Humboldt State University ® Department of Chemistry

Richard A. Paselk

Chem 438L

SPILL RESPONSE CHECKLIST

Hazardous material should only be used by appropriately trained individuals while under the supervision of qualified personnel. These laboratory regulations are only intended for use by students, faculty and staff at Humboldt State University.

INITIAL RESPONSE

• Attend to victims
  • Dial 911 for emergency medical assistance
  • If radioactive spill, check personnel for contamination
• Remove ignition sources
• Isolate/secure the area
  • Post warning signs (e.g., Keep Out: HF Spill)
• Establish exhaust ventilation
  • Close doors
  • If no fume hood is available, open windows
• Evaluate the spill
  • Size, hazards, necessity for assistance (EH&S, 3356; Public Safety 3456)
• Notify department and emergency personnel
  • Supervisor/PI
  • EH&S, ext. 3356

CHEMICAL SPILL (NON-RADIOACTIVE) CLEAN UP

If the spill is less than one liter, not highly toxic, and you feel safe cleaning it up then...

• Isolate the area
• Choose appropriate personal protection (gloves, goggles, coveralls, shoe covers)
• Confine/contain spill
• Absorb and/or treat spill as appropriate
• Containerize/bag, label waste material
• Contact EH&S, ext. 3356, for hazardous chemical waste pick up

RADIOACTIVE SPILL CLEAN UP

Determine all hazards presented by the spill: radioactive and flammable, or radioactive and toxic, etc.

• Isolate the area
• Check personnel for contamination
• Absorb spill and decontaminate (see attached guidelines)
• Choose appropriate personal protection
• Dispose of contaminated material property

SPILL CLEAN-UP

1. If the spill is:

• less than one liter...handle it yourself
• more than one liter...call EH&S at ext. 3356
• very toxic or poses a fire hazard...call ES&S at ext. 3356

2. Choose appropriate personal protection

• always wear protective gloves and goggles or face shield
• if there is a chance of body contact, wear disposable coveralls and shoe covers

3. Confine or contain spill

• confine liquid spills by dyking with absorbent pillows or vermiculite
• cover with an absorbent material
• sweep solid materials into a dust pan -avoid creating airborne dusts
• place used absorbent in a sealed container, label and dispose as hazardous waste.

Note: spills 200 ml may be cleaned up with paper towels or sponge; exception: do not use paper towels with strong oxidizers such as conc. nitric or sulfuric acids.

4. Small amounts of inorganic acids or bases:

If acid or alkaline, first add a neutralizing agent (sodium bicarbonate for acids, sodium bisulfate for bases).

• acids- use spill control pillows, Chemop* , and/or Neutrasorb
• bases- use spill control pillows, Chemop, and/or Neutracit *fuming sulfuric, nitric and strong oxidizing acids will cause the fabric to disintegrate.

5. Small amounts of solvents

• use spill control pillows, VBS blankets, and Chemop to contain and absorb spill.

6. Large volumes of inorganic acids, bases, or solvents:

• contain spill and call for assistance- EH&S, ext. 3356

7. Large amounts of other materials

• make a judgment call: depending on the amount, toxicity, flammability, or what the substances can run into or react with, you may handle it yourself or call for assistance.

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Chem 438L Laboratory Safety Regulations

Last modified 28 August 1999