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Chemical Spill Clean-Up Procedure

Effective chemical spill clean-up procedures are essential for maintaining a safe working environment in any facility that handles hazardous substances. This guide outlines the necessary steps to respond quickly and safely to chemical spills, minimizing risk to personnel, property, and the environment.

Things to Consider

 

In the event of a chemical spill, the individual(s) who caused the spill is responsible for prompt and proper clean-up. It is also their responsibility to have spill control and personal protective equipment appropriate for the chemicals being handled readily available.

Spill kits are available from EHS and can be ordered here: [insert link to spill kit order form – currently located here: Spill Kit Order Form | Environmental Health and Safety (utah.edu)] and should be in place in all laboratories where chemicals are used.

The following are general guidelines to be followed for a chemical spill. More detailed procedures may be available in your Departmental Chemical Hygiene Plan or Spill Response Plan.

 

Emergency Actions

  • Immediately alert area occupants and supervisor, and evacuate the area, if necessary.
  • If there is a fire or medical attention is needed, contact University Police by calling 911 – or 801-585-2677
  • Attend to any people who may be contaminated. Contaminated clothing must be removed immediately and the skin flushed with water for no less than fifteen minutes. Clothing must be laundered before reuse or disposed properly contaminated materials
  • If a volatile, flammable material is spilled, immediately warn everyone, control sources of ignition and ventilate the area.

 

Immediate Spill Response

  • Don personal protective equipment, as appropriate to the hazards. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet or other references for information.
  • Consider the need for respiratory protection.  The use of a respirator requires specialized training and medical surveillance. Never enter a contaminated atmosphere without appropriate protection, or use a respirator without training. If respiratory protection is needed and no trained personnel are available, call EHS at 801-581-6590, after hours contact university police dispatch at 801-585-2677 and ask them to page EHS on-call. If respiratory protection is used, be sure there is another person outside the spill area in communication, in case of an emergency. If no one is available, contact EHS.
  • Determine the extent and type of spill. If the spill is large (>5l), if there has been a release to the environment or if there is no one knowledgeable about spill clean-up available, contact EHS at 801-581-6590 from 8:30am-4:30pm. After hours contact University Police Dispatch at 801-585-2577 and ask them to page EHS on-call.
  • Protect floor drains or other means of release to the environment. Spill socks and absorbents may be placed around drains, as needed.
  • Contain and clean-up the spill using pads, spill socks, or absorbent materials.
    Loose spill control materials should be distributed over the entire spill area, working from the outside, circling to the inside. This reduces the chance of splash or spread of the spilled chemical. Bulk absorbents and many spill pillows do not work with hydrofluoric acid. POWERSORB® (by 3M) products or equivalent will be needed for hydrofluoric acid spill response. Specialized hydrofluoric acid kits also are available for purchase from EHS. Many neutralizers for acids or bases have a color change indicator to show when the spill is neutralized.
  • When spilled materials have been absorbed, use brush and scoop to place materials in an appropriate container. Polyethylene bags may be used for small spills. Five gallon pails or 20 gallon drums with polyethylene liners may be appropriate for larger quantities contact EHS for assistance as needed
  • Properly package and prepare the collected materials for pick-up by EHS – submit a pick-up request via the SAM system.
  • Decontaminate the surface where the spill occurred using a mild non-reactive detergent (such as Alconox) and water, when appropriate.
  • Report all spills to your supervisor or the Principal Investigator.

 

Developing a Spill Response Plan (top)

An effective spill response procedure should consider all of the items listed below. The complexity and detail of the plan will, of course depend upon the physical characteristics and volume of materials being handled, their potential toxicity, and the potential for releases to the environment.

  • Review Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) or other references for recommended spill cleanup methods and materials, and the need for personal protective equipment (e.g., respirator*, gloves, protective clothing, etc.)
  • Acquire sufficient quantities and types of appropriate spill control materials to contain any spills that can be reasonably anticipated. The need for equipment to disperse, collect and contain spill control materials (e.g., brushes, scoops, sealable containers, etc.) should also be reviewed.
  • Acquire recommended personal protective equipment and training in its proper use. *For example, if an air purifying respirator is needed, personnel must be enrolled in the Respiratory Protection Program and be trained, medically qualified, and fit-tested annually. 
  • Place spill control materials and protective equipment in a clearly identified and readily accessible location within or immediately adjacent to the laboratory.
  • The lab’s chemical hygiene plan should include a spill response plan that includes:
    • Names and telephone numbers of individuals to be contacted in the event of a spill.
    • Evacuation plans for the room or building, as appropriate.
    • Instructions for containing the spilled material, including potential releases to the environment (e.g., protect floor drains).
    • Inventory of spill control materials and personal protective equipment.
    • Means for proper disposal of cleanup materials (in most cases, as hazardous waste) including contaminated tools and clothing.
    • Decontamination of the area following the cleanup.
  • Train all lab personnel at least annually on the spill response procedures/plan for the lab.

 

Resources

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