OSHA Disaster Site Worker flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Hierarchy of controls

The order of hazard control effectiveness: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. PPE is the last line of defense and does not eliminate the hazard.

Exclusion zone

The contaminated area where the highest hazard exists and only trained workers in appropriate PPE may enter. Access is controlled and entry and exit are logged.

Secondary collapse

A collapse that occurs after the initial structural failure, often triggered by unstable debris, vibration, or rescue operations. Exclusion zones and shoring reduce risk.

Carbon monoxide hazard

An odorless, colorless gas produced by combustion equipment such as generators and pressure washers. It causes poisoning in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces and requires air monitoring.

Assigned protection factor

The workplace level of respiratory protection a respirator class is expected to provide. It determines the maximum use concentration when multiplied by the exposure limit.

IDLH atmosphere

An atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life or health. Air-purifying respirators are prohibited; use SCBA or supplied-air with escape bottle.

Oxygen deficiency

An atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent. It requires evacuation, ventilation, and supplied-air respiratory protection before reentry.

Fit test

A test that verifies a tight-fitting respirator seals to the user's face. It is required annually and whenever a different model or size is used.

Site Safety and Health Plan

A site-specific written plan covering hazard analysis, PPE, air monitoring, decontamination, medical surveillance, emergency response, and training for hazardous waste operations.

Incident Command System

A standardized organizational structure for managing emergencies, including the Incident Commander, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Administration, and Safety Officer.

Stop-work authority

The authority of the Site Safety and Health Officer or Safety Officer to halt operations when an imminent danger exists, without fear of retaliation.

Incident Action Plan

A document developed for each operational period that states objectives, assignments, resources, and the safety message for the response.

Medical surveillance

Baseline and periodic medical examinations required for hazardous waste workers and respirator users to detect occupational illness and establish fitness for duty.

Bloodborne pathogens standard

The OSHA rule requiring an exposure control plan, universal precautions, hepatitis B vaccination offer, PPE, training, and post-exposure evaluation for workers with occupational exposure.

Decontamination corridor

A series of stations in the contamination reduction zone where workers and equipment are cleaned to prevent spreading contaminants to the support zone.

Universal precautions

Treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, using gloves, eye protection, and other barriers to prevent exposure regardless of known infection status.

Hepatitis B vaccination

A vaccine offered at no cost within 10 working days of assignment to workers with occupational exposure to blood or body fluids.

Heat exhaustion

A heat illness with heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea. Move the worker to a cool area, provide fluids, and seek medical evaluation if symptoms persist.

Hazard Communication

The OSHA standard requiring chemical labels, safety data sheets, and training so workers understand the hazards of chemicals in their work area.

HAZWOPER training

Training required for hazardous waste operations: 40-hour initial plus 3-day supervised field experience for general site workers, with an 8-hour annual refresher.

General Duty Clause

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious harm, even without a specific standard.

Confined space

A space large enough for entry, with limited entry and exit, not designed for continuous occupancy. Entry requires a permit, atmospheric testing, an attendant, and a rescue plan.

Trench protective system

Sloping, shoring, or shielding required for excavations 5 feet or deeper to prevent cave-ins. A competent person inspects daily and after rain.

Fall protection threshold

In construction, fall protection is required at 6 feet or more. Systems include guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest with anchorage, harness, and lanyard.

Unified Command

An ICS application used when multiple agencies have jurisdiction or responsibility, coordinating through a single set of objectives and a shared action plan.

Span of control

The number of subordinates a supervisor can effectively manage. ICS recommends three to seven, with five as a planning guide.

Transfer of command

The documented process of passing incident authority from one commander to another, including a briefing on situation, objectives, assignments, and safety.

After-action review

A structured debrief after an incident or exercise that identifies strengths and gaps, producing an improvement plan used to update plans and training.

Combustible gas indicator

A direct-reading instrument that measures flammable gas concentration as a percentage of the lower explosive limit. Readings at or above 10 percent LEL require action.

Photoionization detector

A direct-reading instrument using ultraviolet light to detect volatile organic compounds. It is calibrated and bump-tested before use and results are documented.

PPE doffing order

The sequence for removing contaminated PPE to avoid self-contamination: outer gloves, suit, inner gloves, respirator, then inner gloves, with hand washing after.

Job hazard analysis

A method that breaks a task into steps, identifies hazards for each step, and defines controls before work begins. Results are communicated through briefings.