heat exhaustion if prolonged in such working conditions
Action to be taken for each bakery
For bakery 1: The action to be taken would be that workers should immediately stop working
until the conditions are improved in accordance to heat exposure limits
For bakery 2: Action to be taken would be that introduction of work breaks for empolyees and
provide regular water breaks to allow the workers take water
For bakery 3: The action would be to adjust the workers working shifts in order to prevent each
worker from being exposed to heat for long hours

QUESTION TWO
In a work environment, it is important to know the movement direction of air and the flow rate,
that is, how many meter cubic substance is flowing at a particular time.

List three airflow measuring instruments that you know, and in each case
describe how it functions and its unit of measure. --
Airflow and air pressure measuring instruments
Air particles move from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. The flow rate of air is always
maintained except that the speed changes. Thus velocity pressure is due to movement of air. Static
pressure indicates that there is no movement of air. In a work environment, it is important to know the
movement direction of air and the flow rate (how many meter cubic substance is flowing at a particular
time. The flow rate is dependent on the cross-sectional area.

Vane Anemometer is fitted with a stop watch to measure the velocity of air underground. The
instrument is faced to the airstream and the stop watch is started simultaneously and calculated as
follows:
31
Velocity, V = d m/s where d is distance and t is time and expressed in metres per second
t
Thermal Anemometer is an electrical instrument used to measure weak velocities and most times, it is
used for investigative work. It is equipped with a dual gauge and zeroing knob and calculated as follows:
Velocity, V = d m/st
Smoke Tube and Powder Bottle
It is tube which has some substance to create smoke when air passes through. The white smoke measures
low air velocities. To make this measurement, determine the distance the smoke travels from point A to
point B in a particular time and calculate and express the results in m/s
Velocity, V = d m/s
Altimeter (Barometer)
Mercury is used to measure barometric pressure of air, e.g. at sea level or above sea level
Pilot Tube and Manometer
Manometer is an instrument used to measure pressure difference between two points. It is a U-tube. To
operate it, fill the manometer with water or manometer fluid. Water will be highly pressurized to move
downwards; the difference in height gives the pressure difference
Pilot tube is used together with manometer to measure velocity pressure, static pressure and total
pressure. The pilot tube and manometer are instruments used in confined places to measure total and
static pressure. Pilot tube has two concentric cylinders: one cylinder is independent of the other; one
cylinder has two holes opened at the ends to measure total pressure and the static pressure is measured by
another different cylinder
(10marks)
QUESTION THREE
1. State and discuss the main potential environmental risks associated with mining
activities.
(10marks)
2. State the various administrative controls with regards to prevention and control of occupational
hazards in workplaces.==
Administrative controls limits the amounts of time workers spend athazardous job
locations. Administrative control can be used together with other methods of control to
reduce exposure to occupational hazards.

Some examples of administrative controls include:

 Changing work schedules, for example two people may be able to work 4 hours
each at a job instead of one person working for 8 hours at that job.
 Giving workers longer rest periods or shorter work shifts to reduce exposure time
 Moving a hazardous work process so that few people will be exposed
 Changing a work process to a shift when fewer people are working
 Workers promotion
 Provision of health and sanitation facilities
 An example of administrative controls being used together with engineering
controls and personal protective equipment is: a fourhour limit for work in a fully
enclosed high noise area where ear protectors are required. Remember:
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 administrative controls only reduce the amount of time you are exposed to hazard
– they do not eliminate exposure.

