Emergency Spill Procedures
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE/AMBULANCE/OTHER EMERGENCIES*
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY
RADIATION SAFETY
CHEMICAL SAFETY
9-6979
4444 OR 9-4444
9-8989
9-4893
9-6348
*Dial 4444 (Public Safety) rather than the external 9-911 for fire or emergency assistance.
Emergency procedures for chemicals spills are also found in Chemical Hygiene Room.
Emergency procedures for incidents involving radiation or radioactive materials are found in the
Radiation Safety Manual.
Whenever a spill occurs, utmost effort should be directed at minimizing personnel
exposure and contamination and containing the spread of contamination. When the spills
are associated with other catastrophes, such as fire or explosion, other hazards or the need
to care immediately for the injured usually exceeds radiation hazards. For facilities
where radiation hazards must take prime consideration over other injuries or hazards,
professional radiation safety experts will be available and their qualifications and duties
will be specified in the licenses for use of radioisotopes.
The following procedures will be useful in dealing with spills or accident situations.
1.
Emergency Priorities
a.
Save lives.
b.
Control severe injuries.
c.
Prevent spread of major fire.
d.
Ensure safety of personnel from radiation.
2.
Emergency Spill Procedures
a.
Stop all work.
b.
Remove all personnel from immediate spill area to one safe meeting
location in or near lab.
c.
Shut off ventilation, close windows and doors; turn off hoods if
possible. Do not do this if radioactive gas is involved, as release to the
environment is preferable in that case.
d.
Check all personnel for skin and clothing contamination.
(1)
For ³H, wipe skin and clothes, and count wipes in liquid
scintillation counter.
(2)
For other isotopes detectable by portable survey meters, check
skin, clothing and shoes for contamination.
(3)
Remove contaminated clothing.
e.
Decontaminate personnel and resurvey; see decontamination
procedures.
f.
Survey spill area by wipes for ³H or potable survey instrument, mark
contaminated areas with grease pencil or magic marker.
g.
Begin facility decontamination efforts. Start with low-level
contamination; work toward center of high contamination areas. Wear
gloves and protective clothing. For surface contamination, use soap
h.
i.
and water and cleansers appropriate to the compound spilled. Do not
use scrub brushes, which will raise droplets and spread contamination.
Work slowly, deliberately. Survey continuously. Avoid volatile
cleaners if they cause airborne activity.
Call the Radiation Safety Officer; always call whenever there is a spill.
He can evaluate the spill and decide whether the lab workers can
conduct clean-up efforts. When the spread of contamination of
extensive and would result in exposure of the general public, aid
should be sought. It may be necessary to seek assistance from state
radiation control officials. For facilities licensed and regulated by the
NRC, the appropriate regional office should be contacted for advice as
to sources of health physics assistance. (These notifications must be
made by the Radiation Safety Office (RSO) or the EH&S
Department).
Follow instructions for removal of radioactive contamination from
skin. Adhere to the following procedures in the order given, being
careful not to scratch, abrade or erode skin. Apply lanolin on skin
first, protecting uncontaminated areas with tape or plastic sheet. Skin
breaks that are uncontaminated should be covered with a waterproof
dressing.
(1)
Remove all loose particulate material by gentle brushing,
wiping, or use of adhesive tape. Perform over sink, catch
basin, or plastic bag. Survey.
(2)
Wash with water only. Survey.
(3)
Wash with mild soap and water, using a thick lather. A soft
scrub brush may be used if needed. Use a stiff brush for
fingernails and callous areas. Rinse and survey.
(4)
Scrub with a paste of 50% commercial laundry soap and 50%
cornmeal or use commercially available skin decontamination
foam. Survey.
(5)
Discontinue any step when less than 5% of the contamination
is removed per washing. Place all contaminated wipes, towels
into a radioactive waste container. If wounds are caused by
contaminated items and bleeding is not profuse, allow bleeding
while flushing with clear water.
Contact:
Immediate Supervisor: ______________________________________________
Radiation Safety Officer:
Chemical Safety:
Director of Environmental Safety:
EH&S Specialist:
Dr. Jay Strieb
Cian Watts
Alice Lenthe
Eric Welsh
9-4893
9-6348
9-7838
9-8989
Public Safety: 9-4444- Note: Public Safety can reach the appropriate safety
representative during evening hours.