Occupational Health — MCQs

Occupational Health Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 191: Adolescent age group in Factory act 1948 is:

A. 15-18 years (Correct Answer)
B. 18-21 years
C. 10-14 years
D. 10-19 years

Explanation: ***15-18 years*** - Under the **Factories Act, 1948**, an adolescent is defined as a person who has completed his fifteenth year but has not completed his **eighteenth year**. - This age range determines specific regulations concerning their work hours, suitability for certain jobs, and health safeguards. *18-21 years* - Individuals in this age group are considered **adults** under the Factories Act, 1948, and are subject to different working regulations than adolescents. - While they are still young, they are not classified as adolescents for the purpose of protective labor laws in this act. *10-14 years* - This age group falls within the definition of **children** under the Factories Act, 1948, where employment is generally prohibited in factories. - The act aims to prevent child labor and protect younger individuals from hazardous work environments. *10-19 years* - This is a broad range that encompasses both **children** (10-14 years) and **adolescents** (15-18 years) as well as young adults. - It does not correspond to a specific category defined by the Factories Act, 1948 for regulatory purposes.

Question 192: Sickness absenteeism is a useful index to assess:

A. Working environment
B. State of health of workers (Correct Answer)
C. Sincerity of the workers
D. Workers-management relationship

Explanation: ***State of health of workers*** - **Sickness absenteeism** directly reflects the frequency and severity of illnesses experienced by employees. - A high rate of absenteeism due to illness indicates a potential decline in the **overall health status of the workforce**. *Working environment* - While a poor working environment can contribute to health issues and absenteeism, sickness absenteeism itself is not a direct measure of the **working environment's quality**. - Other indices like **accident rates** or **employee satisfaction surveys** are more direct measures of the working environment. *Sincerity of the workers* - Sickness absenteeism is a measure related to health and cannot reliably assess the **sincerity or commitment level** of workers. - Evaluating sincerity would require other metrics, such as **productivity**, adherence to deadlines, or peer reviews. *Workers-management relationship* - While a poor relationship might lead to some absenteeism, sickness absenteeism is primarily focused on health-related absences, not a direct indicator of the **quality of the relationship between workers and management**. - Worker **turnover rates** or **grievance filings** would be better indicators of this relationship.

Question 193: All the following are standards laid down by the Factories Act except:

A. Prohibition of employment of children below 14
B. Defines any factory that employs 10 or more workers where power is not used (Correct Answer)
C. Maximum working hours including overtime per week: 60 hours
D. Minimum 350 cubic feet space per worker

Explanation: ***Defines any factory that employs 10 or more workers where power is not used*** - The Factories Act of 1948 defines a factory as a premise employing **10 or more workers with power**, or **20 or more workers without power**. - Therefore, defining a factory as employing **10 or more workers where power is not used** is incorrect according to the Act. *Minimum 350 cubic feet space per worker* - The Factories Act mandates specific standards for workplace hygiene, including a minimum of **350 cubic feet (9.9 cubic meters) of space per worker** to ensure adequate ventilation and working conditions. - This provision under Section 13 is crucial for preventing overcrowding and maintaining a healthy environment for employees. *Prohibition of employment of children below 14* - The Factories Act includes strict regulations regarding the **employment of children** under Section 67, prohibiting those below the age of 14 from working in factories. - This is a fundamental aspect of child labor protection within the Act. *Maximum working hours including overtime per week: 60 hours* - The Act sets limits on **working hours** under Sections 51 and 59, including overtime, to prevent exploitation and ensure worker well-being. - A maximum of 60 hours per week (including overtime) is a standard set to limit excessive work.

Question 194: Preplacement examination in dye industry includes all of the following except -

A. Precancerous lesion
B. Asthma
C. Anemia (Correct Answer)
D. Dermatitis

Explanation: ***Anemia*** - While general health screening might include checking for **anemia**, it's not a primary focus or specific risk factor directly associated with chronic dye exposure that would necessitate targeted pre-placement screening in the same way as conditions directly linked to common dye industry hazards. - Anemia is typically identified through a **complete blood count (CBC)**, which is a broad health marker rather than a specific occupational health concern in this context. *Precancerous lesion* - Exposure to certain **aromatic amines** and other chemicals used in the dye industry can increase the risk of developing **bladder cancer**. - Screening for precancerous lesions, especially in the **urinary tract**, is crucial given the occupational exposure to carcinogens. *Asthma* - Workers in the dye industry can be exposed to various **dyes, intermediates, and solvents** that are known **respiratory sensitizers and irritants**. - This exposure can lead to the development of **occupational asthma** or exacerbate pre-existing asthma. *Dermatitis* - Many chemicals and dyes handled in the industry are potent **skin irritants or sensitizers**, leading to **contact dermatitis** (irritant or allergic). - Pre-placement examination would assess skin health and potential susceptibility to prevent occupational skin diseases.

