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.