WPR Emergency Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the FIRST action a WPR should take in the event of a fire within the permitted work area?
- Continue working while calling for help
- Activate the fire alarm, evacuate all personnel, and cancel the permit (Correct answer)
- Try to extinguish the fire alone regardless of size
- Wait for the fire brigade to arrive before evacuating
Correct answer: Activate the fire alarm, evacuate all personnel, and cancel the permit
Life safety is the top priority; immediate evacuation and alarm activation must occur before any fire suppression attempt.
Question 2: In a permit-required confined space, if an attendant observes a hazardous condition developing, they should:
- Enter the space to assist the workers
- Order all entrants to evacuate immediately and cancel the permit (Correct answer)
- Wait for the condition to resolve on its own
- Contact the operations manager before acting
Correct answer: Order all entrants to evacuate immediately and cancel the permit
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 requires the attendant to order immediate evacuation when they observe a hazardous condition, without entering the space.
Question 3: A worker is overcome by fumes in a confined space. The attendant should:
- Immediately enter the space to rescue the worker
- Call for trained rescue personnel and use non-entry rescue methods first (Correct answer)
- Close the space entry and call 911 without communicating with the worker
- Wait 5 minutes to see if the worker recovers
Correct answer: Call for trained rescue personnel and use non-entry rescue methods first
Most confined space fatalities involve would-be rescuers; non-entry rescue (retrieval lines, tripods) must be attempted before any entry rescue.
Question 4: The WPR's role during a site-wide emergency evacuation is to:
- Remain in the work area to guard equipment
- Account for all workers under their permit and report to the designated assembly point (Correct answer)
- Contact the permit issuer first before evacuating
- Continue work until officially told to stop by management
Correct answer: Account for all workers under their permit and report to the designated assembly point
The WPR must ensure no worker is left behind by accounting for all personnel and reporting to the assembly area.
Question 5: What does 'PASS' stand for in fire extinguisher operation?
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Push, Apply, Spray, Scan
- Position, Aim, Shoot, Stop
- Pull, Advance, Spray, Sweep
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) is the standard four-step technique for operating a portable fire extinguisher.
Question 6: An emergency response plan (ERP) relevant to permitted work should be reviewed:
- Annually only
- Before every job where the ERP may be needed, and after any significant incident or change (Correct answer)
- Only during OSHA inspections
- Once during new employee orientation
Correct answer: Before every job where the ERP may be needed, and after any significant incident or change
ERPs must be reviewed pre-job to ensure all personnel know their roles and the plan accounts for current site conditions.
WPR Emergency Procedures 1
What is the FIRST action a WPR should take in the event of a fire within the permitted work area?