College of Life and Environmental Sciences
Laboratory Spills Containment and Response Policy.
General Introduction
Safety Management Systems.
Generation and implementation of effective emergency response and spill control procedures are
fundamental aspects of the Colleges safety management system. The below policy directs all to the
correct control and disposal of any spills that may occur. While we are unlikely to have the size of
spill that will cause major issues some of the recommendations will be pertinent to the smaller
levels, types of spillage we are likely to have to deal with. Any larger spill issue are addressed within
the college critical incident plan, summary below:.
Critical Incident Plan.
The main points for inclusion are:
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Containing and controlling incidents so as to minimise the effects and to limit danger to
persons, the environment and property.
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Implementing the measures necessary to protect persons and the environment.
•
Description of the actions which should be taken to control the conditions at events and
to limit their consequences, including a description of the safety equipment and
resources available.
•
Arrangements for training staff in the duties they will be expected to perform.
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Arrangements for informing local authorities, regulatory bodies (e.eg. South West water)
and the emergency services if required.
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Arrangements for providing assistance with off-site mitigatory action if required.
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Disposal of clean up materials.
The plans aims are designed to be simple and straightforward, flexible and achieve necessary
compliance with legislative requirements.
Emergency operating procedures / training.
The emergency procedures should include instructions for dealing with fires, leaks and spills. The
procedure should describe how to:
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Raise the alarm and call the fire brigade;
•
Tackle a fire or control spills and leaks (when it is safe to do so);
•
Evacuate the site, and if necessary nearby premises.
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Area Evacuation.
Evacuation of areas in the event of fire or toxic gas emission should be addressed in the buildings
emergency evacuation procedure. This should specify designated safe areas, assembly points and
toxic gas shelters. The procedure should also identify responsible personnel whose duties during
area evacuation include:
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Responsibility for a specific area;
•
Ensuring roll calls (if appropriate) are undertaken to identify missing persons;
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Communication of missing persons to central emergency services.
Fire Fighting.
A fire fighting strategy should consider:
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Appointment of fire marshals, with subsequent training.
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Location plans of fire hoses, extinguishers and water sources.
•
Access for emergency services.
Removal of Substance to Safe Place.
The emergency spill control procedure should include the following key sections:
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Spills involving hazardous materials should first be contained to prevent spread of the
material to other areas. This may involve the use of temporary diking, sand bags, dry
sand or proprietary booms / absorbent pads;
•
Wherever possible the material should be rendered safe by treating with appropriate
chemicals (refer to Stabilisation / dilution to safe condition);
•
Hazardous materials in a fine dusty form should not be cleared up by dry brushing.
Vacuum cleaners should be used in preference, and for toxic materials one conforming to
type H (BS 5415) should be used;
•
Treated material should be absorbed onto inert carrier material to allow the material to
be cleared up and removed to a safe place for disposal or further treatment as
appropriate;
•
Waste should not be allowed to accumulate. A regular and frequent waste removal
procedure should be adopted.
•
All hazardous waste should be removed via the Universities approved waste disposal
contractor.
Stabilisation / Dilution to Safe Condition.
Once the hazardous material has been contained to prevent spread of the material to other areas,
the material should be treated wherever possible to render it safe. Acids and alkalis may be treated
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with appropriate neutralising agents. Due to the differing properties of the various groups of
chemical, an appropriate treatment strategy with suitable chemicals should be established in each
case. For example, highly concentrated hydrochloric acid will fume when spilled so prior to
neutralisation the spill should be diluted with a water spray. These processes should be identified
and stated within the COSHH requirements for the use of these materials.
Availability of Neutralising Substances.
Process specific emergency spill kits (acid, alkali, solvent, toxic etc) and appropriate personal
protective equipment should be readily available with supporting procedures. These spill kits should
be maintained on a regular basis to ensure that they are always available and fit for purpose. This
ensures that the most appropriate measure is at hand to deal with a spill or fire in the most effective
way.
