2 - ACCIDENTS, INJURIES AND ILLNESSES
Section Contents
| 2.1 | REPORTING AND INVESTIGATING |
| 2.2 | MINOR FIRST-AID |
| 2.3 | CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION |
| 2.4 | BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIAL CONTAMINATION |
| 2.5 | HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION PLAN |
- REPORTING AND INVESTIGATING
Employees must notify their immediate supervisor of all accidents, injuries, and illnesses related to the job. Supervisors are responsible for investigating causes of incidents, reporting them, and correcting any unsafe conditions. Reporting is done through the Office of Human Resources by completing the "First Report of Injury or Occupational Illness" form.
An "Incident Report" form should be used to report accidents, injuries, and illnesses for students and other non-employee personnel, as well as near-misses or property damage. Completed reports should be sent to CUA-EHS@cua.edu.
For injuries or illnesses requiring medical attention, contact Public Safety (x-5111) to make arrangements for transportation to a health care facility. When in doubt as to what should be done, call Public Safety for assistance. Refusal to accept medical attention shall be documented on the "First Report of Injury or Occupational Illness" or "Incident Report" form, as applicable. When providing information to emergency personnel, give:
- Your name
- Your location and nature of the emergency
- Area of the body affected
- Symptoms
- What first-aid steps you have already taken
- If a chemical exposure is involved, the name and amount of chemical.
- FIRST-AID KITS
Departments are encouraged to maintain a first-aid kit for treatment of minor first-aid cases (cuts, scratches, etc.) which do not require professional medical attention. A designated department representative should inspect first aid kits at least annually to ensure completeness, condition of contents, and expiration dates. Each kit and it's stored location should be visibly marked as a place where first aid supplies are located.
- First aid kits shall be comprised of materials outlined in ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021, the American National Standards Institute, Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits. "Class A" kits contain a basic range of first aid products and are recommended for general administrative and academic areas with common, low-risk hazards, example: office environments.
- Recommended minimal contents for Class A kits are as follows:
- Adhesive Bandages: (minimum recommended quantity = 16) Each adhesive bandage should consist of a non-adherent absorbent pad attached to the central area of a strip of adhesive material. Each bandage should encompass a total size of approximately 3 inches by 1 inch. Each bandage should be individually packaged, sealed and sterile.
- Adhesive Tape: Adhesive tape should be at least 3/8 inches wide and 2.5 yards long.
- Antibiotic Application: Iindividually packaged with minimum contents of 1/57 oz. per unit, with at least ten units per kit.
- Antiseptic: If individually packaged with contents of at least 1/57 fluid ounce of antiseptic, at least ten packages should be maintained within the first aid kit.
- Breathing Barrier: Breathing Barriers should be single-use medical devices, which provide protection from direct contact with bodily fluids by means of its construction and use of a one-way valve, filter medium or other equivalent method. Each barrier should be packaged in an easily opened container, clearly labeled with the name of the device and include comprehensive instructions for use. One unit per kit.
- Burn Dressing (Gel Soaked): One per kit, sized 4 x 4 inches at minimum.
- Burn Treatment: If individually packaged with contents of at least 1/32 ounce, at least ten packages should be maintained within the first aid kit. Alternately, spray containers containing at least 10/32 ounce may be acceptable. Burn treatments shall be water-soluble compounds.
- Cold Pack: One per kit, sized 4 x 5 inches at minimum. Should reach a temperature between 20-40 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 seconds of activation by normal hand pressure. The pack should maintain that temperature per a period of at least 15 minutes and should not leak under normal conditions of use.
- Eye Covering: With means of attachment. 2 per kit, each 2.9 square inches at minimum with a thickness of at least 1/4 inch when not compressed and free of loose threads and raveled edges. Eye coverings should be individually packaged, sealed and sterile.
- Eye Wash: At least one unit per kit. Eye Wash should consist of a sterile, isotonic, buffered solution, contained in at least 1 fluid once individual- use packages.
- First Aid Guide: Written, one per kit.
- Foil Blanket: one unit per kit, at least 52 x 84 inches in size.
- Hand Sanitizer: Individually packaged, at least 1/32 oz. per package. Six per kit.
- Medical Exam Gloves: Minimum Recommended Quantity is two pairs, although departments should consider stocking various sizes of disposable gloves.
- Roller Bandages (2"): One unit per kit, minimum size of 2" x 4 yards.
- Scissors: One unit per kit.
- Sterile Pads (minimum recommended quantity = 2): Each sterile pad should be at least 3" x 3" in size, be individually packaged, sealed and sterile.
- Trauma Pads: 2 per kit, with each unit at least 5 x 9" in size.
- Triangular Bandage (minimum recommended quantity = 1): Each bandage should be made from muslin at least 60/48 weave or a material of equivalent strength. When unfolded, the outer dimensions of the bandage should be at least 40 x 40 x 56 inches.
