EHS Interview Questions and Answers
Below is a comprehensive list of 100 EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) interview questions along with their answers. These questions cover various aspects of EHS, including regulations, hazard identification, risk assessment, emergency response, and workplace safety.
1. What is EHS?
Answer: EHS stands for Environment, Health, and Safety. It is a discipline that ensures workplace safety, protects the environment, and promotes employee health by complying with regulations and implementing best practices.
2. What are the key responsibilities of an EHS officer?
Answer: Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting risk assessments and safety audits
- Ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other regulations
- Developing and implementing safety policies
- Training employees on safety procedures
- Investigating accidents and recommending corrective actions
3. What is OSHA?
Answer: OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a U.S. federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards to prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
4. What is a hazard?
Answer: A hazard is any source, situation, or act with the potential to cause harm, including injuries, illnesses, or environmental damage.
5. What is risk assessment?
Answer: Risk assessment is the process of identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing control measures to minimize workplace dangers.
6. What are the five steps of risk assessment?
Answer:
- Identify hazards
- Determine who might be harmed
- Evaluate risks and existing controls
- Implement additional controls if needed
- Review and update the assessment regularly
7. What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
Answer: An SDS is a document that provides detailed information about hazardous chemicals, including their properties, handling, storage, and emergency measures.
8. What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
Answer: A hazard is a potential source of harm, while risk is the likelihood and severity of harm occurring due to exposure to the hazard.
9. What is PPE?
Answer: PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment, which includes gear like helmets, gloves, goggles, and masks to protect workers from hazards.
10. What are the common types of PPE?
Answer: Common PPE includes:
- Hard hats (head protection)
- Safety goggles (eye protection)
- Gloves (hand protection)
- Respirators (respiratory protection)
- Safety boots (foot protection)
11. What is LOTO?
Answer: LOTO stands for Lockout/Tagout, a safety procedure to ensure machines are properly shut off and cannot be restarted during maintenance.
12. What is an emergency action plan (EAP)?
Answer: An EAP is a written document outlining procedures for responding to workplace emergencies like fires, chemical spills, or natural disasters.
13. What is the purpose of a fire extinguisher?
Answer: A fire extinguisher is used to control small fires by releasing extinguishing agents like water, foam, CO₂, or dry chemicals.
14. What are the different fire extinguisher classes?
Answer:
- Class A: Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper)
- Class B: Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil)
- Class C: Electrical fires
- Class D: Combustible metals
- Class K: Cooking oils and fats
15. What is ergonomics?
Answer: Ergonomics is the science of designing workspaces to fit workers’ physical needs, reducing strain and preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
16. What is a near-miss incident?
Answer: A near-miss is an unplanned event that could have caused injury or damage but did not, providing an opportunity for preventive action.
17. What is the hierarchy of controls?
Answer: The hierarchy of controls ranks hazard control measures from most to least effective:
- Elimination
- Substitution
- Engineering controls
- Administrative controls
- PPE
18. What is HAZOP?
Answer: HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study) is a structured technique for identifying potential hazards in industrial processes.
19. What is the difference between occupational health and industrial hygiene?
Answer: Occupational health focuses on workers’ overall well-being, while industrial hygiene deals with identifying and controlling workplace hazards (chemical, physical, biological).
20. What is a confined space?
Answer: A confined space is an enclosed area with limited entry/exit points, not designed for continuous occupancy, and may contain hazards like toxic gases.
21. What are the hazards of confined spaces?
Answer: Hazards include:
- Oxygen deficiency
- Toxic gases
- Engulfment
- Fire/explosion risks
22. What is a permit-required confined space?
Answer: A permit-required confined space has additional hazards requiring special entry procedures, monitoring, and permits.
23. What is the role of a safety committee?
Answer: A safety committee promotes workplace safety by identifying hazards, reviewing incidents, and recommending improvements.
24. What is the difference between incident and accident?
Answer: An incident is any unexpected event, while an accident results in injury, illness, or damage.
25. What is JSA?
Answer: JSA (Job Safety Analysis) is a method to identify hazards associated with specific job tasks and implement controls.
26. What is the purpose of a safety audit?
Answer: A safety audit evaluates compliance with safety regulations, identifies hazards, and recommends corrective actions.
27. What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative risk assessment?
Answer:
- Qualitative: Uses descriptive scales (e.g., low, medium, high risk)
- Quantitative: Uses numerical data (e.g., probability calculations)
28. What is the importance of safety training?
Answer: Safety training educates employees on hazards, safe practices, and emergency procedures, reducing workplace incidents.