2. Write precise notes on each of the following:

Mineral dust diseases
Organic dust diseases

2. Discuss the health effects of chemical hazards to exposed individuals in an industrial setting.

3. Occupational disease that arise from exposure of the following”

 HEAT- Heat stroke
 Extreme Cold – Frost bite
 Biological Agent – Tuberculosis, Anthrax
 Noise- Permanent Deafness
 Tobacco Dust- Lung Cancer
 Cotton – Byssionosis ( brown lung or Monday morning fever)

4. List examples of non-ionizing radiation

 RF Heaters
 Micro waves
 Ultra violet
 Solar radiation
 Infrared radiation
5. Outline different types of problems that dust can impact human health and industrial problems
 Irritation to eyes, ears, nose and throat
 Irritation to skin
 Health hazards
 Risk of dust explosions and fire
 Occupational respiratory disease
 Unpleasant odors
 Problems in community relations
 Damage to equipment
 Impaired visibility
6. Working with chemicals can involve the risk of exposure, becoming hazardous to a person’s
health. Those health risks are dependent upon the toxicity of the chemical, the types of effects
and how the chemical enter the body.
a. Identify and briefly describe the four major routes that would allow chemicals to enter
the body
ANSWERS
 Injection = substance usually in liquid form
 Ingestion = these maybe in dust or liquid or other form

33
  Inhalation = these are fume gaseous or dust form
 In tack skin = these are substances that maybe in liquid form such as pesticides

b. Outline the preventative measures you would put in place during workers shift. The
preventive measures must be described under the fowling headings
(i) Engineering controls
 Need to monitor humidity levels in work area and refer to the
Heat stress index chart
 Need to allow for workers to acclimatize to the weather
conditions
 Rotation of workers
 Need to screening workers to identify heat tolerant individuals
 Training of supervisors and employee’s to identify heat stress
symptoms and orientate them relative to prevention measures
 Ventilation, fans, air cooling, shielding, insulation and isolation of
workers.
(ii) Administrative practices
 Rotating of workers during a shift in environment that are of high
temperature and ionizing radiations which are detrimental to
health
 Reduce the physical demands or work e.g excessive lifting or
digging with heavy objects
 Use intermittent rest periods with water breaks
 Provide recovery areas, e.g air conditioned enclosure and rooms
 Use shifts e.g early morning, cool part of the day or night work
 Use worker placing
 Use relief workers and allocate extra workers and limit worker
occupancy or number of workers present especially in confined or
enclosed spaces.
7. Dust is classified by size
 Respirable Dust= this refers to dust particles that are small enough to penetrate the
nose and upper respiratory system and deep into the lungs
 Inhalable dust = this dust is that size fraction of dust which enters the body, but it is
trapped in the nose, throat and upper respiratory median aerodynamic diameter of this
dust about 10um
 Total dust = it includes all airborne particles, regardless of their size of composition

8. What are the major auditory effects associated with noise in a work environment
 Causes a stress reaction
 Lower moral
 Causes annoyance
34
  Causes fatigue
 Interferes with understanding speech
 Interferes with concentration
9. Pneumoconiosis is a general name for a number of dust related lung diseases. State three types
of Pneumoconiosis and in each case describe the disease.
 SILICOSIS= It is a form of pneumoconiosis which is caused by inhalation of crystalline
quartz or free silica particles. This disease takes 20 years to develop but in a heavy
exposure to free silica it can take 6 months to 2 years. It is an irreversible condition. It
affects the lungs by cause ie (lung) into have silicosis which is characterized by
intermittent cough, difficult in breathing and loss of weight.
 ASBESTOSIS= This is yet another form of pneumoconiosis which is caused by the
inhalation of asbestos fibers. It is a progressive disease / condition which takes about 30
years to develop. The asbestos fibers accumulate to ends of the bronchioles. The lungs
tries to deal with it (foreign body) but ends ups thickening and losing elasticity. This
condition is irreversible. Asbestos fibers also cause a pleural cancer known as
mesothelioma.
 BLACKLUNG = It is a form of pneumoconiosis which is respirable coal dust particles that
accumulate in the lungs and darken the tissues
 MESOTHELIOMA= It is a cancer of the pleura and the sac that envelops the lungs. It is
also responsible for about 10% of the fatalities that occur due to working in an asbestos
environment, with blue or brown asbestos fibers. It affects the lungs and leads to
someone experiencing shortness of breath, breathing, chest pains weight loss,
persistent coughing and difficulty with swallowing.
10. List mineral Dust related diseases
 Pneumoconisis
 Silicosis
 Asbestosis
 Anthracosis ( black lung)
 Mesothelioma

