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Laboratory Chemical Spill Clean-Up Procedures
Chemical Spill Clean Up Training is required for anyone who uses the
Chemical Spill Response Kit. Contact Occupational Health & Safety to
schedule a training session.
The Laboratory Chemical Spill Clean Up Procedures
were developed to give guidance to knowledgeable laboratory
personnel on the safe and effective way to clean up small
laboratory spills. These procedures do not take the place of
the Department of Occupational Health & Safety (DOHS). If you
have ANY questions or concerns about the spill clean up
process, contact us. We will either give you information over
the phone or come and assist with the clean up.
Introduction
The Laboratory Chemical Spill Clean Up Procedures were created to give
researchers and laboratory personnel a starting point for developing a
chemical spill kit and providing guidance for cleaning up chemical spills.
Chemical spills and accidents need to be minimized as much as possible.
If a chemical spill should occur, a quick response with a stocked chemical
spill kit will help minimize potential harm to personnel, equipment and
laboratory space. Outlined in Table 2, is the minimal equipment required
for a spill kit. You may add equipment to the kit, provided all personnel
are proficient in its use. An example would be adding a metallic mercury
spill kit. Contact DOHS for information and guidance in construction of
an advanced spill kit. Go to
http://www.udel.edu/OHS/chemspillkit/chemspillkit.html for information
on
purchasing a spill kit. All of the suggested equipment was taken from Lab
Safety Supply (1-800-356-0783). Other suppliers and manufacturers may be
substituted, provided they meet the minimal specifications. Types of Spills that Can Be Handled by Laboratory Personnel Laboratory personnel can clean up the majority of chemical spills that occur in the lab. Due to the hazardous properties of certain chemicals or size of the spill, assistance from DOHS may be necessary when a spill occurs. The following table contains a list of chemical classes with examples that might require assistance from DOHS and the University Police (UDPD).
Minor spills do not necessarily need the assistance of DOHS. Laboratory workers who have had the proper training and possess the appropriate equipment can safely and effectively handle the majority of chemical spills that occur in the laboratory. In addition, spills involving multiple chemicals may pose various hazards. Always contact DOHS if multiple chemicals are involved in a spill. Except for the chemical classes in Table I, labs can handle spills involving one liter or less of liquid and one pound or less of a solid. If the spill is large, contact DOHS to assist with the clean up. Refer to the Hazardous Materials Safety Manual or the chemical spill section of the Chemical Hygiene Plan for specific spill clean up techniques. The following procedures are specific guidelines for using the recommended spill clean up materials. Contact DOHS with any questions or concerns about proper spill clean-up practices. General Spill Clean up Procedures In the event of a chemical spill, first decide if you are trained, knowledgeable and equipped to handle the incident. Immediately evacuate the lab and notify UDPD if there is a possibility of an acute respiratory hazard present or if you need assistance to clean up the spill. Never proceed to clean up a spill if you do not know the hazards associated with the chemical or if you are unsure of how to clean up the spill. If anyone is injured or contaminated, immediately notify UDPD and begin decontamination measures or first aid, if trained. Don the personal protective equipment from the spill kit; splash goggles and nitrile/Silver Shield combination gloves. Always ask a fellow researcher for assistance. They should also don splash goggles and nitrile/Silver Shield combination gloves. Make sure that all forms of local exhaust, i.e. fume hoods, are operating. It is normally not advisable to open the windows. If broken glass is involved, do not pick it up with your gloved hands. Use the scoop or tongs to place it in the bag, then place the bag in a strong cardboard box or plastic container. Follow the procedures provided below based on the class and type of chemical. All tools used in the clean up need to be decontaminated (plastic scoop, tongs, etc.). Remove all gross contamination with a wet paper towel. Dispose of the contaminated paper towels as waste. Rinse the tools off with copious amounts of water. Dispose of the gloves as waste. Dry the tools off and place back into the spill kit along with the splash goggles. Contact DOHS to obtain replacement gloves and spill clean-up material. Liquid Spills other than flammable liquidsSpread the chemical spill powder over the spill starting with the edges first. This will help to confine the spill to a smaller area. Spread enough powder over the spill to completely cover the liquid. There should be no free liquid. Use plastic scoop to ensure that the liquid was completely absorbed by the powder. Pick up the powder with scoop and place in the polyethylene bag. Wipe the area down with a wet paper towel. Dispose of paper towel with the waste generated from the spill clean up. Seal bag with tape and attach a completed orange hazardous waste sticker on the bag. Flammable Liquid Spills Control all sources of ignition. Lay the chemical spill pads over the spill. These pads are design to suppress the vapors emitted by a volatile liquid. Allow pads to completely soak up liquid. Pick up pads with tongs or other device that minimizes direct contact with a gloved hand. Place in the polyethylene bag. Wipe the area down with a wet paper towel. Dispose of paper towel with the waste generated from the spill clean up. Seal bag with tape and attach a completed orange hazardous waste sticker on the bag.
Solid Spills
Use the plastic scoop to place the spilled material into the
polyethylene bag. Care should be taken so as not to create dust or cause
the contaminated powder to become airborne. After the bulk of the
material is cleaned up, wet a spill pad and wipe the area down. Place the
pads into the polyethylene bag. Wipe the area down with a wet paper
towel. Dispose of paper towel with the waste generated from the spill
clean up. Seal bag with tape and attach a completed orange hazardous
waste sticker on the bag. Note: Precautions must be taken to minimize exposure to the spilled chemical. Be careful not to step in the spilled material and track it around. Contact DOHS and UDPD if an exposure to a chemical occurs.
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