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.
[collapse title=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
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[collapse title=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).
[collapsed title=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
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[collapsed title=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.
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- 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.
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[collapse title=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.
[collapsed title=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
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[collapsed title=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
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- 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.
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