Near Miss Incident Report: Chemical Exposure Incident

Submitted by Assistant Fire Chief Rusty Wilson, Irving, Texas

NEAR MISS INCIDENT

City: Irving, Texas

Synopsis: Chemical Exposure

Department Type: Paid Municipal

Date of Incident: 28 Oct 13

Time: 1548

Event Description:

A standard EMS response was dispatched to a manufacturing facility for an unconscious employee. This was an out of district response for both engine and ambulance. The engine company was staffed with a captain, driver/paramedic, and two (2) firefighter/ EMTs and the fire department ambulance had two (2) driver/paramedics.

The engine company arrived first and was directed through the building to the patient, located approximately twelve (12) feet outside the building. Patient assessment and treatment were begun prior to the ambulance arrival. Fellow employees stated they had found the patient unconscious in a four (4) foot diameter by four (4) deep mixing vat he was cleaning. The patient was removed from the vat and carried outside by his co-workers. Co-workers further stated patient had complained of headache and nausea earlier in the day. Upon arrival of the ambulance, an in-depth assessment was done, the patient was packaged and transported to the hospital.

The patient’s clothes were removed, bagged, and later tested for chemical presence by the department Haz-Mat team. The hospital staff performed de-con on the patient and continued treatment. The clothing tested positive for hydro-carbons. It is suspected (by the manufacturingcompany), the employee used an unapproved cleaning agent in the vat.

Summation:

This response was to a site where hazardous chemicals are stored and used. Any chemical odor associated with the patient was masked by the ambient chemical odor of the facility. None of the other workers complained of or exhibited any signs of toxic exposure. The presence of a chemical odor was not readily apparent until the ambulance was enroute to the hospital.

Lesson Learned:

Situational awareness is paramount. Don’t tunnel vision on just the patient. Co-workers who initially assisted the patient could be subject to the same contamination issues. Consider de-con options; the immediate scene may not be the only consideration (ie. First responders, ambulance, hospital).

Submitted by Assistant Fire Chief Rusty Wilson, Irving, Texas

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