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First Aid For Exposure To Chemicals


CONTENTS Emergency First Aid First Aid Procedure - Inhalation First Aid Procedure - Eye Contact First Aid Procedure - Skin Contact First Aid Procedure - Ingestion

Emergency First Aid The general first aid procedures below are merely for guidance, they are not meant as a replacement to certified first aid training. Specialised or unusual treatments may be necessary for some substances e.g. hydrofluoric acid burns, cyanide poisoning. First Aid may be required for situations where there has been exposure to a chemical via: Inhalation Skin contact Eye contact Ingestion (poisoning)

Care should be taken to prevent additional people from becoming casualties. You will be unable to assist if you also become a casualty. REMEMBER the D R A B C D Action Plan, when confronted or approaching an accident or emergency situation. D R A B Danger Response Airway Breathing Check for danger to yourself and others. Ascertain the cause of the accident or problem. Check for a response from the casualty by touching on the shoulders and talking loudly. If the casualty is unconscious, call for help. Check that the casualtys airway is open. Gently tilt their head back and lower their chin. Remove any foreign bodies from their airway. Look to see if the casualtys chest rises. Listen for the sound of breathing. Feel for air rising against your cheek. If the casualty is not breathing, have someone call 000 for an ambulance and send someone for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), if available. If the casualty is unconscious and there are no signs of breathing commence CPR immediately only if appropriately trained or under the instruction of an appropriately trained person. If an AED is available, commence defibrillation as soon as the AED arrives at the scene.

Compressions

Defibrillation

The first priority of the action plan, i.e. Danger, is particularly important in chemical accidents. This is because medical emergencies in laboratories may be the result of hazards that are not easily detected, such as asphyxiants, nerve agents and poisons. Do Not Become A Casualty! It may be necessary to ask others (fellow workers, supervisor etc.) what the casualty was doing before you rush into the laboratory to help them.

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Teams trained in the use of self-contained breathing apparatus are present in relevant Budget Units. They can assist in the retrieval of a casualty from an environment where there is a compromised, or potentially compromised, atmosphere. First Aid Procedure - Inhalation 1) Commence DRABCD procedure. 2) If safe to do so, remove the casualty into fresh air. 3) Call the Poisons Information Centre for advice on 13 11 26. 4) Tell the casualty to avoid physical exercise (even if they are not experiencing any symptoms). 5) Transportation to hospital may be required (by ambulance, if necessary). The Safety Data Sheet for any chemicals that were inhaled should be provided to any attending paramedics, and accompany the casualty to hospital. 6) In many cases oxygen therapy may be of benefit to the casualty. This should only be administered by appropriately trained and certified persons. 7) If a first aider is required to breathe for an unconscious casualty during the application of CPR, a facemask should always be used. This provides a barrier and aids in preventing the inhalation or absorption of hazardous chemicals (as well as the transfer of communicable diseases). 8) The symptoms of a chemical exposure should be treated as appropriate, giving consideration to the product label, the Safety Data Sheet and any formal first aid instructions. 9) Inhalation of certain chemicals can result in the onset of delayed pulmonary oedema. These chemicals should be identified during the risk assessment stage. Anyone with the potential for exposure via inhalation, and local area first aid attendants, should be made aware of the need to obtain medical attention immediately. First Aid Procedure - Eye Contact 1) Commence DRABCD procedure. 2) Irrigate with copious quantities of cool running water, for at least 20 minutes. The eyelid of any affected eye should be lifted up and the area beneath the eyelid irrigated as well. 3) Seek medical treatment immediately. First Aid Procedure - Skin Contact 1) Commence DRABCD procedure. 2) Remove contaminated clothing and footwear. Care should be taken not to affect unexposed areas of the casualty, or yourself. 3) Wash the affected areas with running water. The length of time that affected areas should be washed will vary depending upon the chemical, its hazards and characteristics. If unsure, wash the affected area for at least 20 minutes. 4) Do not attempt to pick off any solid chemical contaminants that are attached to the skin. 5) Cover the affected area with a sterile, non-stick dressing. 6) If necessary, seek emergency medical treatment. 7) Remember that certain chemicals, such as hydrofluoric acid, have specific treatments associated with their exposure. Anyone who may be potentially exposed to a chemical requiring specific treatment, and local area first aid attendants, should be made aware of the specific treatments prior to the use of the chemical. First Aid Procedure - Ingestion 1) Commence DRABCD procedure. 2) Care should be taken to avoid contact with any chemical, especially if CPR is required. 3) Contact the Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 for advice.

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DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING OR USE SYRUP OF IPECAC UNLESS ADVISED TO DO SO BY THE POISONS INFORMATION CENTRE. 4) Transfer casualty to hospital by ambulance. Ensure that a copy of the relevant Safety Data Sheet is provided to the attending paramedics and accompanies the casualty to the hospital.

It is recommended that all personnel handling hazardous chemicals possess current first aid certification and have access to relevant first aid instructions for use during an emergency

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