Emergency Response

IN CASE OF CHEMICAL SPILL OR EMERGENCY

• PRE-PLANNING FOR THE VARIETY OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS PRESENT IN YOUR LABORATORY INCLUDES MAINTAINING SPILL KITS, ABSORBENTS, REACTANTS AND PROPER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS PROPER TRAINING.
• A MINOR SPILL IS ONE THAT THE LAB STAFF IS CAPABLE OF ABATING SAFELY.
• A MAJOR SPILL REQUIRES THE ASSISTANCE OF SAFETY AND EMERGENCY STAFF.

• MAJOR SPILL > 1 GALLON - HIGH TOXICITY - FIRE OR LIFE THREAT

• ATTEND INJURED OR CONTAMINATED PERSON REMOVING THEM FROM EXPOSURE
• ALERT ANYONE NEEDING TO EVACUATE
• IF SPILL IS FLAMMABLE, TURN OFF IGNITION SOURCES
• CALL CHEMICAL SPILL EMERGENCY RESPONSE AT 292-1284 OR 911
• ISOLATE AFFECTED AREA WITH DOOR AND SIGNS
• HAVE PERSON KNOWLEDGEABLE OF INCIDENT ASSIST EMERGENCY PERSONNEL

• MINOR SPILL< 1 GALLON - LOW TOXICITY- NO FIRE OR LIFE THREAT

• ALERT PERSONS IN IMMEDIATE AREA OF THE SPILL
• EVACUATE IF NECESSARY
• IF SPILL IS FLAMMABLE, TURN OFF IGNITION SOURCES
• CONFINE SPILL
• USE APPROPRIATE SPILL KIT TO NEUTRALIZE AND ABSORB SPILL
• COLLECT RESIDUE AND DISPOSE AS CHEMICAL WASTE
• RINSE SPILL AREA WITH WATER

IN CASE OF RADIATION SPILL OR EMERGENCY

• MAJOR SPILL

• IF SPILL IS GREATER THAN 1MCI, ALERT ALL LABORATORY TO EVACUATE
• CALL RADIATION SAFETY AT 292-1284 OR 911 AFTER HOURS
• IF SPILL IS DRY, PLACE ABSORBENT PAPER TOWELS OVER SPILL
• IF SPILL IS LIQUID, PLACE DAMPENED ABSORBENT TOWELS ON SPILL
• CONFINE MOVEMENT OF ANYONE CONTAMINATED
• CLOSE AND LOCK DOORS, PREVENTING ACCESS USING "DO NOT ENTER - SPILL AREA" PLACARD

• MINOR SPILL

• ALERT PEOPLE IN LAB TO EVACUATE
• CALL RADIATION SAFETY AT 292-1284 OR 911 AFTER HOURS
• IF SPILL IS DRY, PLACE ABSORBENT PAPER TOWELS OVER SPILL
• IF SPILL IS LIQUID, PLACE DAMPENED ABSORBENT TOWELS ON SPILL
• USING FORCEPS, PLACE TOWELS INTO PLASTIC BAG & DISPOSE AS RAD WASTE
• MONITOR HANDS, AREA AND SHOES FOR CONTAMINATION
• REPEAT CLEANUP UNTIL CONTAMINATION IS < 200DPM/SQ CM
• NOTIFY RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER AT 292-1284

IN CASE OF BIOLOGICAL SPILL OR EMERGENCY

NOTES AND PRECAUTIONS

• Biological spills outside biological safety cabinets will generate aerosols that can be dispersed in the air throughout the laboratory. These spills are very serious if they involve microorganisms that require Biosafety Level (BSL) 3 containment, since most of these agents have the potential for transmitting disease by infectious aerosols. To reduce the risk of inhalation exposure in such an incident, occupants should hold their breath and leave the laboratory immediately. The laboratory should not be reentered to decontaminate and clean up the spill for at least 30 minutes. During this time the aerosol will be removed from the laboratory by the exhaust air ventilation system. Appropriate protective equipment is particularly important in decontaminating spills involving microorganisms that require BSL2 or BSL3 containment. This equipment includes lab coat with long sleeves, back-fastening gown or jumpsuit, disposable gloves, disposable shoe covers, and safety goggles and mask or full face shield. Use of this equipment will prevent contact with contaminated surfaces and protect eyes and mucous membranes from exposure to splattered materials. 