11. List the types of accidents and injuries found in a work place
 Explosions
 Fires
 Toxic substances
 Falls
 bodily reactions
 radioactive
 struck by objects


35
12. What are the diseases found in agriculture and livestock industry
 Rabies
 Anthrax
 Leptospirosis
 Brucellosis
 Byssionsis

13. List the diseases that are found in health care industry
 Occupational dermatitis
 COVID 19
 HIV/AIDS
 TB
 Cancers (skin)
 Hepatitis B and C

14. List the functions of Occupational Health Safety

 To ensure safety and hygiene in a work place
 To ensure ware fell facilities in a work place
 To ensure provisions of Personal Protective Equipment to all workers
 To ensure Health checks and investigations
15. What is Air pollution

16. Types of pollution

 Water pollution
 Soil pollution
 Air pollution
 Radioactive materials pollution
 Noise pollution
17. What causes the following occupational diseases
 Bagassosis – sugar cane
 Byssinosis – cotton dust
 Asthma –
 Extrinsic – allergic alveoli contacted to the lungs
18. Write short notes on each of the following
 Bagasse
Bagasse is a dry pulpy vibrians residual that remains after sugar cane or sogum
gam stalks are crushed to get or extract the juice; it is used as a bio fuel for

36
 production of energy and electricity. Sugar Bagasse is a fraction of biomass
resulting from preparation of cleaning, preparation and extraction of sugar juice.
On other hand molarsses is a thick dark brown juice obtain from raw sugar
during refined process. Molarsses is a vitians product that may also come from
sogam and this referred to as sogum molarsses
 Byssinosis
It is an occupational respiration disease associated with inhalation of cotton dust
or hemp dust, flax characterized initially by chest tightness, shortness of breath,
cough and eventually by irreversible lung disease called Monday fever, brown
lung disease or cotton workers lung disease. Prolonged exposure to dust in a
work place can bring about this disease byassinosis can also cause symptoms like
asthma but it may also cause permanent damage to the lungs referred to chronic
obstructive lung disease

 Anthrocosis (blacklung) ( this means coal or carbon)

Anthrocosis (means coal carbon) caused by accumulation of carbons in the lungs,
coal, charcoal or wood. The accumulation of smoke of coal dust participles may
make the lungs turn black.
 Occupational Asthma is caused by breathing chemical firms gases, dust,gases,
fumes and other substance on the job. Occupational Asthma can result from
exposure to substance that you are sensitive with that can cause an allergic or
immunological response to an imitating substance.
Signs and symptoms of Asthma
(i) Coughing
(ii) Wheezing sound
(iii) Chest tightness
(iv) Shortness of breath resulting breathing difficulties
(v) Eye irritation
(vi) Chest pain
(vii) Running noise
 How to diagnose asthma
 It is done through x-rays

 How do you prevent asthma

a) Control of workers level exposure
b) Reduction to chemicals and other substances that may be sensitizers
c) Identify and avoid asthma triggers

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  Ensure smoke free work places/ premises in order to prevent or lessen
symptoms
 Prevention of sugar bagassois
a) Dust control
b) Dust suppression (wet dust)
c) Personal protective equipment (masks, respectable)
d) Pre medication examinations
e) Keeping moisture content above 20% in a work place and also spray
Baggase with Spray 2% of propionic acid
 Occupation dermatitis – this is an irritant contact skin infection that causes
inflammation of the dermis hence dermatitis. It can also cause skin cancers
19.

