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0 <br /> 9.2 Decontamination during Emergencies <br /> Often during emergencies, the need to quickly respond to an accident or injury must be <br /> weighed against the risk to the injured party from chemical exposure. It may be that the <br /> time lost or the additional handling of an injured person during the decontamination <br /> process may cause greater harm to the individual than from the exposure that would be <br /> received by undressing that person without proper decontamination.The Site Manager will <br /> make this decision. <br /> An additional consideration to include when bypassing decontamination of injured <br /> personnel is the acceptance of contaminated personnel at emergency facilities. Many <br /> facilities will not accept contaminated personnel. If such personnel are accepted, Site <br /> response personnel shall accompany contaminated victims to the medical facility to advise <br /> on matters involving decontamination. <br /> 9.3 Physical Injury <br /> Physical injuries can range from minor to life threatening. Life saving care shall be <br /> instituted immediately without considering decontamination. The outside garments can be <br /> removed (depending on the weather) if this does not cause delays, interfere with treatment, <br /> or aggravate the problem. Respiratory masks and backpack assemblies must always be <br /> removed. Fully encapsulating suits or chemical resistant clothing can be cut away. <br /> If the outer contaminated garments cannot be safely removed, the individual shall be <br /> wrapped in plastic, rubber, or blankets to help prevent contaminating medical personnel <br /> and/or the inside of ambulances. Outside garments are then removed at the medical <br /> facility. No attempt shall be made to wash or rinse the victim unless it is known that he/she <br /> has been contaminated with an extremely toxic or corrosive material that could also cause <br /> severe injury or loss of life. For minor medical problems or injuries, the normal <br /> decontamination procedure shall be followed. <br /> 9.4 Chemical Exposure <br /> Chemical exposure can be divided into two categories: 1) Direct contact, ingestion, or <br /> inhalation; and, 2) Indirect contact through contaminated clothing or equipment. For <br /> inhalation exposure cases,treatment can only be performed by a qualified physician. If the <br /> contaminant is on the skin or in the eyes, first aid treatment consists of flooding the area <br /> with copious amounts of water. The Project Manager shall ensure that an adequate supply <br /> of water and a portable emergency eye wash are available. When protective clothing is <br /> grossly contaminated, the person wearing it can be exposed to the contaminants. The <br /> contaminated clothing should be removed and the affected area rinsed. If exposure <br /> symptoms occur, the individual shall be transported to a medical facility for treatment. <br /> 9.5 Emergency Communications <br /> Table 22 lists the emergency medical, fire, law enforcement, and other agency and support <br /> EftblViV4.v 24 February 2005 <br /> A M E R I C A PAPG&E\PGE-05-01 Stockton MW26R Investigation\MW26 Work Plan\H&S\H&S Plan-2005.doc <br />