Chapter 7 • Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness

Question 1

Unplanned, uncontrolled event (or sequence of events) resulting from unsafe acts and/or occupational conditions; can result in injury, death, or property damage. Typically caused by persons who are either unaware or uninformed of potential hazards, ignorant of safety policies, or who fail to follow safety procedures.

Answer 1

Accident

Question 2

Cancer-producing substance

Answer 2

Carcinogen

Question 3

Condition, substance, or device that can directly cause injury or loss; the source of a risk.

Answer 3

Hazard

Question 4

Allowing firefighters or rescuers to rest, rehydrate, and recover during an incident; also refers to a station at an incident where personnel can rest, rehydrate, and recover.

Answer 4

Rehabilitation

Question 5

(1) Likelihood of suffering harm from a hazard; exposure to a hazard. The potential for failure or loss. (2) Estimated effect that a hazard would have on people, services, facilities, and structures in a community; likelihood of a hazard event resulting in an adverse condition that causes injury or damage. Often expressed as high, moderate, or low or in terms of potential mone

Answer 5

Risk

Question 6

Analyzing exposure to hazards, implementing appropriate risk management techniques, and monitoring their results.

Answer 6

Risk Management

Question 7

A company officer can help create and maintain a safe work environment and safety-oriented culture by enforcing policies and procedures that identify:
Select one:

a.
apparatus in the facilities.

b.
decentralized line and staff personnel.

c.
risks in the facilities.

d.
organizational classification.

Answer 7

c. risks in the facilities.

Question 8

The investigation/review process for job-related injuries or illnesses generally includes the same information needed for:

Select one:

a.
accident investigations.

b.
disciplinary measures.

c.
personnel evaluations.

d.
policy analysis.

Answer 8

accident investigations.

Question 9

What is included in the final portion of an investigation/review report?
Select one:

a.
A narrative description of the incident, including the company officer’s observations

b.
An ethical review of the incident events including any crew rationalizations

c.
A breakdown of the number and quality of mutual aid responders

d.
An informal description of any crew disciplinary actions taken while on scene

Answer 9

A narrative description of the incident, including the company officer’s observations

Question 10

What are the leading injuries among fire and emergency responders while providing emergency services?
Select one:

a.
Cuts and bruises

b.
Exposure to carcinogens or toxic fumes

c.
Sprains and strains

d.
Unsafe acts or conditions

Answer 10

Sprains and strains

Question 11

Company officers/Incident Commanders who ensure that rehab policies and procedures are followed on the incident scene are establishing a(an):
Select one:

a.
passive-aggression culture that will ensure members do not engage in assertive behaviors.

b.
safety-oriented culture that will also reduce the risk of illness or injury to its members.

c.
authoritarian-oriented culture that will reduce member illness or injury through discipline.

d.
reward-oriented culture that will help retain current members and recruit new members.

Answer 11

safety-oriented culture that will also reduce the risk of illness or injury to its members.

Question 12

When cleaning PPE in house, it is crucial for facility safety to:
Select one:

a.
dry PPE in direct sunlight.

b.
keep clean PPE from exposed skin.

c.
always wear SCBA and PPE during cleaning.

d.
use a designated cleaning area and decon sink.

Answer 12

use a designated cleaning area and decon sink.

Question 13

The maintenance and repair of SCBA and SARs should be performed by:
Select one:

a.
the health and safety officer.

b.
the member to whom the equipment belongs.

c.
trained and certified technicians.

d.
the company officer.

Answer 13

trained and certified technicians.

Question 14

Developing accurate scene size-up skills and utilizing sound risk management practices when devising the overall operational strategy can prevent:
Select one:

a.
centralized and decentralized supervision.

b.
personal rationalizations and unethical conduct.

c.
emergency scene injuries and fatalities.

d.
emotional and cognitive reactivity.

Answer 14

emergency scene injuries and fatalities.

Question 15

When a unit member experiences a job-related injury or illness, the first duty of a company officers is to:
Select one:

a.
place the individual on duty exchange.

b.
ensure prompt medical treatment for the individual.

c.
begin the investigative review process immediately.

d.
place the individual in rehabilitation

Answer 15

ensure prompt medical treatment for the individual.

Question 16

What is a risk factor for fire and emergency services responder mental illness?
Select one:

a.
Increasingly reckless behavior

b.
A persistent feeling of helplessness

c.
Witnessing a traumatic event

d.
Having a suicide plan

Answer 16

Witnessing a traumatic event

Question 17

The amount and variety of contaminants and the higher temperatures of fires involving ____ increases exposure risks to fire and emergency services personnel.
Select one:

a.
unsafe structural conditions

b.
traditional construction materials

c.
traumatic events

d.
manufactured products

Answer 17

manufactured products

Question 18

In a five-step operational risk management process, company officers can use the “evaluate” step to determine if:
Select one:

a.
appropriate resources are available.

b.
the risk management plan is working.

c.
the control hazards are in place.

d.
assignments have been made and understood

Answer 18

the risk management plan is working.