20. Explain five reasons why accidents must be investigated in occupational premises
ANSWERS
 Identify facts that lead to the accident
 To fulfill any legal requirements
 To determine the cost of an accident
 To process workers’ compensation claims
 To find out the cause of the accident
 To prevent similar accidents in the future
21. Physical hazards are significant in the causation of occupational disease and injury in work
places. Outline various examples of physical hazards you know.
ANSWERS
 Noise and vibration eg vibrating objects and gas
 Pressure eg force
 Lighting eg artificial lighting
 Dust eg glass, buildings, cotton and silica
 Radiation eg non-ionizing radiation from the sun
 Electricity eg electric current
 Climatic conditions eg humidity, radiation and temperature
22. In occupational hygiene practice, it is important to ensure that hazards are eliminated in
workplaces. Outline methods of dust control in a workplace environment. (10 Marks)
ANSWERS
METHODS OF DUST CONTROL
WET DUST SUPPRESSION USING WATER
 Water is usually inexpensive and easily found at work places. It is also good because it
provides short term dust suppression by assuming the dust particles in a work place are
contacted and wetted
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 AIRBORNE DUST CAPTURE THROUGH WATER SPAYS
 This leads to suppression of airborne dust by spraying fine droplets of water on the dust
cloud in a work place
DILUTION VENTILIATION
 The worker is supposed to be placed in an enclosed room or cab and be given fresh
clean and filtered air. This also helps in reducing dust concentration in the work place
by diluting the contaminated air with uncontaminated fresh air.
DUST COLLECTION SYSTEMS
 In a work place dust collected is supposed to be captured and transported to a dust
collection, which cleans the dust air. Dust system collection are industrial ventilation
principles to capture airborne dust from the source.
WETTING AGENTS
 Blinding agents may also be included for long term dust control effects
 Chemical formulations that contain blends of surfactants with organic and inorganic
methods
23. State the occupational diseases that workers may suffer when exposed to the following
 Cotton dust: Bronchits and Byssinosis
 Coal dust: Pnenmoconomisis, this leads to difficult in breathing, death in some cases and
occupuational Bronchits and Asthma
 Asbestos dust: Asbestosis, this condition is irreversible. Asbestoes fibers also cause a
pleural cancer known as Mesotheloma
 Free Crystalline dust: Silicosis, this disease leads to weight loss within weeks instead of
years.
 Bagasse: Hypersensitivity Pnenumonitis, this is an interstitial lung disease.

24. Occupational Health and Safety is defined under three (3) broad areas
(a) Outline the three (3) broad areas of Occupational Health and Safety and in each give case
examples
ANSWRS
 Occupational Health: Is a field of health care made up of multiple disciplines
dedicated to the well – being and safety of employees in the workplace. It has a
strong focus on injury prevention and employee education.
Examples
(i) Employees wellness
(ii) Pre-placement testing
(iii) Ergonomics
 Occupational Hygiene: it is the discipline of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating and
controlling health hazards in the working environment with the objective of
protecting worker health and well- being and safeguarding the community at large.
Examples
(i) Lower social and health care costs as well as maximizing worker potential

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 (ii) Improved worker health and increased life expectancy
 Occupation Medicine: this is concerned with maintain the health of employees in
the work place.
Examples
 Protects workers against hazards in the work environment and treatment of
emergence condition sustained during the working time.
(b) List any five (5) respiratory diseases/conditions workers are likely to be exposed to in dusty
working environment such as quarrying and grinding of stones
ANSWER
 Asbestosis
 Silicosis
 Mesothelioma
 Black lung