Question 195: Which of the following is the correct combination?

A. Cane fibre-Farmers lung
B. Cold-Trench foot (Correct Answer)
C. Light-Miner's nystagmus
D. Pressure-Caisson's disease

Explanation: ***Correct Option: Cold-Trench foot*** - **Trench foot** is an occupational cold injury caused by prolonged exposure to **cold and wet conditions** - Commonly seen in soldiers, agricultural workers, and those working in cold, damp environments - Results in **non-freezing cold injury** with tissue damage from vasoconstriction and ischemia - This represents a valid occupational exposure-disease combination *Incorrect: Cane fibre-Farmers lung* - **Cane fibre (bagasse)** causes **Bagassosis**, NOT Farmer's lung - **Bagassosis**: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis from exposure to moldy sugarcane bagasse - **Farmer's lung**: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis from exposure to moldy hay or grain - While both are forms of extrinsic allergic alveolitis, they are distinct conditions with different causative agents *Incorrect: Light-Miner's nystagmus* - **Miner's nystagmus** is associated with working in **darkness or poor lighting**, not light exposure - Caused by prolonged work in dim illumination in underground mines - Involves involuntary oscillatory eye movements due to disruption of the oculomotor system - This combination is backwards - the exposure is lack of light, not light itself *Incorrect: Pressure-Caisson's disease* - **Caisson disease** (decompression sickness) is caused by **rapid reduction in ambient pressure**, not pressure exposure itself - Occurs when dissolved inert gases (nitrogen) form bubbles during rapid decompression - Seen in divers, tunnel workers, and caisson workers - The exposure is more accurately described as "pressure changes" or "decompression" rather than simply "pressure"

Question 196: Silicosis can be controlled by:

A. BCG vaccination
B. Rigorous dust control (Correct Answer)
C. Adequate personal hygiene
D. Effective implementation of factories act

Explanation: ***Rigorous dust control*** - **Silicosis** is a lung disease caused by inhaling **crystalline silica dust**, making dust control the primary preventive measure - This includes **engineering controls** such as ventilation, wet methods, local exhaust systems, and enclosure to minimize airborne dust levels - **Primary prevention** through environmental control is the most effective strategy *BCG vaccination* - **BCG vaccination** is used to prevent **tuberculosis**, not silicosis - While patients with silicosis have increased risk for tuberculosis, BCG does not directly prevent or control silicosis development *Adequate personal hygiene* - Good **personal hygiene** is important for overall health but does not prevent inhalation of **silica dust** in occupational settings - Does not address the fundamental environmental exposure that causes silicosis *Effective implementation of factories act* - The **Factories Act** provides legal frameworks for worker safety and encompasses broad measures - However, the specific control of silicosis depends directly on technical measures of **rigorous dust control**, which are implemented through but not synonymous with such legislation

Question 197: ESI Act includes all the following except:

A. Defense establishments (Correct Answer)
B. Non-power using factories employing 20 or more persons
C. Small power-using factories
D. Newspaper establishment

Explanation: ***Defense establishments*** - The **Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act** specifically excludes establishments like the armed forces and other defense-related entities from its coverage. - This exclusion is primarily due to separate social security and welfare provisions already available for personnel in these sectors. *Non-power using factories employing 20 or more persons* - The ESI Act generally covers **non-power using factories** that employ 20 or more persons, ensuring social security for their workers. - This option describes an establishment that would typically fall under the purview of the ESI scheme. *Small power-using factories* - The ESI Act covers **factories using power** with 10 or more employees in most states, making small power-using factories eligible. - This category of establishment is explicitly included in the scope of the ESI Act for providing social security benefits. *Newspaper establishment* - **Newspaper establishments** that employ 20 or more persons are typically covered under the ESI Act. - The Act generally applies to various commercial establishments meeting the employee threshold, irrespective of their specific industry.

