Weekly Safety Meeting – Spill Clean Up

A unplanned release of chemicals can have devastating effects. Skin and eye burns, damage to the lungs, fire and explosion, corrosive damage to materials, pollution of air, soil, and water, and danger to the public are just some of the possible consequences of a chemical spill.

Chemical spills can be in the form of liquids, gases, vapors, or solids such as pellets. They can be flammable (quick to burn or explode), corrosive (damaging to skin tissue or other materials), or toxic (poisonous to humans and other living things).

The time to deal with a chemical spill is long before it happens, by rehearsing what you will do and obtaining the supplies you will need for self-protection and clean-up.

First, you need to learn all you can about the chemicals used and stored in your work area. What are the hazards? What would happen if the chemical were exposed to air, oxygen, a spark, water, or even motion? Is the chemical corrosive, causing damage to human tissue?

If breathed in, could it damage the respiratory system, cause unconsciousness or death? Are there possible long-term effects from chemical exposure, such as cancer? You will get this type of information from your training, safety data sheets (SDS), and container labeling.

Here Are Some Basic Procedures for Dealing with a Spill:

• Alert people in the area of the spill.
• Call the appropriate emergency numbers, which should be posted at each telephone or office area.
• Attend to any injured persons, removing them from exposure and getting to a safety shower if necessary.
• Depending on the nature of the chemical you might need to open windows and doors to provide ventilation, close the affected area to contain spills, or turn off heat and other ignition sources.
• If you are trained and authorized, use the appropriate materials to absorb or contain the spill. For instance, you might have kits to neutralize spilled acids or bases. For other chemicals, you could be required to sprinkle an absorbent material, like kitty litter or vermiculite, on a spill or surround this spill with a Dam.

Do Not Attempt Cleanup Under These Circumstances:

• You don’t know what the spilled material is.
• You don’t have the necessary protection or the right equipment to do the job.

• The spill is too large.
• The spill was highly toxic.
• You feel symptoms of exposure.

Preventing Spills:

• Eliminate clutter.
• Know proper work practices for biological and chemical materials you use.
• Use unbreakable secondary containers.
• Store chemicals properly.
• Dispose of waste and excess chemicals in a timely manner.

Remember:

Even small spills of highly toxic or flammable substances can be hazardous. Large spills can cause serious injuries to employees and damage to your facility as well as have an environmental impact.

Cleanup should begin as soon as possible, after a spill has been detected, contained, and evaluated.

FOLLOW PROCEDURES…KEEP SAFETY IN MIND!