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Spills of Hazardous Materials

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Radiological Minor Spill:

1. Notify all personnel in the area that a spill occurred.
2. Cover the spill with absorbent paper to prevent its spread and wipe inward from the edge of the spill.
3. Wearing disposable gloves, remove the contaminated absorbent paper. Place in a plastic bag along with your disposable gloves, and dispose of the bag in the appropriate radioactive waste container.
4. Take wipe tests to determine the extent of the contamination. If contamination is still present, clean the area with an appropriate solvent using a clean hand/dirty hand method and resurvey.
5. Notify Radiation Safety of the event (Phone 500-5840 or CYF G.102).

Radiological Major Spill:

1. Clear the area of all persons not involved in the spill, and close the door to the laboratory room.
2. Prevent the spread of the materials by covering the spill with absorbent pads. DO NOT TRY TO CLEAN UP!
3. Confine the movement of all personnel potentially contaminated to minimize additional contamination.
4. During Business Hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.): Call Radiation Safety 500-5840. During non-Business: Call 500-4357 (500-HELP).
5. Contaminated clothing should be removed and stored for further evaluation. If the spill is on the skin, flush thoroughly and wash with mild soap and lukewarm water.

Chemical Minor Spill

1. Alert people in immediate area of spill.
2. Wear protective equipment, including safety goggles or face shield, gloves and lab coat.
3. Avoid breathing vapors from spill.
4. Use appropriate kit to neutralize and adsorb inorganic acids and bases. For other chemicals, use appropriate kit or adsorb spill with vermiculite, dry sand or paper towels. Collect residue, place in container, label container and call the Hazardous Waste Line at 500-5837.
5. Clean spill area with detergent and water.

Chemical Major Spill

1. Immediately call the Chemical Safety Hotline at 500-5832.
2. Alert people in the surrounding area to evacuate.
3. Attend to injured or contaminated persons and remove them from exposure. In case of personal  contamination, remove affected clothing and flush contaminated skin with water for at least fifteen minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.
4. Close doors to affected areas as you leave.
5. Have person with knowledge of incident and laboratory assist emergency personnel upon arrival.

Biological Spills

1. Alert people in immediate area of spill.
2. Decontaminate with 1:10 bleach solution (solution should be in contact with spill for at least 15 minutes).
3. Cover the spill with absorbent paper.
4. Wearing disposable gloves, remove the absorbent paper and place in a biological "Red Bag" for proper disposal by Environmental Protection.
5. Clean spill area with detergent and water.

date modified: 08/13/2004