Emergency Medical Care at the Scene of a Natural Gas Incident

When responding to a potential natural gas pipeline incident, emergency responders should be aware of potential hazards and emergency medical care needs. When released in a confined space, natural gas can be an asphyxiate. If ignited by a spark, it can cause burns. Continued exposure to natural gas can cause headaches, nausea, drowsiness, central nervous system depression and respiratory arrest.

When arriving at the scene of a natural gas pipeline incident, park upwind at a safe distance from the leak. Move people to a safe place, identify anyone in need of medical care and notify the incident commander.

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics or other trained medical professionals provide medical care at the scene of a pipeline incident. Medical teams arriving on the scene will typically check-in with the incident commander for information on confirmed medical issues and the location of anyone who is injured or sick.

The “Pipeline Emergency Response Guidelines” published by the Pipeline Association for Public Awareness and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for natural gas recommend the following tips for emergency medical care at the scene of a natural gas pipeline incident:

	Move patients to fresh air.
	Assess the nature of a patient’s health and gather information on pre-existing conditions.
	If a patient has inhaled natural gas, and is not breathing, apply artificial respiration.
	If a patient has had eye or skin contact with natural gas, flush eyes thoroughly withwater and wash skin with soap.
	If a patient has ingested natural gas, do not induce vomiting.
	If spontaneous vomiting occurs, hold the victim's head lower than his hips to prevent aspiration.

If additional care is necessary, EMT/paramedics will transfer patients to emergency hospital care.

Kinder Morgan recommends that first responders review the natural gas Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and have copies available for reference by dispatchers, first responders, EMTs and paramedics.

The MSDS describes the characteristics of natural gas, lists potential hazards and provides response guidance. Download a copy of the natural gas MSDS by visiting Kinder Morgan's web site at http://www.kindermorgan.com/public_awareness/ AdditionalInformation
/msds/default.cfm.

2009 Issue 3 Articles

View Archived Issues

New & Expanded
Pipeline Systems:
What it Means for First
Responders &
Communities

Emergency Medical
Care at the Scene of a
Natural Gas Incident

Planning &
Coordinating a
Community Drill,
Part 3: Using
Feedback to
Improve Response
Capability

Pipeline Emergency
Self-Assessment for
Response Agencies