ICMS Chemical Drill Report
(Report by Joanna LIO at 22 Sep 2014)
Date: 10 Sep 2014
Time: 15:00-17:00
Venue: 7040aa (Public room)
Participants:
Group 1(周鶴峰, 魏斌, 孫文, 譚淵, 牛一鳴);
Group 2(楊彬睿, 鍾海靜, 陳少茹, 李婷, 曾卉菱);
Lab technicians: Chris Chan, Thomas Lao, Joanna LIO, Sandy LAO
Purpose: In this drill, the participants will practise how to handle a minor chemical spill.
A minor chemical spill is one that the lab-user is capable of handling safely without
assistance of safety or emergency personnel. All other chemical spills are considered
major. All participants had chemical drill in the past, this drill helped them to strengthen
or refresh their memory.
Before the Drill:
Lab technicians generally reviewed the principles of handling chemical spill with
students. Besides, location and the direction of use for the spill response kits,
neutralization reagents, absorbents and emergency facilities were also pointed out by
lab technicians previously during the introduction of the safety facilities in the lab.
Ten students were divided into two groups (five each) to carry out the drill.
During the drill:
Materials used as the substitute of chemical: Tap water. The beaker containing the water
is purposely left unlabeled for Group 1 and Hydrogen peroxide for Group 2.
Amount of spill: around 20ml-30ml
Group 1 carried out the chemical drill first, then all participants had a discussion on
their performance, followed by another chemical drill by group 2. We then had a final
discussion.
1. A spill was simulated by pouring around 30ml of water on the floor and left
unattended.
2. Participants discovered a chemical spill.
3. After making judgment that they can handle the situation, they started carrying out
the procedure for handling spill.
4. Participants notified people in the lab about a simulated spill verbally and notified
everyone who passed by.
5. Participants recruited the spill kit, however did not put on proper PPE and started
handling the spill.
6. After the spill is cleaned up, the waste was disposed as biohazard waste.
Discussion about the drill:
Since the drill was directly carried out by the participants, there happened to be some
mishandling during the drill.
1. Not paying attention to any labeling on the container when identifying the
chemical.
2. Not putting on PPE in the first place before handling the spill.
3. Not fully utilized the spill kit content.
4. Left the remaining chemical in the beaker unattended.
5. Not labeling the waste properly.
6. When simulating a call to notify related personnel (e.g. lab technicians) about the
spill during non-office hour, not enough information was given about the spill.
Suggestions given to the participants about the drill:
1. Should try to identify the chemical by referring the label on the container if any in
order to recruit the most suitable spill kit.
2. Should put on proper PPE first.
3. Should work in pairs or at a minimum of 2 people when handling chemical spill.
4. Should store the left chemical properly, e.g. if it is in a beaker, used parafilm to
seal the opening, then notifying everyone about the chemical to look for the
owner.
5. Should tie the bag containing the waste properly in order to avoid spillage of the
waste. Should dispose all those materials come into contact with the spill. The
waste should be contained in proper container and labeled properly and clearly.
The label should include date, chemical name if it could be identified and name of
handler. Put the “Hazardous Waste” notice on the container holding the waste.
6. Should include details about the spill when making a call to inform related
personnel, e.g. who is calling, where the spill was, what kind of chemical, what
procedure has been taken etc.
Photos: