BASF practices thorough hazard control. Technical measures such as closed systems are one of the main steps used in the prevention of exposures to chemical substances. Beyond this, there is an obligation to optimally prepare for and respond to involuntary chemical exposures. Organized preparation and response is particularly relevant for chemicals, which potentially represent a major risk not only for employees, but also for neighbors, transporters, or customers.
Against this background and in compliance with the chemical industry's commitment to Responsible Care®, the Corporate Health Management Department of BASF Ludwigshafen developed medical guidelines for the treatment of acute exposure to chemical substances.
Every guideline exists in four versions, namely for first responders, paramedics and doctors at the site, doctors at hospitals/emergency departments, and the patients. Thus, the guidelines are user-specific for different target groups involved in the management of a chemical accident. All guidelines are reviewed thoroughly by external experts.
For further information, please contact the human toxicology department: Contact form
The "Chemical Emergency Medical Guidelines" have been developed by BASF to aid emergency health care professionals who manage acute exposures resulting from chemical incidents.
These guidelines are intended to assist emergency responders to effectively rescue and decontaminate patients while protecting themselves, and to communicate with other involved personnel, and provide medical evaluation and treatment to exposed persons.
The Health Care Sections of the Guidelines are use-specific and divided into sections of information and recommendations targeted to the different levels of health-care responders potentially involved in medical response to an accidental chemical exposure. Thus, there is a separate section for use by each of the following
In each of the Health Care Sections, the following information and recommendations are outlined for each chemical substance, amended to reflect the expertise and care setting of each type of medical provider:
Actions:
The Information and Recommendations for patients addresses the following issues for the exposed patient, on a chemimcal-specific basis:
A "Follow-up instructions" checklist is provided with specific symptoms of concern for each chemical substance with advice for the patients how to deal with possible symptoms and what to observe after having been released medical treatment.
References are provided at the end of each section, specific to the literature used in preparation of the individual chemical information and recommendations.
The medical guidelines of BASF can be found in the collaboration portal.