Issues that should also be addressed include:
•
Containment;
•
Maintenance and condition of fire hoses, extinguishers.
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GENERAL SPILLAGE.
The above guidelines should be used alongside the university Emergency preparedness & incident
responses policy which can be found at
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/campusservices/sustainability/emsdocuments/G
EP014_VB_Emergency_Preparedness_and_Incident_Response.pdf
Small Spills (less than 500ml).
•
•
•
•
•
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Gloves and eye protection should be worn
Contamination should be wiped up with paper towels soaked in freshly prepared
hypochlorite solution (Milton or chlorine releasing tablets) containing 10,000 ppm
(1%) available chlorine. · If broken glass is present, first treat the spillage with
hypochlorite, then carefully remove the pieces of glass with disposable forceps or
scoop to a sharps bin, before wiping up as above.
Towels and gloves should be disposed of in a yellow clinical waste bag for
incineration (or an autoclave bag if in a laboratory).
Hands must be washed following clearing up.
Larger Spills (more than 500ml).
Staff, students and visitors must be kept away from the spillage and if possible a warning sign
shown, while preparation is made to handle the spill as outlined below. Gloves, eye protection and a
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disposable apron should be worn. If the spillage is extensive, disposable plastic overshoes or rubber
boots may be necessary.
•
•
•
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Liquid spills should be covered with *dichloroisocyanurate (chlorine releasing)
granules or alternative compound and left for at least two minutes before clearing
up with paper towels, absorbent mats. Alternatively, the spill may be covered with
paper towels, absorbent mats and gently flooded with hypochlorite solution
containing 10,000 ppm (1%) available chlorine* (again this should be left for at least
two minutes before attempting to clear up).
If broken glass is present, first decontaminate the spillage as above, and then
carefully remove the pieces of glass with disposable forceps or scoop to a sharps bin,
before wiping up.
Paper towels, gloves, disposable overshoes and any contaminated clothing should be
placed in a yellow clinical waste bag for incineration (or an autoclave bag if
appropriate) and hands washed (reusable PPE may need to be decontaminated with
dilute disinfectant).
Finally, the area should be washed with water and detergent and allowed to dry.
* Hypochlorite solutions (e.g .household bleach) may be replaced by solutions of
dichloroisocyanurate prepared from tablets according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Note: metals can be damaged by hypochlorite, and they should not be exposed to it for lengthy
periods.
MICRO-ORGANISM SPILLAGE.
A spillage of micro-organisms would normally be expected to occur within laboratories equipped to
handle this situation (Containment Level 2 or 3 laboratories), unless the organisms are being carried
between laboratories. Any spillage of micro-organisms outside of the specific Containment Level
areas must be reported immediately to the Biological Safety Officer. (01392 722726)
Spillage in Laboratories.
Laboratories which handle infectious micro-organisms (Hazard Group 2 or 3) or fluids which might
contain such organisms must have a risk assessment standard operating procedure (SOP) for dealing
with relevant spillages. Further, a spillage control kit for biological hazards, or the appropriate
disinfectants, must always be readily available in these laboratories. Biological spillages in
Containment Level 3 laboratories require specialised fumigation and disinfection procedures. These
must be documented and available.
Spillage of Genetically Modified Micro-Organisms (GMO).
Before live genetically modified organisms are used in a laboratory, the GM Committee must receive
notification and give permission to its use. The Committee will receive a full risk assessment of its
intended use which will include details of specific handling and disinfection procedures in the event
of a spillage. Guidelines will then be made available to staff handling such organisms.
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CHEMICAL SPILLAGE.
A spillage kit suitable for the types of chemicals being handled, as well as suitable personal
protective equipment (PPE) must be on hand in the laboratory. The Laboratory Manager is
responsible for ensuring the spill kit is maintained and that all staff members are familiar with its use
and location. Information on handling spillages of specific hazardous chemicals should be included in
the individual lab COSHH risk assessments as well as laminated copy being available within the spill
kit.
