Spills
Chemical Spills or Release (Indoors)
a. Small spills that are identified and do not endanger workers in the immediate area may be cleaned up by qualified laboratory personnel who have been trained and are properly equipped to handle the situation. Chemical spill guidelines (Appendix G) have been established and are available in the Institute's Laboratory Safety Program. Lab supervisors should take into consideration the following:
(1) The hazards of the chemical(s) involved.
(2) The amount of the chemical(s) involved.
(3) Spill locations.
(4) Availability of spill clean up materials or kits.
b. If the spill is large, if the chemical is not easily identified, if the chemical is extremely hazardous or if there has been a fire, explosion or personal injury involved, then:
(1) Evacuate all personnel from the area.
(2) If the entire building requires evacuation, activate the building fire alarm system and evacuate utilizing the fire evacuation procedure.
(3) Report to:
Public Safety - Dial x8590
OEHS - Dial x8124
(4) When placing an emergency call:
- Give your name.
- Give your location (room and building).
- Give the phone number you are using.
- Describe the emergency/injuries.
- If possible, remain in vicinity, away from danger, to assist emergency responders.
(5) Measures should be taken to prevent people from entering the contaminated area.
(6) Meet the emergency responders and provide information and assistance as needed.
Hazardous Materials Incident (Outdoors)
- This section should be implemented in the event of a major hazardous material incident that occurs outside the building, but the chemical could impact the building occupants (i.e., train derailment, tractor trailer accident, etc).
- Hazardous material accidents can occur on campus or in the adjacent areas and could impact occupants inside buildings. Local media will broadcast warnings over radio and television to communicate that a hazardous materials incident has occurred. The National Weather Service will broadcast similar warnings over NOAA Weather Radios. Campus sirens might sound, notifying people within hearing range of the incident and to listen to local media. Once building occupants become aware of a hazardous material incident that may impact the building, they should notify Public Safety. Public Safety will immediately notify employees by word of mouth, telephone or email/text message notification. This notification will advise building occupants to implement emergency actions.
Campus and local government uses two strategies (Shelter in Place and Evacuation) for protecting citizens during hazardous material emergencies; Public Safety will notify the building occupants which strategy has been implemented.