A chemical spill or exposure is a serious emergency. The effects may not be immediately apparent, but chemical contact can cause severe burns, blindness, poisoning, fire and other possible lethal effects.
People should know how to handle a chemical emergency which could occur at home or at work. Pay attention to workplace training in chemical safety. Read labels and follow instructions for storage and handling of household and garden chemicals.
Here are some chemical safety basics:
• Do not handle any workplace chemical unless trained and equipped to do so safely.
• Read labels, which will explain the hazards and what to do in an emergency.
• Study the Safety Data Sheet for each workplace chemical. There will be details about the hazards, safe handling, storage, protective equipment and emergency response.
• Wear the recommended Personal Protective Equipment, which may include goggles, faceshield, gloves and boots made of chemical-resistant material, an apron and a specific type of respirator.
• Know where to find materials to clean up a spill, if trained and authorized to do so. Special absorbent materials are designed to soak up spills so they can be safely discarded or recycled.
• If a hazardous chemical splashes onto skin, quickly get to the safety shower in the work area and rinse for 20 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing while in the stream of water.
• For a chemical splash in the eye, use a safety eyewash for 20 minutes, holding the eye open. If the incident occurs at home or anywhere away from these workplace emergency facilities, improvise with any clean water source.
• Brush away dry chemical particles before rinsing.
• For chemical inhalation, get to fresh air immediately.
• In all chemical exposure incidents, call for medical help immediately.
• To prevent a chemical fire, observe all storage and handling instructions. Some chemicals should be stored away from ignition sources and oxygen. Some must be handled gently to prevent an explosion.
• If a fire breaks out, use an extinguisher of the correct type if able to handle the fire and get out safely. Have someone call the fire department or facility fire squad immediately.
• At home, store chemicals in a secure area out of reach of children. Keep them in original containers with labels. Get in the habit of reading labels even before using familiar chemicals and following instructions to the letter.
Be prepared to handle a chemical emergency at work, home or elsewhere. Good training and quick thinking can prevent chemical release or exposure incidents from escalating into serious injury incidents.
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