

Chemical Spill Procedures

Environmental Health and Safety Office
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Chemical Spills

 Unintentional and uncontrolled release of a chemical/hazardous

material into the environment

 Chemicals
 Laboratory spaces
 Plant/Caretaking

 Two main categories:

 Major spills
 Minor spills
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Approaching Chemical Spill Situations

 If a spill occurs
 Do not panic
 Determine the identity of the spilled substance
 Refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
 Assess the situation
 Cordon off the area
 Determine the severity of the spill
 Major vs. minor
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Major Spills

 Injuries sustained that require medical attention

 Poses an immediate danger to life and health

 Potential for fire or explosion

 Quantity

 Properties or hazards of the spilled material are unknown

 Major spills require an external emergency

response for clean-up
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Major Spills - Response

 Evacuate the area

 If safe
 Attend to injured persons
 Shut of possible ignition sources
 Try to control spread of spill

 Notify your supervisor

 Who to contact
 During business hours:
 Locate Chief Fire Warden and contact EHSO (474-6633)
 After business hours:
 Security services (555 on red phones, or 474-9341)
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Major Spills - Aftermath

 Incident investigation
 Direct supervisor

 Local Area Safety and Health Committee (LASHC)

 EHSO
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Minor Spills

 Clean up
 Responsibility of those accountable for the spill
 EHSO will provide technical advice or onsite assistance when
requested

 Only laboratory staff have the appropriate training

for cleaning a laboratory spill
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Minor Spills – Response

 Look after contaminated people

 Restrict the area with appropriate signage

 Control spread of spill

 Refer to the MSDS

 Follow established safe work procedures

 Contact
 During business hours: EHSO (474-6633)
 After business hours: Security services (555 or 474-9341)
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Hazardous Waste

 Adsorbent materials
 Utilized to clean the spill

 Hazardous Waste Program

 EHSO
 Proper disposal
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Entering Laboratory Spaces

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Assessing Laboratory Spaces

 WHIP
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Assessing Laboratory Spaces

 WHIP

 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 Safety glasses
 Laboratory gloves

 Decommissioning
 Responsibility of the lab
 General cleanliness
 Removal of chemicals and equipment
 Experiments

 You have the right to refuse work if the area is not

properly decommissioned
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Unexpected Substances

 Locate the source

 Unknown substance
 Contact laboratory personnel
 EHSO
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Accidental Chemical Exposure

 Determine the nature of the chemical

 Refer to the MSDS

 Locate the emergency eyewash, shower stations, and sink

 Notify appropriate personnel

 Direct supervisor
 During business hours: Appropriate lab personnel, and EHSO
(474-6633)
 After business hours: Security services (555 or 474-9341), and
911