All laboratories utilizing hazardous chemicals must have standard operating procedures that address chemical spill response actions. These SOPs must identify appropriate response equipment, procedures and limitations
- To know what is to be done & by whom in the event of a “hazardous material release” creating an emergency situation.
- The Chemical Spill Response Guide regulates the action handling of hazardous substances by workers employed in the clean-up operation or workers responding to an emergency release.
- An emergency release is defined as:
- A spill of over 1 Liter of hazardous substance
- Major Spills
- In the event of a spill which:
- involves the release of a type or quantity of a chemical that poses an immediate risk to health, or
- involves an uncontrolled fire or explosion or
- involves a highly dangerous chemical or
- involves unknown or highly reactive chemical(s) or
- involves a large quantity of chemical (generally over 1 liter of liquid or 1 kg of solid material)
- Immediately activate the nearest fire alarm and evacuate the building.
- Call emergency extension and provide details of the accident including:
- location
- class of hazardous materials involved
- size of spill
- description of any personal injury
- control measures already taken
- your name and phone number
- how you can be identified when emergency personnel arrive at the scene
- If the accident involves personal injury or chemical contamination, follow the above steps as appropriate, and at the same time:
- Move the victim from the immediate area of fire, explosion, or spill (if this can be done without further injury to the victim or you).
- Locate nearest emergency eyewash or safety shower.
- Remove any contaminated clothing from the victim and flush all areas of the body contacted by chemicals with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes.
- Administer first aid as appropriate and seek immediate medical attention.
- Minor Spills
- In the event of a spill involving the release of a chemical that does not pose an immediate risk to health and does not involve chemical contamination to the body:
- Notify personnel and the adjacent department/unit/section of the accident.
- Isolate the area, closing doors and evacuating the immediate area if necessary.
- Remove ignition sources and unplug nearby electrical equipment.
- Establish ventilation, if possible, by turning on central exhaust system, and the fume hoods if the accident occur in the laboratory..
- Locate the spill kit.
- Choose appropriate personal protective equipment (goggles, face shield, impervious gloves, lab coat, apron, etc.).
- Confine and contain spill by covering or surrounding it with appropriate absorbent material.
- Neutralize acid and base spills prior to cleanup
- Sweep solid material into a plastic dust pan and place in a sealed 5 gallon container.
- Wet mop spill area. Be sure to decontaminate broom, dustpan, etc.
- Put all contaminated items (gloves, clothing, etc.) into a sealed container or plastic bag.
- Request Safety Officer or Housekeeping for Hazardous Waste Pickup.
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) procedures for the spilled chemical take priority over these procedures in the event they differ
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- goggles and face shield
- heavy neoprene or nitrile gloves
- disposable lab coat and corrosives apron
- plastic vinyl booties
- dust mask/respirator
- Absorbents:
- Apill socks, pillows or pads in sufficient quantity to contain a spill and keep it away from any floor drains.
- Universal spill absorbent – 1:1:1 mixture of Flor-Dri (or unscented kitty litter), sodium bicarbonate, and sand. This all purpose absorbent is good for most chemical spill including solvents, acids (not good for hydrofluoric acid), and bases.
- Acid spill neutralizer – sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, or calcium carbonate.
- Alkali (base) spill neutralizer – sodium bisulfate
- Solvents/organic liquid absorbent – inert absorbents such as vermiculite, clay, sand, Flor-Dri, and Oil-Dri.
- Bromine neutralizer – 5% solution of sodium thiosulfate and inert absorbent.
- Hydrofluoric acid – HF compatible spill pillow or neutralize with lime and transfer to a polyethylene container.
- Clean-Up Material:
- broom, plastic dust pan and scoop
- plastic bags (30 Gallon, 3 mil thickness) for contaminated PPE
- one plastic bucket (5 gallon polyethylene) with lid for spill and absorbent residues
- hazmat bags (chemical, biological, and/or radiological (as appropriate)
- Other:
- hydrofluoric acid antidote gel – calcium gluconate (if hydrofluoric acid is used in the lab)
- mercury spill kit – aspirator bulb and mercury decontaminating powder
- alkali metals – dry sand
- acid chlorides – Oil Dri, Zorb-All, or dry sand
- pH paper
- tongs
- Action by Safety Officer
- Directly proceed to the scene after getting the information.
- Help in or direct the cleaning up operation.
- Ensure that the waste generated in cleaning up the spill is properly stored/treated.
- Accomplish incident report in conjunction with Area In-charge and determine the cause of spill.