Emergency procedures
Inform your immediate supervisor or your supervisor about the accident.
Major fire
If a fire breaks out where you are working, check if anyone has been injured and help those individuals escape. Close all doors behind you and go (if possible) to the nearest designated assembly point. Call the emergency services on 112 and your immediate supervisor and inform them of what has happened.
Major chemical spill
If the spill is so large that you cannot clean it up yourself or the release is assumed to be harmful or negatively impact the staff, premises or environment, you must alert! In an emergency with a risk of personal injury or severe impact on the environment, alert the Fire Service via 112. If the situation is not acute, but there is a risk to the environmental surroundings, a sizeable leakage to the sewer or surface water that can affect the sewer network, treatment plants, etc., immediately contact Örebro University’s security department at sakerhet@oru.se.
Eye contact
Rinse with water. Eyewash equipment is available at the workplace. There may be an eye wash station, a fixed device connected to the drinking water system, or portable eye wash bottles.
Inhalation
Try to get the victim into fresh air as soon as possible. Then, get them into a comfortable half-sitting position. If the person is cold, pale, and sweating, keep them warm by covering them with a blanket or something similar. If the person is semi-conscious or unconscious, arrange transport to a hospital. Put the person in the recovery position or perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary. Remember that inhaled gas may be dangerous to the person performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Persons exposed to nitrous gases (nitric oxides) must always be taken to hospital.
Burns
In the case of a burn, rinse with lukewarm water for a prolonged time. In case of a more extensive burn, apply a sterile compress and seek medical attention.
Ingestion
In the case of dangerous chemicals (danger symbol is displayed on the product) or if the victim shows significant symptoms, call 112 immediately and ask for Poison Information. In less urgent cases, call the Poisons Information Centre (010-456 6700) or the Medical Advice Service (1177) for advice. If the victim has ingested corrosive substances or low-viscosity petroleum compounds (petrol, lighter fluid, lamp oil), vomiting must be avoided. In cases of corrosive substances, water or milk should be drunk. In cases of petroleum compounds, drink milk, cream, or cooking oil without risking vomiting
Skin contact
If chemicals come into contact with the skin, the area must be rinsed immediately. In case of extensive skin contact with corrosive, irritating, allergenic or toxic chemical solutions, use an emergency shower. The person should start showering with their clothes on, then remove their clothes and shoes while continuing to shower.
Minor fire
In the case of a minor fire, try to extinguish the fire by suffocation (e.g. with a fire blanket), with water or a fire extinguisher.
Minor chemical release
In case of a minor chemical spill, use personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety equipment as needed. Solid materials are placed in a plastic bag or bucket. Liquid spills are absorbed with absorbent material (vermiculite) and placed in a plastic bag or bucket. After cleaning up the spill, wipe the area with paper towels dampened with soapy water. The waste is disposed of in accordance with chemical waste regulations.