Chemical Exposures

In any chemical exposure, it is the responsibility of the person nearest to the victim to become the “Helper” and come to the aid of the exposure victim.

Respiratory Exposures

Move victim to fresh air,
Do not leave victim alone
Remember to take a cell phone with you if you taking the victim out of the immediate area to get fresh air
Tell someone in the lab where you are going

Skin Exposures

In the case of skin exposures it may be necessary for the victim to strip down to bare skin. In such an event, a person of the same gender must be found to stay with the victim while everyone else leaves the lab (and keeps other people away from the lab windows).

Victim

SHOUT for Help
Rinse for 15 minutes in tepid, NOT hot, water
If skin exposures involve a body part that cannot be rinsed under a faucet an emergency shower must be used
Remove clothing on the way to the shower
Shower for 15 minutes in tepid, NOT hot, water
Use soap to help remove non water soluble materials
Do not re-don contaminated clothing

Helper

Help victim into shower
Call GT Police at 404-894-2500 for help
If you are not the same gender as the victim, find someone who is to take your place
Check the clock - the victim must remain in the shower for 15 minutes
Bring the victim hand soap to help remove oily/ non water soluble materials
Bring the victim a towel (Note: GT EHS can provide)
Bring victim something to wear (extra clothes, clean lab coat, clean room garment (Note: GT EHS can provide)
Find out if the victim knows what he/she was splashed with and print out 4 copies of the SDS: one goes to victim, one goes to the paramedics, one goes to the GT Police, one to EHS.
If the victim is going to the hospital, make sure they have their ID, wallet/purse, cell phone, and copy of the emergency procedures (take it down off the wall) for billing information.
The victim must be transported by ambulance to the hospital, they may not drive themselves, neither may a helper take them.
Inform the victim’s supervisor so that a First Report of Injury can be filed.

The need for medical follow up in cases of skin exposure is determined on a case by case basis.
When medical follow up is needed, GT EHS recommends that all chemical exposure cases go to Grady Hospital to ensure proper care.

Eye Splash

In the event of an eye splash, it is particularly important that the nearest person to the victim goes to their aid - they may be blinded and unable to find the eyewash by themselves.

Victim

Shout for help
Hold your eyelids open with your fingers as you rinse your eyes
Rinse for 15 minutes in TEPID water while moving your eyes up and down/back and forth to expose all areas of your eyes to the water
You MUST seek medical attention immediately afterwards

Helper

Call GT Police at 404-894-2500 for help
Watch the clock - victim must rinse eyes for 15 minutes
Coach victim to keep eyes pried open and to move eyes up and down and back and forth to work the water under the eyelids.
Find out if the victim knows what he/she was splashed with and print out 4 copies of the SDS: one goes to victim, one goes to the paramedics, one goes to the GT Police, one to EHS.
Before sending victim to the hospital, make sure they have their ID, wallet/purse, cell phone, and copy of the emergency procedures (take it down off the wall) for billing information

Eye splashes require immediate medical follow up. GT EHS recommends that all chemical exposure cases go to Grady Hospital to ensure proper care.
Chemical exposure victims must be transported by ambulance to the hospital, they may not drive themselves; neither may a helper take them.

Georgia Institute of Technology