Chemical Spill Planning and Response
(EHS Program Manual 4.3)
1.0 Introduction
The following guidelines are offered to determine the appropriate response to a chemical spill, including, if appropriate, how to clean up
the spill. These guidelines constitute a portion of a document that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calls a Contingency
Plan for Hazardous Waste Generators. These guidelines must be followed in the event of a chemical spill. Use this document to
prepare before a chemical spill occurs.
2.0 Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................................1
2.0 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................................1
3.0 Applicability ..........................................................................................................................................................................2
3.1 You Clean Up the Spill ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
3.2 Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Cleans Up the Spill .................................................................................................2
3.2.1 Chemical Spill Response Report .....................................................................................................................................2
4.0 Responsibilities ....................................................................................................................................................................2
4.1 Environmental Health and Safety ...........................................................................................................................................2
4.2 Principal Investigators and Supervisors..................................................................................................................................2
4.3 Personnel Using Chemicals ...................................................................................................................................................2
5.0 Planning for Chemical Spill Emergencies .......................................................................................................................... 2
5.1 Designate an On-Site Coordinator .........................................................................................................................................2
5.2 Post a Laboratory Exposure and Spill Response Sign ...........................................................................................................2
5.3 Laboratory Safety Training ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
5.4 Stock Spill Cleanup Needs ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
6.0 Hazardous Chemical Spill Cleanup Guideline ...................................................................................................................3
6.1 Rescue ...................................................................................................................................................................................3
6.1.1 Provide Assistance While Exiting Area ............................................................................................................................ 3
6.1.2 First Aid ...........................................................................................................................................................................3
6.1.3 Chemical Spills Over Large Body Areas .......................................................................................................................... 3
6.1.4 Victims of Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) Spills ......................................................................................................................... 3
6.2 Confine ...................................................................................................................................................................................4
6.3 Report..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
6.3.1 Contact Security (212-746-0911) .....................................................................................................................................4
6.3.2 Contact EHS (646-962-7233) ..........................................................................................................................................4
6.3.3 Provide Spill Information ..................................................................................................................................................4
6.4 Secure ....................................................................................................................................................................................4
6.5 Cleanup ..................................................................................................................................................................................4
7.0 What to Do When You Cleanup a Chemical Spill...............................................................................................................5
8.0 Chemical Spill Cleanup Kit Requirements ......................................................................................................................... 5
8.1 Spill Kit Components .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
8.2 Hydrofluoric Acid Spill Kit ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
9.0 General Spill Cleanup Information ......................................................................................................................................6
9.1 Large Spill Clarification ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
9.2 Keep Ignition Sources Away from Flammable Liquid Spills ....................................................................................................6
9.3 Volatile Compound Spills........................................................................................................................................................ 6
9.4 Respiratory Protection Program .............................................................................................................................................6
10.0 References ..........................................................................................................................................................................6
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3.0 Applicability
3.1 YOU CLEAN UP THE SPILL
For chemical spills which do not involve injury, do not represent a fire hazard, are less than one gallon, and for which you have the
proper training and proper protective equipment to do the cleanup, you can clean the spill.
3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (EHS) CLEANS UP THE SPILL
For all other chemical spill situations, including those for which you have any questions or doubts about your ability to clean up the spill,
contact Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM)’s EHS. A chemical spill response team from EHS will clean up the spill. Report all injuries, fires,
explosions and potentially life-threatening situations first to Security (212-746-0911), then to EHS (646-962-7233).
3.2.1 Chemical Spill Response Report
After cleaning the spill, EHS will complete a report in the EHS Incident log. An incident report will be forwarded to the person(s) in
charge of the area the chemical spilled.
4.0 Responsibilities
4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Environmental Health and Safety’s responsibilities include:
 Act as an informational resource to WCM personnel, providing technical assistance and guidance.
 Provides a Spill Response team to clean up spills in situations that involve injury, pose a fire hazard, are more than one gallon, or for
which laboratory staff do not have proper training and/or protective equipment.
 Provide training as requested.
4.2 PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS AND SUPERVISORS
Principal Investigator and Supervisor responsibilities include:
 Ensuring that they and their personnel are familiar with the procedures set forth in this manual and in compliance with regulations
and institutional policies regarding chemical spill management.
 Working with EHS to provide Chemical Spill training and to coordinate appropriate response to, and reporting of, all spills.
4.3 PERSONNEL USING CHEMICALS
Personnel using chemicals must follow the procedures set forth in this manual.
5.0 Planning for Chemical Spill Emergencies
5.1 DESIGNATE AN ON-SITE COORDINATOR
Designate two people in your lab or service area to be on-site emergency coordinator and back-up emergency coordinator. These
people should know what hazards exist in your area and how to implement the spill response for the area. They will act as advisors to
Police, Fire, and Environmental Health and Safety personnel.
