OFA Environmental & Toxicological Emergencies Flashcards

A worker is found unresponsive in a confined space with suspected toxic gas exposure. What is the FIRST action of the OFA responder?

Answer: Ensure your own safety and call for confined space rescue — do not enter without proper equipment

Entering a confined space without proper equipment risks the responder becoming a second victim; trained confined space rescue must be activated.

What is the hallmark sign of heat stroke that distinguishes it from heat exhaustion?

Answer: Altered mental status (confusion, disorientation) and hot skin

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency characterized by a high body temperature and altered mental status, requiring immediate aggressive cooling.

A worker develops muscle cramps, heavy sweating, and weakness after working in extreme heat. This presentation is consistent with:

Answer: Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion presents with heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, and cool clammy skin but normal or near-normal mental status.

How should an OFA responder manage a conscious worker suffering from heat exhaustion?

Answer: Move to a cool area, remove excess clothing, give cool fluids if alert, apply cool wet cloths

Moving to a cool environment, hydrating with cool fluids, and applying cool cloths helps reverse heat exhaustion before it progresses to heat stroke.

Which environmental condition poses the GREATEST risk for hypothermia in an outdoor workplace?

Answer: Cold temperature combined with wet clothing and wind

Wet clothing combined with cold temperatures and wind dramatically accelerates heat loss, creating conditions for rapid onset hypothermia.

A worker with severe hypothermia is found outdoors. Which action should the OFA responder avoid?

Answer: Vigorous rubbing of the extremities to generate heat

Vigorous rubbing can cause cold blood from extremities to rush to the core and trigger fatal cardiac arrhythmias in severely hypothermic patients.