S A FE O P E R ATI N G P RO CE D U RE
Minor Spill Response
Safety glasses or chemical
goggles must be worn
Gloves must be worn when cleaning
up spill material
Appropriate footwear with substantial
uppers must be worn.
Respiratory protection may be
required depending on spilt
substance.
FM HELPDESK: 83000
Protective clothing must be worn
Definition :
Minor Spill
Spills that do not pose a significant risk to employees
or students in the immediate vicinity or the
environment. These spills do not 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. If the spillage is greater than 2.5lt; is a toxic substance; it poses a
fire hazard or if you need additional assistance notify the FM Help Desk (83000) or Security
(88888) after hrs.
2. Immediately alert area occupants and supervisor.
3. Clear the area. Check that others working close by are made aware of spill.
4. Establish adequate ventilation. Vent vapours to outside of building only (i.e., open windows and
turn on fume hoods or extraction fans if possible).
5. Remove ignition sources and turnoff then unplug nearby electrical equipment.
6. Attend to any people who may be contaminated and/or affected by the spill material.
Contaminated clothing must be removed immediately and the skin flushed with water for no less
than fifteen minutes.
7. 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.
8. Assess whether assistance from the FM Spill Response Crew is required.
CONTAINMENT:
1. Locate the nearest spill kit.
2. Wear appropriate PPE to avoid breathing-in vapours and to prevent contact with skin and eyes.
3. Providing it is safe to do so, stop the spill at its source. This may simply mean righting an
overturned container, sealing holes or cracks in containers, or may require assistance to isolate
pipes or tanks.
4. Contain free liquids by damming using containment booms. Spill socks and absorbents may be
placed around drains, as needed.
Ref: Document1
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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, Ecosweep™; Enertech ™, Global Peat™.

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 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 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)

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
Ref: Document1
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CLEAN-UP:
1. There should be two people present when cleaning up a spill.
2. Neutralise acids / alkalis substances (if required).
3. Loose spill control materials should be distributed 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 or above.
4. When spilled materials have been absorbed, use brush and scoop to place materials in an
appropriate container (as described in MSDS). Polyethylene bags may be used for limited
volumes.
5. Mop or clean the affected surface with water.
6. Collect solid residues, place into an appropriate sealed and labelled container for disposal as
indicated in the MSDS or QUT Chemical Disposal Scheme. The method of disposing this waste
will depend on the amount and the type of hazardous material that was spilt.
If the spill does enter open ground, storm water drains, or waterways, let your
supervisor know so further prompt action can be taken.
SPILL CLEAN UP HAZARDS & RISKS

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
Leaks Response.
PLN805_017 - Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials Spills or
2. QUT FM PM800H & S
SOP805_033 – Major Spill Response
Authorised by: Harvey Baldwyn – Maintenance Services Manager – QUT Facilities Management –
Date: 8th August 2011
Ref: Document1
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