29. What is a chemical exposure limit?
Answer: A chemical exposure limit (e.g., PEL, TLV) defines the maximum allowable concentration of a hazardous substance in the workplace.
30. What is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)?
Answer: GHS is an international system for classifying and labeling chemicals to ensure consistent hazard communication.
31. What is the purpose of an environmental impact assessment (EIA)?
Answer: An EIA evaluates the potential environmental effects of a project before approval.
32. What is waste management?
Answer: Waste management involves proper handling, treatment, and disposal of waste to minimize environmental harm.
33. What is the difference between hazardous and non-hazardous waste?
Answer: Hazardous waste poses threats to health/environment (e.g., toxic chemicals), while non-hazardous waste does not (e.g., paper, food scraps).
34. What is spill containment?
Answer: Spill containment involves measures (e.g., barriers, absorbents) to prevent hazardous spills from spreading.
35. What is the role of an emergency response team?
Answer: The team responds to emergencies (fires, spills) by executing evacuation, first aid, and containment procedures.
36. What is a safety culture?
Answer: A safety culture reflects an organization’s shared commitment to prioritizing safety in all operations.
37. What is behavioral-based safety (BBS)?
Answer: BBS focuses on observing and improving workers’ safety behaviors to prevent incidents.
38. What is root cause analysis (RCA)?
Answer: RCA is a method to identify the underlying causes of incidents to prevent recurrence.
39. What is the difference between compliance and best practices in EHS?
Answer: Compliance meets legal requirements, while best practices exceed standards for enhanced safety.
40. What is a safety permit system?
Answer: A permit system authorizes high-risk work (e.g., hot work, confined space entry) after safety checks.
41. What is the purpose of a safety inspection?
Answer: Safety inspections identify hazards, ensure compliance, and recommend corrective actions.
42. What is the difference between flash point and fire point?
Answer:
- Flash point: Lowest temperature where a liquid emits flammable vapor
- Fire point: Temperature where sustained burning occurs
43. What is asbestos, and why is it hazardous?
Answer: Asbestos is a fibrous mineral causing lung diseases (e.g., mesothelioma) when inhaled.
44. What is radiation safety?
Answer: Radiation safety involves protecting workers from harmful exposure to ionizing/non-ionizing radiation.
45. What is noise-induced hearing loss?
Answer: Permanent hearing damage caused by prolonged exposure to high noise levels.
46. What is the purpose of machine guarding?
Answer: Machine guarding prevents worker contact with moving parts, reducing injury risks.
47. What is electrical safety?
Answer: Electrical safety involves preventing shocks, burns, and fires through proper wiring, insulation, and grounding.
48. What is arc flash?
Answer: An arc flash is a dangerous electrical explosion releasing intense heat and light.
49. What is fall protection?
Answer: Fall protection includes harnesses, guardrails, and nets to prevent injuries from falls.
50. What is scaffolding safety?
Answer: Scaffolding safety ensures stable structures, proper assembly, and worker training to prevent falls.
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51. What is the purpose of a hazard communication program?
Answer: It ensures workers understand chemical hazards through labels, SDS, and training.
52. What is process safety management (PSM)?
Answer: PSM prevents catastrophic chemical releases through systematic hazard control.
53. What is the difference between acute and chronic exposure?
Answer:
- Acute: Short-term, high-intensity exposure
- Chronic: Long-term, low-level exposure
54. What is an environmental management system (EMS)?
Answer: An EMS (e.g., ISO 14001) helps organizations reduce environmental impact systematically.
55. What is carbon footprint?
Answer: A carbon footprint measures total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an entity.
56. What is sustainability in EHS?
Answer: Sustainability involves balancing environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic growth.
57. What is ISO 45001?
Answer: ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems.
58. What is a safety policy?
Answer: A safety policy outlines an organization’s commitment to workplace safety and compliance.
59. What is a safety incentive program?
Answer: A program rewarding employees for safe behavior to encourage a strong safety culture.
60. What is the role of management in EHS?
Answer: Management must enforce safety policies, allocate resources, and lead by example.
61. What is the difference between safety and security?
Answer: Safety protects against accidental harm, while security prevents intentional threats (e.g., theft, violence).
62. What is heat stress?
Answer: Heat stress occurs when the body overheats due to high temperatures, causing illnesses like heat stroke.
