Chemical Spills

  1. Whenever you spill a chemical, or discover a spill or release, tell your supervisor and coworkers in the area immediately.

  2. When a spill occurs, you and others should move well away from the area when determining the appropriate response. The appropriate response depends on whether the spill is a simple spill, which you can clean up yourself, or a complex spill, which requires outside assistance.

    1. Simple spills do not spread rapidly, do not endanger people or property except by direct contact and do not endanger the environment. You can cleanup a simple spill yourself if you have the proper equipment and training and are comfortable doing it. The department of Public Safety should be informed of a simple spill, ext. 6888.
    2. Complex spills are any spills that may spread rapidly, may endanger people and/or property and may endanger the environment.
       

  3. A complex spill should be immediately reported to the Department of Public Safety, ext. 6888. When reporting, be specific about the nature of the material involved and the exact location. The Director of Campus Police and the College’s Health and Safety Officer (Diahann McFarlane ext. 4349) will be contacted. Any nonessential personnel will vacate the effected area at once and the area will be sealed off.

  4. Anyone who may have been contaminated by the complex spill should, if necessary and prudent, be immediately put under an emergency shower and his/her contaminated clothes should be removed as the flow of water begins. The affected area of the skin should be washed for 15 minutes. EMS will be called and medical treatment will begin as soon as possible.

  5. If an emergency exists, activate the building fire alarm so that the building can be evacuated.

  6. Once outside, move to a clear area at least 500 feet away from the affected building(s). Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and crews.

  7. Do not return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by a College official.

The Director of Public Safety, the Dean of Facilities Management and the Health and Safety Officer will evaluate the situation and decide which emergency response personnel to summon to the campus.