Emergency Procedures for Incidents Involving Chemicals

Where exposure monitoring reveals an exposure level routinely above the action level (or in the absence of an action level, the PEL) for an OSHA regulated substance for which there are exposure monitoring and medical surveillance requirements, medical surveillance must be established for the affected worker(s) as prescribed by the particular standard. In some instances, may be necessary to perform personnel exposure monitoring when administrative controls, engineering controls, and PPE may not be sufficient for adequate protection from exposure to a hazardous chemical.    This can occur when chemical exposure levels approach or exceed OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and/or ACGIH’s Threshold Limit Value (TLV).  This is usually indicated when engineering controls, such as a chemical fume hood, cannot be used for procedures.    

If any research  lab is working with one of the federally regulated substances listed below, please contact labsafety@uky.edu so exposure monitoring, ventilation, and any other regulatory requirements, and/or other concerns can be documented and addressed.  

Arsenic 

Asbestos 

Asphalt fumes 

Benzene 

Beryllium 

1-Bromopropane 

1,3-Butadiene 

Cadmium 

Chromium 

Diacetyl 

Diesel exhaust 

Ethylene oxide 

Immediate flushing with water is a critical step to response of a chemical splash to eyes or skin. In general, chemical splashes require at least 15 minutes of flushing before a victim can proceed to emergency medical treatment. Knowing the location and how to properly use safety equipment such as eye washes and safety showers is the first step in emergency preparedness. 

Using an Eyewash 

1. Flush with tepid water or eye solution from the inside edges of the eyes to the outside; this will help to avoid washing the chemicals back into the eyes or into an unaffected eye. 

2. Water or eye solution should NOT be directly aimed onto the eyeball but aimed at the base of the nose. 

3. Flush eyes and eyelids with water or eye solution for a minimum of 15 minutes. “Roll” eyes around to ensure full rinsing. 

4. Immediately seek medical attention. 

Using a Safety Shower 

1. Stand directly under the shower head. 

2. Pull handle to activate shower. 

3. Wash with tepid water for a minimum of 15 minutes. 

4. To turn off the shower push the handle up. 

Work environments with specific potential health hazards with known recommended immediate first aid beyond what is available in most first aid kits, shall be equipped with any known, and accessible immediate first-aid treatment needed for dermal exposures and lab personnel trained (with documentation maintained in the lab specific CHP) on its applicable use and location. 

 Two common examples of these types of chemical-specific first aid treatments are :  

• Calcium gluconate gel for treatment of dermal exposure to Hydrofluoric acid.  
• A 50% solution of PEG-300/400 for treatment of dermal exposure to phenol.   

If the laboratory stores and/or utilizes a hazardous chemical with a known dermal first aid product: 

1. The product shall be mentioned on a documented lab SOP for the procedures with the chemical. 

2. The product shall be made available and  maintained in a lab first aid kit in a location known to all lab personnel, regularly checked, and replaced when expired. 

3. Lab personnel shall be trained on location and proper use of chemical first aid.  This training shall be documented and maintained in the lab specific CHP.