A) Electric Shock
Switch off electrical supply or wear rubber gloves and remove any possible live conductor by means of an insulated rod.
Check for breathing. If breathing is feeble or has stopped, obtain immediate medical attention and if possible apply artificial respiration.

B) Chemicals

Acid or Alkali in Eyes
Irrigate thoroughly with solution from eye-wash bottle or, if this is not immediately available to hand, cold water from eye wash. Obtain medical attention immediately.

Extensive Splashing with Acid or Alkali
Douse with water (use a shower if one is nearby) remove affected clothing. Obtain immediate medical attention. Obtain immediate medical treatment for ALL eye injuries and ALL cases of skin contamination.

Thermal Burns
Apply cold water to affected area, dry carefully, cover with dry dressing and seek medical assistance. Severely burned person should be kept warm until medical assistance arrives.
Safety Showers, Eye Baths and First Aid Boxes
These are located at appropriate laboratories as well as in Workshops. Please take note of their exact locations and operation procedures

Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)
Concentrated aqueous solutions applied to the skin cause pain but more dilute solutions (0.03%) may give no warning of injury on first contact.
If the solution is not promptly removed the fluoride ion can penetrate the skin and destroy the deeper tissues causing severe pain after the lapse of several hours and subsequent deep ulceration.

Treatment, if contamination is suspected, must be immediate. Copious washing of the affected area of skin with removal of contaminated clothing should be instituted.

Magnesium oxide paste which is available in the First Aid Boxes serving laboratories in which HF is used, should then be applied to the area and the patient taken to the University Health Centre.

Ampoules of calcium gluconate for injection around and below the affected area are kept in the selected First Aid Box and should be taken to the hospital with the patient.

Laboratory workers initiating research with HF should equip their First Aid Boxes as described above.


Poisoning

Poisoning-conscious patient

Administer antidote if readily available Immediately

Call for medical assistance stating, if possible, cause of poisoning.

Make the patient drink copious quantities of water, and, if the poison if not corrosive, induce vomiting by supplying salt water or by physical means.

Poisoning-Unconscious patient

Drag patient to fresh air LAY FACE DOWN, head on one side unsupported, mouth open.

Call for medical assistance.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GIVE ANYTHING BY MOUTH TO AN UNCONSCIOUS PATIENT

Cyanide

The cyanide ion (CN-) when absorbed into the blood stream effectively prevents cells from using oxygen carried to them. Rapid absorption takes place through the lungs and even with heavy skin contamination, death has occurred in as short a time as 15 seconds. Ingestion by mouth is rarely encountered. Immediate treatment, therefore, is necessary.

SUMMON A DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NEVER WALK PATIENT ABOUT IF PATIENT IS CONSCIOUS:

1. Remove him to fresh air and lay him down. Keep him at rest.

2. Remove all splashed clothing and wash off cyanide splashes on the skin with copious use of water.

3. Send for the oxygen apparatus for use if needed.

4. Keep the patient under close observation and if he shows any signs of losing consciousness, continue treatment as for an unconscious patient.

IF PATIENT IS UNCONSCIOUS:

1. Remove him to fresh air, lay him down, break capsule of amyl nitrite into a handkerchief and let him inhale. Use a fresh capsule every three minutes up to 3 capsules or until the doctor arrives.

2. Remove all splashed clothing and wash off cyanide splashes on the skin with copious use of water.

3. Wrap patient in blankets and keep him warm.

4. Administer artificial respiration using a bulb respirator if breathing has ceased or is shallow and continue without interruption until breathing is restored or instructed otherwise by doctor Do not perform mouth to mouth resuscitation because cyanide is present in the breath of the patient.

5. Administer oxygen as soon as it is available.
There should be readily available for the doctor on arrival two special antidotes which require intravenous injection:

a. 10cc of solution of 3% sodium nitrite and 50cc of a 50% solution of sodium thiosulphate.

b. 20cc ampoule of cobalt EDTA (trade name KELOCYANOR).

Both have a shelf life which must on no account be exceeded. They
should be kept in the laboratories where cyanide is being used.

It is important to note that the compounds described in this section are examples only, many other compounds have similar known and published toxic effects. Ail workers must check in the literature before using a chemical new to them to ascertain whether it is toxic and if so to ascertain the correct emergency treatment. Manufactured chemicals usually but not always have a clear indication on the label of their associated hazards.

Phenol

Phenol is corrosive locally but is rapidly absorbed through the skin into the blood stream and produces acute systemic illness. Death has occurred after immersion of both legs for a matter of minutes due to such absorption. An oral dose of one gram may be lethal. Repeated exposure to small amounts over a long period may produce chronic poisoning. The First Aid treatment should be immediate with copious washing and removal of contaminated clothing. Medical supervision must be sought in every case.

Reminder
Every week check and maintain the emergency eye wash and emergency shower. Repair if necessary. Keep weekly record of inspection on the card provided.

Check and replenish the contents in the first aid box regularly.