25. What is Risk Assessment in Occupational Health and Safety
 Risk Assessment is a term used to describe the overall process or method where
you, identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to cause harm (hazard
identification). To determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard, or control
the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated (risk control. )
26. Briefly describe the eight (8) steps of involved in carrying out Risk Assessment in a work
environment
Steps of risk assessment
 Identity the hazards = identify the risk where it has occurred from and what made it
to happen
 Identify those at risk= the supervisor is required to monitor the employees to make
sure no harm has occurred
 Identify existing control measures: examine how you already control the risks
 Evaluate the risk: = Put control measures on the risk identified
 Decide /implenement control measures: = employers to be trained and need to
rotate at some point
 Record assesments: = all accidents to be recorded and make sure to work on the
mistakes that are contributed to the accident
 Monitor and review: = Review your assessment and update it if necessary
 Inform := inform and advise management and workers on your findings

27. Control of risk at source: Provide for use personal protective clothing: Eliminate the risk:
Minimize the risk by means that include the safety of work system
Arrange the order of priority of control measures that the employer should undertake in
assessing the risk and dealing with it
Control measures of risks
 Elimination of the risk
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  Substitution
 Physical controls (isolation)
 Administrative control
 Information, instruction, training and supervision
 Provide personal protective equipment
28.
29.
30. List any five (5) hazards that likey to be encountered in a work environment such as Building
Construction Works
 Biological Hazards: bacteria, viruses, fungus, dust, insects and worms
 Physiological Hazards: fatigue strain injures, back injures, muscular- skeletal disorder
 Mechanical Hazards: wounds, sprains, fractions and death
 Psychosocial Hazards: discomfort, irritation, psychosomatic disease, mental disease eg
depression emotional stress, accidents
 Ergonomical Hazards: postural strain from lifting heavy objects, musculoskeletal injuries,
back injures tenosynovitis, tendonitis.
31. Write short explanatory notes on the following parameters that might affect person’s health
during working shifts
 Soot/smoke= these are block substances formed by combustion or separed from fuel
during combustion fine particles
 Mist = these are formed by gases that condensed into small liquid droplets in the air
 Fumes= these are very tiny soild particles which can remain airborne that are formed
when a heated metal has evaporated in the air and consdensed back to soild form.
 Vapours= these are substances in gases phase at a temperature below their boiling
point evalutate produces vapours
 Gases= these are substances that do not exist as solids or liquids at normal temperature
and pressures eg nitrogen oxide

32. There are three different types of Gas Measuring Instruments/Materials that employed in a
work environment where gases are produced. Briefly describe three (3) types of gas measuring
approaches that may be employed in a work environment to protect the safety and health of
workers.
 Canary birds = these are used to measure the level of oxygen in human life in the
industry where there is minimal of oxygen
 Danger pump and detector tubes = these are used together with eyes detector tubes to
determine gas concentration in the atmosphere of confined places
 Flame safety pump= this is used in coal mines to estimate the concentration of
methane, methane can explode if levels are not checked if combines with oxygen

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 33. Noise has been considered to be a slow poison affecting workers and the public thought the
globe. This has been necessitated by a number of factors, some of which include
industrialization and commercialization due to rapid aggressive economic development
demonstrated by both developed and developing countries

(a) In a noisy environment, workers are exposed to risks related to hearing loss. State three (3)
types of hearing loss that has been documented on workers that have been exposed to
noise during their working life.
TYPES OF HEARING LOSS
 Conductive hearing loss = eg blockage of Eustachian tube and infection
 Acoustic trauma = eg blasts and explosion, direct trauma to the head
 Sensorineural = eg can be permanent or temporary loss of hearing

(b) State any four (4) functions that a Sound Level Meter is able to perform during Noise Survey
Sound lever meter
 To evaluate hearing protectors
 To determine an employer’s noise dose whenever a noise dosimeter is unavailable or
inappropriate
 To spot check noise dosimeter performance
 To identify and evaluate individuals noise sources for abatement purposes
 To aid in the determination of the feasibility of engineering controls for individuals noise
sources for abatement purposes.

