Emergency Procedures - Chemical Spills

Emergency Procedures - Chemical Spills

1.   Purpose

This procedure outlines the steps to manage a chemical spill in order to minimise the potential for injury and damage to the environment.

2.   Scope

The procedure applies to any events that result in the uncontained spill of a hazardous substance within the Workplaces.

3.   Definitions Major Spill, Minor Spill:

The nature of the spill is determined by the risk from the hazardous substance and the level of containment of the spill. An example of a minor spill is 5ml of concentrated Sulphuric Acid in a fume cupboard. Although the risk of concentrated acid is high it is only a small volume that can easily be neutralised and removed. An example of a major spill is the uncontrolled release of ammonia from a gas cylinder in an unventilated enclosed area. The volume is large and may represent a high risk to persons in the area.

4.   Standard/Universal Kit: Should contain the following items

·         Goggles

·         Chemically resistant gloves

·         Absorbent materials (booms, pads, pillows)

·         Acid neutralizer

·         Base neutralizer

·         pH test strips/paper

·         Solvent suppressant

·         Plastic bags for waste materials

·         Plastic scoop and scraper

5.   Safety Precautions:

 If you are ever in doubt of your ability to clean a chemical spill safely, evacuate and call for help.

If there is risk to the rest of the building, pull the fire alarm and evacuate the building.

Certain materials found in the clean room can be particularly hazardous when spilled. Review the MSDS and make sure you understand the hazardous properties of the spilled material before you attempt to clean it up. It is always better to err on the side of caution. If you spill something, and you aren’t sure if you can clean it up safely, evacuate the Workplace.

First aid is always the top priority. If you spill a hazardous material on yourself, remove any potentially contaminated clothing immediately and utilize the emergency shower. Seek appropriate medical treatment.

 If material spills in your eye, flush for at least 15 minutes at the eyewash (for corrosive materials, you may need to flush for up to 60 minutes – review the MSDS). Seek appropriate medical treatment

6.   Spill Procedures:

a)   MAJOR SPILL

· Consider a spill to be a ‘major spill’ if:

· you are not comfortable proceeding with clean up

· it involves more than 5L of a hazardous material

· there is a risk of fire or explosion

· the material creates a respiratory hazard (toxic/noxious odours e.g., ammonia, concentrated hydrochloric acid, mercaptoethanol)

· the spill involves unknown or incompatible chemicals

· Spills of oxidizing acids (conc nitric acid, perchloric acid, chromic acid etc..)

· spills of unstable, air or water reactive materials

In the event of a major spill:

· If you have an opportunity to extinguish nearby ignition sources or contain the spill at the source without risk of injury, please do so.

· Notify everyone in the lab and evacuate to the hall. Administer first aid if necessary.

· Dial XXX  on a Work Place  phone or use a nearby emergency call box to notify emergency authorities.

· If there is a risk to the remainder of the building, activate the nearest alarm pull station to trigger a building evacuation.

· When emergency responders arrive, provide them with all relevant information on the type and quantity of material spilled

b)   MINOR SPILLS

In the event of a minor spill:

· If you have an opportunity to extinguish nearby ignition sources or contain the spill at the source without risk of injury, please do so.

· If any hazardous material has spilled on you, remove affected clothing immediately and flush the area with water. - Alert others in the lab and cordon off the affected area.

· Retrieve the spill kit. Stop and think about your plan to clean the spill. Do you have the right materials to clean the material up safely? If not, retrieve the appropriate items from an alternate source or call XXX on a Work Place phone or use a nearby emergency call box.

· Remove the gloves and goggles and from the kit, put them and all appropriate PPE on before approaching the spill.

For organic solvents

· Ensure there are no ignition sources in the area. If you feel there is risk of fire or explosion, evacuate the lab and treat as a major spill. If the spill can be cleaned up safely, proceed with the following.

· If there are drains in the area, use a boom, sock, or other material to prevent the hazardous material from reaching the drain.

· Gently pour solvent vapour suppressant (activated carbon) over the spill, working from the outer edge to the middle.

· Using the absorbent pads from the spill kit, carefully wipe up the spilled liquid, again working from the outside in.

· Place all waste materials in a plastic bag. Once the spill has been fully cleaned, place the waste bag with in the fume hood temporarily. Label the bag as hazardous waste, and submit a Chemical Waste Disposal Request form to your Chemical Waste Disposal collector.

· Remove PPE and thoroughly wash hands.

· Use soap and water to wash the affected area and remove any minor residues that may be left.

· Report the spill using the Incident Report form.

For acids

· If there are drains in the area, use a boom, sock, or other material to prevent the hazardous material from reaching the drain.

· Gently pour acid neutralizing agent (e.g, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, etc.) over the spill, working from the outside in.

· Allow several minutes for acid to mix with neutralizer, and then test a representative area with pH paper.

· When the spill has been neutralized, use the available absorbent pads or paper towel to wipe up the spilled material.

· Place all waste into a plastic bag and label as hazardous. Place in a suitable location and submit a Chemical Waste Disposal Request form to your Chemical Waste Disposal collector.

· Remove PPE and thoroughly wash hands.

· Use soap and water to wash the affected area and remove any minor residues that may be left.

· Report the spill using the Incident Report form.

For bases

· If there are drains in the area, use a boom, sock, or other material to prevent the hazardous material from reaching the drain.

· Gently pour base neutralizing agent (e.g, citric acid, sodium bisulfate), etc.) over the spill, working from the outside in.

· Allow several minutes for the base to mix with neutralizer, and then test a representative area with pH paper.

· When the spill has been neutralized, use the available absorbent pads or paper towel to wipe up the spilled material.

· Place used materials into plastic bag and label as hazardous waste. Label the bag as hazardous waste and place in a suitable location and submit a Chemical Waste Disposal Request form to your Chemical Waste Disposal collector.

· Remove PPE and thoroughly wash hands.

· Use soap and water to wash the affected area and remove any minor residues that may be left.

· Report the spill using the Incident Report form.

For dry chemicals

· For materials that are highly corrosive, toxic, or reactive, treat as a major spill. A hazardous materials team, with specialized HEPA vacuums may be needed in these circumstances.

· For materials of limited hazard, the powder or crystals can be cleaned up using the scoop and dustpan. Place waste material in a suitable container or bag, and submit a Chemical Waste Disposal Request form to your Chemical Waste Disposal collector.

· Remove PPE and thoroughly wash hands.

· Use soap and water to wash the affected area and remove any minor residues that may be left. Report the spill using the Incident Report form.

Availability of neutralising substances / foam

Process specific emergency spill kits (acid, alkali, solvent, toxic etc) and appropriate personal protective equipment should be readily available with supporting procedures. These spill kits should be maintained on a regular basis to ensure that they are always available and fit for purpose. This ensures that the most appropriate measure is at hand to deal with a spill or fire in the most effective way.

Issues that should also be addressed include:

· Containment;

· Maintenance and condition of fire hoses, extinguishers.

Status of guidance

Existing guidance provides comprehensive information with respect to best practice for emergency response and spill control procedures.

STOP - THINK! Do not rush. Carefully plan clean up.

Get Material Safety Data Sheet and Determine Appropriate Clean-up Procedures for the Material

Post by Indian Safety Association 

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