EMPCO Safety Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a worker is exposed to a chemical spill on the skin, what is the FIRST action to take?
- Apply a neutralizing agent immediately
- Flush the area with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Cover the area with a dry cloth and seek medical attention
- Notify the supervisor before doing anything else
Correct answer: Flush the area with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes
Flushing with copious water for at least 15 minutes dilutes and removes the chemical before it causes deeper tissue damage.
Question 2: Which color on a safety data sheet (SDS) NFPA diamond indicates health hazard?
- Red
- Yellow
- Blue (Correct answer)
- White
Correct answer: Blue
The blue quadrant of the NFPA 704 diamond represents health hazards, rated 0–4.
Question 3: In a workplace with confined spaces, what document must be completed before entry?
- Incident report form
- Permit-required confined space entry permit (Correct answer)
- Personal protective equipment log
- Job hazard analysis only
Correct answer: Permit-required confined space entry permit
OSHA 1910.146 requires a written entry permit that authorizes and controls entry into permit-required confined spaces.
Question 4: What does the acronym PASS stand for when using a fire extinguisher?
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Push, Activate, Spray, Stop
- Pull, Apply, Squeeze, Scan
- Point, Aim, Suppress, Sweep
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.
Question 5: A worker notices a frayed electrical cord on medical equipment. What is the correct response?
- Tape the frayed section and continue use
- Tag the equipment out of service and report it immediately (Correct answer)
- Use the equipment carefully and report at end of shift
- Inform the next shift worker to handle it
Correct answer: Tag the equipment out of service and report it immediately
Damaged electrical equipment must be taken out of service immediately using lockout/tagout procedures to prevent shock or fire.
Question 6: Which type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when working with airborne bloodborne pathogens?
- Safety glasses only
- Chemical-resistant gloves only
- Respirator, gloves, and eye protection (Correct answer)
- Hard hat and steel-toed boots
Correct answer: Respirator, gloves, and eye protection
Airborne bloodborne pathogen exposure requires respiratory protection, gloves, and eye/face protection as a minimum barrier.
Question 7: What is the minimum safe distance from a patient care area when using flammable cleaning agents?
- No restriction if the area is ventilated
- At least 3 feet from any ignition source
- As specified by the facility's fire safety plan and manufacturer guidelines (Correct answer)
- 10 feet from all electrical equipment
Correct answer: As specified by the facility's fire safety plan and manufacturer guidelines
Safe distances for flammable agents are determined by facility fire safety plans and manufacturer SDS guidelines, not a single universal rule.
EMPCO Safety Procedures 2
When a worker is exposed to a chemical spill on the skin, what is the FIRST action to take?