Basic Dye Safety
This is the most important dye information you will ever need!
THINK SAFETY!
This is not meant to scare you out of dyeing but is meant to prevent you and loved ones from really dying! Enjoy this wonderful craft by not getting careless. Always be prepared to deal with accidents. Call 911 if victim has a hard time breathing, is not breathing, cannot wake up, or has convulsions.
POISON IS: Any substance that causes unintended symptoms: (1) Solids; (2) Liquids; (3) Sprays; (4) Gases or vapors. Dyers need to worry about (1), (2), (4): Never leave an unattended stove, especially if children or pets are in the area.
ACCIDENTS: Millions of people are poisoned every year; most of these accidents could have been prevented. Even talcum powder can be fatal if inhaled; sawdust can be deadly to human lungs.
CHILDREN AND PETS: They are ingenious about getting into "safe" cupboards or finding something on the floor to put their mouths; they can drink large quantities of liquid in a very short time and liquids are absorbed rapidly. Dogs are vulnerable as they can (and do) eat or drink anything. Teach children to recognize the skull and crossbones symbol and to report finding such labels. If you suspect a poisoning, call 911. Prompt attention is crucial to save a life.
SKIN: Never touch chemicals with bare hands. Prevent skin contact with impervious protective clothing, closed shoes (no open-toed sandals!), gloves, lab coat, apron or coveralls.
EYES: Use chemical safety goggles and/or full face shield where dusting or splashing is possible. Do not work with unprotected eyes; do not wear contact lenses around chemicals. Corrosive chemicals can work inside, permanently damaging cornea.
VENTILATION: If working indoors, including in the garage, have a good ventilation system to keep chemical dust as low as possible. A ventilation hood can prevent dispersion into work area. Failing that, place an electric fan on floor or in window where it can't blow across your work table, with the fan blowing out of (away from) the work area.
RESPIRATORS: For occasional handling of powders, a paper dust mask will suffice; if handling a quantity of powders, a half-face dust/mist NIOSH-approved respirator is best. These respirators do not protect in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
FIRST AID: Stay calm! Call 911 so help is on the way. Call doctor and Poison Control Center to find what to do next. Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so by a medical authority. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
INHALATION: Remove victim to fresh air while someone calls for medical assistance. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Rinse affected parts with water.
INGESTION: Loosen tight clothing. Wash mouth out with water or milk.
SKIN CONTACT: Alkali can burn long before symptoms appear. Flush skin with water 15+ minutes. If acid, apply paste of baking soda. Remove contaminated clothing or shoes and thoroughly clean before reuse.
EYE CONTACT: Check for and remove contact lenses. Gently flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Lift upper and lower eyelids occasionally while water is flowing into eyes.
FIRE: While most dyes and many chemicals are not a fire hazard, some can flare in combination with other materials. Gas can be released from a chemical fire.
EXPLOSION: Some chemicals can explode if handled carelessly, stored near heat or mixed with an opposite type of chemical. If there is danger of a chemical explosion, get out of area quickly.
EXTINGUISHERS: Always have a fully-charged fire extinguisher and functioning water hose with cut-off faucet valve in easy reach of work area. Use any means suitable to extinguish fire.
SURVIVAL: Call 911 to report a fire and give address before hanging up. If possible to fight the fire without personal danger, do so; otherwise, get out of area.
IF POISONING OCCURS: Have the following information ready to give:
- Your name, phone number and address (do not hang up without giving this information!)
- Victim's current condition
- Age of victim
- Weight (if child or pet was poisoned)
- Name of product and ingredients (if listed)
- How much of the product was ingested or inhaled
- Time that exposure or ingestion occurred
- Vital signs (temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, muccous membrane color)
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS: Post these in work area, and near household telephone:
- Your fire department
- Family doctor
- Your veterinarian
- Regional poison control center (see inside cover of Yellow Pages or white pages of phone directory)
- Poisoning emergency: 1-800-222-1222 if victim is conscious
- National Animal Poison Control Center: 1-800-548-2423 or 1-900-680-0000
- Chemical Emergency numbers, 24-hours, 7 days: Infotrac: 1-800-535-5053 or Chemtrec: 1-800-424-9300 — International Chemtrec assistance: 703-527-3887