I know the standard first aid in the event of a chemical burn is the use of water irrigation.

This is what the Health Protection Agency state about action related to nitric, sulphuric and hydrochloric acids  in the event of an incident:

http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947349444
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1202115622437
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947387098

They do not mention magnesium glycerol paste but they do refer to washing with soap and water. I appreciate this is not what is taught on first aid courses – I guess its because first-aiders are taught general principles – irrigation with water would be a generic approach, the above is more specific. Rather like calcium gluconate gel being used for HF burns.


Anne

On 28/02/2012 22:50, "Margaret Mercer" <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]> wrote:


Hi everyone,
 
Just involved in an assessment process whereby some of our employees will doing a task involving very small amouts of acids - mainly nitric of various strengths, and also hydrochloric and another sulphuricic solution.  These will be used in very tiny quantities.  The data sheets, which seem to be quite old to me,  all say to "drench with water and then to treat with magnesium glycerol paste"   I have not encountered this first aid approach  before anywhere - and can only find little about it on the internet.
 
They will have PPE.
 
My inclination is that first aid should be to flush with water for at least 10 minutes and then to seek medical aid.  (There is no hydroflouric acid ) I think that the magnesium glycerol paste is not first aid - particularly given the qminimal quantites being used and available to spill .  
 
I would value your opinions please to check that my inclination is where is should be in relation to this or am I missing something?
 
Thanks
 
Margaret
 
 
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