Chemical Spill Response Guidelines

Owned by jr_crowder
Last updated: Sep 28, 2022 by Chieh Peng (Unlicensed)
1 min read

You should NOT clean up a spill if:

  • You don’t know what the spilled material is.

  • You lack the necessary protection or equipment to do the job safely.

  • You feel any symptoms of exposure.

General Spill Response Scheme

Evaluate and Notify

  • When Spill is detected, determine if there is an immediate health threat to you or lab personnel. Instruct personal to leave area. If someone has had chemical spilled on them, assist them in reaching a washing station.

  • Isolate the area.

  • Notify LO or ALO on duty, and the Bridge.

  • LO/ALO assemble response team and investigate the situation, 

    • Any personnel injured?

    • What type of chemical? Is it flammable?

    • What is the spilled volume? 

  • If personnel is injured or exposed to chemicals, notify ship’s doctor.

  • Consult SDS for proper containment and spill clean-up measures if necessary.

Containment/Cleanup

  • Response team members gather appropriate spill kits and put on proper PPE (located in Lab and FCRS).  When in doubt, opt for more PPE.

  • Remove injured personnel to hospital.

  • Response team proceed to spill area.

  • First step is to stop and contain the spill using adsorbent pillows and socks.

  • Protect floor drains with absorbents or barriers around them.

  • Use proper neutralizer, if needed.

  • Once the spill is controlled and neutralized, clean up all material into designated plastic bags. Keep these bags separate from general trash and labeled them accordingly.

  • Notify Bridge the spill is contained and cleaned up.

Follow-up

  • Write a spill incident and response report.

Archived Version

Chemical Spill Response Guidelines_28Sept2022