OHST Practice Exam

Which organization established the permissible exposure limits (PELs) used in industry?

1. MSHA

2. ACGIH

3. EPA

4. OSHA

The correct answer is: OSHA

The organization responsible for establishing permissible exposure limits (PELs) used in industry is OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. PELs are legal limits on the amount or concentration of a substance in the air in the workplace, intended to protect workers from the potential health effects associated with exposure to hazardous substances. OSHA sets these limits based on various factors, including scientific data, industrial hygiene practices, and input from various stakeholders within the field of occupational safety and health. These standards are enforceable by law, and employers must comply with them to ensure the safety and health of their employees. In contrast, the other organizations mentioned have different roles. MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) focuses specifically on the mining industry, developing regulations and standards pertinent to that sector. ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists) is a professional organization that publishes guidelines such as Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), but these are not legally enforceable limits like the PELs set by OSHA. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) primarily deals with environmental regulations and standards, focusing on public health and environmental protection rather than specific workplace exposure limits.