S A FE O P E R ATI N G P RO CE D U RE
Major Spill Response
DO NOT attempt to clean up major spills unless you have been trained in safe
practices.
Safety glasses or chemical
goggles must be worn
Appropriate footwear with
substantial uppers must be worn.
Respiratory protection may be
required depending on spilt
substance.
FM HELPDESK: 83000
Gloves must be worn when cleaning up
spill material
Protective clothing must be worn
Definition :
Major Spill
Spills that pose an imminent threat to health, safety or
the environment and do have the potential to become an
emergency within a short time frame.
QUT SECURITY: 88888
EMERGENCY SERVICES: 000
Applies to All FM Staff and Contractors.
CORRECTION:
1. Do not put yourself in danger.
2. Assess the risks and decide whether the incident can be managed internally (contact FM Help
Desk 83000 or Security on 88888) or if there is a fire (or fire risk) or medical attention is needed,
contact Emergency Services at 000 first, then alert Security.
3. Alert all area occupants and supervisor.
4. Clear the area.
Persons should be evacuated from the affected area until the area has been deemed safe. A
protective zone should to be established to minimise the risk to human health. This can be done by
restricting access with temporary emergency fencing and by erecting warning signs.
5. Establish ventilation. Vent vapours to outside of building only (open windows and turn on fume
hoods or other extraction devices).
6. Remove ignition sources and turnoff or unplug nearby electrical equipment.
7. Attend to any people who have been contaminated. Contaminated clothing must be removed
immediately and the skin flushed with water for no less than fifteen minutes.
8. Consult the MSDS. The MSDS will have instructions on how to deal with specific substance spills.
Where a substance is unknown, or the MSDS not available, always treat as hazardous. The
hazards of the material and the correct clean-up procedures should be properly understood before
proceeding to containment and clean-up phase.
CONTAINMENT:
1. Locate the nearest spill kit.
2. Wear appropriate PPE (as described in Section 5) to avoid breathing-in vapours and to prevent
contact with skin and eyes.
3. Stop the source. Providing it is safe to do so, stop the spill at its source.
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4. Contain the spill with appropriate spill material (as indicated in the MSDS).
5. Prevent spillage from entering drains or water course. The spill should be prevented from
infiltrating into the ground or entering the stormwater system. The outer edge of the spill should be
dammed with rags, blankets, sand, sand bags, mops and/or absorbent booms.
Product
Additional Specific Containment & Clean Up Procedures

Remove all ignition sources.
Petrol,

Increase ventilation by opening windows (if indoor).
Diesel,

Lubricants, and
Hydraulic Fluid
Use clean non-sparking tools to collect the material and place into a
suitable labelled container.

Absorb spilled product with kitty litter, sand, earth or vermiculite.

Collect residues in a flammable waste container.

The spillage should be contained with cellulose fibre based product
e.g.: sawdust.

The spillage should be contained with earth or sand and or neutralised
with commercial acid neutralisers. Alternatively, special non leaching
absorbents/materials suitable for strong concentrations of acids or
alkaline may be used instead. ( Note: Unisorb ™ in FM kits for this
purpose)

Spill kits for acids containing soda ash (sodium bicarbonate) can be
sprinkled liberally over the spill.

Do not use rags or sawdust to clean up oxidising acid spills.

The spillage should be contained using sand or earth and neutralised
with citric acid or commercial neutralisers. Alternatively, special non
leaching absorbents/materials suitable for strong concentrations of
acids or alkaline may be used instead. ( Note: Unisorb ™ in FM kits for
this purpose)

Any residual alkali should be washed with water ensuring that no
contact occurs between washings and any aluminium or zinc
containers.

Increase ventilation by opening windows (if indoors).

Contain and absorb liquid spills with kitty litter.

Collect contaminated absorbent, place in plastic-lined metal drum.

Remove all ignition sources.

Increase ventilation by opening windows (if indoors).

Spills of organic solvents (e.g., turpentine and methylated spirits)
should be absorbed using DRY earth, sand or a proprietary product
suitable for the absorption of the liquid.

Commercial solvent neutralisers, such as Solusorb, act to reduce
vapours and raise the flashpoint of the mixture.

Flammable solvents can be cleaned up with absorbent rags which then
should be stored in vented containers.

Do not store the vented containers indoors.
Cooking Oil
Strong Acid
Strong Alkali
Pesticide/Herbicide
Solvents/Paint
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CLEAN-UP AND REMEDIATION:
1. Assess whether external assistance is required.
2. Neutralise acids / alkalis substances (if required).
3. Loose spill control materials should be spread over the entire spill area, working from the outside,
circling to the inside. This reduces the chance of splash or spread of the spilled hazardous
material. Use absorbent material as indicated in the MSDS.
4. When spilled materials have been absorbed, use brush and scoop to place materials in an
appropriate container (as described in MSDS).
5. Mop up the affected surface.
6. Collect solid residues, place into an appropriate sealed and labelled container for disposal as
indicated in the MSDS. The method of disposing this waste will depend on the amount and the
type of hazardous material that was spilt (refer to Section 11).
7. If the spill does enter open ground, storm water drains, or waterways, immediately inform
supervisor.
If the spill does enter open ground, storm water drains, or waterways, let your
supervisor know so further prompt action can be taken.
MAJOR SPILL CLEAN UP HAZARDS & RISKS

Potential for explosion or fire causing serious injury to multiple persons

Potential for chemical or other substance environmental contamination of soil, land or
waterways

Potential for damage to University property or other community areas.

Absorption through skin of substances causing bodily system effects e.g.: pesticides;
solvents,

Skin contact with body fluids containing biological hazards e.g.: viruses, bacteria

Skin or Eye contact with chemicals causing skin burns, dermatitis or irritation e.g.: acid or
alkaline

Inhalation of chemical vapours, gases or fumes given off by spilt material causing
respiratory distress or aggravation of existing respiratory illness.
References
1.
QUT FM
PM800 H& S
2. QUT FM PM800H & S
PLN805_017 - Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials Spills or
Leaks Response.
SOP805_032 – Minor Spill Response
Authorised by: Harvey Baldwyn – Maintenance Services Manager – QUT Facilities Management –
Date: 8th August 2011
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