Spills involving chemicals with properties that are known to offer no significant hazards to employees may be cleaned up by department personnel.  It is the responsibility of supervisory and management staff to review department chemical use and related MSDS documents to identify hazard potential form potential spill scenario.  Vanderbilt Environmental Health & Safety will answer be glad to assist in resolving questions arising from this process.  If you are not confident that you can safely clean up the spill yourself, treat them as a Hazardous Spills.  Hazardous Chemical spills should only be handled by people who have had appropriate training in how to safely handle the chemical(s) in question.  It is the responsibility of your supervisor to acquaint you with all materials in your workplace that pose a potential danger in job/workplace Hazards Communication Training.

Small/ Non-hazardous Spills

Even for small, non-hazardous spills, employees chosen to clean-up the spill should be properly equipped and trained to handle the situation. Personal protective equipment needed and precautions/procedures for use in clean-up are outlined in the material’s MSDS and spill guidelines.  Points to consider for such plans include:

1. The hazards of the chemical(s) involved;
2. The amount of chemical(s) spilled;
3. The possible spill locations.
4. Availability of spill clean up materials or kit.
5. Any protective equipment needed such as gloves.
6. All spills should be reported to VUPD and VEHS with a report of appropriate actions that were taken to clean up the spill.

Hazardous Spill

If the spill is large, if the chemical is not easily identified, or if the chemical is deemed hazardous, then:

1. ALERT/ Notify personnel from the affected and adjacent areas.
2. Evacuate the area and close the door. If possible, lock the door to prevent any other persons from entering the contaminated area.
3. If possible, use sign or barricade to isolate the area.
4. If the release cannot be contained in the area, activate the nearest fire alarm pull station, as you evacuate.
5. Call 911 to notify Vanderbilt University Police Department. Communications Specialist will dispatch Officers.
6. Next contact Environmental Health and Safety 2-2057 or after hours call the VEHS Emergency Pager 835-4965.
7. Stay upwind at least 300 feet from the building. ONLY use your building evacuation assembly area if the area is upwind of the building.  Be prepared to assist VUPD and VEHS by providing spill details such as:
   • The name and manufacturer of the chemical(s) involved. If you have an MSDS for the material(s) involved, take a copy with you for responders to reference.
   • The amount of chemical(s) spilled.
   • Spill location details, such as building, department, floor and room number if inside.
     

Laboratory Chemical Spill or Release

(from the Chemical Hygiene Plan Guide)

Emergency response planning for releases or spills shall be prepared by the laboratory supervisor and included in the training of the laboratory workers and others entering the laboratory. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) should be utilized in preparing emergency response procedures and maintained in an accessible manner, which allows for quick consultation in the event of an emergency. VEHS should be involved in this emergency planning process. (322-2057)

A. Determination of Level of Hazard

In order to develop emergency action plans it is necessary to have a system to rank the emergency conditions. By ranking the emergency on a high or low hazard basis, the emergency response procedures can best address the severity of the situation. Each chemical hygiene plan should contain emergency action procedures that are specific for that lab and address each level of emergency – high and low and are specific to each laboratory. Lab emergencies can be ranked by the following descriptions:

1. High hazard emergency: If the emergency is immediately dangerous to life and health, involves a large area (i.e. an entire laboratory or more), major injury to personnel (i.e. life threatening potential), is a threat to personnel and the public, involves radioactive material, involves an infectious agent or involves a highly toxic, corrosive or reactive hazardous material, then use the approach in Plan A below.
2. Low hazard emergency: If the emergency is small (i.e. localized within a few square feet), there is no fire hazard, it involves low to moderately toxic materials in small amounts or involves a readily treatable injury, use the approach in Plan B below.
3. Unknown: If you do not know the nature of the emergency or are in any way uncertain as to how to classify or handle the emergency, use the procedures in the High Hazard categories below.

B. Hazardous Spill Response

a. Plan A – High Hazard Emergencies

a. Personal Decontamination Procedures

• Quickly remove all contaminated clothing while using the safety shower or other available source of water.
• Flood the affected body area in cold water for at least 15 minutes.
• Remove all jewelry to facilitate removal of any residual material.
• If eyes are involved, check for contact lens and flood eyes for at least 15 minutes
• Do not use neutralizing chemicals, creams, lotions or salves.
• Call VUPD at 1-1911
• Get medical attention promptly.

  b.      General Response Procedures

• Evacuate the area affected; the lab, hall or floor where the exposure is thought to exist.
• Isolate the area
• Close doors and fume hood sash
• Activate the building fire system.
• Call VUPD at 1-1911
  • Provide the following information:
  • Your name and the reason you are calling.
  • The exact location of the emergency.
  • The nature of the emergency, any injuries or symptoms involved, and any hazardous materials involved if you know them.
• Rescue injured individuals only if you are properly protected from the hazard and adequately trained in rescue procedures. Never attempt to rescue someone who is unconscious unless you know the problem.
• Consult Material Safety Data Sheets for indication of emergency response and first aid procedures.
• Provide first aid if you have the capability.
• Be available to provide emergency response personnel information when they arrive. This should include Material Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals involved.
• Be prepared to provide the Emergency Department and/or the Occupational Health Clinic the information above.

Plan B- Low Hazard Emergencies

• Isolate the area
• Close doors and fume hood sash
• Consult Material Safety Data Sheets for indication of emergency response and first aid procedures.
• Provide first aid if you have the capability.
• Report to the Occupational Health Clinic or Zerfoss Student Health Clinic for any minor injuries.
• Contact VEHS at 322-2057 or 835-4965 (after normal business hours) for determination of spill treatment/cleanup procedures.
• Contain, neutralize and clean up spill using spill control kits or other suitable materials.
• Collect contaminated materials and contact the VEHS Environmental and Waste Management Section for disposal information.

PDF version of this documment to save or print