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Cleaning up a spill

Cleaning up a spill

  • Clean up small spills (less than 1 gallon) of known materials. Materials with a NFPA 0,1 or 2 rating for health (blue) and/or reactivity (yellow).

  • Small spill clean-up kits should be available in all laboratories.

  • Call 911 for larger spills, or spills containing reactive, extremely hazardous or highly toxic materials.  Materials with a NFPA rating of 3 or 4 for health and / or reactivity.

A Universal Chemical Spill Kit contains the items needed to handle common spills (solvents, acids and bases).

  • Absorbents

  • Neutralizer

  • Acid - (Sodium Bicarbonate, Calcium Carbonate)

  • Base – Sodium Bisulfate

  • Bromine - 5% Sodium Thiosulfate Solution

  • Personal Protective Equipment (gloves, safety googles)

  • Clean up tools (bags, plastic bucket, broom)

  • Kits can be ordered from vendors such as Fisher Scientific and  VWR Scientific.

  • Do not use universal kits for hydrofluoric acid and mercury spills. Special kits are required, contact EHS at 330-672-4347.

  • Please contact the department personnel to order a chemical spill kit for the laboratory.

In the event of a small chemical spill

  • Notify the Office of Compliance and Risk Management at 330-672-4347 before cleaning up a spill.

  • Make sure to wear the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). (Ex. Apron, Gloves, Goggles, etc.)

  • Never proceed to clean up a spill if you do not know the hazards associated with the chemical or if you are unsure of how to clean up the spill.

In the event of a large chemical spill

  • Immediately evacuate the lab and call 911.

  • Contain the spill (Shut off the source), if possible:

 

Stop the source includes:

  • Closing a valve

  • Shutting down a pump to stop flow

  • Restrict flow around a leaking hose with tape

  • Reposition a leaking container or use secondary containment

               

Stop the spread includes:

  • Building a barrier around the spill

  • Make a flow channel

  • Use of absorbent or spill pads

  • If anyone is injured or contaminated, immediately notify 911 and begin decontamination measures and then seek medical attention.

Small Spill Management

  • Distribute absorbent over the entire spill area, working from the outside, circling to the inside. This will stop the spread of the spilled chemical.

  • Once the material has been absorbed, use a brush and scoop to place materials in a hazardous material bag. Be sure to dispose of any contaminated PPE used during cleanup.

  • Affix a KSU hazardous waste label to the bag and identify the chemical and complete the date field. Take waste to the Hazardous Waste Storage room or designated area.

Flammable Liquid Spill

In the event of a flammable liquid spill

  • Turn off all sources of ignition

  • Lay the chemical spill pads over the spill (pads will suppress flammable vapors).

  • Allow pads to completely absorb the liquid.

  • Place the pads in plastic disposal bag.

  • Wipe up any remaining liquid with paper towel.

  • Dispose of the paper towel in plastic bag.

  • Seal bag and attach a completed KSU hazardous waste label and take to designated hazardous waste storage area.

Special Chemical Spills

In the event of a Mercury spill

  • Contact the EHS at 330-672-4347

  • Remove all metal items (watches or jewelry)

  • Put on proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    • Latex or vinyl gloves

    • Safety glasses / googles

    • Shoe covers

    • Disposable lab coat

  • Small spills (broken laboratory thermometer), open windows and ventilate area.

  • Use aspirator bulb or suction device (eyedropper) to collect mercury beads.

  • Sprinkle sulfur powder over contaminated area and use damp paper towel to wipe up the sulfur powder. Do not use vacuum cleaners, mops or brooms to clean up mercury.

  • Place the pads and all items used in the clean up in  the plastic disposal bag.

  • Seal the bag with tape and attach a completed KSU hazardous waste label and take to designated hazardous waste storage area.

In the event of a HF spill

  • Contact the Office of Compliance and Risk Management at 330-672-4347.

  • If skin contact occurs flush affected area with water and apply 2.5% Calcium Gluconate. Seek medical attention immediately.

 

In the event of a Bromine spill

  • Contact the Office of Compliance and Risk Management at 330-672-4347.

  • If skin contact occurs flush affected area with water. Seek medical attention if needed.

    • Put on proper PPE

    • Neoprene gloves,

    • Safety glasses / googles with face shield

    • Disposable lab coat

  • Small spills – place polypropylene pads over and around the affected area.

    • Once the bromine is absorbed by the pads, neutralize the remaining bromine residue with 10-25% sodium thiosulfate solution.

    • Place the pads and all items used to in the clean up in plastic disposal bag.

    • Seal bag and attach a completed KSU hazardous waste label and take to designated hazardous waste storage area.

After the spill

  • The materials used to clean up the spill have the same properties and hazards as the original spilled materials. Please be sure to dispose of all contaminated coveralls, gloves and respirators.

  • Decontaminate all non-disposable items (brooms, shovels, tongs, protective clothing) using a mild detergent and water.

  • Take all the waste to the designated hazardous waste storage area.

  • Review what happened to prevent reoccurrence.

  • No matter how small the spill, keep a record of what happened and notify the Office of Compliance and Risk Management at 330-672-4347.

  • Make sure that supplies (e.g. first aid kit, spill kit) are replaced immediately.

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