HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILL RESPONSE
Possible Situations:
A minor or major spill of a known or unknown substance (toxic, radioactive, biohazardous, or flammable) is witnessed, observed, or reported. The spill is on your floor, in another part of the building, or in a location that could affect the general area.
Definitions:
A minor spill is characterized by the confidence and capability of the staff to clean up the spill and return the area to normal working conditions without the assistance of emergency personnel. The clean-up crew must be properly trained, must don the appropriate personal protective gear, and must use suitable equipment and supplies.
A major chemical spill requires the assistance of emergency personnel from outside the Department - the Office of Environmental Health & Safety, or Police and/or Fire Departments.
SPILL RESPONSE:
Response to a chemical spill occurs at several levels. For many employees and students, spills may be cleaned up at the first level - theirs. The Office of Environmental Health & Safety shall manage other spills.
When is a spill really a spill?
A spill is defined as "a material out of control." In a particular sense, the quantity of material is not important. The essential issue is whether the hazards, the location, and the quantity cause the situation to be beyond the laboratory worker’s capabilities.
Experience provides some guidelines whether a spill should be cleaned-up by laboratory personnel or by spill response personnel. For convenience and safety, a minimum quantity has been established beyond, which all spills, regardless of the substance, must be reported. All spills greater than 1 quart (1 liter) must be reported to the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEH&S 862-4041 during normal business hours, and to Dispatch at 911). While this may seem overly stringent to some, experience indicates that over-reporting is preferable to under-reporting.
In addition to the minimum quantity, the following types of spills must be reported, regardless of the quantity:
- • All spills of extremely flammable materials (flash point less than 20 degrees F)
- • All spills of extremely toxic materials (5mg/kg LD50)
- • All mercury spills
- • All personal contamination
- • All leaking containers
- • All uncontrolled compressed gas releases
Personnel are responsible to have procedures to clean spills that are below the reportable level. The following must be addressed:
Personal Safety
The primary consideration for laboratory personnel when a material is spilled is safety. Safety for every person in the laboratory and in the building is of paramount importance.
If the spill could potentially harm someone, call 862-4041 or Dispatch at 911. Otherwise, the laboratory that will clean up the spill must follow specific procedures to do so safely and effectively.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Before attempting to clean up a spill, the lab responder must put on a minimum amount of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- • Safety glasses
- • Lab Coat
- • Nitrile or neoprene gloves
Clean-up Materials
Laboratories must have certain supplies available before attempting to clean a spill. The actual materials to be used will depend upon the hazards posed by the spilled material. The following is a recommended list of supplies:
- • Absorbent pads
- • Absorbent socks
- • Acid neutralizer
- • Activated carbon
- • Caustic neutralizer
- • Dust pan & brush
- • Heavy duty plastic trash bags
- • Laboratory tongs
- • One gallon or five gallon plastic bucket with lid
- • UNH Hazardous Waste Tags
Note: This procedure is not applicable to spills of Mercury or radioactive materials.
CLEAN UP PROCEDURE
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use the appropriate PPE. If, during the spill or subsequent actions, any person comes in contact with a chemical, refer to the manufacturers Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for First Aid guidance.
- Control Control the source of the spill, if it is still present. For example, a bottle which was knocked over may still have some material in it. The responder should carefully upright the container, place it on an absorbent pad in safe location, and replace the lid on the container. Any spread of spilled material must also be controlled. This is best done by placing absorbent pads or socks around and on the spill. Many laboratory spills involve broken glass. The spill responder must take precautions to avoid getting cut.
- Absorb/Remove
- Remove broken glass Using tongs, dustpan and brush, or by carefully using gloved fingers, remove all large pieces of glass and place them in an appropriate container.
- Decontaminate Acidic Liquids
- Container Use absorbent pads, neutralizers, and hot soapy water, as needed, to remove all traces of spilled material from the container. Remember to clean the bottom of the container.
- Inspect Carefully check the entire affected area for spilled residue, hidden contamination, or unsafe conditions, and act accordingly.
- Package Spill Residues Place all spill residues and contaminated PPE in plastic bags. Seal the bags and place in a bucket or other appropriate container. Attach a properly completed UNH Waste Tag on the outside of the container. Place the bucket in the Satellite Accumulation Area. Contact Martin McCrone 862-3526 for removal.
- Restock Spill Supplies Gather and restock supplies as needed.
Acid, Caustic, or other Non-Flammable Liquids
These are the most easily absorbed with absorbent pads and socks. Place used absorbent pads and socks 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.
Flammable Liquids
Flammable liquids should be absorbed on activated carbon or absorbent pads and socks. Use approximately 2 pounds of activated carbon per pint (0.5 liters) of liquid. Use the dust brush or spatula to thoroughly mix the activated carbon with the liquid. Use the dustpan and the brush to collect all residue. Remove large pieces of broken glass as described in step 4 and place all other debris in a plastic trash bag or appropriate container.
Apply acid neutralizer on all surfaces affected by the spill. Soak up the neutralizer and apply fresh neutralizer. Remove the residue with absorbent pads or paper towels. Thoroughly wash the affected area with hot soapy water. Use absorbent pads to finish cleaning the area.
Caustic Liquids
Apply caustic neutralizer on all surfaces affected by the spill. Soak up the neutralizer and apply fresh neutralizer. Remove the residues with absorbent pads or paper towels. Thoroughly wash the affected area with hot soapy water. Use absorbent pads to finish cleaning the area.
Flammable Liquids
Thoroughly wash the area with hot soapy water. Use absorbent pads to finish cleaning the area.
Evacuation Policy for Hazardous Material Spills:
- • Evacuations are rarely needed in minor spills.
- • Workers who are not involved in the minor clean up of the affected areas may simply vacate the premises for a brief period.
- • Evacuation of rooms, floors, or even buildings is usually necessary in major spills.
The decision to evacuate is made jointly between the Department and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Be certain to alert all persons in the affected area to evacuate to the assembly area or to an alternate location if the assembly area is in the danger zone. Secure the area and control the perimeter to restrict access into or through the affected area. Delegate a person knowledgeable about the spill to coordinate with arriving emergency personnel.
SAMPLE SCRIPT: "We have had a hazardous spill in your building. Evacuate to _______ immediately. Turn off all equipment. Take your personal belongings. Do not return to the building until you are notified that the spill is cleaned up."