Safe & Healthy Workspaces
What term describes arranging a workstation to fit the worker to reduce injury and strain?
Ergonomics — designing workspaces/equipment to fit the worker.
Which U.S. group sets safety guidelines for workers?
OSHA- Occupational and Safety Health Administration
Which branch of government creates fiscal policy?
Congress and the President (legislative & executive branches) create fiscal policy.
Define “productivity.”
The amount of goods/services produced per unit of input (often per worker per hour).
Define “protectionism.”
Government policies limiting imports to protect domestic industries.
Give an example of a workplace hazard related to equipment.
Unguarded machine parts, frayed electrical cords, unmaintained tools.
Give one example of a physical hazard in an office.
wet floor, cords across walkway, sharp edges, heavy boxes
Name one tool the Federal Reserve uses to influence the economy.
Discount rate, reserve requirements, open-market operations, interest on reserves.
Name one way specialization can improve productivity.
By focusing workers on one task, skills improve, speed increases, errors decrease.
Name one barrier to trade and give an example.
Tariff – tax on imports; Quota – limit on imports; Embargo – ban on trade; Sanction – penalty restricting trade.
True or False: Good lighting helps prevent accidents and tired eyes.
True – good lighting helps prevent accidents and eye strain.
What can happen if a job is too hard or stressful for a worker?
Stress, burnout, or injury – when a job is too hard or overwhelming.
Compare one difference between fiscal and monetary policy.
Fiscal policy = government taxing/spending; Monetary policy = Fed controlling money supply and interest rates.
Identify one phase of the business cycle.
Expansion, peak, contraction (recession), trough.
Explain how increasing money supply relates to inflation.
If money supply grows faster than output, prices rise (inflation).
Explain how workstation design can reduce injuries.
Proper desk/chair height, adjustable monitor, adequate space to move – reduces strain and awkward postures.
Name one way a messy office layout could cause accidents.
Messy layout can cause trips, falls, or blocked exits
Explain how open-market operations affect the economy.
Buying securities adds money to banks (stimulates economy); selling securities removes money (slows economy).
Give an example of a past technology that reflects an economic expansion.
CD players in the 1990s, smartphones, pagers, VCRs.
Describe one way U.S. trade policy affects another nation.
Tariffs on steel from another country affect its economy; trade agreements influence partner nations.
Why should an office arrange chairs, desks, and screens before workers start using them?
To prevent injuries before they happen – proper setup keeps workers safe and comfortable.
Why is “workstation design” considered a preventive rather than a reactive safety measure?
Because workstation design prevents injuries before they occur—adjusting chairs, monitors, and tasks reduces future risks rather than reacting after injury
Debate: Give one pro and one con of adopting a balanced budget amendment.
Pro: Forces balanced budgets and limits debt; Con: Reduces government flexibility in emergencies/recessions.
Explain how technological change can shift the rate of output in an economy.
New technology increases efficiency and output with the same or fewer resources.
Give an example of two nations whose economic policies affect each other.
U.S. & China, U.S. & Mexico, EU & U.K. – tariffs, currency policy, and supply chains affect both.