FIG. : General prohibition

FIG. : General laboratory

12 Concise Book of Medical Laboratory Technology: Methods and Interpretations 5. Broken glass

6. Contamination by infected material

7. Electric shock.

A suggested list of first aid equipment is given later in

the chapter. The items should be readily available in the

laboratory. They must not be kept in a locked cupboard.

First Aid in Laboratory Accidents

Acid Burns

Nitric, sulfuric, hydrochloric and trichloroacetic acids.

In all cases: Wash immediately with large quantities of

water.

Acid Splashes on the Skin

a. Wash thoroughly and repeatedly with water.

b. Bathe the affected skin with cotton wool soaked in 5%

aqueous sodium carbonate.

Acid Splashes in the Eye

a. Wash the eye immediately with large quantities of

water sprayed from a wash bottle or rubber bulb.

Squirt the water into the corner of the eye near the nose

(Figs 1.4 and 1.5).

b. After washing, put 4 drops of 2% aqueous sodium

bicarbonate into the eye.

c. Refer the patient to a physician. Continue to apply

bicarbonate solution to the eye while waiting for the

doctor. Alternatively, hold the eye under the running

tap.

Swallowing Acids

Accidental swallowing while using a pipette:

a. Call a physician.

b. Make the patient drink some 5% soap solution

immediately. Alternatively, give him two whites of egg

mixed with 500 mL of water or milk. If neither of these

is available, he should drink ordinary water.

c. Make him gargle with the soap solution.

d. Give him 3 or 4 glasses of ordinary water.

e. If the lips and tongue are burned by the acid:

• Rinse thoroughly with water

• Bathe with 2% aqueous sodium bicarbonate.

Alkali Burns

Sodium, potassium and ammonium hydroxide.

In all cases: Wash immediately with large quantities of water.

Important: Alkali burns are as serious as, and often more

serious than, acid burns.

Alkali Splashes on the Skin

a. Wash thoroughly and repeatedly with water.

b. Bathe the affected skin with cotton soaked in 5% acetic

acid (or undiluted vinegar).

Alkali Splashes in the Eye

a. Wash immediately with large quantities of water

sprayed from a wash bottle or rubber bulb. Squirt the

water into the corner of the eye near the nose.

b. After washing with water, wash the eye with a saturated

solution of boric acid (apply drops repeatedly).

c. Refer the patient to a physician at once.

Swallowing Alkalis

Accidental swallowing while using a pipette:

a. Send for a physician.

b. Make the patient drink at once:

FIG. 1.4: Eye washing upright

FIG. 1.5: Eye wash lying

Laboratory 13

• A 5% solution of acetic acid or lemon juice or

dilute vinegar (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water).

c. Make him gargle with the same acid solution.

d. Give him 3 or 4 glasses of ordinary water.

e. If the lips and tongue are burned by the alkali:

• Rinse thoroughly with water

• Bathe with 5% acetic acid.

Poisoning

This can be caused by:

¾ Inhaling toxic vapors or gases (e.g. chloroform)

¾ Accidental swallowing while pipetting a poisonous

solution.

In all cases

a. Send for a physician or qualified nurse, specifying the

toxic substance involved

b. Place the victim in the open air while waiting for the

physician.