Question 19

A written infection control plan should clearly explain its intent, benefits, and purposes and include a component on:
Select one:

a.
cleaning, decontamination, and disinfection of personnel and equipment.

b.
incident analysis to identify contributing and causal factors.

c.
membership and function of the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Committee.

d. health and wellness SOPs including rehab and stress reduction.

Answer 19

cleaning, decontamination, and disinfection of personnel and equipment.

Question 20

A crew member responding to an incident in a POV who is driving over the speed limit is committing a(an):
Select one:

a.
unsafe condition.

b.
passive-aggressive act.

c.
unsafe act.

d.
dangerous precedent.

Answer 20

unsafe act.

Question 21

To help unit members maintain good health and wellness, company officers should encourage members to receive:
Select one:

a.
routine medical screenings.

b.
additional privately owned vehicle training.

c.
approval to freelance at incident scenes.

d.
four complete sets of personal protection equipment.

Answer 21

routine medical screenings.

Question 22

What is the purpose of an accident, injury, and illness prevention program in a fire and emergency services organization?
Select one:

a.
To ensure prompt medical treatment for the individual, other crew members, and victims

b.
To prevent suicide among fire and emergency services crew members and their families

c.
To provide the insurance companies with information about types of illnesses and injuries within the fire service

d.
To provide firefighters information and training regarding the hazards that exist in their work environments

Answer 22

To provide firefighters information and training regarding the hazards that exist in their work environments

Question 23

Scene safety should be taught in _____ programs before company officers are ever allowed to respond to an emergency.
Select one:

a.
discipline

b.
wellness

c.
employee assistance

d. training

Answer 23

training

Question 24

Two emerging issues related to the health and wellness of firefighters and emergency responders are:
Select one:

a.
domestic violence and suicide.

b.
cancer and behavioral health.

c.
absenteeism and tobacco use.

d.
sexual harassment and hazing.

Answer 24

cancer and behavioral health.

Question 25

Written operational guidelines that outline training requirements and _____ should be part of any fire and emergency services safety and health program.
Select one:

a.
driving records

b.
exposure reports

c.
preincident plans

d.
training qualifications

Answer 25

preincident plans

Question 26

Organizational risk management evaluates risks and hazards that can affect the organization and provides control measures to:
Select one:

a.
assess the risks and hazards emergency responders face while performing operations.

b.
reduce the frequency, severity, and probability of a negative event.

c.
manage the risk or risks for the regional service area.

d.
ensure the fire and emergency services organization can perform its mission.

Answer 26

reduce the frequency, severity, and probability of a negative event.

Question 27

If a crew member tells a company officer they have a suicide plan, the company officer should:
Select one:

a.
tell the member’s direct supervisor and the fire chief of the crew member’s statement.

b.
refer the member to a local mental health specialist and call local law enforcement.

c.
remove any implements that could cause harm and call 9-1-1 immediately.

d.
ask the member closed-ended questions and isolate them from the rest of the crew.

Answer 27

remove any implements that could cause harm and call 9-1-1 immediately.

Question 28

Company officers in the United States use the _____ as a reference for cause, injury, and fatality statistical data in order to stay current on trends within the fire and emergency services.
Select one:

a.
Workplace Health and Safety Compensation Commission (WHSCC)

b.
National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Rules of Engagement for Firefighter Health

c.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

d.
Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives (FLSI)

Answer 28

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Question 29

Within a medical exposure management program, company officers may conduct medical exposure investigations immediately following the incident or when:
Select one:

a.
exposure symptoms appear in the individual.

b.
mandated by budget justification.

c.
mandated by federal orders and directives.

d.
exposure symptoms are absent in the individual.

Answer 29

exposure symptoms appear in the individual.

Question 30

Doffing PPE must be done in such a way as to avoid contaminating:
Select one:

a.
apparatus compartments.

b.
toxic fumes.

c.
exposed skin.

d.
manufactured products.

Answer 30

exposed skin.

Question 31

The initial inspection of PPE is necessary to ensure that the item is:
Select one:

a.
tested and used according to the manufacturer’s directions.

b.
periodically cleaned and maintained.

c.
ready for immediate use and all items work properly.

d.
complete and meets the original specifications.

Answer 31

complete and meets the original specifications.

Question 32

The IAFC’s Incident Commander’s Rules of Engagement for Firefighter Safety offers eleven rules that provide guidance to the company officer acting as Incident Commander regarding:
Select one:

a.
safety issues when operating on the fireground.

b.
confidential reporting of on-scene near misses.

c.
reducing firefighter deaths and injuries.

d.
how to encourage firefighters to pursue healthier lifestyles.

Answer 32

safety issues when operating on the fireground.

Question 33

One of the best methods for providing a safe fire and emergency services workplace is:
Select one:

a.
full-time staffing.

b.
community outreach.

c.
proper maintenance.

d.
leave enforcement.

Answer 33

proper maintenance.

