How to Handle Chemical Spills in Laboratories
Last updated
September 4, 2009 9:31:42 PM PDT
Learn how to evaluate and safely handle chemical spills in your laboratory.
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- Post the UCSD Emergency Guide flipchart near lab phones. Make sure lab personnel read and understand the chemical spill response procedures.
- If the chemicals in your lab require specific instructions not listed in the Emergency Guide, establish standard operating procedures for special conditions in your facility.
- Make sure everyone working in the lab reads and understands the procedures.
- Assemble a spill kit, tailored to clean up small spills of chemicals commonly used in your lab.
- Keep it fully stocked and easily accessible.
- Train personnel how to use its contents and when it is safe to clean up a spill.
- Make sure everyone working in the lab knows:
- Large or extremely dangerous spills include:
- Spills that present an immediate hazard (fire, explosion, chemical exposure, etc.)
- Any spill of highly dangerous chemicals
- Moderate or large-scale chemical spills
If the spill is large or if you're unsure how to classify it, go to Step 3.
- Small, incidental spills include:
- Spills that can be cleaned up by lab personnel without putting themselves or others in danger.
If you're confident you can handle the spill yourself, go to Step 4.
- Call EH&S Hazardous Materials Response:
- Call (858) 534-3660 during business hours.
- After hours, call Campus Police at (858) 534-4357 (534-HELP).
- Follow the Emergency Guide's instructions for major chemical spills:
- Avoid breathing vapors.
- Quickly identify the spilled material if you can do so safely.
- If the spill involves a flammable liquid, turn off all ignition sources if you can do so safely.
- Alert people in the area and evacuate, closing all doors.
- If someone has been splashed with chemicals, flush the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes. Call Poison Control, (800) 222-1222, for advice and seek medical attention as recommended.
- Keep people away from the spill area until EH&S responders arrive. Lock doors and post warning signs.
- Have someone available who is knowledgeable about the spilled material to provide information to EH&S responders.
- Alert people in the area. Avoid breathing vapors and try to determine what spilled.
- If someone has been splashed with chemicals, immediately flush the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes. Call Poison Control, (800) 222-1222, and seek medical attention as recommended.
- Wear personal protective equipment including safety goggles, gloves, and a long-sleeved lab coat during cleanup.
- Confine the spill to a small area. Use a commercial kit or absorbent material from your spill kit to absorb spilled materials.
- Clean the spill area with water.
- Replenish your spill kit supplies, so the kit is ready when you need it.
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