Immediate Action when Spillage Occurs:
The member of staff first on the scene must immediately alert Laboratory Managers, other staff and
visitors to keep a safe distance away.
Make Decision to:
•
•
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Firstly evacuate the area affected- contact the Laboratory Manager who will either
control the spillage OR
If above is not possible raise the fire alarm to call fire brigade.
Report the incident via the environmental incident form at
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/campusservices/sustainability/emsd
ocuments/GEP014_VB_Emergency_Preparedness_and_Incident_Response.pdf
If the nature of the spillage or uncontrolled release is unknown, or if the staff present are not trained
in the use of PPE and suitable spillage kits, the Laboratory Manager and/or college safety office must
be contacted immediately. If the Fire Brigade are called the person who raises the alarm should
await their arrival so they can provide details of the spillage. Staff working on the floor directly
below should also be informed where possible.
If the Chemical is known and the staff trained and equipped- Deal with the spillage locally only if it
is safe to do so
A spillage may only be dealt with locally if the nature of the spillage is known and by staff who are
trained in the use of the required PPE and chemical spillage kits. If there is any doubt about the
hazard involved or ability to deal with the size of the spillage, the Laboratory Manager should be
informed and they will if necessary raise the alarm. If the spillage has occurred in a radiation hazard
area the Biological Safety Officer or Radiation Protection Supervisor must be informed and any
further risks assessed.
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If the decision is to control the spillage- carefully assess the situation.
First steps should be:
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•
•
•
•
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Inform others that you intend to deal with the spill. Two trained members of
staff should act as a response team. Someone should watch from a safe distance.
If a flammable liquid is spilt:
 Eliminate ignition sources, such as naked flames.
 If a large spill, contact Campus Services, arrange to isolate electrical
supply – Do not use switches in the immediate area as spark from the
switch may ignite spill.
Ventilate area and close doors. Open windows (where possible). Do not cross
the spill or move further into the room to close doors. If safe, ask others to close
doors from adjacent rooms.
Isolate spill, Consider sealing off the area and displaying warning signs on the
doors. If there is a possibility the chemical could seep to the floor below, the
occupants must be warned and evacuated.
Assemble equipment, required and make preparations to deal with the spill in
an adjacent but safe room.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be used, listed below:
o
o
o
o
Face Masks or Respirator (use half mask, suitable for the fumes*)
Gloves, gloves with wide chemical resistance such as nitrile should be
used.
Eye protection
Lab Coats
* NB all individuals using respirators should have been face fitted by the University Safety Office, if
the chemical smell becomes apparent leave the room immediately and call the fire brigade.
Note special attention to the following chemicals:
Formaldehyde, Never attempt to deal with large spillages of formaldehyde – evacuate the room,
contact the laboratory Manager and sound fire alarm.
Dealing with the Spillage- Types of spillage kits.
Disciplines are advised that they need to have their own appropriate chemical spillage kits on hand
for emergencies (these should include suitable PPE, or PPE needs to be prepared and readily
available in the near vicinity). In an emergency if no spill kit is available locally, the College stores os
Safety Office spill kit can be used as a back-up (ext 3478 or 2726).
There are a number of different types of commercial spillage kits available, these are listed below.
•
Absorbable spill pillows, mats and socks, these come in different shapes (oblong or
square), which can be placed in or over the spill, or sausage shaped, to surround the
spill and contain it. Note: unless specifically indicated these pads are not always
suitable for concentrated corrosive acids such as hydrochloric and sulphuric acids.
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College of Life and Environmental Sciences
Acid neutralisers or absorbent granules should be used.
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•
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A collapsible mop is now commercially available on which absorbent spillage pads
are Velcro fastened for ease of removal and replacement. These pads draw liquid
into an absorbent core where they are turned into a non-drip gel. This system has the
advantage of the user not having to bend over the vapours of potentially dangerous
chemicals while applying or retrieving spill pads and are easily to dispose of (these
pads are not suitable for corrosive acids).
Commercial neutralisers for concentrated acids and alkalis are available (this
creates heat, 2-3 minutes should be allowed between treatments). An inactivator for
formaldehyde and chemical absorbents for solvents are also available.
A number of different types of general spillage absorbent granules and chemical
binders are also available. As with neutralisers (above), these have the disadvantage
of having to be scooped or swept up after application.
Safe Waste Disposal after Spillage.
All chemical waste must be disposed of in accordance with the College waste policy.
When the spillage has been contained and it is considered safe to return to the area, proceed with
the clean-up procedure below:
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Wearing PPE, place the waste in a suitable container with a tight fitting lid or a suitable
sealable plastic bag (which can be later placed in a container with a lid). Clearly label and
identify the chemical waste. If the waste is volatile or fuming, the waste container must
be placed open in a fume cupboard (not a recirculating model) to allow complete
evaporation to take place before sealing. Small spill waste can be placed within a yellow
bag and sent for incineration, please contact the Laboratory Manager if you are unsure.
•
The floor and contaminated surfaces should then be washed with fresh soapy water. On
leaving the area all PPE must be removed carefully and either disposed of in a yellow bag
or washed. Care must be taken not to take off the respirator and eye protection until the
contaminated gloves are first removed.
The Laboratory Manager is responsible for ensuring that the correct procedures for the disposal of
chemical waste are followed in accordance with the College waste policy. Specialist advice can be
sought from the Safety Office.
OTHER SPILLAGES.
Mercury.
When mercury is spilled, it evaporates and gives off hazardous vapours that are invisible and
odourless. If you spill mercury or break a product that contains mercury, it is important that it be
cleaned up immediately.
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Cleanup Procedures:
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Get all people not involved in cleanup out of the area to minimize tracking mercury into
other areas.
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Delineate the area that may have mercury droplets with string, tape or other materials.
Be careful not to step in the mercury droplets.
•
If possible, open a window or door to ventilate with outside air.
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Remove all jewellery from your hands and wrists, since mercury bonds with most metals.
Put on disposable gloves. Do not touch the mercury with your bare hands.
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Use stiff paper to push the mercury beads you can see together. Lift the mercury beads
into a glass jar or rigid plastic container.
•
If there are small beads that you cannot get up with the stiff paper, you can pick them up
with sticky tape.
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Wipe the entire delineated area with a damp paper towel or wet wipe.
o
If you have a mercury spill kit with a treated sponge, use that to wipe the area,
OR
o
If you have a mercury spill cleanup product, such as zinc or sulfur powder, follow
the specific instructions from the manufacturer for its use.
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Place all used materials used to clean up (e.g., powder or paste, used sponge, tape, used
paper towel or wet wipes and used disposable gloves) in the glass jar, plastic container
or sealable plastic bag.
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Label your container with "Hazardous Waste - Mercury Contaminated Spill Cleanup
Materials" and the date.
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Dispose of the container with spill cleanup materials through our licensed hazardous
waste management firm (Lab Waste).
Radioactive spills.
Unsealed sources are often in liquid form. Thus any spillage can be difficult to contain.
Small Spills:
These will be contained within the drip tray but equally could contaminate small areas of
bench. On non porous benches, providing this spill is small, should be wiped with tissue and
disposed of in the radiation waste bin. A check of contamination levels must always be made
after cleaning of the area. This should be carried out with either a hand held monitor or
swabbing and scintillation counting. These records must be logged and kept by the RPS for
the area.
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Large Spills:
If the activity is restricted to a small area the RPS must be informed. An assessment must be
made to determine the best way to dispose of the spill. The RPS must also inform the
University RPO (URPO) of the incident.
Unconfined spills:
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Immediate steps must be taken to contain the spill using tissue or towels.
The area must be evacuated and cordoned off.
The URPO must be informed as soon as the emergency procedures are in place.
The URPO will assess the extent and amount of activity of the spillage and determine
the best method of decontamination.
All workers and other involved in the incident will be monitored for contamination
and treated accordingly.
