Contamination with harmful chemicals or infectious agents is a problem that can be experienced anywhere in this world. In most countries, it is a must that casualties be cleaned at the scene of a chemical accident. In emergency and routine care of chemical incidents, it is important to have portable decontamination shower. Immediate response is usually necessary to reduce the cumulative effect toxins.
Exposure to the harmful chemicals can occur due to a number of reasons. Some might be accidental, intentional or an occupational hazard. Use of nuclear materials by terrorists exposes casualties to radioactive agents. In spite of workers being given personal protection equipments, situations can arise where they get exposed to the chemical. Persons exposed to areas of life threatening contagious diseases need to be cleaned out before they are managed at hospitals.
Some industries require all personnel working for them to undergo routine decontamination. However, an accident can occur that may cause them to need more decon showers. The United State department of Labor requires industries to have emergency means of disinfecting personnel in addition to routine procedures. During chemical accidents, the wash out is done on the site of the accident before the casualties are transported.
These showers have large heads unlike the ones used at homes. The large size ensures that the whole body is covered during the wash out for maximum removal of the chemicals. They have steel bodies to avoid build up of bacteria and other infectious agents. There must be sufficient water that is clean for the device to work efficiently. The device must be able to heat water according to the American National Standards Institute.
The latest equipments have sensors which get activated when a person steps under the shower area. These portable devices should have controlled air flow to prevent build up of vapours that are dangerous. The environment should be warm for the comfort of the casualty. The flow rate of water should be quite high. A decon unit should have stretchers for the non ambulant casualties.
There are many decon units a company can purchase or hire. Some accommodate only a single person while others can contain multiple persons. There are those that can be disassembled to small parts and set up again. Some are light in weight and others heavy. When purchasing, the number of casualty is the main determinant to consider and the ease of setting up the equipment.
These units are always put up close to the scene of the incident. At least it should take a casualty ten seconds to reach the unit. Upon arrival, they shed off any clothes or valuables they have. Next they get to the clean zone where the actual decontamination takes place. The persons spend about fifteen minutes in the water. Then they are provided with clean clothes and referred for medical checkup.
Immediate decontamination is necessary to reduce the effects of more absorption of toxic. It is also prudent to clean the casualties before transporting them to the hospital to avoid contamination of the ambulance. The unit should be set up such that it is the only exit from the scene. Most importantly it should be done in a safe environment despite the close proximity to the accident site.
Exposure to the harmful chemicals can occur due to a number of reasons. Some might be accidental, intentional or an occupational hazard. Use of nuclear materials by terrorists exposes casualties to radioactive agents. In spite of workers being given personal protection equipments, situations can arise where they get exposed to the chemical. Persons exposed to areas of life threatening contagious diseases need to be cleaned out before they are managed at hospitals.
Some industries require all personnel working for them to undergo routine decontamination. However, an accident can occur that may cause them to need more decon showers. The United State department of Labor requires industries to have emergency means of disinfecting personnel in addition to routine procedures. During chemical accidents, the wash out is done on the site of the accident before the casualties are transported.
These showers have large heads unlike the ones used at homes. The large size ensures that the whole body is covered during the wash out for maximum removal of the chemicals. They have steel bodies to avoid build up of bacteria and other infectious agents. There must be sufficient water that is clean for the device to work efficiently. The device must be able to heat water according to the American National Standards Institute.
The latest equipments have sensors which get activated when a person steps under the shower area. These portable devices should have controlled air flow to prevent build up of vapours that are dangerous. The environment should be warm for the comfort of the casualty. The flow rate of water should be quite high. A decon unit should have stretchers for the non ambulant casualties.
There are many decon units a company can purchase or hire. Some accommodate only a single person while others can contain multiple persons. There are those that can be disassembled to small parts and set up again. Some are light in weight and others heavy. When purchasing, the number of casualty is the main determinant to consider and the ease of setting up the equipment.
These units are always put up close to the scene of the incident. At least it should take a casualty ten seconds to reach the unit. Upon arrival, they shed off any clothes or valuables they have. Next they get to the clean zone where the actual decontamination takes place. The persons spend about fifteen minutes in the water. Then they are provided with clean clothes and referred for medical checkup.
Immediate decontamination is necessary to reduce the effects of more absorption of toxic. It is also prudent to clean the casualties before transporting them to the hospital to avoid contamination of the ambulance. The unit should be set up such that it is the only exit from the scene. Most importantly it should be done in a safe environment despite the close proximity to the accident site.
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