5.2 POST A LABORATORY EXPOSURE AND SPILL RESPONSE SIGN
Post the appropriate Exposure and Spill Response Sign in an easily-visible area of your satellite accumulation area (preferably near the
telephone and exit way):
 WCM: Laboratory Exposure and Spill Response Sign
 Burke: Laboratory Exposure and Spill Response Sign
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5.3 LABORATORY SAFETY TRAINING
Ensure all laboratory personnel receive annual Laboratory Safety training and all non-laboratory personnel receive annual Clinical and
General Safety training from EHS. This training covers general chemical safety, including spill response procedures. Train all of your
personnel in chemical spill procedures for your specific area when they are first hired and yearly thereafter. Document the training and
have both the employee and supervisor sign the documentation form to certify that the training was given.
5.4 STOCK SPILL CLEANUP NEEDS
Purchase spill cleanup material and personal protective equipment (gloves, safety goggles, etc.) as needed and note their locations on
the Spill and Emergency Response Bulletin. Know the limitations of the personal protective equipment (PPE). Contact Environmental
Health and Safety with any questions regarding PPE.
6.0 Hazardous Chemical Spill Cleanup Guideline
Chemical spills or hazardous materials emergency situations should be handled as RESCUE, CONFINE, REPORT, SECURE, AND
CLEANUP.
6.1 RESCUE
Just as you are not to re-enter a burning building, DO NOT go back into an area where a chemical spill has occurred. In many
documented cases, rescuers not wearing proper protective equipment have been overcome by toxic or asphyxiating fumes trying to
rescue other victims and have died as a result. Do not make this mistake.
6.1.1 Provide Assistance While Exiting Area
Provide assistance to people while exiting area involved in a chemical spill. Assistance may include:
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Evacuate personnel from the spill area.
Direct personnel to nearest fire exit.
Alert neighbors.
Attend to victims.
6.1.2 First Aid
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Remove victim from spill area to fresh air (but do not endanger your own life by entering areas with a toxic atmosphere).
Immediately remove contaminated clothing.
Wash skin with soap and water.
Flush skin and/or eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. (You may not feel any immediate effect from chemical spills, but it is very
important to wash quickly and thoroughly as many chemicals can cause severe tissue damage which is not apparent until hours
later.)
 Get medical attention for victims.
6.1.3 Chemical Spills Over Large Body Areas
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Have someone nearby contact emergency medical personnel for assistance.
Remove contaminated clothing while under a safety shower.
Flood affected body area in cool water for at least fifteen minutes.
Wash off chemicals with mild detergent and water; do not use neutralizing chemicals, unguents, creams, lotions or salves.
Make sure medical personnel understand exactly what chemicals are involved.
6.1.4 Victims of Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) Spills
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Have someone nearby contact emergency medical personnel for assistance.
Flush with cool water until any whitening of tissue disappears.
Swath injured areas with soaking wet, iced cloths.
Get immediate medical help.
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6.2 CONFINE
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Close fire doors.
Isolate area.
Establish exhaust ventilation if possible.
Vent fumes only to outside of building.
If fumes are in a room which is not vented to outside of building, close off room.
6.3 REPORT
6.3.1 Contact Security (212-746-0911)
 Contact the Security Office first when:
 Spills involve injury requiring medical treatment.
 Spills involve fire or explosion hazards.
 Spills are potentially life threatening.
 Note: Contact Environmental Health and Safety after contacting Security.
6.3.2 Contact EHS (646-962-7233)
Contact Environmental Health and Safety when:
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One gallon of a chemical or more or any quantity of a highly reactive or toxic material is spilled.
An unknown chemical is spilled.
You do not have proper training or proper protective equipment to perform the cleanup.
You have any questions or doubts about your ability to clean-up the spill.
6.3.3 Provide Spill Information
When contacting Security and EHS, indicate a chemical spill has occurred. Be prepared to provide the following information:
 The name, telephone number and location of the reporter.
 Location of the incident.
 Time and type of incident.
 Name and quantity of material involved, to the extent known.
 The extent of injuries, if any.
 The possible hazards to human health or the environment outside the facility.
 The safest route to approach the spill.
Warn emergency responders of any other hazards they may encounter, such as large quantities of stored chemicals (particularly
flammables, oxidizers and airborne toxic or irritant materials), radioactive materials or biohazards, etc., on site.
6.4 SECURE
Until Emergency Responders arrive on the scene, you and your staff will need to block off entrances to the spill site and prevent people
from entering the contaminated area.
