EMPCO Safety Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OSHA standard primarily governs bloodborne pathogen exposure control plans in medical workplaces?
- 29 CFR 1910.132
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.146
- 29 CFR 1910.303
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.1030
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 is the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, requiring exposure control plans, training, and hepatitis B vaccination offers.
Question 2: A medical employee experiences a needlestick injury. After immediate first aid, what is the NEXT required step?
- Complete the injury report at the end of the week
- Report the incident to a supervisor and seek post-exposure evaluation immediately (Correct answer)
- Self-monitor for symptoms for two weeks
- Document only if symptoms appear within 72 hours
Correct answer: Report the incident to a supervisor and seek post-exposure evaluation immediately
Needlestick injuries must be reported immediately and evaluated for post-exposure prophylaxis within a critical time window.
Question 3: Which fire class involves energized electrical equipment?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class C
Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment; water-based extinguishers must never be used because they conduct electricity.
Question 4: What is the correct procedure for lifting a heavy object to prevent back injury?
- Bend at the waist and use arm strength
- Keep the load far from the body for better control
- Bend the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the legs (Correct answer)
- Twist while lifting to generate momentum
Correct answer: Bend the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the legs
Proper lifting uses leg muscles with a straight back and the load close to the body, minimizing lumbar spine stress.
Question 5: In an emergency evacuation, who is responsible for accounting for all personnel in their area?
- The security guard at the main entrance
- The facility safety officer only
- The designated floor warden or team leader (Correct answer)
- The last person to exit the building
Correct answer: The designated floor warden or team leader
Floor wardens or team leaders are assigned to conduct headcounts at assembly points and report any missing personnel to incident command.
Question 6: Which hazard communication label element provides a quick visual warning about a chemical's primary hazard?
- Signal word
- Precautionary statement
- Pictogram (Correct answer)
- Product identifier
Correct answer: Pictogram
GHS pictograms (e.g., skull and crossbones, flame, exclamation mark) provide an immediate graphic signal of the primary hazard category.
Question 7: When should safety eyewear be removed in a laboratory or clinical setting?
- When the task appears routine and low-risk
- Only after leaving the designated hazard area (Correct answer)
- Whenever a supervisor is not present
- When handling non-toxic materials only
Correct answer: Only after leaving the designated hazard area
Eye protection must remain on until the worker has completely exited the designated hazard zone, regardless of perceived task risk.
EMPCO Safety Procedures 3
Which OSHA standard primarily governs bloodborne pathogen exposure control plans in medical workplaces?