Additional Contents for Consideration: "Class B" kits are recommended in certain environments which may contain additional hazards, such as machine shops and laboratories. Additional quantities of select contents listed above may be required for "Class B" kits. "Class B" kits shall also contain the following additional materials:
Roller Bandage (4"): Minimum size of 4" x 4 yards.
Splint: One unit per kit and
Tourniquet: One unit per kit.
- CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION
Assist the person in removing the chemical by flushing with water approximately 15 minutes. Consult the MSDS for special first-aid information.
Get medical attention promptly by dialing Public Safety at 202-319-5111 or simply dialing the last 4 digits of the extension from any campus telephone. Other numbers that may be needed are:
Health Services 202-319-5744 Environmental Health & Safety 202-319-5121 Poison Control Center 800-222-1222
Chemicals Spilled Over a Large Area of the Body
Quickly remove all contaminated clothing while using the safety shower or other available source of water. Immediately flood the affected body area in cool water for at least 15 minutes. Wash off chemical with water but do not use neutralizing chemicals, unguents, creams, lotions or salves. Get medical attention promptly.
Chemicals on the Skin in Small Areas
Immediately flush with cool water. If there is no visible burn, remove jewelry to facilitate removal of any residual material and wash area with warm water and soap.
If a delayed reaction is noted (often the next day), report immediately for medical attention and explain carefully what chemicals were involved.
If the incident involves hydrofluoric acid (HF), seek medical attention right away. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY!
If there is any doubt, seek immediate medical attention
Chemicals in the Eyes
Irrigate with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Use an eyewash or other water source. Simultaneously check for and remove contact lenses.
Wash thoroughly, but gently under eyelids. Get medical attention promptly.
Smoke and Fumes
Anyone overcome with smoke or chemical vapors or fumes should be moved to an area with clean air and treated for shock. Do not enter an area if a life-threatening condition exists e.g.:
- oxygen depletion
- cyanide gas
- nitrogen oxides
- explosive vapors
- hydrogen sulfide
- carbon monoxide
Certified rescuers should follow standard CPR procedures.
Get medical attention promptly.
Burning Chemicals on Clothing
Extinguish burning clothing by using the drop-and-roll technique, douse with cold water, or use an emergency shower or emergency blanket. Remove contaminated clothing, being careful to avoid further damage to the burned area. Cool the skin with cool water or ice packs, until tissue around the burn feels normal to the touch. Cover the injured person to prevent shock, and get medical attention promptly.
Ingestion of Hazardous Chemicals
Identify the chemical ingested. Call Public Safety on x-5111 to call for an ambulance. Provide details on the chemical's name and any pertinent information. Cover the person to prevent shock. If there is time, call the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222) to obtain additional instructions. If possible, send the container or the label with the injured person.
- BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIAL CONTAMINATION
- Refer to Section 9.2.15 of this EHS Manual (Biosafety, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).
HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION PLAN
When the temperature or heat index in the District reaches 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the District Government through the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), will implement the Heat Emergency Plan. When the Heat Emergency Plan is activated, University departments with employees who work outdoors or in indoor un-air-conditioned spaces, shall enact additional precautions to minimize the risk of heat illness.
Acclimitization: The human body typically requires 10-14 days to acclimate to hot environments. Employee exposure to such environments should gradually increase during their acclimitization period, during which prolonged exertion during the hottest times of the day should be avoided. Acclimitized workers may need 2-3 days of re-acclimitization if they stop working under heat stress conditions for more than a week. Adjust work schedules if/as needed to aid in the acclimitization process.
Hydration: Encourage adequate water intake at frequent intervals to prevent dehydration: one cup (8 ounces) of cool water or an electrolyte replacement fluid every 15-20 minutes (three to four cups of water per hour). Ensure sufficient quantities of pure and cool potable water is provided and easily accessible at each work location.
Work Schedule Modification: Frequency of rest breaks, ideally in the shade or in an air-conditioned environment, should be increased during declared Heat Emergencies. Shorter, more frequent breaks are more effective than longer, less frequent breaks. Schedule work requiring heavy physical exertion during the coolest parts of the day.
Monitor for Heat Illness: Ensure workers are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-induced illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash and heatstroke. Employees should work in pairs when possible, in order to monitor each other for potential symptoms. When employees may need to work alone, a supervisor shall at regular intervals physically observe the worker for early signs of heat illness.
| Heat-Related Illness | Symptoms and Signs |
| Heat Stroke |
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| Heat Exhaustion |
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| Heat Cramps |
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| Heat Syncope |
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| Heat Rash |
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Prepare for Medical Emergencies: Ensure adequate supervision, first aid and medical services are readily available in the event a worker suffers from a heat illness. Workers and supervisors shall be trained to recognize when to call for emergency assistance (Department of Public Safety, 202-319-5111) and what steps can help a victim of heat-induces illness until emergency services arrive.