SPILL RESPONSE

FOR

LABORATORY PERSONNEL

Response to a chemical spill must occur at several levels. For laboratory workers, some spills must be cleaned-up at the first level - theirs. Other spills must be managed by the spill response team. The first question, then, which must be answered is: "When is a Spill, Really a Spill?"

A spilled chemical is defined as "a chemical out of control". In a practical sense, the quantity of chemical is not important. The essential issue is whether the chemical hazards, the location, and the quantity cause the situation to be beyond the control of the laboratory worker.

Experience provides some guidelines for deciding whether a spill should be cleaned-up by laboratory personnel or by the spill response team. For convenience and safety, a minimum quantity beyond which all chemical spills, regardless of the substance, must be reported has been established. Policy states that all spills greater than 1 quart (1 liter) must be reported to the emergency system. While this may seem overly stringent to some, experience indicates that over-reporting is preferable to under-reporting. A 1 liter spill of glycerol, for example, can prove moderately risky to clean-up, given the right combination of circumstances.

In addition to the minimum quantity, several other spills must be reported, regardless of the quantity (beyond de minimis.

• All spills of extremely flammable materials (flash point less than 20^oF) must be reported.
• All spills of extremely corrosive materials must be reported.
• All spills of extremely toxic materials must be reported
• All personal contaminations must be reported.
• All leaking containers must be reported.
• All uncontrolled compressed gas releases must be reported.
  
  

The procedures of the spill response team are authorized via a "pre-incident planning" approach. Laboratory personnel are responsible to have procedures for spills which are below the reportable level. These procedures are explained in this section.

Personal Safety

The primary consideration for laboratory personnel when a chemical is spilled is safety. Safety for every person in the laboratory and in the building is of paramount importance. If the spill could potentially harm someone, activate the spill response team. Otherwise, the laboratory worker who will clean-up the spill must follow specific procedures to do so safely and effectively.

Personal Protective Equipment

Before attempting to clean-up a spill, the lab responder must put on a minimum amount of personal protective equipment.

• Splash goggles, not just safety glasses
• Lab coat with sleeves rolled down
• Nitrile or neoprene gloves - in good condition

Clean-up Materials

Laboratories must have certain supplies available before attempting to clean-up a spill. The actual materials to be used will depend upon the main hazards posed by the spilled material. A recommended list of supplies is presented below:

• 1 box polypropylene pads
• 1 box activated carbon
• 1 box liquid acid neutralizer
• 1 box liquid caustic neutralizer
• 1 box heavy duty plastic trash bags
• hazardous waste labels
• 1 gallon plastic container with lid
• dust pan & brush
• laboratory tongs
  
  

Clean-Up Procedures

1.0 After donning the protective equipment listed above, the responder should control the source, if it is still present. A bottle, for example, which was knocked over, will still have some chemical in it. The responder should carefully upright the container, place it on a polypropylene pad in a safe location, and replace the lid on the container.

2.0 Next, any spread of spilled chemical must be controlled. This is best done by placing polypropylene pads around and on the spill. Many laboratory spills involve broken glass. The spill responder must be careful to avoid getting cut.

3.0 Absorb free liquid.

3.1 Acid, Caustic, or other non-Flammable Liquids

These are most easily absorbed with polypropylene pads. Place used polypropylene pads in a trash bag. Frequently, laboratory spills will spread into drawers and behind or under equipment. The responder must be careful to locate all such contaminated areas.

3.2 Flammable Liquids

Flammable liquids should be absorbed on activated carbon. Use approximately 2 pounds of activated carbon per pint (0.5 liters) of liquid. Use the dust brush to thoroughly mix the activated carbon with the liquid. Use the dust pan and brush to collect all residue. Remove large pieces of broken glass as described in step 3.3 and place all other debris in a plastic trash bag.

3.1 Remove broken glass. Using tongs, or carefully using gloved fingers, remove all large pieces of glass and place them in the plastic container.

4.0 Neutralize Residues & Decontaminate the Area

4.1 Acid Spills

4.1 a Spray liquid acid neutralizer on all surfaces affected by the spill. Soak up the neutralizer and apply fresh neutralizer.

4.2 Caustic Spills

4.2 a Spray liquid caustic neutralizer on all surfaces affected by the spill. Soak up the neutralizer and apply fresh neutralizer.

4.3 Remove neutralizer residue

Residue from the neutralization can be easily removed with water. Moisten a pad with water and carefully wipe all contaminated surfaces. Repeat this process until all traces of the neutralizer are removed. If, after the clean-up is completed, the affected area is sticky, use soapy water to remove any remaining neutralizer.

4.4 Decontaminate Container

Use polypropylene pads, neutralizers, and soapy water, as appropriate, to remove all traces of spilled chemical from the container. Remember to clean the bottom of the container.

5.0 Inspect the Area

Carefully check the entire affected area for spill residue, hidden contamination, or unsafe conditions.

6.0 Package and Label Residue

Place all spill residue in a plastic bag. Seal the lid on the broken glass container and place the sealed container in the bag. Seal the bag and place a properly completed hazardous waste label on the outside of the bag. Place the bag wherever appropriate for its disposal as a hazardous waste.

7.0 Restock spill supplies