Safety / Toxin · Controlled Procedure
VC-SOP-0307 — Dermal & Inhalation Exposure First Response
The immediate, time-critical actions taken when a worker contacts or inhales a toxic plant compound — decontamination, wash and antidote protocols, medical escalation, and mandatory exposure logging. Speed and correct route handling in the first 90 seconds govern the outcome.
Decontaminate first, diagnose second. Begin the route-appropriate first action in Section 6 within 90 seconds of exposure — do not wait for medical to arrive. Never induce vomiting, never apply water to a confirmed water-reactive extract, and never re-enter the source cell to retrieve equipment. All exposures, including suspected ones, are logged and reviewed regardless of apparent severity.
1. Purpose
To define the immediate first-response procedure for personnel who have sustained dermal contact with, or inhalation of, toxic plant compounds, extracts, or VOCs during GreenWorld Sector-7 operations — ensuring rapid decontamination, correct antidote selection, timely medical escalation, and complete exposure documentation.
2. Scope
Applies to all exposures occurring in cultivation bays, the Phyto-Synthesis Bay, Bio-Vaults, quarantine cells, and field recovery zones. Extraction-line exposures additionally invoke the line-shutdown rules of VC-SOP-0402; GCL-4 cell exposures invoke the breach protocol in VC-SOP-0204 and VC-SOP-0203. PPE that should have prevented the exposure is assessed against VC-SOP-0301 during the post-incident review.
3. Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Exposure Event | Any actual or suspected contact, ingestion, or inhalation of a toxic plant compound by a person. |
| Decon Station | The fixed eyewash, drench shower, and neutralizing-wash post located within 10 m of every Level-B+ work area. |
| Antidote Kit | Sealed kit holding compound-specific countermeasures keyed to the bay's resident toxin profile. |
| Escalation Window | The maximum time from exposure to definitive medical contact before outcome risk rises sharply. |
| Index Compound | The specific toxin involved, identified from the specimen record or the active extraction batch. |
| Decon Run-off | Contaminated wash water and wipes, collected for neutralization rather than drain disposal. |
4. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Safety Officer (Owner) | Owns this SOP; chairs every post-exposure review; approves antidote stocking levels. |
| Exposed Worker | Initiates self-decon if able; reports the index compound and time of exposure. |
| First Responder (buddy) | Assists decon, retrieves the antidote kit, raises the alarm, and starts the exposure log. |
| Facility Medical Officer | Provides definitive care; decides transport and antidote administration; signs medical record. |
| CHLORA | Identifies the index compound from the cell/batch record, pushes the matching antidote protocol to responders, and timestamps every step of the response. |
5. Equipment & Pre-Checks
- Decon station within 10 m, flow-tested weekly (eyewash ≥1.5 L/min for 15 min)
- Antidote kit present, sealed, and in date for the bay's resident toxin profile
- Neutralizing wash (compound-appropriate) stocked and unexpired
- Decon run-off catch basin staged for routing to VC-SOP-0318
- Emergency call point to the Facility Medical Officer verified live
- CHLORA antidote-protocol push tested at shift start
6. Exposure-Type Immediate-Action Table
| Route | Typical Signs | Immediate First Action (≤90 s) | Escalation Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dermal — contact toxin | Erythema, burning, blistering, numbness at site | Remove contaminated PPE; flood site at drench shower 15 min; apply compound-specific neutralizing wash | Medical within 15 min |
| Ocular splash | Tearing, pain, vision blur | Eyewash continuously ≥15 min, lids held open; remove contacts; do not rub | Medical within 10 min |
| Inhalation — VOC / aerosol | Cough, chest tightness, dizziness, dysphagia | Move to fresh-air muster point upwind; seated, calm; high-flow O₂ if trained | Medical within 5 min |
| Dermal — water-reactive extract | Exothermic sting, rapid spreading lesion | Brush/blot dry, apply dry neutralizer; NO water until reagent confirmed safe | Medical within 10 min |
| Systemic — GCL-4 alkaloid | Tachycardia, paresthesia, collapse | Administer keyed antidote from kit per CHLORA push; begin basic life support | Medical immediate · alarm facility-wide |
7. Procedure
7.1 Recognize & Alarm
- The worker or buddy declares an exposure and identifies the route and index compound.
- Raise the bay alarm; CHLORA confirms the index compound from the cell or active batch record.
- For extraction-line exposures, trigger line shutdown per VC-SOP-0402.
7.2 Immediate Decontamination
- Execute the route-appropriate first action from Section 6 within 90 seconds.
- Remove contaminated PPE without spreading the agent; never pull a contaminated suit over the face.
- Continue flushing for the full specified interval — do not stop early because pain subsides.
7.3 Antidote & Stabilization
- Retrieve the antidote kit; CHLORA pushes the compound-specific protocol to the responder.
- Administer only the keyed countermeasure; record dose and time. Begin basic life support if indicated.
- Keep the worker still and monitored; collect a sample of the agent if it can be done safely.
7.4 Medical Escalation
- Contact the Facility Medical Officer within the Section 6 escalation window for the route.
- Hand off the index compound, time of exposure, decon performed, and antidote given.
- The Medical Officer decides definitive care and transport; systemic GCL-4 cases alarm facility-wide.
7.5 Containment of Run-off & Site
- Collect all decon run-off and contaminated PPE into the catch basin; route to VC-SOP-0318.
- Seal and post the exposure site; no re-entry until the Safety Officer clears it.
- Preserve the agent sample and PPE for the post-incident review.
7.6 Logging & Review
- Complete the exposure log: person, time, route, compound, actions, antidote, outcome.
- The Safety Officer chairs a post-exposure review within 48 hours, assessing PPE adequacy against VC-SOP-0301.
- Findings may raise the cell's required ensemble or open a deviation per VC-SOP-0107.
7.7 Quality Checkpoints
- First action initiated within 90 seconds of exposure
- Index compound confirmed and correct antidote administered
- Medical escalation made inside the route's window
- Decon run-off contained and routed to neutralization
- Exposure logged and post-incident review held within 48 hours
8. Records
- Exposure log per event with full timeline (CHLORA, retained 30 years)
- Medical record signed by the Facility Medical Officer
- Antidote administration record with dose and time
- Decon run-off neutralization manifest (cross-filed to VC-SOP-0318)
- Post-incident review minutes and any resulting deviation or PPE change
9. References
- VC-SOP-0301 — Personal Protective Equipment Selection Matrix
- VC-SOP-0402 — Toxin Extraction & Synthesis
- VC-SOP-0204 — GCL-4 Containment & Handling
- VC-SOP-0203 — Emergency Containment Breach Response
- VC-SOP-0318 — Toxic Waste Neutralization & Disposal
- VC-SOP-0107 — Procedure Deviation & Logged Exception Control
- Monitoring Systems · Operational Metrics
10. Revision History
| Rev | Date | Author | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 2087-02-08 | Safety Officer | Initial issue; route-based first actions and decon stations. |
| B | 2088-10-17 | Safety Officer | Water-reactive extract rule and dry-neutralizer pathway added. |
| C | 2089-11-29 | Safety Officer | CHLORA antidote-protocol push and escalation windows formalized. |
| D | 2090-08-26 | Safety Officer | 90-second first-action standard and 48-hour review mandate. CBO approval. |