63. What is cold stress?
Answer: Cold stress results from prolonged exposure to low temperatures, leading to hypothermia or frostbite.
64. What is forklift safety?
Answer: Forklift safety involves proper training, maintenance, and operation to prevent accidents.
65. What is crane safety?
Answer: Crane safety includes load limits, inspections, and operator training to prevent collapses.
66. What is excavation safety?
Answer: Excavation safety prevents cave-ins through shoring, sloping, and protective systems.
67. What is welding safety?
Answer: Welding safety involves PPE, ventilation, and fire prevention to protect workers.
68. What is the difference between flammable and combustible materials?
Answer:
- Flammable: Catches fire easily at lower temperatures
- Combustible: Burns at higher temperatures
69. What is the purpose of a safety sign?
Answer: Safety signs warn of hazards, provide instructions, and promote safe behavior.
70. What is the role of an EHS consultant?
Answer: An EHS consultant advises organizations on compliance, risk management, and safety programs.
71. What is a safety drill?
Answer: A safety drill simulates emergencies (fire, evacuation) to test preparedness.
72. What is first aid?
Answer: First aid is immediate medical assistance for injuries or illnesses before professional help arrives.
73. What is CPR?
Answer: CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is an emergency procedure to restore breathing/heartbeat.
74. What is the purpose of an incident investigation?
Answer: To determine causes, prevent recurrence, and improve safety measures.
75. What is a safety violation?
Answer: A safety violation is a breach of safety rules, potentially leading to penalties or accidents.
76. What is the difference between safety and health in EHS?
Answer: Safety prevents physical injuries, while health focuses on long-term well-being (e.g., chemical exposure).
77. What is dust explosion?
Answer: A dust explosion occurs when fine particles ignite in confined spaces, causing rapid combustion.
78. What is the role of PPE in chemical handling?
Answer: PPE (gloves, respirators) protects workers from chemical exposure.
79. What is the purpose of a safety manual?
Answer: A safety manual provides guidelines, procedures, and policies for workplace safety.
80. What is the difference between safety training and safety awareness?
Answer: Training teaches specific skills, while awareness promotes general safety knowledge.
81. What is a safety observation program?
Answer: A program where workers report hazards and unsafe behaviors for corrective action.
82. What is the role of engineering controls in safety?
Answer: Engineering controls (ventilation, machine guards) physically reduce hazards.
83. What is the difference between safety audits and inspections?
Answer: Audits evaluate systems/policies, while inspections check physical conditions.
84. What is the purpose of a safety meeting?
Answer: To discuss hazards, incidents, and safety improvements with employees.
85. What is a safety checklist?
Answer: A checklist ensures all safety measures are followed before/during work.
86. What is the role of HR in EHS?
Answer: HR supports safety training, incident reporting, and policy enforcement.
87. What is the difference between EHS and HSE?
Answer: Both mean the same (EHS: Environment, Health, Safety / HSE: Health, Safety, Environment).
88. What is the importance of record-keeping in EHS?
Answer: Records track incidents, training, and compliance for audits and improvements.
89. What is a safety performance indicator (KPI)?
Answer: A KPI (e.g., incident rate) measures safety program effectiveness.
90. What is the role of employees in EHS?
Answer: Employees must follow safety rules, report hazards, and participate in training.
91. What is the difference between corrective and preventive action?
Answer:
- Corrective: Fixes existing issues
- Preventive: Stops potential issues
92. What is a safety culture survey?
Answer: A survey assessing employee perceptions of workplace safety.
93. What is the role of safety signage?
Answer: Signs communicate hazards, warnings, and emergency info visually.
94. What is the difference between safety glasses and goggles?
Answer: Glasses protect against impacts, while goggles seal against chemicals/dust.
95. What is the purpose of a safety stand-down?
Answer: A pause in work to discuss safety topics and hazards.
96. What is the role of a safety officer in construction?
Answer: They enforce safety protocols, conduct inspections, and train workers.
97. What is the difference between a safety plan and a safety program?
Answer: A plan is project-specific, while a program is organization-wide.
98. What is the importance of toolbox talks?
Answer: Short safety discussions reinforce awareness and best practices.
99. What is the role of technology in EHS?
Answer: Technology (drones, sensors) improves hazard monitoring and data analysis.
100. How do you promote a strong safety culture?
Answer: By:
- Leading by example
- Encouraging reporting
- Providing training
- Recognizing safe behavior
- Continuously improving policies
