FIRST AID IN LAB ACCIDENTS

ACCIDENTS IN THE LABORATORY MAY HAVE VARIOUS CAUSES:

• Acids and alkalis: splashes on the skin or in the eyes, swallowing.
• Toxic substances.
• Heat: naked flames, hot liquids, flammable liquids, explosions.
• Injuries involving infectious material, electric shocks, etc.

FIRST AID EQUIPMENT:

• First-aid box
• Sodium carbonate, 5% solution
• Sodium bicarbonate, 2% solution
• Boric acid, saturated solution
• Acetic acid. 5% solution
• Cotton wool and gauze
• Mercurochrome and tincture of iodine.

FIRST-AID BOX:
The first aid box should contain the following;
• An instruction sheet giving general guidance
• Individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings in a variety of sizes
• Sterile eye-pads with bandages for attachment
• Triangular bandages
• Sterile dressings for serious wounds
• A selection of sterile unmedicated dressings for minor wounds
• Safety pins
• A bottle containing eye drops
• A first – aid manual

FIRST AID MEASURES:

1. Test plumbed eyewashes weekly; keep a log.

2. Remove chemical bottles from work area of Facilities personnel working in
laboratories.
3. Stock first aid kits with Band-Aids, 4X4 gauze, roller bandages and ace bandages
(no creams, ointments, etc.); report to Physician after first aid has been
administered.
4. For Bleeding and Wound Care . Wear clean gloves. Cover area with gauze (or
clean paper towels). Apply pressure to bleeding area -- have person sit or lie
down. If wound is large or person is dizzy or weak, shift to hospital to
Emergency Room.
5. Burns -- Heat/Chemical. Heat burns: -- run cool water over area for 5 minutes,
then report to SHS; if burn area is large, cover with a cool, wet cloth and contact
physician. Chemical burns (acid or alkaline) - flush with large amounts of cool
 running water for 15 minutes. For small area, report to SHS. For larger area or if
person is weak or dizzy, contact physician.
6. Eye Splash Chemical. Flush with lukewarm (body temperature) running water;
turn head side to side and have water run across both eyes. Flush eyes for at least
15 minutes before going for further treatment at SHS or Emergency Room.
7. Eye - Foreign Body (dust or metal, paint, wood chips). Cover or close eye. Report
to ophthalmologist.
8. DO NOT POUR ANY CHEMICALS DOWN SINK DRAINS OR SEWER
GRATES. Call the hospital personnel for a NO-CHARGE chemical waste pickup.

SUMMARY:
Accidents in the laboratory may have various causes: Acids and alkalis: splashes on the
skin or in the eyes, swallowing., Toxic substances, Heat: naked flames, hot liquids,
flammable liquids, explosions, Injuries involving infectious material, electric shocks, etc.
Look out for the various types of accidents involved and the various procedures that need
to be followed and always consult the required medical personnel. Do not pour any
chemicals down sink drains or sewer grates.

KEYWORDS: First aid, lab accidents, chemicals, log book, first aid box.

QUESTIONS:
1. What are the types of accidents encountered in laboratory?
2. What does the first aid equipment contain?
3. What are the contents of first aid box?

ANSWERS:
1. Acids and alkalis, Toxic substances, Heat, and Injuries involving infectious
material, electric shocks, etc.
2. First-aid box, Sodium carbonate, 5% solution, Sodium bicarbonate, 2% solution,
Boric acid, saturated solution, acetic acid. 5% solution, Cotton wool and gauze,
Mercurochrome and tincture of iodine.
3. The first aid box should contain the following;
• An instruction sheet giving general guidance
• Individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings in a variety of sizes
• Sterile eye-pads with bandages for attachment
• Triangular bandages
• Sterile dressings for serious wounds
• A selection of sterile unmedicated dressings for minor wounds
• Safety pins
• A bottle containing eye drops
• A first – aid manual