If you inhale cement dust or get it on your skin or in your eyes you should:

Explanation: • Swallow it or brush it off whenever you can: No, you should avoid swallowing it if at all possible and brushing it off will generally just spread it over more of your skin and so is not the most effective way of dealing with it.
• Have a shower when you get home: No, this would be too late, it is important to action immediately to avoid the worst consequences.
• Seek fresh air immediately and do nothing until the ambulance arrives: No, seeking fresh air is correct but it is also important to take other action as soon as possible e.g. flushing mouth, skin and eyes with cool water for at least 15 minutes.
• Seek fresh air immediately, if the dust is on your skin or eyes rinse it off with cool water for at least 15 minutes: Yes, the fresh air may blow some of the dust away and will certainly help breathing. It is important to wash away any dust form skin or eyes with cool or room-temperature water for at least 15 minutes.

Categories: CPC Case Studies: Incidents, Emergencies and First Aid