What standard is used to determine if a hazard justifies refusal?

• A. Supervisor's opinion
• B. A reasonable person would agree there is real danger of death or serious injury
• C. Worker's personal risk tolerance
• D. A random survey

Answer: (B)

This question centers on how OSHA determines when a hazard justifies a worker’s refusal to perform a task. The standard is that a reasonable person with the worker’s training and experience would conclude there is a real danger of death or serious injury. In practice, this means the decision isn’t based on personal feelings or one person’s opinion, but on an objective assessment of the situation. If a reasonably trained worker would see an imminent risk of severe harm, the worker may refuse to work and the employer must address the hazard. The test rules out relying on a supervisor’s opinion, personal risk tolerance, or a random survey, because those elements aren’t objective measures of danger.