Chemical Spill

Prepare

Ensure laboratory contacts for emergencies are up to date
Know when a spill is safe to clean up
Keep a sufficient reserve of materials to clean up spills near experimental areas (PPE, spill absorbents compatible with the chemicals in use, brushes, scoops, sealable containers etc.)
Create a spill response plan with the following:
- Names and telephone numbers of who should be contacted
- Evacuation plans
- Instructions to contain spilled materials, such as potential escapes to the environment
- Inventory of all spill control materials and PPE
- Means for proper disposal of cleanup materials and affected clothing (in most cases, as hazardous waste)
Review the UCLA Chemical Hygiene Plan for spill clean-up procedures
For more information, follow EH&S Chemical Safety.

Respond

Immediately report all incidents, injuries, and potential exposures to your Principal Investigator (PI) and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) hotline at (310) 825-9797 Option 1.

Remove all contaminated clothing, dispose in a biohazard bag or decontaminate using bleach
Ensure your shoes are not contaminated with hazardous material to prevent spreading outside of the immediate area
Wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and water for 20 minutes
Obtain medical attention, if necessary
Report incident to Principal Investigator (PI) and EH&S Hotline Option +1 (310) 825-9797.

Immediately rinse the eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water for 20 minutes (use faucet or eye wash)
Hold eye open so your eyelids are washed thoroughly
Obtain medical attention
Report incident to your Principal Investigator (PI).

Alert those in immediate area
Wear PPE to clean (safety goggles, gloves, shoe covers and long-sleeve laboratory coat)
Only clean spills where there is no danger to your breathing or risk of ignition
Confine spill as much as possible
Use appropriate kits for neutralizing and absorbing both inorganic acids and bases. Place in a secure container and dispose as chemical waste
For other chemicals, use appropriate kit or absorb spill with vermiculite, dry sand or diatomaceous earth. Place in secure container and dispose as chemical waste.

Alert people in the vicinity to evacuate
Attend to any injured and contaminated persons; remove them from exposure
If spilled chemical is flammable, turn off all ignition and heat sources if it is safe to do so
Call 9-1-1, let the responder know this is a spill in a UCLA laboratory
Close doors to affected area to keep spill area confined
Post “Do Not Enter” signs or prevent entry into the spill area
Have a person knowledgeable of the incident available to provide information to responders about the spill.