Laboratory Emergency and First Aid (Module 8)

A. Wounds (Small Cuts, Significant Bleeding & Burns) 1.Small cuts and scratches Cleanse area with soap and water. Place a clean dressing over the wound.

2. Significant bleeding Call 119 IMMEDIATELY. Calm and reassure the victim. Lay the victim down. This will reduce the chance of fainting.

DO NOT remove any objects impaled in the victim. Put direct pressure on the wound with a sterile bandage or clean cloth. If direct pressure does not control the bleeding, elevate the wound above the heart if possible.

If bleeding is severe elevate the victims legs about 12 inches, and cover the victim with a blanket. DO NOT APPLY TOURNIQUET.

3. Thermal Burns First degree burns (e.g., sunburn or mild steam burn) are characterized by pain, redness and swelling.

First Aid procedures for first degree burns are as follows: Run cool water over the area of the burn or soak it in cool water for at least 5 minutes. Cover the burn with a sterile bandage or clean cloth. DO NOT APPLY ANY OINTMENTS, SPRAYS OR SALVES.

Second and third degree burns are characterized by red or mottled skin with blisters (second degree), white or charred skin (third degree).

First aid procedures for second and third degree burns : If the victim is on fire put the fire out. Call 119 Do not remove any burnt clothing unless it comes off easily. Cover burns with dry sterile or clean bandaging. DO NOT APPLY ANY OINTMENTS, SPRAYS OR SALVES.

4. Chemical Burns If hazardous chemicals should come into contact with the skin or eyes, follow the first aid procedures below. DO NOT become a victim, wear gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself if you are attempting to assist someone covered in chemical(s).

Skin Remove victim's clothes – don't let modesty stand in the way. Remove victim's shoes – chemicals may collect in the shoes.

Rinse the area with large quantities of water for at least 15 minutes (sink, shower or hose). DO NOT apply burn ointments/spray to affected areas. Cover with dry clean or sterile material.

Eyes Eyelids have to be forcibly opened to ensure effective washing behind the eyelid. Be sure to wash from the nose out to the ear, this will avoid washing chemicals back into the eye or into an unaffected eye.

Flood eyes and eyelids with water/eye solution for a minimum of 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses as soon as possible to rinse eyes of any harmful chemicals. Cover both of the victim's eyes with a clean or sterile gauze.

C. Inhalation of Chemicals Evacuate the area and move the victim into fresh air. If the victim is not breathing, perform CPR until the rescue squad arrives.

Be careful to avoid exposure to chemical poisoning via mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If available, use a mouth-to-mask resuscitator.

If breathing, loosen victim's clothing and maintain the airway. Lay victim flat on their back. Place one hand under their neck and lift.

With the heel of other hand on victim's forehead, rotate or tilt head backward into maximum extension. If additional airway opening is required, it can be achieved by thrusting the lower jaw into a jutting-out position. Treat for chemical burns of the eyes and skin.

D. First Aid Kits First aid kits should be standard equipment in every laboratory. A typical model for laboratories includes a variety of items specially selected to carry out emergency treatment of cuts, burns, eye injuries, or sudden illness.

The first aid kit should contain individually sealed packages for each type of item. Contents of the kit should be checked weekly to ensure that expended items are replaced.

Laboratory supervisors are responsible for maintaining the contents of the first aid kit. No oral medication should be dispensed from the first aid kit.

Chemical Spills 1.Acid Spills Apply neutralizer (or sodium bicarbonate) to perimeter of spill. Mix thoroughly until fizzing and evolution of gas ceases.

NOTE: It may be necessary to add water to the mixture to complete the reaction. Neutralizer has a tendency to absorb acid before fully neutralizing it.

Check mixture with Congo Red indicator paper. The red color indicates that the acid has been neutralized. Transfer the mixture to a plastic bag, tie shut, fill out a waste label, and place in a fume hood.

2. Solvent Spills Apply activated charcoal to the perimeter of the spill. Mix thoroughly until material is dry and no evidence of solvent remains. Transfer absorbed solvent to a plastic bag, tie shut, fill out and attach a waste label, and place in a fume hood.

3. Mercury Spills Dampen the mercury sponge with water, then wipe the contaminated area. Do this procedure slowly to allow for complete absorption of all free mercury. A silvery surface will form on the sponge. Place the contaminated sponge in its plastic bag, tie shut, fill out and attach a waste label, and place in a fume hood.

G. Radioactive Material Spills Spills of the quantities of radioactive materials present in most of the laboratories at the University present little or no immediate external exposure hazard.

Of far greater concern is the possibility of internal and external contamination of personnel and the spread of radioactive materials into uncontrolled areas. Immediate actions should be aimed at preventing the spread of radioactive contamination unless injured personnel require immediate first aid or high external radiation levels are present.

Every laboratory should be equipped with an emergency response card. This card supplies the phone numbers of emergency response personnel at OEHS. Emergency help will be provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. OEHS staff will also provide assistance in decontamination and monitoring upon request.

1. Radioactive spills with negligible external exposure hazard: Confine the spill to the smallest area possible by use of paper towels or other absorbent materials. Spilled materials should be prevented from going down drains if possible.

Notify OEHS of circumstances and actions taken. The clothing, shoes, and skin of persons in the room at the time of the spill may be contaminated.

Potentially contaminated persons should remain near the scene until they are surveyed for contamination by the OEHS staff, or by laboratory personnel if OEHS aid has not been requested. Put on protective clothing, including at least gloves and a lab coat and clean up spill.

2. Radioactive spills with significant external exposure hazard: Confine the spill to the smallest area possible by use of paper towels or other absorbent materials. Spilled materials should be prevented from going down drains if possible.

Ventilation, drafts, or air currents should be controlled to prevent the spread of airborne contamination. Notify all personnel in the area of the spill. Control access to all areas where the exposure rate is greater than 2mR/hour. Insure that no one enters the secured area without a dosimetry device (radiation badge or pocket dosimeter).

Notify OEHS of the circumstances of the spill and request assistance in planning decontamination procedures. The clothing, shoes, and skin of persons in the room at the time of the spill may be contaminated. Potentially contaminated persons should remain near the scene until they are surveyed for contamination by OEHS.

Put on protective clothing and begin decontamination and cleanup procedures.

H. Fire Safety 1. Written Plan Laboratory supervisors should think about what they would do in the event of a fire.

The following elements should be included in the plan: Emergency escape procedures and routes. Procedures that should be followed by individuals who remain to operate critical lab operations before they evacuate.

Procedures to account for laboratory personnel after an evacuation. Means of reporting fires and other emergencies. Written plan should be kept in the lab and reviewed with new employees and students.

Laboratory supervisors should review the Emergency Action Plan with employees/students.

2. Building or Laboratory Fires Small fires (Extinguishable within minutes) Cover fire with an inverted beaker or wet paper towels. If this fails to extinguish the fire, use a fire extinguisher.

To use fire extinguisher: Think P-A-S-S P - pull the pin A - aim the hose at the base of the fire S - squeeze the handle S - sweep the hose back and forth

3. Large fires REMAIN CALM. Activate manual pull alarm. Call 119. Close the door behind you as you exit the room on your way out of the building. Evacuate by the stairwell, NOT the elevator, assist the injured. Exit building as quickly as possible.

4. Individual on Fire Rescuer should have victim: STOP ---- DROP ---- ROLL Fire blankets should not be used to extinguish flames. Call 119.