US HealthWorks - 1650 Broadway, (816) 842-2020
Important information:
When washing leaded clothing you always run a rinse cycle first. This removes all of the free dirt from the clothing first so that when the detergents are added they can go to work on the tough dirt and lead.
When washing leaded work clothes at home: ALWAYS run a rinse cycle after all of the work clothes Are Done and removed, before any household clothes are washed. NEVER wash leaded work clothes with any other clothes.
Some laundry detergents will react with the lead to form a soap scum that will be visible on the inside of the wash drum and if it is a front load washer it will be visible on the glass, the door gasket and inside the space between the door and wash drum.
If you have this soap scum build up then it needs to be removed with an acid wash. If you ever encounter this, please call the number below for recommendations.
Washer design is such that the lead particles that are freed from the clothing will either float away to the drain or will settle out on the bottom of the washer where they will generally remain forever.
Both the lead soap scum and settled lead particles in the holding tank can be removed over the course of 10 or 20 wash cycles with the specialty lead laundry detergents available.
You also need to be concerned with the clothes dryer. If the clothes are not getting thoroughly cleaned then they will contaminate the dryer. The dryer needs to be tested with a lead test kit, and if it tests positive, then the drum will need to be cleaned. Because some of the air is recirculated in a household dryer, this cleaning will need to be repeated to purge most of the lead from the inaccessible areas of the dryer.
For additional information: ESCA Tech, Inc., Contamination Control Systems & Services, 3747 North Booth Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212, (414 ) 962-5323, www.esca-tech.com
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.
If you have been injected or injured – or even think you have been:
DO NOT WAIT! DO THE FOLLOWING IMMEDIATELY:
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.
Inform the General Manager that work is being stopped.
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.
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.