After the spillage has been cleared the area shall be monitored and decontamination
will continue until the URPO is satisfied that levels are acceptable.
Cryogenic Gas Spillages.
Liquid nitrogen is almost exclusively used for preservation of samples. It has a boiling point of 196ºC, 1ml of liquid will evaporate to form 682mls of gas. The density of gaseous nitrogen is slightly
less than air, however cold gas will tend to be heavier. The two hazards associated with handling
liquid nitrogen are cold burns or asphyxiation due to displacement of air.
Any spillage should be:
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•
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Allowed to evaporate.
The area should be well ventilated wherever this is possible. If the enclosure is small
then the immediate area needs to be evacuated. Where liquid nitrogen is routinely
handled in a small or confined space then an oxygen detector alarming at or below
16% oxygen needs to be fitted. [Because of air displacement, liquid nitrogen
containers must always be sent in lifts unaccompanied].
Containment of spilt liquid nitrogen needs to be approached with care. The liquid
should be allowed to evaporate, recovery is not a practical option. Liquid nitrogen
may make materials brittle and cause floor covering to crack. Suitable gloves and
goggles/visors should always be worn when handling liquid nitrogen. Cryogenic
burns should only be treated with lukewarm water, never hot.
Solvent Spillages.
Small Spills (generally less than 100ml):
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Small spills generally consisting of only a few ml may be wiped up using paper
towels or other absorbent pads. This should be done as quickly as possible, while
minimizing any exposure to vapors. After absorbing any excess liquid, clean-up
materials should be placed in the fume-hood and allowed to evaporate.
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Manageable Spills (100ml – 500ml):
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Eliminate sources of ignition.
Alert others working in laboratory. Keep people out of the immediate area.
Establish barriers if the spill has occurred in public passageways.
If unsure how to proceed seek help from the lab manager and retrieve the necessary
MSDS sheets.
The person cleaning up the spill should wear a suitable face mask and gloves.
Transfer the material containing the spill to a plastic container and carry to a fumehood for later disposal. Allow fumes to evaporate in the fume-hood overnight or over
a weekend.
If the residual waste is hazardous, package all contaminated material in a suitable
container, attach a label and submit for waste disposal.
Major Spills (e.g. A full bottle of an organic chemical dropped and smashed on the floor):
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Alert others working in laboratory and adjacent areas to evacuate the building.
Eliminate sources of ignition.
Pull the fire alarm. Phone security 3999 from a safe area e.g. an office area; advise
them of your name and give a quick summary of the details of the spill.
Retrieve the necessary MSDS sheet(s) if safe to do so.
Meet security to inform them of the details.
Formulate a clean-up plan in consultation with the Safety Officer, Security Officers
and/or the fire department.
Spillages onto or into Equipment.
Mechanical or electrical equipment which has become accidentally contaminated with chemicals or
biological material such as or micro-organisms may require specialist attention and disinfection as
well as general decontamination of the outside of the equipment. For example, this could require
that the equipment is checked and dismantled by an electronics expert. For advice on dealing with
other contaminated equipment contact the Biological Safety Officer
Dealing with a Suspicious Substance.
•
•
On discovery of any suspicious material*, individuals in the room should, if possible,
shut doors and evacuate to an adjacent unoccupied room away from any potential
hazard until an initial assessment has been made. If possible leave a warning sign
saying do not enter on the door and always inform the laboratory manager.
The laboratory manager and/or the person finding the suspicious substance need to
remain available to answer questions and to give information or help.
* There is an extremely remote possibility that this could be a deliberate release of a harmful
substance.
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Unidentified Spillages.
Contact the Laboratory Manager and/or the Safety Office to identify the problem and establish a
safe procedure for handling the spillage. If a spillage, large enough to cause concern, occurs outside
of normal working hours, Estate Patrol should be contacted (01392 723999 int. 3999).
http://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/techmeasspill.htm
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/medicalschool/msa/safety/docs/spillagemanagement.pdf
http://www.mass.gov/dep/toxics/stypes/spill.htm
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