Step

Responsible Party

Action

1.

Employee

1. Do not cross any police demarcation lines.
2. If there is no clear line, always refer to the emergency response site commander for instructions on what area is safe.
3. If you are unable to obtain clear directions from the site commander contact your supervisor.

1. If the occupant(s) shows signs of potential chemical contamination:
   
   

   Potential signs of chemical contamination may include: powder or chemical staining which could appear as reddish or bleach-like stains on clothes; Strong odors on skin, hair or clothing; Open wounds.

   1. Before touching the person, put on disposable gloves.
      1. Gloves worn when there are signs of potential chemical contamination should be removed as described in (http://www.selu.edu/Grants/EHEP/up3/tsld006.htm).
      2. They may be disposed of in a regular garbage receptacle.
   2. Ideally work with the site commander to request emergency medical assistance. If unable to get his/her assistance, contact 911.
   3. If emergency medical responders refuse to transport:
      1. Protect the vehicle by placing a blanket on the car seat prior to entry by the child/client and then extending the blanket in order that it protects the seat back from potential contamination from the person’s head and back.
      2. See if the site commander can do a “dry decontamination” of the person, which may include washing hands and face at a site sink and placing clean garment on the person.
      3. If the site commander cannot arrange for a “dry decontamination”, then, wearing disposable gloves, cover the person’s existing clothing with a garment or other covering that has not been exposed.
2. If the occupant(s) does not show signs of contamination.
   1. Glove use is optional. The employee might want to wear gloves for general sanitation. Cleaning or covering of children or adults who do not show signs of contamination is not required, however, if you have determined that using gloves for purposes of hygiene and safety is appropriate, extend those protective measures to the vehicle seat by covering it with a blanket whenever possible.
   2. Protect the vehicle by placing a blanket on the car seat prior to entry by the child/client and then extending the blanket in order that it protects the seat back from potential contamination from the person’s head and back.
   3. Blankets and stuffed animals that may have been in contact with contaminated surfaces shall be left behind. (Offices may elect to stock vehicles with substitute toys.)

Step

Responsible Party

Action

1.

Employee

1. If you suspect that the home may contain a lab, do not advance any further into the house, do not touch objects, and exit as soon as possible.
2. Call 911.
3. As soon as possible management shall notify other DHS work units that may plan to visit, or already may have visited, the home.
4. Wash your hands with soap and water (not waterless cleaners) when you arrive back at the office.

Step

Responsible Party

Action

1.

Employee

1. If the procedures above have been followed, the risk of contamination of employee and her/his clothes or the vehicle is considered low and no special cleanup is required. As a general health precaution, employees should wash with soap and water when facilities are available.
2. The occupants’ clothing should be washed separately in a regular cycle (as you would clothing worn while applying herbicides or fertilizers around your home).
3. As a precaution it is recommended that employees remove and wash their own clothing when they arrive at home.

Step

Responsible Party

Action

1.

Employee

1. Complete a DHS 2107A “Disease and Chemical Exposure Report”.
2. If possible, obtain from the emergency responder a list of chemicals found in the lab and attach to the 2107A.

Step

Responsible Party

Action

1.

Employee

Glove use is required when the occupants show signs of potential chemical contamination indicated under I.2.a., above.

1. Ensure vehicles used for protective service work are stocked with:
   1. Non-latex gloves in sizes to fit all workers;
   2. Plastic bags with closers for glove disposal in case they cannot be disposed of on site; and
   3. One or two blankets for client and vehicle protection.
2. Ensure a PPE hazard assessment, required by OSHA, has been completed for a job classification, specific position or person or a job function/task.
   1. The DHS 2204 can be used for the PPE hazard assessment. See a sample of the completed form.