Occupational and Environmental Health: Recognizing and Preventing Disease and Injury - Multiple Choice Questions - Learn & Prevent

What should be performed prior to beginning work in frequently changing work environments like construction?

1. Public awareness campaigns

2. Site hazard assessments

3. Introduction of new machinery

4. Exclusive reliance on personal protective equipment

The correct answer is: Site hazard assessments

When beginning work in frequently changing work environments like construction, it is important to perform a site hazard assessment first. This assessment allows workers to identify potential hazards and plan for ways to mitigate them, such as implementing safety protocols or implementing specific personal protective equipment. Public awareness campaigns may be helpful in promoting overall safety, but they do not directly address the hazards specific to the work environment. Introducing new machinery may also be necessary, but this does not necessarily address the hazards present in the environment. Relying solely on personal protective equipment without assessing the specific hazards present can lead to ineffective protection and potential harm to workers. Therefore, performing a site hazard assessment prior to beginning work is the best way to ensure safety in frequently changing work environments.