Handbook-Safety Practices

52 EMERGENCY AND FIRST-AID PROCEDURES First aid is immediate, temporary treatment given in the event of accident or illness. Immediate first aid (within four minutes) may be the difference between complete recovery, permanent impairment, or death. INHALATION – Workers with symptoms of exposure to fumes and gases should go to an uncontaminated area and inhale fresh air or oxygen. If unconscious, immediately remove to an uncontaminated area and call a physician. Administer oxygen by mask if the person is breathing. If breathing has stopped, administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), preferably with simultaneous administration of oxygen. Keep the victim warm and at rest. EYE - Contact lenses, if worn, should be removed. Irrigate the eyes immediately with large amounts of water for 15 minutes. Occasionally hold the eyelids apart to insure complete irrigation. Apply a dry protective dressing. Call for emergency medical assistance. Don’t remove dust from the eyes yourself. Get medical assistance. For arc welding ”Flash burns” cover the eye with cold (preferably iced) compresses for 5 to 10 minutes; then repeat. Apply a dry protective dressing. Call for emergency medical assistance. Don’t rub the eye. Don’t use ointments or drops unless prescribed by a physician. SKIN – For skin contact with irritants, flush the areas with large amounts of water, and then wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. If mucous membranes are irritated, flush with water. Wash cuts and scrapes with mild soap and water. Avoid contamination. Apply a dry sterile dressing. For thermal burns, cold water is an effective first aid measure. If skin is not broken, immerse burn part in clean cold water or apply clean ice to relieve pain. Do not disturb or open blisters. Prevent contamination. Bandage loosely with a clean dry dressing. Call for emergency medical assistance. ELECTRICAL SHOCK AND ELECTRICAL BURNS – Disconnect and turn off power. Remove victim from contact. Use nonconducting materials if the rescuer must resort to pulling the victim from the live contact. Rescuers must first protect themselves by use of insulated materials such as gloves. If the victim is not breathing, administer CPR as soon as contact is broken. Call for emergency medical assistance. Continue CPR until spontaneous breathing has been restored or until a physician arrives. Administer oxygen. Keep comfortably warm. Keep horizontal until there is no further evidence of shock. Treat electrical burns as thermal burns. For electrical burns apply clean, cold (iced) compresses. Prevent contamination. Cover with a clean dry dressing. Call for emergency medical assistance.