First aid measures

Oxygen inhalators are used as a first-aid measure for a long Hst of emergencies, including heart attacks and suffocation, and as a result are carried routinely by rescue squads. Oxygen—helium mixtures have proved beneficial in asthmatic attacks, because these permit more rapid flow of gas into congested areas of the respiratory system. 

Table 9.9 First aid measures following exposure to a compressed gas...

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 ... 

Train staff in appropriate first-aid measures ineluding how to seek immediate medieal assistanee. 

Explain why first aid measures should be included on an MSDS. 

Check for leaks with soap solution, aqueous ammonia or colour indicator tubes. First aid measures include those in Table 8.7. 

First-aid measures for people exposed to nitrogen dioxide are mentioned in Chapter 9. In any event, containment, ventilation and/or appropriate respiratory protection should be considered depending upon scale of operation and level of exposure. 

Colorimetry, See Analytical techniques Combustion chemistry, 40 products, 41, 42, 502 spontaueous, 18, 41, 43, 214, 216 Communicatious, 427, 428 Compound specific analyzers, 311 Compressed gases colour coding, 271 construction materials, 266 first aid measures, 280 hazards, 265 precautions, 272, 403... 

Legal Controls. These include a labeling law requiring all economic poisons to be clearly labeled according to content and amount of each ingredient, with appropriate statements on first aid measures and precautions and an adequate system of inspection for the presence of poisonous residues on the surface of, or within, the foods placed on the market. It is recommended also that the states adopt legislation consistent with the federal laws. 

First aid measures Investigate all complaints In the case of injury, obtain medical attention rapidly... 

Heat stroke is much more serious it is an immediate life-threatening situation. The characteristics of heat stroke are a high body temperature (which may reach 106° F or more) a rapid pulse hot, dry skin and a blocked sweating mechanism. Victims of this condition may be unconscious, and first-aid measures should be directed at quickly cooling the body. The victim should be placed in a tub of cold water or repeatedly sponged with cool water until his or her temperature is sufficiently lowered. Fans or air conditioners will also help with the cooling process. Care should be taken, however, not to over-chill the victim once the temperature is below 102° F. 

Information on hazards is available from various sources. Chemical manufacturers produce hazard data sheets for their products and some of the major companies produce comprehensive databases. Each data sheet contains information on the physical description of the compound, stability, hazards, first aid measures, storage, transport and disposal requirements. 

Conning DM, Hayes MJ. 1970. The dermal toxicity of phenol An investigation of the most effective first-aid measures. Br J Ind Med 27 155-159. 

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