When we talk about hazardous materials, this can include items that you might be working with in the lab or just materials you interact with on a daily basis. Regardless of how you may encounter a hazardous material, it's important to know what to do when such an incident occurs. Here we outline immediate actions to be taken in the event of a hazardous material incident, specifically focusing on reporting procedures and personal decontamination protocols.
Emergency Actions
It is critical that when encountering hazardous materials, you act calmly and swiftly. Following these critical steps will aid in ensuring the best possible outcome.
Regardless of the type of release or exposure, always:
- Call Public Safety at 312.808.6363
- Provide the following information
- Name
- Location
- Hazardous materials involved
- If anyone has been injured
- If a hazardous material has been ingested, contact Poison Control immediately, at 1.800.222.1222
- Follow Public Safety instructions
- You may be directed to shelter-in-place or evacuate
- Alert others within the area of the incident and stay clear of the area
- Contact the instructor and/or direct supervisor of the incident
Outlined below are the specific steps to be taken based on how one may be exposed to hazardous materials while on campus.
Exposure to Hazardous Materials
Regardless of how you may be exposed to hazardous material, always contact Public Safety as soon as possible at 312.808.6363.- Remove all contaminated clothing
- Time is critical—do not hesitate due to modesty.
- When removing pull-over shirts or sweaters, take care to avoid eye contamination.
- Immediately flush the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes.
- For larger exposures, use a safety shower.
- For flammable solids on the skin, first brush off as much of the solid as possible.
- Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to determine if delayed effects may occur.
- Discard contaminated clothing or launder it separately from other clothing.
- Leather garments or accessories cannot be decontaminated and should be discarded.
- Do not use solvents to wash skin, as they can strip away natural protective oils, potentially causing irritation, inflammation, or facilitating the absorption of toxic chemicals.
- Immediately flush the affected eye(s) with water for at least 15 minutes.
- Hold eyelids away from the eyeball and rotate the eyes to ensure thorough washing.
- Use an eye wash station if available, allowing your hands to remain free to hold the eyelids open. If no eye wash station is available, pour water gently over the eye, rinsing from the nose outward to prevent contamination of the other eye.
- Remove contact lenses immediately while rinsing. Do not delay rinsing to remove contact lenses, and do not attempt to reinsert them after rinsing.
- Seek medical attention regardless of the severity or lack of symptoms. Clearly explain the chemicals involved.
- Contact Public Safety at 312.808.6363.
- Close doors and containers.
- Open windows, increase ventilation and move to fresh air immediately.
- Review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for information on potential health effects, including delayed reactions.
- Contact Poison Control immediately, at 1.800.222.1222.
- Following contacting poison control, contact Public Safety at 312.808.6363.
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a healthcare professional.
- Wait for emergency services to arrive.