Chemical Spill

A chemical spill is any unplanned release of a chemical, whether it is a solid, liquid, or gas. A chemical is hazardous if it would cause harm to humans or the environment if not properly controlled. A minor chemical spill is a spill that does not present an immediate hazard (health, fire, explosion, etc.) to persons in the area and which can be handled safely without the use of respiratory protection or specially trained emergency response personnel. Franciscan University defines other spills as major chemical spills.

When a hazardous chemical is released, appropriate and immediate response can prevent serious injury to students and employees. The first priority in all spill situations is a person’s health and safety. Do not attempt to clean up a spill without knowledge of the chemical(s) involved and never without someone to help you.

Recommended Procedures

  • In the event of a minor spill, you must take the following steps:
    1. Alert people in immediate area of spill.
    2. Wear protective equipment as needed (safety goggles, gloves, etc.).
    3. Avoid breathing vapors from spill. Increase area ventilation by opening windows and turning on any hoods in the room.
    4. Confine spill to small area with absorbent materials. Try to prevent spill from entering waterways or floor drains.
    5. For inorganic acids and bases, use appropriate spill kit to neutralize and absorb. For other chemicals, use appropriate kit or contain spill with absorbent materials, vermiculite, dry sand, diatomaceous earth (i.e. plain kitty litter), or paper towels.
    6. Collect spill residue, place in container, label the container, and contact a recognized authority for disposal information.
    7. Clean spill area with water or as directed.

     

  • In the event of a major spill of hazardous material, you must take the following steps:
    1. Evacuate and immediately call 911 or Campus Security at 740.283.6911. If possible, provide the following information:
      1. Your name and phone number;
      2. Identity and amount of spilled material;
      3. Location of spill (building, room, location in room);
      4. Time of spill; and
      5. Whether anyone in the area is having symptoms that may require medical help.

       

    2. In case of personal contamination, remove affected clothing and flush contaminated skin with water for at least fifteen minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.
    3. Alert people in the surrounding area to evacuate.
    4. If you can do so without placing yourself or others at risk, turn off ignition and heat sources, maintain fume hood ventilation (if any), and open windows (if any) to increase ventilation.
    5. Close doors to affected area once the area is evacuated.
    6. Have person(s) knowledgeable of the incident and the work area assist emergency personnel upon arrival.
    7. Assist people with disabilities in exiting the building.

     

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