Failure to Remove Contaminated Clothing Exacerbates Chemical Burns

There have been a number of incidents, usually involving phenol, where laboratory workers spilled a chemical on their pants.  In all cases, the worker bypassed the safety shower and entered a restroom to remove the pants and rinse the leg.  In each case, the worker put the contaminated clothing back on and left the facility to rinse further.  All resulted in second degree burns that could have been avoided or minimized by removing the contaminated clothing and rinsing immediately using a safety shower.

Full body splashes are not a time for modesty.  Your first step should be removing all contaminated clothing while rinsing in a safety shower.  The lab stocks medical scrubs in a variety of sizes for anyone who experiences a full body splash to use after rinsing.

Emergency Response Procedures for Body Splashes

1. Flood exposed areas with safety shower for at least 15 minutes.
2.  

   While rinsing, remove contaminated clothing immediately.  Avoid contact with eyes.  Ensure that chemical has not accumulated in shoes or under jewelry.

3.  

   Place clothing in plastic bag and seal.

4.  

   Seek medical attention.  Be prepared to provide name and SDS of chemical(s) that were involved.

Contact Katie Kline (301-697-1600) or the main office (301-689-7100) if you need to borrow a set of scrubs following a full body splash.