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Chemical
Spills
Chemical
Spills will inevitably occur and personnel should be
properly trained to recognize the hazards associated
with the spill, minimize the spill and to notify to
proper response personnel when necessary.
Initial response to a chemical spill should include:
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- Alert
others in the area of the incident
- Evacuate
and secure the area
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A
chemical spill is classified as an Emergency Spill when
it:
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- Causes
personal injury or chemical exposure that requires
medical attention
- Causes
a fire hazard or uncontrollable volatility
- Requires
a need for self-contained or supplied air breathing
apparatus to handle the materials involved
- Involves
or contaminates public area
- Causes
airborne contamination that requires local or
building evacuation
- Causes
damage to property that will require repairs
- Involves
any quantity of metallic mercury
- Cannot
be properly handled due to a lack or properly
trained personnel and/or equipment to perform
a safe, effective clean up
- Requires
a prolonged clean up
- Involves
an unknown substance
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General
Plan of Action During a Chemical Spill:
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- Don't
panic
- Alert
other people of the problem and evacuate to
a place of safety. If time allows and a chemical
fume hood is available, open the face completely
and turn on to help ventilate the area. If windows
are available, open them.
- Contact
University Police for help in securing the area.(511)
- Remove
any injured person to fresh air and begin decontamination
on them and yourself in necessary.
- Remove
any contaminated clothing. Flush skin and eyes
for a minimum of 15 minutes. Use soap for final
cleaning of the skin.
- If
flammable vapors are involved, do not operated
electrical switches unless to turn off motorized
equipment. Try to turn off or remove any heat
sources.
- Check
MSDS for proper procedures before starting any
clean up procedures.
- Do
not touch the spill without protective gloves
and clothing.
- If
the spill does not present an immediate danger
to life and health, try to control the spread
of the spill. Try not to allow the material
to escape into the floor drains.
- NEVER
assume gases or vapors do not exist or are harmless
because of a lack of smell. Many chemicals anesthetize
the nose and the sense of smell is eliminated
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