Emergency Response

Minor chemical spill is a small quantity spill ( e.g., less than 1 gallon or 3.5 liters ). A minor spill is one where the laboratory staff is capable of handling safely without the assistance of RLS or emergency personnel. All other spills are considered Major chemical spills. If it is a ‘Minor’ spill and you do not feel confident that you can clean it up, evacuate the lab following the Major Spill instructions. The following steps should be completed when involved in a minor chemical spill:

• Stop the transportation process immediately to prevent further spread of the spill.

• Alert people in the immediate area of spill and restrict access to the affected area.

• Secure the scene and keep people away from the area.

• Identify and confine the chemical involved in the spill.

  • If the spilled material is flammable, turn off ignition and heat sources. If possible, open outside windows to ventilate the area.

• Avoid breathing vapors from spills.

• Refer to the chemical’s SDS and select the appropriate PPE and spill kit.

• Wear protective equipment, including safety goggles, gloves and long sleeve lab coat to safely handle the spill.

• If stated by the SDS, neutralization of the spill or a chemical-specific cleaning solution may be required. Use appropriate kit to neutralize and absorb inorganic acids and bases. For other chemicals, use appropriate kit or absorb spills with vermiculite, dry sand, kitty litter or diatomaceous earth.For powdered chemicals, sweep carefully to avoid the generation of dust or, if appropriate, use moist sorbent pads or wet the powder with a suitable solution and then wipe with a dry cloth.

• Use spill containment materials and spill kits to contain and clean up the spill.

• Collect all material from the spill, including contaminated PPE, and place them in a closable container and dispose of it as chemical waste.

• Clean up any chemical residue with mild detergent and water.

• Do not pour any material down the drain.

• Further information about chemical spills clean up procedure can be found here.

• Wash your hands with soap and water.

• Label the container with a hazardous waste label and contact RLS for disposal.

• Prior to disposal, the container should be stored in an SAA or an SAA in a fume hood if the material is volatile.

• Notify the appropriate personnel, including laboratory management, safety officer, and RLS, about the incident. Complete the Incident Report form in BioRAFT.

A major chemical spill requires active assistance from emergency personnel due to one or more of the following scenarios:

• The spill is a material that is unknown or unfamiliar to the person who discovered the spill.

• The spill has caused or is likely to cause injury to personnel.

• The spill is of a volume that is not easily cleaned up by the chemical user.

• The spill is uncontained and spreading out of the immediate area endangering other areas.

• The spill has the potential to cause a fire.

The following steps should be completed when involved in a major chemical spill:

• Attend to injured or contaminated persons and remove them from exposure.

  • If necessary, immediately escort personnel to the emergency shower or eyewash and have them rinse the affected area for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing.

  • Seek medical attention by calling Campus Safety. Dial 911 for injuries that are life threatening, occur after hours, weekends, or on holidays.

• Alert people in the nearby vicinity to evacuate.

• If spilled material is flammable, turn off ignition and heat sources when possible.

• Immediately call Campus Safety (ext 8-2222 or 212-998-2222), RLS (ext 8-1420 or 212 998-1420), and PI, Lab Manager, and Senior Lab Safety Officer for immediate assistance, following order accordingly.

• Have a person available that knows about the incident and the laboratory to assist emergency personnel.

• Close doors to the affected area.

• The person knowledgeable of the incident and laboratory will be required to meet with emergency personnel for additional information

• Complete the Incident Report form in BioRAFT.

• Flood exposed area with running water for 15 minutes.

• Remove contaminated clothing at once.

• Make sure chemical has not accumulated in shoes.

• Obtain medical attention, if necessary.

• Incident must be reported to PI, Lab Manager, Senior Lab Safety Officer and RLS.

• Complete the Incident Report form in BioRAFT.

• Immediately rinse the inner eye and surface of eyelid with water continuously for 15 minutes (hold eye open to ensure effective washing behind eyelids).

• Obtain medical attention by contacting Campus Safety, ext 8-2222.

• Incident must be reported to PI, Lab Manager, Senior Lab Safety Officer and RLS.

• Complete the Incident Report form in BioRAFT.