Laserfiche WebLink
FIRST AID MEASURES(continued> <br />In most cases, cyanide poisoning causes a deceptively healthy pink <br />• to red skin color. However, if a physical injury or lack of <br />oxygen is involved, the skin color may be bluish. Reddening of <br />'the eyes and pupil dilation are also symptoms of cyanide <br />poisoning. Cyanosis (blue discoloration of the skin) tends to be <br />associated with severe cyanide poisonings whereas red coloration <br />of the skin is more common in industrial accidents that involve <br />less cyanide. <br />All persons with the potential for cyanide poisoning should be <br />trained to provide immediate First Aid using oxygen and amyl <br />nitrite. Always have on hand the materials listed below in the <br />FIRST AID and MEDICAL TREATMENT Sections. Actions to be taken in <br />case of cyanide poisoning should be planned and practiced before <br />beginning work with cyanides. Identif ication of community <br />hospital resources and emergency medical squads in order to equip <br />and train them on handling ofi cyanide emergencies is essential. <br />FIRST AID SUPPLIES <br />Adequate First Aid supplies fi or cyanide poisoning should be <br />conveniently placed throughout the cyanide areas and should be <br />immediately accessible at all times, but secured against tampering <br />or theft. Supplies should be routinely inspected (typically <br />.daily) b.y people who would use them in an emergency. The total <br />number of .each item listed below should be adequate to handle the <br />largest number ofi exposure cases reasonably anticipated, taking <br />into account that some supplies may be wasted, destroyed, or <br />• inaccessible in the emergency. <br />1. Oxygen Resuscitators - Any positive pressure resuscitator <br />capable of giving oxygen in conjunction with amyl nitrite can be <br />used. <br />2. Amyl Nitrite Ampoules (antidote) - One box of one dozen <br />ampoules per station is usually satisfactory. Locate stations <br />throughout the cyanide area. <br />CAUTION: Amyl nitrite is not stable and must be replaced every <br />1-2 years, or earlier depending on storage conditions. Store in <br />the original dated box away from heat and freezing temperatures. <br />Do not store amyl nitrite or Medical Treatment Kits (see below) in <br />enclosed areas where temperatures can exceed 60-66 deg C (140-150 <br />deg F) or where freezing may occur. Storage in high temperature <br />climates may require replacement before the expiration date, <br />unless cool storage is provided. Avoid excessive cold storage <br />which will reduce the vapor pressure ofi amyl nitrite and, hence, <br />its effectiveness. A common DuPont practice is to use the <br />resuscitator as the storage point for the amyl nitrite ampoules. <br />3. A set of cyanide first aid instructions should be located at <br />each amyl nitrite storage location. Workers should be fully <br />trained since in a real emergency there will be insufficient time <br />to "read the book". <br />(Continued) <br />• <br />1252CR Page 4 <br />