Section : Emergency Procedures                                            

Date : November 25, 1996

Replaces : November 1 ,1993

VCU, MCVH and MCVAP has a response program to help employees prepare for an event involving a hazardous material emergency. Each department or unit is responsible for handling emergencies within their own work environments. Emergency preparedness plans should be developed and communicated to all affected employees prior to an emergency occurring. Specific emergency assistance is available through the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Please note that pre-packaged emergency spill kits are available to handle small scale spills of solvents, aldehyde-based products, biologicals, mercury, and acids/caustics. These spill kits can be purchased through a local laboratory safety supply company.

Report any spills of hazardous chemicals immediately by calling:

Properly trained personnel will be available to evaluate and offer technical assistance to facilitate the clean-up of the spill. Be prepared to provide a description and location of the incident including the identity of the hazardous material and the extent of any personnel contamination. Do not call housekeeping to manage these situations. If a spill does occur, the following general procedures may be used but should be tailored to fit the individual needs of the department's Emergency Response Plan:

     1. Implement the department's Emergency Response Plan.

     2. Attend to any persons who may have been contaminated. Chemical spills on the skin or eyes          must be treated immediately.

     3. Notify persons in the immediate area about the spill.

     4. Evacuate all nonessential personnel from the spill area.

     5. Refer to the appropriate material safety data sheet and if the spilled material is flammable, turn          off ignition and heat sources.

     6. Avoid breathing vapors of the spilled material; if necessary use an appropriate respirator.

     7. Leave on or establish exhaust ventilation if it is safe to do so.

     8. Secure the supplies necessary for the cleanup. Most small liquid spills (<100 ml.) can be          absorbed with paper towels, sand or an absorbent.

     9. During the cleanup operation, wear appropriate protective equipment.

    10. Notify OEHS if a regulated substance is involved.

After the cleanup of a chemical spill, all materials, including any paper towels used in the cleanup, must be disposed of as waste, according to the policies for Chemical Waste Disposal found in this manual. Particular care should be exercised in handling the absorbent materials used in the cleanup of flammable liquids to protect against absorbent fire hazards.

OEHS