Next week is National Poison Prevention Week which takes place during the third week in March each year. This event is sponsored by the U.S. Public Health Service, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of poisons and the Poison Control helpline (1-800-222-1222).
Although most poisonings happen at home, a significant number also occur in the workplace. According to OSHA’s Transitioning to Safer Chemicals website, workers suffer more than 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths annually related to chemical exposures. National Poison Prevention Week is a good time to evaluate whether or not you’re prepared for a poison-related emergency at your facility.
How Can Chemicals Used in the Workplace Result in a Poisoning?
For a chemical to cause harmful effects, it must first enter the body. In an occupational setting, there are four primary routes of exposure.
- Inhalation is the most common exposure route. If inhaled, chemicals can enter the respiratory tract and be absorbed into the bloodstream. They can be inhaled in the form of vapors, mists, aerosols, fumes, and fine dusts.
- Ingestion can result in chemical exposure by absorption through the digestive tract. It can occur directly, for instance by accidentally eating or drinking an unlabeled chemical. More frequently, it occurs indirectly such as when food or drink is brought into the work area and becomes contaminated, or if hands come in contact with a chemical and are not washed before eating.
- Injection of chemicals can occur from the handling of contaminated items such as a needlestick, broken glass, or other sharp object. With this route of exposure, chemicals can be injected directly into the bloodstream.
- Dermal absorption, although less common, can also lead to an overexposure. Some chemicals can readily pass through the skin into the bloodstream in high enough concentrations to be poisonous. The eyes can also be a route of entry, although generally a less significant one. With this route of exposure, eye irritation and burns are the primary concern.
Which Chemicals are Most Likely to be Poisonous?
Substances that are poisonous are generally those that are considered to be highly toxic, specifically those with a high degree of acute toxicity as defined in the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard [29 CFR 1910.1200] and OSHA Lab Standard [29 CFR 1910.1450]. Poisonous chemicals may be fatal, or cause damage to target organs, as a result of a single exposure or exposures of short duration. Examples of poisonous chemicals commonly used in a laboratory setting include sodium cyanide, sodium azide, and hydrofluoric acid.
A Poisoning May Have Occurred—What Should I Do?
The first steps taken in a poisoning emergency depend on the route of exposure as outlined in the general guidelines below including those from HRSA.
- Inhalation: Move the person to fresh air right away and keep the victim warm. Then call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
- Ingestion: Call Poison Control immediately. Do not induce vomiting and do not administer activated charcoal unless advised by Poison Control.
- Injection: Use soap and water to wash the exposed area thoroughly for at least 15 minutes in a lab sink. Call Poison Control if a poisoning is suspected.
- Skin/Eye Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse affected skin thoroughly with running water in a sink or drench shower for 15 minutes. In the event of an eye splash, hold the eye open while using an eyewash station and flush for a minimum of 15 minutes. Call Poison Control if a poisoning is suspected.
Calling Poison Control will connect you with the local poison center. They are staffed 24/7 by trained healthcare providers and can give quick, accurate, and chemical-specific poisoning treatment information. They may also refer the victim to the nearest health care facility for medical evaluation and management.
Regardless of the route of exposure, if the person loses consciousness, is not breathing, or is experiencing another medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
According to the Massachusetts & Rhode Island Poison Center, persons assisting in a poisoning emergency should take the chemical container with them to the phone, if safe to do so, as they may be asked to read information from the label including the name of the chemical. A picture of the container label and amount that remains inside may also be helpful to answer questions from Poison Control.
Assisting personnel may be asked to provide additional information related to the poisoning including, but not limited to, the following.
- Route of exposure and duration
- Time the exposure occurred
- Quantity/amount victim was exposed to
- Symptoms displayed by the victim
- Victim’s age and weight
The Poison Control phone number should be readily available in the workplace and is typically found on the emergency phone list. Procedures for responding to medical emergencies, including poisonings, should also be addressed in a facility’s Emergency Action Plan and other relevant safety manuals and documents. In addition, actions to take if someone is poisoned should be reviewed during initial and refresher trainings.
The goal is to prevent workplace poisonings before they occur! This is done by following the hierarchy of controls and eliminating poisonous chemicals when possible or substituting them for safer alternatives. If these measures aren’t feasible, then appropriate engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment must be implemented.
For additional information on preventing workplace poisonings, or for guidance on implementing and training on appropriate emergency response procedures should a poisoning occur at your facility, please contact us.
This blog was written by Beth Graham, Safety Partners’ Director of Quality, Research, and Training.
