Eyes, first aid

Inhalation First aid eyes First aid skin First aid inhalation... 

If caustic soda should come in contact with the eyes, they should be flooded immediately and for at least 15 min, keeping the eyeflds apart. If caustic comes in contact with skin or clothing, washing with water must be started immediately to prevent a chemical bum. The reader is advised to consult all the safety and first-aid techniques before handling (79). 

PPO and EOPO copolymers are low hazard—low vapor pressure hquids. Contact with skin, eyes, or inhalation cause irritation. There are no known acute or chronic affects associated with polyols. First aid for contact with polyols involves washing the affected area with water. The flash point of PPO is greater than 93°C. 

Repeated exposure of skin to Hquid tetrachloroethylene may defat the skin causing dermatitis. When frequent or prolonged contact is likely, gloves of Viton, nitrile mbber, or neoprene should be used, discarding them when they begin to deteriorate. Tetrachloroethylene can cause significant discomfort if splashed in the eyes. Although no serious injury results, it can cause transient, reversible corneal injury. If contact with skin or eyes occurs, foUow standard first-aid practices. 

First-aid measures inelude removal from the eontaminated atmosphere, rest and administration of pure oxygen. Skin or eyes in eontaet with liquid should be thoroughly irrigated. Medieal attention should be sought. Other speeial preeautions inelude ... 

If the contaminant is on the skin or in the eyes, immediate measures should be taken to remove it and counteract its effects. First-aid treatment usually involves flooding the affected area with clean water for at least 15 minutes. For a few chemicals, water may cause more serious problems [1]. The safety plan should anticipate and contain procedures for dealing with such possibilities. 

Since many chemical plants have severe health hazards, it is essential to provide medical facilities and first aid stations. In addition, showers and eye wash stations are necessary in certain hazardous areas. Also, guards and covers should be provided for all moving equipment. Ten of the key protective equipment are listed below. 

Field First Aid Remove victim(s) to an area of safety (away from the Hot Zone). Remember patients may contaminate you and/or other emergency responders if you fail to don proper personal protective equipment. Provide victims with emergency medical care as soon as possible. Unless otherwise recommended, remove victim(s) clothing, shoes, and personnel belongings for later return. If the victim was obviously in contact with infectious substance(s), flush skin and eyes for fifteen to twenty minutes. Route victim(s) to hospital for a physician s professional opinion. Ensure that hospital staff is fully aware of the medical situation and the poison or infectious substance that may be involved. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test (ELISA) is now approved for anthrax use in hospital laboratories. 

OSHA s 29 CFR 1910.151 (a), (b), and (c). Medical Services and First Aid Standard, requires employers to (1) ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of health (2) in the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid and adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available and (3) where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching of or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use. 

For concentrations below 10%, the evaporation of HF is reduced and direct contact with the liquid becomes the greatest risk. If HF is swallowed, it is advisable to drink lots of water, if possible with activated carbon added, in order to dilute the acid. Small amounts in the eye can cause intense irritation of the eyelids and slow ulceration of the conjunctivae. Large amounts in the eye cause immediate blindness. As first aid treatment the eyes should be irrigated immediately and copiously with clean water for a minimum of 15 min. Immediate medical care is mandatory after all the accidents mentioned above, even if no symptoms are apparent, because respiratory problems or other symptoms of poisoning can be delayed for hours after the incident has occurred. 

When using specific chemical concepts, we are now able to conceive effective practical answers so that really efficient first aid wash solutions can be available for victims of eye projections, in case of an emergency. 

There are several stakes in the management of first aid, depending on circumstances. The ideal is to be able to protect the eye by preventing any penetration of a corrosive agent. If action is taken after penetration has begun, the objective becomes to stop penetration and remove the chemical to be able to administer care according to the symptoms observed. 

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