What should you do immediately when a chemical spill occurs in the lab?

First, put on proper personal protective equipment such as chemical resistant gloves and safety goggles. Stop the flow of the spilled material to minimize damage, then isolate the spill site by marking or roping off the area. For large or acutely dangerous chemical spills, evacuate immediately and contact local emergency services.

How do you contain a chemical spill after controlling its flow?

Use sorbent material from chemical spill kits located in the laboratory directly on or around the spilled material. Prevent the spill from spreading to surrounding areas and ensure it does not go down any drains. This containment step is critical to limiting environmental and health hazards.

What cleanup and disposal steps are required after a chemical spill?

Remove sorbent material used to absorb the spill and place it in a container labeled as hazardous waste. Dispose of gloves and contaminated garments immediately. Decontamination or neutralization of the area may be required depending on the chemical's toxicity. Verify with your organization's EHS office that cleanup meets regulatory requirements.

Why is responding quickly to a chemical spill important?

The more quickly a spill is controlled, the more likely it will be contained in a small area, reducing potential damage to public health and the environment. Delayed response increases contamination risk and severity of consequences. All spills must comply with regulations such as RCRA and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

What role does the EHS office play in chemical spill cleanup?

The person responsible for the spill should report it to the EHS office. EHS will oversee or assist in cleanup depending on the toxicity or quantity of the material. They ensure decontamination or neutralization occurs as needed and verify that all cleanup meets regulatory standards and requirements.

How can you prevent chemical spills from happening in the laboratory?

Assess the types of chemical hazards present and pay close attention to their storage. Maintain laboratory equipment used near chemicals by periodically checking for leaks, loose connections, or faulty valves. Understanding chemical storage categories hazards and compatibilities helps minimize accidental releases.

What information should be provided to emergency responders during a large chemical spill?

Have someone remain near the spill scene to provide information from safety data sheets to emergency responders. This critical information helps responders understand the chemical's hazards, appropriate containment methods, and necessary precautions. Never leave the scene unattended during a large or dangerous spill emergency.

Handling Chemical Spills

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1. Spill Control

Before attempting to control a chemical spill, put on proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including but not limited to chemical-resistant gloves and safety goggles with side shields. Your organization's Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Office should have the protective clothing required. Do not attempt to rescue someone else without appropriate knowledge of the environment and proper PPE.
Respond immediately to control the spill and minimize the damage by stopping the flow of the material being spilled.
Isolate the spill site by marking or roping off the area.
If the spill is large or involves an acutely dangerous chemical, evacuate the area immediately and seek help by dialing 911. An individual familiar with the contents of the spill should be available to provide responders with this information. Have the product information and the safety data sheet (SDS) available.
Regardless of the size of the spill, if the contents represent a potential immediate or long-term hazard to occupants of the area where the spill occurred, the spill should be reported to the proper regulatory agencies. In most cases, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) performs all regulatory notifications and verifies the spill has been cleaned up in accordance with regulatory requirements and standards.

2. Spill Containment

Contain the spilled material to the smallest possible area, in order to minimize potential spreading. Spill kits often contain sorbent, which can be used directly on or around the spill to form a barricade. EHS often has an inventory of spill control materials.
Avoid contaminating surrounding areas and make sure the spilled material does not come into contact with any body of water, including storm water sewers, drains, streams channels, or ditches.

3. Spill Clean-up

Anyone causing a spill is responsible for cleaning it up or for making sure that others clean it up. Anyone who comes across an unattended spill is responsible for reporting the spill to the proper regulatory agencies and/or EHS.
EHS will oversee, assist and/or clean-up, depending on contents of what has been spilled and the volume of the spill.
Decontamination or neutralization of the spill site may be required.
If any sorbent material was used to soak up the spilled material, dispose the saturated material as hazardous waste in accordance to regulatory standards.
Disposable PPE or badly contaminated garments should be properly disposed of immediately after the spill clean-up.

4. Spill Prevention

Assess the types of hazards present in the laboratory paying close attention to chemical storage, handling, and transportation.
Equipment used with chemicals in the laboratory should also be well maintained by calibrating and periodically checking for leaks, loose connections, and faulty valves.