(c) Ideally, periodic audiometric testing is supposed to be conducted on workers exposed to

noise even when there is no complaint from workers of ringing in the ears.
(i) State three key results areas that an audiometric testing is able to achieve
Audiometric testing
 To detect the ability of an individual to hear
 Ability to distinguish speech
 Ascertaining the threshold levers
 To make diagnosis
QUESTION ONE
CASE STUDY

Read carefully the following case study and answer the questions below:
Case Study: Demolition Company fined ZWK1.5 million by Industrial Court of Zambia
following an accident

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The lack of clear instructions and proper supervision in the dangerous business of demolition lay
at the core of a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 36 of 2010 that resulted in
a K1.5 million fine being imposed on Delta Pty Ltd in the Industrial Relations Court of Zambia.

This conclusion by Justice Milambo in the case that led to two workers sustaining serious
injuries after a building collapsed sent a clear safety message to all demolition operators, the
Director of Occupational Safety and Health at Ministry of Labour revealed recently.

In 2016 the defendant was contracted to demolish a number of buildings on the Fox Studio
premises in Ndola. On 30 May, 2016 one of the buildings was being demolished in a method
known as controlled collapse. Two employees of the defendant were on a scissor lift cutting
timber purlins inside the building when the structure collapsed, toppling the lift. One worker
sustained a compound fracture to one arm, injuries to the liver, fractured ribs and a fractured
pelvis. The other employee suffered a fractured pelvis, loss of several teeth, and injuries to his
tendon, cheek and mouth.

The court heard that hinge cuts and rust in several of the building’s steel supports had weakened
the structure and contributed to its collapse.

Justice Milambo said that the absence of the demolition supervisor as approved by the
defendant’s state manager, and his replacement with someone who was not experienced enough
for such a dangerous operation, was a serious error of judgement in respect of the defendant’s
responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, No. 36 of the Laws of Zambia

(Source: Work Cover Authority of Ministry Labour and Social Security, 2016)

(a) How many employees were injured in the accident?

 2 employees were seriously injured
(c) Identify the hazard in the article
 Mechanical hazard
(d) List the factors that contributed to the accident
 There used someone who was not experienced enough for such a dangerous
operation
 Absence of demolition supervisor
 The director did not send the messages to the defendant who were inside the
building
 Steel supports had wakened the structure and contributed to its collapse
(e) List some control measures that could have been used to prevent the accident
 Identify the hazards
 Put up safety measures e,g protective clothing
 Employing supervisors with experience for such dangerous operations
 Providing workers with information and training when handling dangerous
operations
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 
(f) Why was employer held responsible for the accident
 This was so because the company did not have a qualified supervisor to monitor the
operations
(g) List five organizational costs that are associated with this accident
 Compensate the workers who were injured
 Injured employees to be paid medical costs
 Administrative costs
 Legal costs
 Less productivity
 Property damage

QUESTION TWO
People who work in noisy environment should have their hearing checked periodically to
determine whether noise is causing detrimental effect on hearing.
(a) Explain any five risk factors that may be encountered in a noisy work environment that a
worker might be exposed to leading to hearing damage (5 marks)
(b) Describe three general classification of hearing loss (3 marks)
(c) Ideally, hearing impairment should be evaluated from time to time for workers working
in noisy environments. Outline two tests that are performed on workers in an
Occupational Health Clinic to establish the ability to hear (3 marks)
(d) State the instrument that is worn by a worker to record the amount of noise energy
exposed to during the work shift. Hence explain how this instrument functions in
registering the stated noise energy (4 marks)

QUESTION THREE
Occupational respiratory conditions are illnesses associated with breathing hazardous biological
agents, chemicals, dust, gases, vapors, or fumes at work affecting the organs and tissues that
make gas exchange possible in higher organisms, and includes conditions of the upper
respiratory tract, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pleura and pleural cavity, and the nerves
and muscles of breathing.
 List five respiratory conditions or illnesses associated with working in dusty
environments such as road construction, building construction, demolition and other
maintenance works. In each case explain the implication of the condition or illness you
have stated on the worker.

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 (10 marks)

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