How to act when in contact with a chemical substance?
In the first instance, the label on the container should be read carefully. In general, it should provide information on its content and chemical composition, as well as the potential effects it presents.
In addition, it is essential to have a spill kit nearby for use in case of emergency. It must be compatible with adequate ventilation or quick access to a clean room, always maintaining the necessary hygiene and sanitation measures. The objective is to prevent cross-contamination with chemical protective clothing.
In the event that the discharge emanates vapors or gases of any kind, the stay in the room will be prohibited. To access and provide the required ventilation, the person in charge must wear PPE for the chemical industry and a mask with a filtering capacity of at least 98%.
A latent risk in this sector is the reachability of a harmful compound. For this reason, chemical splash suits are recommended. They work excellently against oils or alkaline substances of low or medium danger. Some of them are the AlphaTec® 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 suits.
Clothes should be removed quickly to access the dermis and preferably washed with ordinary soap and water, since they have a greater potential for infiltration into the pores. Afterwards, skin-compatible disinfectants containing at least 60% alcohol content should be used.
When the compound with which contact has been made has caustic or corrosive qualities, action is even more urgent. The use of chemical gloves is therefore beneficial, as it helps to mitigate this damage.
Essential means of protection to minimize risk
The protection means for the chemical industry have a double action, as the ones we manufacture at Ansell do. The objective is to ensure safety, even in situations that may involve extreme risk, by adapting the instrumentation to the technical requirements of the environment.
On the one hand, we work from a preventive perspective. It is essential to prevent chemical contact accidents from occurring. At the same time, it is also necessary to adopt the necessary measures to reduce their impact when they have already occurred.
On the other hand, a reactive stance must be taken. It is important to know what safety clothing to use when contact has already occurred. If they are made of nitrile, polyethylene and other protective materials, the worker will be effectively covered.
PPE and essential protection
The suitability of a particular Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is determined by the label of the product that caused the accident. In addition, it is advisable to check them periodically to rule out any expired or torn areas. In any case, endurance-tested protective suits for the chemical industry must be a priority.
In summary, knowing how to act in case of contact with a chemical product is fundamental. At Ansell we are experts in the design of chemical resistant gloves that guarantee the integrity of the worker.