Hazardous Material Safety Tips

• Hazardous material spills can occur anywhere – always be cautious and on-the-lookout.
• Learn to detect hazardous material presences. Although many don’t leave a taste or an odour, some can be detected because of physical triggers including watering eyes or nausea or by physical evidence including oily or foam-like appearances.
• Have an evacuation plan in place at your jobsite and be ready to evacuate.
• Ask about local warning systems for hazardous spills in your area and turn on radios or televisions for further emergency updates and information.
• Have disaster supplies on-hand including flares, flashlights, batteries, disposable or protective clothing, first aid kits and survival kits.
• Move away from the accident site and keep others away, not walking into or touching the spilled substance and trying to cover your mouth with a cloth so you don’t inhale any gases, fumes or smoke within the area.
• Report the hazardous spill immediately to the proper emergency authorities.
• Clean up hazardous materials carefully and follow instructions mandated by your local emergency officials.

First Aid Safety Tips

• Make sure your home or business has at least one first aid kit in place.
• Tailor first aid kit supplies to your specific needs.
• Keep first aid kits unlocked and in the same location for convenient access.
• Take time to look for possible hazards and assess risks of any situation you may find yourself in. Also look for secondary (or hidden) hazards, including leaking fuel at a car crash scene.
• Always assess yourself first before assessing others and their condition – Can you handle the scene?
• Always be cautious. Avoid contact with blood or other body fluids – wear gloves if possible.
• Learn CPR and other forms of first aid training and take refresher courses as necessary.
• Help keep the emergency scene safe and keep onlookers away as much as possible.
• Call for medical help immediately and lead emergency personnel to the scene.
• Help administer first aid only if you are trained or under the guidance of someone who is – and after you have received permission from the injured individual if they’re still conscious.
• Set up first aid drills for your family or company so you always know what to expect and how to react in any given emergency situation.
• Never abandon an injured individual and be sensitive to their emotional state.
• Leave emergency scenes exactly as you find them for future investigations and take notes if possible.