6.5 CLEANUP
Based on the chemical spill situations described in Section 3.1 – “YOU CLEAN UP THE SPILL” and Section 3.2 – “ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY (EHS) CLEANS UP THE SPILL,” decide who will do the cleanup. If you are going to do the cleanup, follow the
procedures listed in Section 6.0 – “WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CLEAN-UP A CHEMICAL SPILL.”
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7.0 What to Do When You Cleanup a Chemical Spill
If you have the proper training, proper personal protective equipment and the proper material to absorb and clean up your chemical
spill, and no one has been injured, the spill is contained, and the spill is not life threatening or a fire or explosion hazard, follow these
procedures:
1.
2.
3.
Perform all the procedures in the RESCUE, CONFINE, REPORT, and SECURE sections above, with the exception that you do
not need to report the incident to Security (212-746-0911).
When cleaning a spill yourself, locate the spill kit.
Choose appropriate personal protection.
4.
 Always wear protective gloves and eye protection.
 If there is a chance of body contact, wear an apron and coveralls.
 If the spill is on the floor, wear rubber or plastic boots (NOT leather).
Remove ignition sources.
5.
 Turn off hot plates, stirring motors, flame sources.
 Shut down all equipment.
 If unable to shut off sources of ignition, notify emergency responders.
Confine or contain the spill.
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6.
Cover with an absorbent mixture.
Clean up minor spills with paper towels or sponge if they won't react.
Sweep solid materials into a dust pan, place in sealed container.
If acid/base, first add a neutralizing agent; sodium bicarbonate for acids, sodium bisulfate for bases then apply absorbent
material.
 Small amounts of other materials: absorb with non-reactive material (e.g. vermiculite, sand, towels, Floor-Dri).
 Large amounts of inorganic acids/bases: neutralize and call for help.
 Large amounts of other materials: make a judgment call; depending on the amount, toxicity or what the substance can run into
or react with, you may handle it yourself or call for help.
Spills that require special handling:
7.
 Mercury: Small contained spills can be collected for EHS disposal. Other spills
Remove absorbent material with a broom and dust pan.
8.
 Place in plastic bag or other appropriate container.
 Dispose of the waste material through Environmental Health and Safety.
Wet mop the spill area.
should be cleaned up by EHS.
8.0 Chemical Spill Cleanup Kit Requirements
Chemical spill cleanup kits are helpful to have in the laboratory and other service areas which use chemicals. The kits are useful if you
and your fellow workers know how to use them properly. Chemical absorbent pads or neutralizing powder can be used to quickly
contain a spill. Use these items if your personal safety is not jeopardized. Often the best use of such a kit is to put the absorbent on
the spill to contain the material, then leave the room and secure the area until EHS arrives and finishes the cleanup.
8.1 SPILL KIT COMPONENTS
Minimally, a chemical spill kit should contain:
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Splash resistant goggles
Chemical resistant gloves
Plastic bags
Multi-chemical absorbent (enough for a 2 gallon spill) and acid/caustic neutralizers
Plastic scoop and dust pan.
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8.2 HYDROFLUORIC ACID SPILL KIT
Any area using hydrofluoric acid (HF) must have a spill kit specifically made for HF spills available.
9.0 General Spill Cleanup Information
9.1 LARGE SPILL CLARIFICATION
Questions arise as to what constitutes a large spill requiring a chemical cleanup team and what the limitations of the spill kits commonly
purchased for laboratories. A “large” spill can be as small as a few milliliters if the material is a highly volatile or toxic compound spilled
in a confined space. Many times you will have to make a professional judgment as to the severity of the spill. When in doubt, contact
EHS for advice.
9.2 KEEP IGNITION SOURCES AWAY FROM FLAMMABLE LIQUID SPILLS
Be aware of the fact that, while you may be in a well-ventilated room, the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of a chemical may be reached at
the surface of the spill and you want to avoid any sparks of sources of ignition when doing the clean-up. The protective equipment in
the spill kit will not protect you from a flash fire.
If in your professional judgment, there is a strong risk of a flash fire or explosion, pull the nearest fire alarm and evacuate the building.
Then contact Environmental Health and Safety and Security (212-746-0911). In most cases of a chemical bottle breaking in a
laboratory, however, the fire department will not need to be called as the lab ventilation system is usually designed to handle such
situations.
9.3 VOLATILE COMPOUND SPILLS
Many times, the best way to handle the spill of a highly volatile compound, such as diethyl ether or chloroform, is to leave the room and
contact EHS to clean the spill.
9.4 RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM
Any person who needs to wear a respirator must meet all of the requirements of the WCM Respiratory Protection Program, including an
annual fit test. Contact EHS for more information on respirator use requirements.
10.0 References
EHS Program Manual, Section 7.1 – Respiratory Protection Program
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