Chemical Derivatives Lab
Standard Operating Procedure
Title: Disposing of Chemical Containers Soluble in Water
Date:
02-07-2003
Principal Investigator:
Jasper Kruggel
Room & Building:
270-Natural Resource Research Institute
Phone Number:
218-720-4396
Section 1: (Check One)
Process
Process
X
Hazardous chemical
Hazard class
Describe Process, Hazardous Chemical or Hazard Class.
1.
Determine that the container is empty of its chemical components
2.
Determine that the chemical solution is soluble in water
3.
Triple rinse the container and the container cap with water
4.
Let the container air dry with the cap off for 24 hours
5.
Place the plastic, tin, or glass container previously containing the chemical into the recycling
container located in Chemical Storage Room 106
Potential Hazards.
-breaking of glass
Personal Protective Equipment.
-gloves
-eye glasses
-fume mask
Spill and Accident Procedures.
BIOHAZARD EXPOSURE:

FLUSH or RINSE wound with water for at least 5 minutes.
 IF PRICKED WITH A NEEDLE: MILK wound to induce bleeding, then wash with soap and
water for 5 minutes.

REMOVE CONTAMINATED CLOTHING, wash skin and replace with clean clothing.

REPORT to EHS (218) 720-7139.
BIOHAZARD SPILLS:
To clean up yourself or with custodial help:
 CHECK for exposure.
 PROTECT BODY, put on protective clothing (gloves, safety goggles or glasses, and lab
coat.)
 FLUSH spilled material with 1 to 10 dilution of bleach or Wescodyne (betadine). Leave it on
for 30 minutes.
 WIPE down all equipment and surfaces.
 DISPOSE of contaminated material as biohazardous waste.
 WASH hands with soap and warm water.
CHEMICAL EXPOSURE:

REMOVE VICTIMS from spill area to fresh air (but do not endanger your own life by entering
areas with toxic gases).
”Do Not Return To The Spill Area”

REMOVE contaminated CLOTHING.

FLUSH skin or eyes with running COLD water for a minimum of 15 minutes.
 LARGE BODY AREAS: wash off chemicals with mild detergent and water.
DO NOT USE neutralizing chemicals, cunguents, creams, lotions or salves.

GET MEDICAL ATTENTION for victims by calling 9-1-1.

TELL medical personnel exactly what chemicals are involve, locate MSDS’s, for medical
personnel.
CHEMICAL SPILLS:

EVACUATE:
 LEAVE the spill area. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS. Use the nearest exit.
 ALERT others in the area and direct/assist them in leaving; shut off electrical equipment as
you leave the area.

CONFINE:
 CLOSE the doors and ISOLATE the area preventing people from entering the spill area.
 IF CHEMICAL VAPORS or gases are being spread through a building’s air handling system,
call Facilities Management Services (218) 726-8262.

REPORT: Call NRRI’s Haz-Mat Emergency Coordinator 720-4313 (John Ameel)
Alternate, 726-7273 (Mahjoub Labyad),during working hours, or 9-1-1 after hours.
RADIATION SPILLS: DO NOT attempt spill clean up.



SECURE THE AREA. Restrict access to the 
room and notify all person in the room to go to
a clean area within the room and not to leave

until they have been surveyed by the proper
authorities..
IMMEDIATELY notify DEHS staff at (218)
726-7273 or (218) 726 7139 during regular

working hours, if no answer, Facilities
Management at (218) 726 8262, After Hours
Pager (218) 725- 6751 or Cell Phone (218)

343-3130 Weekends and Holidays 9-1-1
PROVIDE a brief description of the nature of
the spill
 Quantity of Radioactive Material Spilled.
 Type of Isotope Spilled, (32P, 35S, 1251,
3H, C14…)
 Extent of Contamination (clothing, material,
equipment)
 Location Department, Building, Room,
Telephone Number

DECONTAMINATE PERSONNEL. If
radioactive material is on the skin or clothing,
follow instructions below regarding Personal
Radiation Contamination.

PREVENT THE SPREAD: Place absorbent
pads (paper towels, universal absorbent)
around the edge of the spill. Confine the
potentially contaminated personnel to a clean
area within the room until RPD surveys and
releases them.
PERSONAL RADIATION CONTAMINATION :

REMOVE gloves and all potentially
contaminated clothing and place in a plastic
bag.

WASH contaminated skin with soap and
water.
NOTIFY Radiation Protection Division at
(218) 726-7273 Monday- Friday 8AM-4:30
PM or 9-1-1 evenings, weekends, or
holidays.
SURVEY contaminated skin and repeat
wash if still contaminated.
PERSON ASSISTING must wear gloves.
Put fresh gloves on after clothing removal
and prior to handling contaminated person
again
OBTAIN medical attention as required, alert
medical staff and RPD staff if injured person
is contaminated
Decontamination Procedures.
-clean the parts to be serviced of all encrusted material and decontaminate them. There must be no radioactivity
detectable by survey equipment
-complete and attach the Decontamination Certificate in the service manual and attach it to the instrument or parts
Waste Disposal Procedures.
Do not dispose of hazardous waste by evaporation, sewer or trash
If a chemical does not have the “xxNH’ nonhazardous designation in the Chemical Registry, then it is considered
hazardous and must not be disposed of by evaporation, sewer or trash.
To dispose of a chemical you must follow six steps:
1. Evaluate the waste
2. Collect the waste
3. Label the waste container
4. Segregate the chemical for waste storage and transportation
5. Box the chemicals for transportation
6. Complete the hazardous waste packing form
When disposing of chemical containers follow these steps:
1. Triple rinse each container once it is completely empty with adequate water
2. Let container air dry before disposing of it
3. Dispose of the container in one of the four designated waste containers
-colored glass
-clear glass
-plastic
-tin
Material Safety Data Sheet Locations.
-safety cubical