2.6 – Personal Contamination and Injury

2.6.1 General Information

  • Know the locations of the nearest safety shower and eye wash fountain. Report all incidents and injuries to your supervisor.
  • If an individual is contaminated or exposed to a hazardous material in your laboratory do what is necessary to protect their life and health as well as your own. Determine what the individual was exposed to. The SDS will contain special first aid information.
  • Do not move an injured person unless they are in further danger (from inhalation or skin exposure).
  • A blanket should be used immediately to protect the victim from shock and exposure.
  • Get medical attention promptly by dialing 911.

2.6.2 Chemicals Spills on the Body

  • Quickly remove all contaminated clothing and footwear.
  • Immediately flood the affected body area in cool water for at least 15 minutes. Remove jewelry to facilitate removal of any residual material.
  • Wash off chemical with cool water only. Do not use neutralizing chemicals, unguents, creams, lotions or salves.
  • Get medical attention promptly.

It should be noted that some chemicals (phenol, aniline,) are rapidly adsorbed through the skin. If a large enough area of skin is contaminated an adverse health effect (systemic toxicological reaction) may occur immediately to several hours after initial exposure depending on the chemical. If more than 9 square inches of skin area has been exposed to a hazardous chemical, seek medical attention after washing the material off the skin. If the incident involves hydrofluoric acid (HF), seek immediate medical attention. Provide the physician with the chemical name.

2.6.2.1 – Hydrofluoric Acid Skin Exposure

If your lab uses even small amounts of Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) you should keep a tube of 2.5% Calcium Gluconate Gel close to your work area.

The application of this cream is the only known antidote for a skin exposure to HF acid.

Immediately apply a liberal amount of the cream by rubbing into the affected area. Seek immediate medical attention. HF skin exposures do not produce a pain or a burning sensation, you will not know if you have been exposed, so you must always pay attention when you are using it. The after affects may be extremely painful and sometimes fatal.

2.5% Calcium Gluconate Gel and HF SDS must accompany victim if being transported to a Medical Facility. EMS personnel must be notified that the cream has been applied!

2.6.3 – Chemical Splash in the Eye
  • Irrigate the eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with plenty of cool water for at least 15 minutes. Use eyewash or other water source. Forcibly hold eyelids open to ensure effective wash.
  • Check for and remove contact lenses.
  • Get medical attention promptly.
2.6.4 – Ingestion of Hazardous Chemicals
  • Identify the chemical ingested.
  • Call for an ambulance by dialing 911
  • To determine if any immediate treatment is appropriate or necessary the University of Connecticut Poison Control Center by dialing 1-800-222-1222.
  • Cover the injured person to prevent shock.
  • Provide the ambulance crew and physician with the chemical name and any other relevant information. If possible, send the container, SDS or the label with the victim.
2.6.5 – Inhalation of Smoke, Vapors and Fumes
  • Anyone overcome with smoke or chemical vapors or fumes should be removed to uncontaminated air and treated for shock.
  • Do not enter the area if you expect that a life threatening condition still exists – oxygen depletion, explosive vapors or highly toxic gases (cyanide gas, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide)
  • If CPR certified, follow standard CPR protocols.
  • Get medical attention promptly.
2.6.6 – Burning Chemicals on Clothing
  • Extinguish burning clothing by using the drop-and-roll technique deploying fire blankets or by dousing with cold water, or use an emergency shower if it is immediately available (become familiar with all emergency equipment locations within your lab and the building).
  • Remove contaminated clothing; however, avoid further damage to the burned area. If possible, send clothing with the victim.
  • Remove heat with cool water or ice packs until tissue around burn feels normal to the touch.
  • Cover injured person to prevent shock.
  • Get medical attention promptly.
2.6.7 – Actions to be Avoided During Emergencies

There are some actions, which must not be taken when handling emergencies. These include:

  • Do not force any liquids into the mouth of an unconscious person.
  • Do not handle emergencies alone, especially without notifying someone that the accidenthas occurred.
  • Do not linger at the accident scene if you are not one of the emergency responders.