Spill Response

Establishing the Significance
Spills at OHIO are considered either significant or insignificant. What determines significance? If additional help is needed the spill is considered significant. The amount of the chemical or radioactive material spilled is not the major concern. The major concern is the life threatening potential of the spill. Flammability, chemical toxicity, radiation level, and concentration are very important factors in determining whether a spill is significant or insignificant. If the containers of chemicals around you are not familiar, then any spill is of concern.

In all other cases, make an initial assessment of the situation with your senses:

• Does it smell bad?
• Is it hurting the eyes, nose, or throat?
• Does the material cause choking or difficulty in breathing?
• Does the material cause nausea?
• Does the material cause dizziness?
• Is the material smoking, sizzling, or hissing?
• Is the spill in a chemistry lab (as opposed to being in a kitchen)?

If all of the above questions’ answers are “no,” then it is possible the spill should be considered insignificant (even though it may have chronic health or environmental significance). The last question is based on the fact that chemic als in laboratories are more likely to be concentrated or highly reactive than the commercial and consumer products commonly found in kitchens. If all of the above questions’ answers are “no,” then you can usually take the time to read the label or MSDS, and from that information decide whether the spill should be considered insignificant and cleaned up, or the spill should be considered significant and help should be called.

If you are familiar with the contents of containers a nd the environment where a spill occurs, you can choose a commensurate response based on your knowledge about the chemicals. For example, the chemical may smell bad or burn the eyes and throat, but you may know that these mild symptoms occur even at concentrations that are not harmful. In this case, you would consider the spill to be insignificant. If a chemical is regularly used, then its properties are likely to be well known. This very same chemical spill might well be a significant spill to a different person, who did not have the detailed knowledge about that chemical. For the purpose of this procedure, if it is necessary for additional help to be called, consider the spill to be significant.

Significant Spills
In all cases of significant spills, call 911 and the Fire Department will make an assessment based on information and other resources available, and will decide what actions to take. All instructions will come from the pers on in charge at the scene. This will be the Fire Chief unless otherwise delegated. If the Fire Chief determines the spill will affect more than one building, then a university-wide alert shall be sounded. If it is believed that an alarm response is not warranted, and it is decided not to pull the fire alarm or call 911, seek the opinion of the immediate supervisor or contact EHS: phone 593-1666 and ask for a person in charge. If individuals are familiar with the spilled material and are comfortable with cle aning the material up, it should be cleaned up cautiously. If the material is well isolated, but it is known the room is not safe to be occupied, EHS will assist in contacting a chemical or radioactive spill cleanup team. In this case, clearly label all entrances to the space with signs “Do Not Enter, Chemical (or Radioactive) Spill.”

TIP: The person in charge at the scene of a significant spill resulting in a 911 call will be the Fire Chief unless otherwise delegated.

If the spill is considered significant, then the appr opriate response will depend on whether the location is indoors or outside.

• The fire alarm shall be activated and the building must be evacuated.
• When leaving, close the door and notify as many people as possible that there is a chemical spill and where it is. (A warning, “Chemical (or Radioactive) Spill,” should be communicated to all.)
• Ensure the alarm has been reported by calling 911.
• Wait outside for the Fire Department to arrive and report to the Fire Chief or designated person in charge.
• The acronym C.A.R.E. is an easy way to remember what to do. The procedure may not be in the same order. Close the door, activate the Alarm, Report the incident, and Evacuate the building.

Outside of a Building
• Stay clear of danger.
• Call 911 and report the spill.
• Do everything possible to keep others away from the spill
without risking personal safety.
• Wait for the Fire Department to arrive and report to the
Fire Chief or designated person in charge.

Recap of Key Spill Response Questions
• Is t he material flammable?
• Could there be a fire or explosion?
• Might the space ventilation system carry vapors, fumes,
or dust to another space?
• Can the crack around the door be sealed so the vapors
will not flow into the hallway?
• Is there a path for a liquid to run down to the next level?
(This can be around pipes that go through floors under
sinks, pipes that may be hidden by cabinets. It is recom-
mended the room below be secure d just in case.)

When the spill situation requires judgment calls. always err on the side of safety. Do not take chances. The Fire Chief, Ohio University Police Department, and EHS have the emergency pager number to contact a contractor for emergency chemical or radioactive spill cleanup.


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