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Emergency Procedures

SMCCCD Home Emergency Management Emergency Procedures Chemical Exposure and Spill Response Procedures

Chemical Exposure and Spill Response Procedures

Accidental release of chemicals can occur on campus at any time. A chemical release can result in direct hazardous exposure to a person and/or a contamination of the environment including work areas. The exact nature, severity, and effects of the hazardous release depends on the type chemical involved, the specifics of the incident, and the hazards associated with release or spill of the chemical. 

The following sections are provided as general guidance for chemical exposure response; however, if in doubt, STOP and call 911.

Chemical Exposure to a Person

  • Remove person from exposure, if you can safely do so. Avoid breathing the vapors of spilled substances.
  • Alert people in the immediate area to evacuate.
  • Call 911 immediately and request emergency and medical responders.
    • Provide as much information known about the incident including specific location, nature and extent of injuries, name and quantity of chemical involved, any control measures taken, and possible health hazards associated with the spill.
    • Provide your name and phone number and remain available to the dispatcher.
  • Use eyewash or safety showers (in an area away from the spill) to rinse chemicals off the contaminated person, as applicable. 
    • For exposures affecting small areas of skin only, immediately flush the area with flowing water for at least 15 minutes. If pain returns after 15 minutes of flushing, continue to flush the area.
    • If an eye splash occurs, use eyewash station and immediately flush eye(s) with water for 15 minutes. Hold the eyelid away from the eyeball, moving eye in all directions to wash thoroughly behind the eyelid.
    • For spills on clothes, quickly begin showering while removing all contaminated clothing, shoes and jewelry. It may be necessary to cut clothes off in some instances to prevent contaminating the eyes. Contaminated clothing should be discarded or laundered separately from other clothing.
  • Consult the chemical safety data sheet (SDS) to assess for any potential secondary effects. Keep the SDS with the victim.
  • Obtain medical evaluation and necessary treatment, if needed.
  • Students and Employees: for follow-up treatment. contact the Campus Health Center.
  • All injuries of this type must be reported properly. 

Chemical Spill Response

Categories of Chemical Spills

The below chart is in reference to liquid spills and the additional information below the chart will help determine the appropriate response to a chemical spill; however, it should not be taken as absolute, as some substances will be considerably more hazardous. Each spill should be judged individually for appropriate action.

 

Category.       Size.               Response                            Treatment Materials                
Small Less 50 ml Absorption or Chemical Treatment Paper towels (if compatible), appropriate absorption spill kit and/or neutralization
Small to Medium 50 ml to 250 ml Absorption or Chemical Treatment Appropriate absorption spill kit and/or neutralization
Medium to Large 250 ml to 2.5 liters Absorption Appropriate absorption spill kit
Large More than 2.5 liters Evacuate and Call 911 Appropriate absorption spill kit and consider outside help to ensure nothing can enter stormwater drains

 

There are three basic categories of chemical spills or release events. The following information should be used as guidance in the event of these types of spills.

  1. Spills/Releases That Are Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH):

This defines a spill/release that, in the opinion of the area supervisor or individual responsible for the chemical or area, poses an immediate health threat to the individual and/or other occupants in the building.  In this case, the following must be done:

  • Sound the fire alarm to notify others in the area for evacuation.
  • Call 911 from a safe location and provide the following information to the dispatcher:
    • Nature of emergency
    • Chemical involved and quantity
    • Building name and room number, or nearest building location if outdoors
    • If calling from a cell phone, report location as the specific campus
  • Remain on scene to meet response personnel and provide additional information

  1. Spills/Releases That Are Not IDLH But Require Technical Assistance:

This refers to a spill/release that an individual and/or a supervisor believes does not pose an immediate health threat, but requires technical assistance for proper clean-up.  In the event that any of the following statements are applicable, contact Public Safety at (650) 738-7000.

  • Individual is not familiar with the hazards of the material and not comfortable performing clean-up
  • Individual does not have proper training to perform clean-up
  • Equipment needed for clean-up is not available

  1. Spill/Releases That Can Be Cleaned Up By Area Personnel:

This refers to a spill/release that an individual and/or a supervisor believes does not pose an immediate health threat and is safe for work area personnel to clean-up.  In order for this to be applicable, the following stipulations must be met:

  • Individual is thoroughly familiar with the hazards of the material. (Reference Safety Data Sheet)
  • Individual has been trained to deal with spills/releases of the size in question
  • Individual has the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed for spill clean-up
  • The appropriate absorbent/neutralizers are readily available
  • Appropriate steps to confine and limit the spill can be taken without risk
  • The spill can be cleaned up with appropriate equipment and procedures
  • All spill clean-up waste can be properly disposed of:
    • Do not place in or around the regular trash
    • Place the spill clean-up waste in a closed container and attach a SMCCCD Waste/Material Tracking Form or a label with contents
    • Contact Environmental Health & Safety for waste retrieval 

Preparation

Spill response procedures must be clearly defined before work commences. Personnel should be instructed on the following:

  1. Location and knowledge of the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the chemicals used and stored in the work area
  2. The location of emergency equipment (fire extinguishers, safety shower and eyewash station)
  3. The location of appropriate personal protective equipment and spill control equipment (see below for Spill Kit contents)
  4. The location of available exits
  5. The location and content of department Chemical Hygiene Plan (applicable to laboratories)
  6. When and who a spill shall be reported to
  7. Name and phone number of individual responsible for the work area

 

Spill Material Kits

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) recommends that spill material kits be situated within easy reach of the chemical storage and use areas. A spill kit should contain appropriate absorbents, adsorbents, neutralizers, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Please call EH&S and Risk Management (RM) to request a spill kit for small spills.

A small SMCCCD spill kit contains:

Spill Kit Contents
Chemically resistant gloves Small broom & dustpan
Chemically resistant booties Absorbent pads
Safety goggles Small plastic spatula
Zip-lock baggies 5 gallon bucket with lid
Drum liners SMCCCD Hazardous Spill Response Procedure
Baking Soda SMCCCD Waste Tracking Form
Vermiculite SMCCCD Chemical Spill Report Form

 

Spill Reporting Procedures

A chemical spill report must be completed and forwarded to Chief Facility and Operations Officer/Emergency Manager whenever a hazardous chemical spill occurrs and impacts work areas and/or results in a release to the environment.  The information will be used by employees and management to determine the original cause of the spill, to identify prophylactic actions that can be taken to avoid future spills, and to improve spills response methods. This report is required in addition to injury reporting for exposed personnel.