Occupation Health and Safety Handling Ammonia Leakag, Essay Example

Safety and health guidelines are crucial in the handling of a leak within a lab. The scenario described depicts the leakage of Ammonia gas in the lab. Ammonia can affect a person upon ingestion, inhalation or contact with the skin. It is highly likely the individual passed out on the floor inhaled ammonia gas, causing them to lose consciousness.

There are three key issues associated with handling this issue. Firstly, the most important thing is to ensure one’s safety from the leaking ammonia gas that has incapacitated the individual. Secondly, one has to ensure the fire is put out, as ammonia is potentially explosive when compressed in pressurized containers (United States Deparrtment of Labor, 2015). Thirdly, the incapacitated individual has to be taken care of as soon as possible.

Fighting the Fire

Firstly, before entering the room, one would require to have a minimum Level C respiratory protection. The area with the fire has to be isolated with any obstacle possible. The fire should be fought upwind using the Class an extinguisher. This should be accomplished within the furthest distance from the fire as possible. The room should then be ventilated to allow in fresh air once the fire has been put out.

Attending to the Victim

As the victim potentially suffers from ammonia gas poisoning, it is important that they be removed from the area of contamination to avoid further exposure. Keep the unconscious victim warm with a blanket, making sure they lie on their sides to avoid any chocking from potential vomiting. Thoroughly flush the victim’s eyes using large amounts of water (United States Deparrtment of Labor, 2015). In case frostbite has not occurred on the victim’s skin, immediately and carefully wash the contaminated skin using soap and clean water.

References

United States Deparrtment of Labor. (2015, March 20). Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Ammonia. Retrieved June 24, 2015, from Occupational Safety and Health Administration: https://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_218300.html