Question 34

Which area of the body has the highest heat absorption rate, therefore increasing the potential for cancer caused by fire carcinogens?
Select one:

a.
Hands

b.
Ankles

c.
Arms

d.
Groin

Answer 34

Groin

Question 35

What kind of employee or participant information should a company officer include in an investigation/review (I/R) report?
Select one:

a.
Age and condition of apparatus

b.
Type of incident, illness, injury, or fatality

c.
Names of witnesses and their accounts of the situation

d.
Type of personal protective equipment in us

Answer 35

Type of personal protective equipment in use

Question 36

What is the most common cause of responder incident fatalities?
Select one:

a.
Respiratory illness

b.
Hazardous materials exposure

c.
Post-traumatic stress

d.
Cardiac arrest

Answer 36

Cardiac arrest

Question 37

Company officers who become aware of the presence of hazardous materials following an incident are required to provide affected employees with:
Select one:

a.
extended job-protected leave through the FMLA.

b.
limited grievance rights per the labor-management agreement.

c.
all data on the materials to which they were exposed.

d.
counseling through an Employee Assistance Program.

Answer 37

all data on the materials to which they were exposed.

Question 38

What will help firefighters and other emergency services personnel correctly select personal protective equipment (PPE) for hazards on the scene?
Select one:

a.
Justification from community leaders on what types of PPE can be used

b.
Education and experience with similar situations and training scenarios

c.
Documentation in infection control programs outlining vaccination requirements

d.
Regular on-scene rehabilitation that includes rest and rehydration

Answer 38

Education and experience with similar situations and training scenarios

Question 39

Which role in a fire and emergency services organization usually performs formal, annual, or preventive maintenance inspections which are more thorough than regular inspections?
Select one:

a.
Health and safety officer

b.
Firefighter I

c.
Fire chief

d.
Company officer

Answer 39

Health and safety officer

Question 40

A company officer should conduct safety-related facilities inspections in accordance with:
Select one:

a.
community recommendations.

b.
wellness initiatives.

c.
investigative/review processes.

d.
organizational policies.

Answer 40

organizational policies.

Question 41

Company officers shall ensure that their unit members err on the side of safety and select the highest level of PPE protection based on the:
Select one:

a.
potential danger created by the hazard.

b.
defects or design flaws in the apparatus or equipment.

c.
given dispatch information.

d.
height and weight of the individual member.

Answer 41

potential danger created by the hazard

Question 42

A risk management plan can maximize health and safety in a fire and emergency services organization by creating policies and procedures that:
Select one:

a.
establish and enforce conflict.

b.
identify and analyze hazards.

c.
establish and enforce discipline.

d.
identify and analyze accidents.

Answer 42

identify and analyze hazards.

Question 43

Company officers who enforce the use of accountability systems and SOPs requiring rehab are practicing incident scene:
Select one:

a.
hazard assessments.

b.
risk control measures.

c.
command operations.

d.
risk factor monitoring.

Answer 43

risk control measures.

Question 44

A company officer can ensure that unit members are familiar with local and organizational safety policies and procedures by:
Select one:

a.
assigning each member a mentor.

b.
holding periodic training sessions.

c.
holding individual counseling sessions.

d.
enforcing labor/management agreements.

Answer 44

holding periodic training sessions.

Question 45

When working within an accident, injury, and illness prevention program, once hazards have been identified and prioritized, the company officer can reinforce the appropriate:
Select one:

a.
duty exchange.

b.
exposure investigation.

c.
corrective measure.

d.
hazard transfer.

Answer 45

corrective measure.

Question 46

Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) concentrations and potential skin absorption and irritation sources are risks that must be considered during:
Select one:

a.
an investigation/review process.

b.
maintenance or repair of SCBAs and SARs.

c.
a hazardous materials incident.

d.
equipment or facilities inspections.

Answer 46

a hazardous materials incident.

Question 47

When should company officers address work safety issues with their personnel?
Select one:

a.
Once a year

b.
During each shift

c.
Every other week

d.
Twice a month

Answer 47

During each shift

Question 48

Which is an unsafe condition within a fire and emergency facility that a company officer should be able to recognize and know how to address?
Select one:

a.
Computer hardware malfunction

b.
Blocked exits

c.
Unsafe structural conditions

d.
Inclement weather

Answer 48

Blocked exits

Question 49

Suicidal thoughts and other symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress, and other mood disorders are indicators of a(an):
Select one:

a.
medical condition that requires attention and treatment.

b.
personal rationalization for unethical behavior.

c.
passive-aggressive communication style.

d.
emotional reaction that requires self-directed mentoring.

Answer 49

medical condition that requires attention and treatment.

Question 50

A company officer conducting an accident investigation review should be objective, impartial, and directed toward:
Select one:

a.
terminating those involved in the accident.

b.
disciplining those involved in the accident.

c.
fault-finding rather than fact-finding.

d.
fact-finding rather than fault-finding.

Answer 50

fact-finding rather than fault-finding.

Question 51

What is the most common method used to reduce risk in fire and emergency services organizations?
Select one:

a.
Risk avoidance

b.
Risk transfer

c.
Overhaul plan

d.
Control measures

Answer 51

Control measures