• MAJOR SPILL

• IF SPILL IS >1 CUBIC FOOT OF INFECTIOUS MATERIAL OR INVOLVES MATERIAL REQUIRING BL CONTAINMENT LEVEL THREE OR FOUR,  CALL 292-1284 AND REQUEST BIOLOGICAL SPILL CONTAINMENT RESPONSE.

• MINOR SPILL in BL 1 CONTAINMENT

• WEAR GLOVES IN IMMEDIATE SPILL AREA
• SOAK PAPER TOWELS IN DISINFECTANT AND PLACE OVER SPILL
• PLACE TOWELS IN BIOHAZARD BURN BOX

• MINOR SPILL in BL 2 CONTAINMENT

• ALERT PEOPLE IN IMMEDIATE AREA OF SPILL
• PUT ON PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
• COVER SPILL WITH PAPER TOWELS
• POUR FRESHLY PREPARED 1:10 DILUTION OF HOUSEHOLD BLEACH OR OTHER DISINFECTANT ON SPILL
• AVOID SPLASHING
• ALLOW 20 MINUTE CONTACT PERIOD
• USE PAPER TOWELS TO WIPE UP SPILL WORKING FROM EDGES TO CENTER
• CLEAN SPILL AREA WITH FRESH TOWELS AND DISINFECTANT
• PLACE TOWELS IN PLASTIC BAD AND DECONTAMINATE IN AUTOCLAVE
• BE SURE THAT ALL MATERIALS AND SPILL CLEANING MATERIALS ARE PROPERLY DISINFECTED AND DISPOSED.

• SPILL IN BL 3 CONTAINMENT

• ATTEND TO INJURED OR CONTAMINATED PERSONS AND REMOVE THEM FROM EXPOSURE.
• ALERT PEOPLE IN THE LABORATORY TO EVACUATE
• CLOSE DOORS TO AFFECTED AREA
• CALL BIOLOGICAL SPILL RESPONE NUMBER: 292-1284 OR 911 AFTER WORK HOURS
• HAVE PERSON KNOWLEGABLE OF INCIDENT AND LABORATORY ASSIST RESPONDERS

• IN THE EVENT OF FIRE, BUILDING ELEVATORS ARE PROGRAMMED TO RETURN TO THE GROUND FLOOR RENDERING THEM USELESS AS  ESCAPE ROUTES.  THOSE WHO DEPEND ON ELEVATORS FOR MOVING ABOUT THE BUILDING SHOULD PROCEED TO STAIRWELLS AND INSTRUCT THAT THEIR WHEREABOUTS BE MADE KNOWN TO BUILDING FIRE OFFICERS AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL.

• NEVER ENTER A SMOKE FILLED ROOM
• NEVER ENTER A ROOM IF THE TOP HALF OF THE DOOR IS WARM
• NEVER ENTER A ROOM WITHOUT A BACKUP PERSON
• NEVER ENDANGER YOURSELF TO PUT OUT A FIRE
• PRE THINK WHAT YOU MIGHT DO IN EVENT OF A FIRE...ESCAPE ROUTE?...LOCATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER?...SAFE AREA?

• MAJOR FIRE

• ALERT PEOPLE IN AREA TO EVACUATE
• DIAL 911 TO REPORT LOCATION
• PULL LOCAL BUILDING ALARM
• BE AWARE THAT MANY LOCAL ALARMS ARE NOT CONNECTED TO 911 SO YOU MUST CALL 911, NOT SIMPLY  PULL BUILDING ALARM
• CLOSE DOORS TO CONFINE FIRE
• EVACUATE IN ORDERLY MANNER IF REQUIRED
• HAVE PERSON KNOWLEDGEABLE OF INCIDENT ASSIST EMERGENCY PERSONNEL

• MINOR FIRE

• ALERT PEOPLE IN AREA TO EVACUATE
• SMOTHER FIRE OR, IF TRAINED, USE PROPER FIRE EXTINGUISHER
• AIM EXTINGUISHER AT BASE OF FIRE
• ALWAYS MAINTAIN ACCESSIBLE EXIT
• AVOID SMOKE OR FUMES