Industrial accidents happen in factories and in the transport or storage of hazardous substances. For a chemical accident the immediate danger signal sounds (60 s of wailing tone), and a warning may also arrive on your phone.
If you witness it
- Call 112 and say everything you know: where, what is leaking, whether anyone is hurt.
- Don't step in the leaking substance or touch contaminated objects.
If you're inside
- If you're close to the accident and the wind is blowing towards you: leave the area at once.
- If you're further away: close windows, doors and vents. Cover gaps with duct tape, wet towels or aluminium foil.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities, civil protection and experts.
If you're outside
- On a siren or phone alert, get into a solid building straight away, quickly and calmly.
- If you're near a cloud of the hazardous substance: don't eat or drink, protect your airways with a wet cloth and leave the area at once.
In a vehicle
- Close the windows, switch off the ventilation and drive as far from the accident as you can.
Afterwards
- If you were exposed, see a doctor as soon as possible.