Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:52:34 -0400
Reply-To: Edward Senkbeil <egsenkbeil**At_Symbol_Here**SALISBURY.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Edward Senkbeil <egsenkbeil**At_Symbol_Here**SALISBURY.EDU>
Subject: Undergraduate Accident
Recently we had an accident in the general chemistry lad where a student
spilled some 4.0M NaoH on her wrist.
The protocol we have followed in the past is to wash with water for 15
minutes and then send to the University Health Center.  We. normally
follow the protocol to "Protect, but not treat".  The skin was slightly
red due to the spill.

When the student reached (was escorted to) the Health Center, they said
they could not treat chemical burns.
They wanted to send her to the hospital emergency room, but the student
didn't go because of lack of insurance.

Three days after the accident, the student's wrist still has a few pink
spots.

The questions are:

1. Should we (lab instructors) treat by neutralizing the base with
something llike vinega, rather than just washing?

2. Who should be responsible (or maybe liable) for appropriate
treatment?  Howd do university health centers handle someting like this
incident at other universities?

Thanks for any information,
Ed Senkbeil
Chemistry Department
Salisbury University

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