Chapter 6 -- Emergency and Spill Response

The purpose of this section is to provide information to persons working with chemicals on the steps to take when chemicals are spilled or released.

 

Spill Response Procedures

Persons involved with a spill or release of any hazardous material should evaluate the potential danger to themselves, others and the environment before attempting any action (which they must then be properly trained or equipped to handle).

Minor spills of known materials should be cleaned up immediately by personnel in that area. Appropriate personal protective equipment should be used. Chemical protective gloves, safety glasses and clothing covers, such as aprons and lab coats, should be sufficient to handle minor spills of known materials.

For moderate size spills of known materials that cannot be cleaned up without assistance, call the EM office. They will provide technical assistance, equipment, supplies, and guidance. All personnel not directly assisting with the cleanup should be kept away from the area involved.

Larger spills of known materials, spills of unknown materials, spills that result in fire or explosion, or spills that are immediately dangerous to life and health, should be treated as emergencies. Evacuate the immediate area of the spill and call 98363. In larger incidents, evacuate the entire building, either personally or with the assistance of the building authority. All personnel leaving the building or area should gather upwind from the spill at a safe distance away as listed in their evacuation plans. Lab managers should verify that all persons are accounted for. Once at a safe location, call the  emergency number (166, 192 from any campus phone) and stay on the line until told to hang up by the police dispatcher. Those persons involved with the incident are to remain in the area outside the involved building to assist the emergency response agencies. Information, such as the chemicals or biohazardous agents involved, will be needed by the various responding agencies. After relaying the vital information, lab personnel should notify the principle investigator and the department head.

If any emergency involves personal injury or chemical contamination, call 166 from any campus phone and ask for an ambulance to be sent to the area. Be sure to state the type of contaminant on the victim. In cases where corrosive chemical exposure to the eyes or body of an individual occurs, carefully assist the injured person to an eyewash station, deluge shower or combination unit. For other chemicals consult the MSDS for that chemical and follow the recommendations in the first aid section. A copy of the MSDS should be available for the ambulance crew and should accompany the victim to the hospital. For exposures to the eyes, flushing with water for a minimum of 15 minutes is recommended. The person should be seen immediately by a physician.

 

Spill and Release Reporting

Spills and releases of hazardous materials in other than insignificant amounts should be reported to the EM office. If the spill or release also involves a radioactive material, then the Radiation Safety office should be notified, too.

 

Spill Response Equipment

Each area storing or using hazardous materials should have absorbent materials capable of at least stopping the spread of spilled chemicals to drains or other areas. Examples of absorbent materials would be towels, pads, vermiculite and sorbent booms. Most areas that have only small amounts of chemicals could use lab towels or paper towels when compatible with the spilled material. Other areas, such as chemical storerooms and maintenance shops, will require more extensive supplies of sorbent materials. Other protective equipment, such as gloves and eye protection, can be worn for spill cleanup as well as normal chemical usage.

 

Management of Materials from Spill Cleanup

Materials that are generated as a result of spill cleanup are considered to be hazardous waste if the original material when disposed of would be a hazardous waste. These materials must be placed into appropriate sealed containers and will be managed as any other hazardous waste, i.e. requiring proper labeling and waste tickets.