University of Minnesota Duluth
Chemical Spills
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Fill out the form and then print it and place in your Laboratory Safety Plan. For assistance call 7273 or 6764
Date:
June 15th, 2015
Principal Investigator:
George Trachte
Phone Number:
218-726-8975
Room & Building Number:
SMED 386
1. Procedures:
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Communicate: Alert others, secure, area and apply first aid if needed.
Assess – quantity, health risks, spread of hazard.
Determine: If situation is simple or complex..
Address for Simple (neutralize, control, collect waste, decontaminate).
Call for Complex
(Call EHSO or 9911 from campus phone.)
EHSO – (6764 or 763-226-7011).
2. Personal Protective Equipment and Spill Kit Information (List PPE to be worn during
cleanup and location of spill kit, eyewash, shower, etc.)
Lab coat, double nitrile gloves, and safety goggles should be worn during spill cleanup for
minor spills. Major spills should be cleaned up by EHSO staff.
Spill kit is located: Room 394 by door and eyewash
Eyewash and safety shower are located: Room 386 by door.
3. List Chemicals of concern that are used Including Hazard Class (corrosive, Oxidizer,
Flam.etc).
Chemicals of concern found in this lab are:
Acetonitrile
Ammonium hydroxide
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University of Minnesota Duluth
Chemical Spills
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
butanol
Ethanol
Ethidium bromide
Hexanes
If spilled – make sure there are no ignition sources in the area.
4. Specific Spill Procedures:
How do deal with a minor spill:
You can clean up a spill if: the quantity spilled is less than half a quart of moderately toxic
chemical, you have the proper training, proper personal protective equipment, and spill kit. In
this lab smaller quantities of acetonitrile, ammonium hydroxide, butanol, ethanol, and hexanes,
can be cleaned by staff if they feel comfortable. Refer to safety data sheets.
Isolate the area (keep people and electronics out of spill area).
 For ethanol or other solvents: Use absorbent, non-combustible, material (earth, sand or
vermiculite) and sprinkle over the spill until absorbed. Work from the perimeter inward
until the spill material is covered.
 Ensure there are no ignite
 on sources in the area.
 Ventilate the area (turn on exhaust, shut doors and fume hoods (if in the hood).
 Dispose of the absorbent material and any contaminated personal protective equipment
as hazardous waste.
 Clean the area with soap and water.
 Wash hands with soap and water.
 Report incident to PI.
Ethidium Bromide should be handled as described in its standard operating procedure. The
steps to be taken are:
o Wipe the contaminated area or equipment with fresh towels and a soap/water solution
multiple times. You can also wipe with towels soaked in ethanol. Check for any remaining
contamination using UV light.
o Take fresh paper towels soaked in ethanol and place them over the contaminated surface.
Sprinkle activated charcoal on the ethanol-saturated towel in contact with contaminated
surface. Wipe up ethanol/charcoal mixture with additional towels and place all clean-up
materials into a plastic bag. Check for any remaining contamination with UV light and
repeat if needed.
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University of Minnesota Duluth
Chemical Spills
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
o
Use a solution of 4.2 grams of sodium nitrite (NaNO2), 20 milliliters of 50%
hypophosphorous acid solution (H3PO2), and 300 milliliters of water to decontaminate.
Check the area again with the UV light until all EtBr has been removed, then rinse with
water. It should be noted that hypophosphorous acid is a DEA listed chemical and may
require additional authorization for purchase..
All decontamination materials must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
How to deal with a major spill:
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Isolate the area to reduce contamination. Shut fume hoods if applicable, close doors to
lab, keep people out of the area.
Wash hands, etc. if needed.
Call or have someone else call EHSO or 9911 from campus phone. EHSO – (6764 or 763226-7011 cell phone). EHSO or a contractor will handle the spill cleanup.
Report incident to the PI and also EHSO (218-726-7273) and FM (6632).
When in doubt use the procedures found in the Major Spill Section located above.
5.
Additional Information
For any biohazard or biological spills refer to decontamination procedures found in the IACUC
protocol.
Any contaminated sharps must be disposed of in the “sharps’ container and clean glassware in
the “clean glassware” container.
The following employees/students have reviewed this protocol:
Print Name
Date
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University of Minnesota Duluth
Chemical Spills
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
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