Question 198: Ergonomics is a discipline that deals with:-

A. Fitting the job to the workers (Correct Answer)
B. Study of working environment
C. Human relationship in the specific context of production
D. Study of the system of laws and institutions

Explanation: ***Fitting the job to the workers*** - **Ergonomics** is fundamentally about designing and arranging workplaces, products, and systems so that they fit the people who use them, optimizing **human well-being** and **overall system performance**. - This involves considering various human capabilities and limitations, such as **physical dimensions**, **cognitive abilities**, and **psychological factors**, to prevent injuries and improve efficiency. *Study of working environment* - While the working environment is a component of ergonomic considerations, ergonomics is a broader discipline focused on the **interaction between people and their environment**, rather than just the environment itself. - It involves **modifying the job or environment** to suit the worker, not merely observing the existing environment. *Human relationship in the specific context of production* - This describes aspects of **organizational psychology** or **human resources management**, which focus on social interactions and productivity within a work setting. - Ergonomics, in contrast, is centered on the **physical and cognitive suitability** of tasks and tools for individuals. *Study of the system of laws and institutions* - This refers to **jurisprudence** or **political science**, which deal with legal frameworks and governmental structures. - Ergonomics is a **scientific discipline** focused on human factors in design, not legal or institutional analysis.

Question 199: Which of the following is false regarding respirable dust:

A. May lead to pneumoconiosis
B. Silicosis is the most common dust disease
C. Smaller than 5 microns is respirable
D. Soluble dust remains in the lungs for a long time (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Soluble dust remains in the lungs for a long time*** - This statement is false because soluble dusts are **rapidly cleared** from the lungs through dissolution and absorption into the bloodstream or through mucociliary clearance. - Their solubility means they do not persist in the lung tissue long enough to cause significant chronic fibrotic changes. *May lead to pneumoconiosis* - **Inhalable dusts**, particularly those that are insoluble and durable, can accumulate in the lungs and lead to various forms of **pneumoconiosis**, which are interstitial lung diseases. - Examples include **silicosis**, **asbestosis**, and **coal workers' pneumoconiosis**. *Silicosis is the most common dust disease* - **Silicosis** is indeed one of the **most prevalent occupational lung diseases** globally due to widespread exposure to **crystalline silica** in various industries. - It is a chronic, progressive pneumoconiosis caused by the inhalation of respirable silica dust. *Smaller than 5 microns is repairable* - Dust particles **smaller than 5-10 microns** (often referred to as respirable dust) are capable of reaching the **alveolar region** of the lungs. - Particles of this size are the most problematic because they can evade the upper respiratory tract's defense mechanisms and deposit deep within the lungs, leading to long-term health effects.

Question 200: As per the ESI Act, sickness benefit is given for?

A. 91 days (Correct Answer)
B. 409 days
C. 309 days
D. 2 years

Explanation: ***91 days*** - Under the **ESI Act**, standard sickness benefit is provided for a maximum period of **91 days** in any two consecutive benefit periods (each period being 6 months). - This benefit aims to compensate for **wage loss** during periods of certified sickness for insured persons. - This is the most commonly applicable duration for routine illnesses. *409 days* - This duration represents the **enhanced sickness benefit** under certain special circumstances. - Not the standard duration for general or extended sickness benefits under the ESI Act. *309 days* - This is the duration for **Extended Sickness Benefit (ESB)** provided for specific prolonged/chronic illnesses like **tuberculosis, leprosy, mental illness, and malignancy**. - ESB is granted when the insured person requires prolonged treatment for specified diseases. *2 years* - While certain **disablement benefits** or medical care under ESI can extend for longer periods, general sickness benefit is not granted for 2 years. - Long-term benefits like permanent disablement or medical treatment for chronic conditions may continue for extended periods.

Practice by Chapter

Occupational Hazards: Classification

Practice Questions

Occupational Diseases

Practice Questions

Ergonomics

Practice Questions

Industrial Toxicology

Practice Questions

Occupational Cancers

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Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

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Occupational Health Services

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Industrial Hygiene

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Assessment of Work Environment

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Personal Protective Equipment

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Occupational Health Legislation

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Workers' Compensation

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