Module 6: Safety Officer and Hazardous Materials
Module 6
Safety Officer and Hazardous Materials
In this module, we look at the Safety Officer’s role in special EMS operations. In addition, we will look at hazardous materials briefly as they relate to special EMS operations and how they fit into EMS. Both topics are relevant to what is happening in today's world as the complexity and frequency of hazardous material calls are more commonplace, and the need for a safety officer in most of these incidents is important. The module, with the videos, reading, and assignments, will bring these two subjects to a new light.
Objectives
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Identify the safety officer’s place in the incident command system.
- Identify the major duties of the safety officer.
- Define hazard and risk as they relate to the safety officer’s role on the emergency scene.
- Discuss the concept of risk management and its place in the safety officer’s decision-making process.
- Describe settings in which hazardous material incidents may occur.
- Recognize indications that a hazardous material situation may exist.
- Discuss the use and limitations of shipping papers, material safety data sheets, and other sources of information about hazardous materials.
- Describe the different levels of hazardous material training.
- State the expected functions of an EMS manager functioning at a hazardous material incident scene.
- Identify patients who require decontamination prior to treatment.
- Differentiate among acute, subacute, and chronic effects of hazardous materials exposure.
- Recognize the effects of various categories of hazardous materials, including corrosives, pulmonary irritants, pesticides, asphyxiants, and hydrocarbons.
- Describe the integration of patient care with the need for safety and patient decontamination when responding to hazardous material incidents.
Readings Option 1
Complete the required readings below before moving on to start this module's learning activities.
Chapter 10
This chapter deals with the safety officer and their role at an incident scene, which is to be the eyes and ears of all and ensure a safe working environment. As you read the chapter, think of how you would serve in this role.
Chapter 11
This chapter provides a good overview of hazardous material incidents, and more importantly, it considers the role EMS plays at such an incident scene. Think about how you would fit into such an incident scene as you read through this chapter.
Lectures
Watch all the required videos before starting this module's learning activities. Use this layout for one lecture video.
Safety Officer
The video provides a good overview of the safety officer.
09:45
Hazardous Materials
You may have had training in hazmat and feel pretty comfortable. Watch the video and consider how you think your role in a HAZMAT situation may change now that you have seen some overall actions in a HAZMAT incident.
09:47
Learning Activities
Once you have read and watched all of this module's learning materials, you are ready to start working on the module assignment and discussion.
Module 6 Assignment
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your understanding of EMS knowledge, focusing on hazardous materials, safety officer roles, and operational importance.
Module 6 Discussion
In this assignment, you will complete a job description for a safety officer. Creating such a document will help reinforce your understanding and knowledge of who a safety officer is and what they do.
Next Steps
To complete the learning activities for this module, select the next button below or the complete activity button above for the module assignment and discussion.