Environmental Health & Safety

Industrial Hygiene Homepage

Laboratory Safety - Chemical Hygiene Program

OSHA Required Training

MSDS Information

Printable files are available in three parts with Adobe Acrobat Reader:

• PDF Version of Chemical Hygiene Program
• PDF Version of Appendices 1 through 11
• PDF Version of Appendix 12 - Standard Operating Procedures

Many hazardous substances necessitate special clean-up procedures to minimize hazards to clean-up personnel.  Spills can be classified as either a minor clean-up procedure or a major spill. Some chemicals may present potential adverse health effects unless the proper actions are taken.  Major spill clean-up should not be attempted by laboratory personnel.  If personnel are present at the time of a major spill and a spill kit is readily available, the contents of the kit can be emptied onto the spill to help stabilize the spill until the Spill Team arrives.  Contact Security (x13) to activate the University's Spill Response Team.

Minor spills, also called “Low Risk Spills”, do not expose laboratory employees to over-exposures because they present a lower hazard to personnel.  These “Low Risk Spills” can be cleaned up immediately by the laboratory staff wearing the appropriate PPE.

Introduction:

This procedure is for the clean up of “low risk” liquid chemical spills of less than 1 gallon (4 liters).  Waste collected from “low risk” spills must be packaged and disposed of through the Hazardous Waste Management Unit.

CAUTION:  This procedure is NOT to be used to clean up any liquid that is not listed as a “low risk” chemical.  Trained laboratory staff must follow the information listed below and observe any special notes listed for the chemical.

Location of Spill Supplies:

The Lab Manager / Laboratory Safety Officer of each lab complex shall have a supply of spill cleanup supplies to absorb or neutralize spilled materials.

Spill supplies:

• Absorbent materials or neutralizers:
  • Speedy-Dri (general absorber, including flammable liquids)
  • Absorbent pads or pillows (general absorber)
  • Boric acid (for base spills, pH > 9)
  • Sodium bicarbonate (for many acids, pH < 5)
• Plastic scoop or scraper
• Plastic bucket or drum or large trash bag for waste (handle as hazardous waste)
• Hazardous waste tag

PPE:

All personnel cleaning spills are to wear chemical protective gloves (double glove), safety glasses or face shield, and clothing covers (lab coat or Tyvec suit).  Personnel can always utilize additional PPE.

Procedure:

1. Evacuate all personnel from spill area.
2. Gather all necessary PPE and cleanup supplies.
3. Determine planned actions to minimize time in spill area.
4. Put on protective gloves, safety glasses or face shield, lab coat or Tyvec suit.
5. Secure liquid spill source if still leaking.
6. Contain spill by covering spilled material with neutralizer, absorbent, pad or pillow.  Use generous quantity so no visible liquid is visible.  Use plastic scoop to assist in covering spill.
7. Estimate volume of spill (in gallons).
8. Place contaminated sorbent materials into waste container (large plastic bag, plastic bucket, etc.).  Take off outer gloves and place in waste container.  Seal waste container.
9. Surface clean area of spill with detergent/water to remove residual chemicals from surfaces.
10. Label waste container and place into Hazardous Waste Satellite Accumulation Area.
11. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Introduction:

This procedure is for the clean up of “low risk” solid chemical spills of less than 8 pounds (4 kilograms).  Waste collected from “low risk” spills must be packaged and disposed of through the Hazardous Waste Management Unit.

CAUTION:  This procedure is not to be used to clean up any solid that is not listed as a “low risk” chemical.  Trained laboratory staff must follow the information listed below and observe any special notes listed for the chemical.

Location of Spill Supplies:

The Lab Manager /Laboratory Safety Officer of each lab complex shall have a supply of spill cleanup supplies to absorb or neutralize spilled materials.

Spill supplies:

• Plastic scoop or scraper
• Plastic bucket or drum or large trash bag for waste
• Hazardous waste tag

PPE:

All personnel cleaning spills are to wear chemical protective gloves (double glove), safety glasses or face shield, and clothing covers (lab coat or Tyvec suit).  Personnel may always elect to wear additional PPE.

Procedure:

1. Evacuate all personnel from spill area.
2. Gather all necessary PPE and cleanup supplies.
3. Determine planned actions to minimize time in spill area.
4. Put on nitrile gloves, safety glasses or face shield, lab coat or Tyvec suit.
5. Scoop or gently brush up solid material while minimizing dust generation.  Solids that do not react with water can be sprayed with a water mist.  Place collected material into waste container.
6. Wipe down contaminated material with a damp mop, paper towels or lab wipes.
7. Using paper towels, surface clean area of spill with detergent/water to remove residual chemicals from surface.
8. Place paper towels/wipes and gloves into waste container.
9. Label waste container and place into Hazardous Waste Satellite Accumulation Area.
10. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

NOTE:  The information found in the listings below is believed to be correct.  Always obtain and read the MSDS for the chemical to verify the hazard rating of the chemical and additional supplemental information to clean up small-scale chemical spills.