Hazardous Material Spill Outside-Property UT Health HCPC

Introduction

Date of Last Review 12/01/2012
SME: Safety Compliance Coordinator

This topic explains how to respond to a hazardous material spill outside UTHealth HCPC property.

Responsibility

The Hospital Administrative Director or designee is responsible for implementing procedures upon notification of a spill outside UTHealth HCPC.

Responding to a spill outside UTHealth HCPC

The Hospital Administrative Director or designee follows these steps in the event of an outside spill:

Step	Action
1	Contact UT Police Command Dispatch Center at 713-792-2890. Result: UT Police contact Environmental Health & Safety, UTHealth.
2	Assess spill according to the following factors: Nature of the spill Substance type Potential or actual danger to UTHealth HCPC patients, staff, students and property
3	Is the substance flammable or otherwise hazardous? If yes, turn off all ignition and heat sources. Consider turning off HVAC systems or restricting outside air intake. If no, go to Step 4.
4	Is the substance radioactive? If yes, notify UTHealth Radiation Safety Officer If no, go to Step 5.
5	Contact the appropriate, local community agency e.g. fire department.
6	Initiate the Emergency Alert.
7	Make evacuation assessment for UTHealth HCPC. Reference: See the Emergency Evacuation Plan Is evacuation necessary? If yes, order evacuation (total, horizontal, or vertical). If no, monitor situation.
8	Initiate all clear at the appropriate time.

Related Standard

The Joint Commission: Environment of Care

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