Emergency Response - Hazardous/Infectious Material Spill

Background Information

A hazardous material spill is a spill in which there is a significant amount of a hazardous material released or one in which the release of the substance cannot be controlled. Examples of hazardous materials in quantities that would be considered a spill are: more than one gallon of bleach, more than 100 ml of sulfuric acid, over one gallon of gasoline, and any quantity of mercury. Examples of infectious materials include blood and other bodily fluids.

Action Steps

Hazardous material spill responses:

  • Call 911 or 593-1911 immediately.
  • If the hazardous material comes in contact with your skin, immediately flush the affected area with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, and then seek medical attention.
  • Dial 911 or 593-1911.
  • Stop the source of the hazardous material if possible.
  • Evacuate the immediate area, closing doors behind you.
  • Unless trained, DO NOT attempt to clean up the spill yourself.
  • Make yourself available to emergency personnel to supply critical information to aid in clean up.
  • Provide as much of the following information as possible:
    • Where has the hazardous material spill occurred? Specify the floor, room number, and location in room.
    • Have there been a fire and/or explosion?
    • Are there any injuries? If so, how many?
    • What material has been spilled?
    • What is the state of the material (i.e., solid, liquid, gas, combination)?
    • Is any of the hazardous material escaping from the spill location in the form of chemical vapors/fumes or running or dripping liquid?

Infectious material spill response:

  • If the infectious material comes in contact with your skin, immediately wash with soap and water.
  • Unless trained, DO NOT attempt to clean up the spill yourself.
  • Contact Ohio University Police (593-1911).

Make yourself available to responding emergency and Environmental Health and Safety personnel to supply information to aid in clean up.