Concentra Urgent Care, 200 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108, (816) 842-1146
Important information:
Date of accident
Type of injury
How did the accident happen?
Employee's Social Security #
Employee's full name, address, phone
Airless spray equipment is an important tool for the professional painter. But as with any tool, following safety guidelines is part of knowing how to use it. Be sure that you and all members of your crew that will HAVE ANY CONTACT AT ALL with a paint sprayer understand and follow safety and operating instructions.
DO NOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM WORKING PRESSURE ON ALL COMPONENTS ON YOUR SPRAY EQUIPMENT!
High pressure fluid from spray or leaks can penetrate the skin. If not promptly and properly treated, the injury can cause permanent disability or amputation. If you are injected, see a physician immediately. Do not treat as a simple cut.
Always use a tip safety guard for added protection against injection. The tip guard provides protection against injection, but does not prevent it. Never cut off tip guard! Always engage gun safety lock when the gun is not in operation. Before servicing unit, consult owners manual and observe all warnings.
Never attempt to install, change or clean tip or safety guard without first doing the following:
Set trigger safety in a locked position.
Shut off sprayer and in addition, unplug electrical cord or air supply.
Release fluid pressure from the entire system, from pump to spray gun tip.
If you have been injected or injured – or even think you have been:
DO NOT WAIT! DO THE FOLLOWING IMMEDIATELY:
Go to the nearest emergency room or medical center IMMEDIATELY.
Inform the physician and all medical staff that you suspect a high pressure injection injury.
Provide the medical information below and any medical information provided with your equipment to the medical staff and physician.
Provide as much detail as possible regarding the paint(s) or coating(s) involved in your injury.
CRITICAL INFORMATION FOR ALL MEDICAL PERSONNEL:
Injection in the skin is a serious traumatic injury.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO TREAT THE INJURY SURGICALLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Do not delay treatment to research toxicity. Toxicity is a concern with some exotic coatings injected directly into the bloodstream.
Consultation with a plastic surgeon or a reconstructive hand surgeon may be advisable.
The seriousness of the wound depends on where the injury is on the body, whether the substance hit something on its way in and deflected causing more damage, and many other variables including skin microflora residing in the paint or gun which are blasted into the wound. If the injected paint contains acrylic latex and titanium dioxide that damage the tissue's resistance to infection, bacterial growth will flourish. The treatment that physicians recommend for an injection injury to the hand includes immediate decompression of the closed vascular compartments of the hand to release the underlying tissue distended by the injected paint, judicious wound debridement, and immediate antibiotic treatment.
Be alert for approaching storms.
When it is apparent that a storm is approaching
Take down and secure all ladders
Secure all equipment
Gather trash and debris and secure
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms include profuse sweating, weakness, rapid and weak pulse, dizziness, nausea and headache. The skin is cool and usually pale and clammy with perspiration. Body temperature is normal or sub-normal. Unconsciousness may occur.
First Aid for Heat Exhaustion: Replenish fluids with cold water or a gatorade-type drink. Prolonged rest in a cool, ventilated environment.
Heat Stroke
This is a medical emergency! Sweating ceases and the skin becomes hot and dry and appears flushed. The victim also may have an unsteady gait and a glossy stare. Increased body temperature left uncontrolled may lead to delirium, convulsions coma and even death. Medical care is urgently needed.
First Aid for Heat Stroke: Cool the body by removing clothing and applying ice or cool, damp cloths to the skin. Summon medical help.
Suggestions for Avoiding Heat Stress
Clothing: Wear loose, light clothing. Sweatbands or a hat may be helpful.
Fluids: Drink 3-10 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes.
Working Conditions: Whenever possible, plan for heaviest labor in the early morning or late afternoon.
Hypothermia
Uncontrollable shivering; vague, slow, or slurred speech; and incoherence or lapses in memory may be observed. Immobile or fumbling hands, a lurching or stumbling gait, drowsiness, and exhaustion also may be apparent.
First Aid for Hypothermia: The hypothermia victim may be unaware that he/she is experiencing difficulties. If the symptoms are severe, summon medical help as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the person should be kept covered and still, with the head down and the feet up to allow blood to circulate to the brain. A source of moderate heat—hot water bottles; a heating pad; or, most effective, a warm body—can be used to transfer energy to the body core by direct contact without friction. Warm, nonalcoholic drinks are appropriate. Do not give sedatives, tranquilizers, or pain relievers.
Frostbite
A patch of pale or white skin caused by constricted blood vessels indicates frostbite. With mild frostbite, the skin appears red and swollen. With severe frostbite, the skin may appear purple or black after it is warmed.
First Aid for Frostbite: Immerse the skin in warm, not hot, water to facilitate the return of circulation to that area, but do not rub, as that may damage frozen tissue.
Suggestions for Avoiding Cold Stress
Clothing: Dress in "layers." This will insulate the body better than one thick layer alone. The layer closest to the skin should be the type of fabric which will wick perspiration away, such as polypropylene. Wool is a good choice for the second layer. The third layer should be more insulation, and the outermost layer should be some type of windbreaker. Handwear should include insulated liners that can be removed and dried daily. Footwear should provide insulation and protection. Use the layering method for feet too. Avoid cotton socks, which result in cold, wet feet. Headcover is essential for the cold. Wear a hat that also covers the ears to help avoid frostbite and to add an extra measure of body heat preservation. A facemask covering the nose may be needed in extreme cold conditions. Working Conditions: Whenever possible, schedule work in order to avoid cold, windy conditions. Be aware of the effect windchill has on exposed skin. (Windchill is the combined effect of wind speed and temperature.) Cold weather can be a crippler—even a killer—to the ill-equipped or unprepared. Prevention is the key to avoiding cold stress in the form of hypothermia or frostbite.