Chemical Spill

Chemical Hazard Information

The primary consideration for personnel when a chemical is spilled is safety.

• All staff members have the right and responsibility to know what hazards are present when working with chemicals or materials.
• Staff can obtain safety information sheets, commonly called Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) from the Maintenance Department, the Chemistry Laboratory (MH 302), or the Executive Director of Campus Services.

MSDS contain information regarding:

• Exposure limits to tell how toxic the chemical is.
• Chemical flammability.
• Which fire extinguisher to use in the event of a fire.
• Safety precautions for use when handling.
• Response to a chemical spill can occur at various levels. In the laboratory setting, some spills may be cleaned up by the lab instructor. Other spills must be reported to the chemical hygiene officer, who is the Executive Director of Campus Services. The chemical hygiene officer or safety coordinator will determine if there is need to call in outside help to handle the spill.

Simple Spills

• Do not spread rapidly.
• Do not endanger people or the environment.
• Can be managed safely by individuals trained in using the specific chemicals.

The chemistry laboratory keeps a supply of absorbents to clean up many spills.

• Notify affected people
• Obtain clean-up supplies
• Determine the identity of the chemical spilled
• Secure the area of the spill
• Consult MSDS for specifications on chemical clean-up
• Proceed in the spill clean-up as indicated in the MSDS sheets.

Major Spills

• Spread rapidly
• Involve a personal injury
• Could endanger people or the environment.
• DIAL 911. When reporting the spill, be specific about the nature of the involved material and exact location.
• Evacuate and assemble staff and students in the immediate vicinity at a safe distance away from the spill.
• Collect spill information from MSDS sheets in order to notify the personnel responding to the emergency.
• Any spillage of a hazardous chemical is to be reported immediately to the Chemical Hygiene Officer, Campus Security, and the Executive Director of Campus Services. If the spill is determined to be serious, the Wilson Emergency Management Agency will be called immediately.
• The key person on the site should vacate the affected area at once and seal it off to prevent further contamination of other areas until arrival of safety personnel.
• If evacuation of a building(s) is needed, follow evacuation procedures.

Recommended List of Clean-Up Materials and Supplies

1 box polypropylene pads

1 box activated charcoal

1 box liquid acid neutralizer

1 box liquid caustic neutralizer

1 box heavy duty plastic trash bags

Hazardous waste labels

1 gallon plastic container with lid

Dust pan and brush

Laboratory tongs

Clean-Up Procedures

1. Acid, Caustic, or other non-Flammable Liquids
   

   These are most easily absorbed with polypropylene pads. Place used pads in a trash bag. Frequently, laboratory spills will spread into drawers and behind or under equipment. The responder must be careful to locate all such contaminated areas. 

2. Flammable Liquids

   Flammable liquids should be absorbed on activated carbon. Use approximately 2 pounds of activated carbon per pint (0.5 liters) of liquid. Use the dust brush to thoroughly mix the activated carbon with the liquid. Use the dustpan and brush to collect all residue.