There are several different ways to protect yourself from exposure to hazardous chemicals.
  • Personal Protective Equipment includes gloves, glasses, gowns, masks, etc. to prevent chemicals from contacting your skin
  • Engineering controls reduce exposure to chemicals through the use of machinery or equipment, such as tongs, and brushes and dustpans
  • Work controls involve the use of procedure-related techniques that reduce your exposure to chemicals, such as monitoring the temperature of volatile chemicals.
The MSDS will usually describe the types of protection that are required. 

If you are exposed (e.g., by spill, splash, inhalation, etc.) to a hazardous chemical, immediately do the following:
  • Cease the procedure as soon as it is safe or practical to do so.
  • First aid:
    • Inhalation - Get fresh air
    • Ingestion- Rinse mouth out thoroughly
    • Skin - Wash with soap and water
    • Eye - Flush 15 minutes with tap water. Eye-wash stations are located in Acute Care, X-ray and the Lab.
  • Consult the MSDS in the HCP notebook in your work area to review additional specific first-aid procedures.
  • Report the incident immediately to your supervisor, the Medical Director or the Infection Control Coordinator.
  • Obtain medical counseling from the Medical Director regarding lab testing and treatment.

More detailed first aid information will be found in the MSDS, as well as in the HCP notebook in your work area. 

Test Question 
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First aid for exposure to a hazardous chemical includes: