4d. Procedures: First aid with chemicals.

OK, we’ve talked about what first aid is, first aid kits and how chemicals cause first aid events. Now it’s time to get practical. 

If a first aid event occurs, what should you do…

1. Be calm.
2. Ensure you are not in any danger. If you are in danger STOP. Do not risk your personal safety. You are no help if you become a patient.
3. Notify your supervisor or ask someone to get help.
4. If required, call the Poisons Information Service (24 hours) on 131126 or Emergency Services on 000 or a doctor. If you know the chemical that is involved, its Safety Data Sheet may be helpful and required.
5. Follow all instructions given to you by a qualified individual.
6. Complete an Accident Report Form after the event.

Before providing first aid to an injured or ill person…

• assume that you will be exposed to infection. 
• wash hands with soap and water or apply alcohol-based hand rub before and after administering first aid.
• wear personal protective equipment including disposable gloves to prevent contact with blood and body substances. Eye protection, a mask and protective clothing may also be necessary if splashes of blood or body substances are likely to occur.

When a first aid event happens, being familiar with the safety and first aid instructions on the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) of the chemicals in your workplace can be extremely helpful.

General first aid procedures

FOR ADVICE

Contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre. Section 4 on the safety data sheet will also be of assistance.

IF SWALLOWED

Always follow and refer first to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and label.

In most cases: Do not induce vomiting. Give a glass of water. Do not give water to an unconscious person.

Seek immediate medical attention.

In most cases you should NOT induce vomiting, you should give a glass of water. A swallowed chemical that burns on the way down will burn on the way up. Refer to SDS for specific treatment.

IF IN EYES

Always follow and refer first to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and label.

In most cases: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do so. Continue rinsing. Immediately call a Poison Info Centre or doctor.

IF INHALED

Always follow and refer first to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and label.

In most cases: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Immediately call a Poisons Info Centre or doctor. 

If a patient is not breathing, ensure airways are clear and commence CPR ( artificial resuscitation). Do not inhale the patient’s exhaled air. Call 000.

IF ON SKIN (or in hair)

Always follow and refer first to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and label.

In most cases: Remove/take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin or hair with cool running water/shower. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

IF SPILL OCCURS

Always follow and refer first to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and label.

Affected surfaces may become slippery, be aware and careful to avoid secondary accidents. If a flammable product is spilled, extinguish all fire ignition sources, naked flames and turn off any mechanical equipment.

Poisons Information Centre

If you require advice and a doctor is not immediately available you can call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

It is highly recommended that specialised and in-person first aid training be conducted for all staff and managers that use or come into contact with chemicals.

We should do all we can to prevent accidents but if they do occur we need to be ready. That’s what this part of ‘Safe Chemical Handling’ training is all about.

Now… onto the next section.