INITIAL RESPONSE TO INITIAL RESPONSE TO SMALL LABORATORY SMALL LABORATORY SPILLSSPILLS

*Safe and quick response to small laboratory spills

Rob Provost Manager, Environmental Protection

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

“A Little Preparation Goes A Long Way..”

Know the Hazards of the Chemicals you work with everyday

Wear Personal Protective Equipment EVERYTIME you handle Chemicals

Understand and Know the location of the MSDS of the Chemicals you handle

Keep handy SOME Spill Cleanup Supplies

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Definition

“spill”, when used with reference to a pollutant, means a discharge,(a) into the natural environment,(b) from or out of a structure, vehicle or other container, and(c) that is abnormal in quality or quantity in light of all the circumstances of the discharge,and when used as a verb has a corresponding meaning; (“déversement”, “déverser”)

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

What is a SMALL SPILL??

Physical state of spill material (ie. Solid, Liquid or Gas)

Quantity of material Hazards of the material (Flammable,

Corrosive or Toxicity) Hazardous Conditions Caused by the spill Has someone been Contaminated by the

spill

The size and cleanup difficulty of the spill can be determined by several different factors:

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Physical State of Material

Solid Spills are easier to control and cleanup than liquids

Identified Liquid spills < 1L can be controlled and absorbed with appropriate supplies

NEVER attempt to stop a stuck or broken gas cylinder… Evacuate the AREA and Call UofT Police 978-2222 !

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Spill Quantity

Any size spill can be cleaned up IF you have the right equipment available!

If possible do enough to prevent progress of spill

Solids spills can be scooped back into a jar or beaker

Liquids can be absorbed with paper towels, bench coat or cloth to control it

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Hazards of the Material

Vapours produced from spills cause the MOST hazards, either Toxic or Flammable

Corrosive Solids and Liquids can react with the response materials

HIGH vapour pressure usually is an indication of a volatile liquid

NEVER response to unknown spill alone

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Conditions Caused by Spill Solids or Viscous Liquids

can make moving around slippery and dangerous

Location of Spill can make exiting hazardous

Try not to contaminate clean areas with the spill material

Extinguish any sources of ignition if spill contains flammable materials

Make sure Fume Hoods are running!

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Contamination of Personnel

First Priority should be given to any people who are contaminated

Removing contaminated clothing to prevent further contact

Flush contaminated area with water for NO less than fifteen minutes

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

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Cleanup Procedures

STOP - THINK! Do not rush. Carefully plan cleanup. Attend to any persons who may have been

contaminated Post signs to identify the hazard and control access Review MSDS for Hazards and Cleanup suggestions or

consult a Chemical Dictionary hazards Determine whether it can be handled safely Contact Environmental Protection Services (EPS) for

Assistance 978-7000 Eliminate all ignition sources if flammable material is

involved. Turn on fumehoods to capture or direct flow of vapours

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Cleanup Procedures cont’d

Don personal protective equipment, as appropriate to the hazards.

Try to confine the spill to a small area. Do not allow the material to spread.

Carefully remove other materials, containers, equipment from path of the spill.

Absorb any liquids with absorbent or available supplies Sweep solids of low toxicity into a dust pan and place

into container for disposal (NOTE: Do NOT use BIO or RAD Bags for disposal of

Chemical Waste)

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Cleanup Procedures cont’d

Dispose of all cleanup materials as hazardous waste. Waste must be properly packaged in a leakproof

container, sealed and labelled with a hazardous waste label.

Handle the waste the same way you would any other chemical waste produced from your lab.

Then report the incident to supervisor and Environmental Health and Safety and to the local joint health and safety committee. Use the "Accident/Incident/Occupational Disease Report" form.

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Response Chart

Spill StateGas / Liquid / Solid

Hazard•Contact

•Inhalation

Hazard•Contact

•Inhalation

Hazard•Contact

Protection•SCBA

•Encapsulating Suit

Protection•Vapour Resp.

•Gloves, Boots, Coveralls

Protection•Dust Mask

•Gloves

Containment•Vent remove

Containment•Neutralize & Absorb

Containment•Sweep

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Cleanup Techniques

1. Protect floor drains or other means for environmental release. Spill socks and absorbents may be placed around drains, as needed.

2. Contain and clean-up the spill with the appropriate material.

3. Loose spill control materials should be distributed over the entire spill area, working from the outside, circling to the inside. This reduces the chance of splash or spread of the spilled chemical.

4. When spilled materials have been absorbed, use brush and scoop to place materials in an appropriate container. Polyethylene bags may be used for small spills. Five gallon pails may be appropriate for larger quantities.

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Spill Cleanup Supplies

Warning Sign Broom and Dustpan Disposal Container, any

leakproof container Hazardous Waste Label

Warning Sign Absorbent material Broom and Dustpan Disposal Container, any

leakproof container Hazardous Waste Label

Solids Liquids

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Personal Protective Equipment

Already in Lab:

•Safety Glasses or Goggles•Nitrile Gloves•Lab coat or Apron

Extra Supplies:

•Neoprene Gloves•Shoe Covers•Respirator

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Mercury Spills

One of the most common spills at U of T is a Mercury Spill. Either from a Thermometer or a leak of elemental Mercury.Initial Hazard is from contact, wear gloves while cleaningUse damp cloth or tissue to wipe mercury into disposal container or syringe (without sharp) to vacuum up dropletsBe CAREFUL of broken glass if thermometer was involvedAlso dispose of any equipment contaminated that cannot be properly cleanedShould the Mercury persist contact EPS for the area to be vacuumed clean

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Leaking Cylinders

The most dangerous spill situation is a leaking or broken gas cylinder, for two reasons. The gas contained in the cylinder can be either toxic, flammable, corrosive, an asphyxiant or a combination of these.Initially evacuate the area, have someone contact UofT Police 978-2222 while finding someone who knows what the cylinder containsTry to isolate the area affected by gas through ventilation controls, fume hoods and securing doorsSignage of the hazard is important to control exposure

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Post Spill Duties

After the spill is cleaned up and the material collected has been labelled and stored for proper hazardous disposal, what then?.May need to limit access to the area until the air has be refreshedReports of the incident should be made to Environmental Health and Safety and to the local joint health and safety committeeNotify Caretaking for further cleaning and restoring the area affectedRemove any warning signs from the areaRestock the supply used !

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

‘Who You Going To Call?’

Environmental Protection Services 978-7000

Weekdays (8AM to 4PM)or

U of T Police 978-2222for After Hours ResponsePlease state type of spill,

quantity, location, contact person and phone number.

If you can’t safely handle the spill CALL: