Laboratory Hazardous Substances Spill

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QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON (QMUL)

LABORATORY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES SPILL

(CHEMICAL / SOLVENT OR BIOLOGICAL)

EMERGENCY PROTOCOL

AND GUIDANCE

ONLY VALID IF PRACTISED IN ADVANCE FOR A DEFINED LABORATORY AREA

Note – Hazardous substances with greater risks (e.g. radio-isotopes, Hazard Group 3 organisms, highly flammable, corrosive or toxic / pungent chemicals or solvents) should have specific local emergency procedures. These specific procedures will override the generic protocol detailed in this document.

The document is laid out in the following sections as ‘stand-alone’ items:

Section / Description / Page
A / Detailed Emergency Protocol / For laboratory / workshop hazardous chemical, solvent or biological material spills outside containment / 3
B / Spill Procedure - Guidance for QMUL Laboratories and Workshops / For laboratory / workshop spills of hazardous chemicals, solvents and biological materials outside containment / 5
C / Spill Procedure - Preparation Checklist / For a laboratory / workshop hazardous chemical, solvent or biological spill outside containment / 7
D / Spill Procedure - Clean-up Guidance / 10
E / Simulated Spill Exercise - Aide Memoire Checklist / Simulated with non-hazardous material – for use in a laboratory / workshop or external setting / 13

SPILL PROCEDURE - GUIDANCE

FOR QMUL LABORATORIES AND WORKSHOPS

FOR SPILLS OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS, SOLVENTS OR BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH YOUR LABORATORY OR WORKSHOP, KNOW YOUR COMPETENCY AND TRAINING, AND BE PREPARED FOR A SPILL INCIDENT IN YOUR AREA

1. This protocol is for QMUL Laboratories and Workshops with small volumes or amounts of chemicals / solvents or biological material (of single containers with less than 25 litres or 25 kilograms).

1. If chemical / solvent spill is of significant volumes or amounts able to cause a fire, immediately treat as a fire incident and evacuate the area / building as per QMUL Fire Evacuation Procedure.

1. QMUL Security are NOT trained to assist with laboratory chemical / solvent / biological spills, they are only able to call for expert help (First Aiders, Paramedic / Ambulance or the Emergency Services). They can only assist with cordoning off the area and directing the first aiders / emergency services to the affected person / area.

1. QMUL does not have Breathing Apparatus equipment or personnel who are trained to use such equipment, always call for the Fire Brigade if such a situation arises.

1. Always arrange for clean-up of a spill by those competent and equipped to do so– DO NOT attempt clean by yourself alone or if you are not trained to do so. You may need to keep the cordon for the area and get specialist expert help later on for the clean-up. (See pages 8-10 for guidance).

1. Test the affected area from a safe place before re-entering (QMUL Health & Safety Directorate have gas monitors and Drager tubes for certain gases and vapours – contacts at ).

1. If you are trained to do a spill clean-up, always wear chemical/ solvent or biological material compatible personal protective equipment such as goggles, apron, laboratory coat / tyvek suit, gloves andshoe covers.

1. Respiratory equipment must be worn if assessed as necessary to protect and you must have been face fitted to ensure full protection. These details must be specified in the risk assessment for the laboratory or workshop.

1. Always report the incident to your Line Manager, Safety Coordinator and for significant incidents, the Health & Safety Directorate by telephone or directly. The Line Manager must immediately inform their senior management (School / Institute and Faculty) of a significant incident.

1. The incident must be reported in a recorded format as per QMUL procedure as soon as possible.

Spill Procedure - Preparation Checklist

(Laboratory or WorkshopHazardous Chemical / Solvent / Biological Spill outside containment)

Adapted from the ‘Guide for Chemical Spill Response Planning in Laboratories’ Prepared by the American Chemical Society's CEI/CCS Task Force on Laboratory Waste Management, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC 1995.

Item / Tick if in place / Date/s of checks / Location / Comments
Spill Procedure Preparation
Laboratory Chemical / Solvent / Biological Substances Up to Date Inventory easily accessible
Building Red Fire Box Hazard Information Sheet Up to Date
Laboratory COSHH / Hazardous Substance risk assessment/s and safety data sheets easily accessible
Spill Kit available (with Absorbent / if appropriate Neutralising material)
Spill Kit compatible and sufficient for foreseeable laboratory spill/s
Spill Kit sign posted and visible for access
Barriers, warning tape, hazard or warning signage available
First Aid box / grab bag compatible and sufficient for use
First Aid box / grab bag signed and visible for access
First Aiders (local and BB FAs) familiarised with area and hazards / Nearest First Aiders Names and located at:
Windows and doors can be opened or shut as per requirement of situation
If provided, Emergency ventilation can be activated remotely (EAF Maintenance assistance)
Fire dampers can be shut as per requirement of situation (EAF Maintenance assistance)
Item / Tick if in place / Date/s of checks / Location / Comments
Spill Clean Up & PPE - Preparation
Dust pan compatible with substances
Long handledscoop
Metal or chemical / solvent / disinfectant resistant dust pan (if required)
Large, sealable (e.g., ZipLock or Autoclave) plastic bags
Eco-lock (maximum 30 litres) or suitable sealable plastic containers (e.g. Sweetie Jars)
Paper towels, compatible absorbent material
Spill pads, pillows, rolls
Neutralising substances (only if appropriate)
Personal / Respiratory Protective Equipment (PPE / RPE)
Chemical splash resistant goggles BS EN 166
Face shields BS EN 166
Gloves / Gauntlets – Chemical / solvent resistant? BS EN 374-3
PPE - Chemical / solvent / other (e.g. mechanical) resistance Standards confirmed / tested. BE EN 388
Gloves / Gauntlets -Chemical Breakthrough Time sufficient?
Tyvek suits
Lab coat
Apron – corrosive chemical / solvent resistance / fire retardant
Shoe/foot coverings - corrosive chemical / solvent resistance / fire retardant
Disposable or re-suable Respiratory Protective Equipment (only if appropriate to protect)
PPE / RPE fits person
PPE / RPE easily accessible (grab bag)
RPE face fit conducted in advance
Trolley with bunding available to move containers / bins

SPILL PROCEDURE - CLEAN-UP GUIDANCE

The following steps should ONLY be taken conducted by those trained and competent to do so. OTHERWISE CORDON OFF AREA AND SEEK EXPERT EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE TO CONDUCT A SPILL CLEAN UP.

A document with examples of spill procedure materials is available from HSD upon request.

1. Prevent the spread of dusts, particles and vapours and protect yourself / others.

If the substance is volatile or can produce airborne dusts, close the laboratory door and increase appropriate exhaust ventilation (through fume hoods, for example) to prevent the spread of dusts and vapours to other unprotected areas.

2. Ensure all necessary personal protective equipment (including respiratory protective equipment) is in place for all those conducting the clean-up exercise, checked for effectiveness against the spilt material (e.g. breakthrough time, protection factor) and any fitting has been conducted (e.g. face fit test for respiratory equipment) prior to the cleanup.

3. Check that all other materials and local / external permits necessary for the clean-up is in place, including transport.

2. Inactivation or neutralisation, only if possible and safe to do so.

Spills of many liquid acids or bases, once neutralized, could be scooped up and collected into suitable compatible containers. However, be careful because the neutralization process is often vigorous, causing splashes and yielding large amounts of heat. If safe to do so,neutralize acids with soda ash or sodium bicarbonate. Bases can be neutralized with citric acid or ascorbic acid. Use pH paper to determine when acid or base spills have been neutralized.

Biological spills should be inactivated with a suitable & effective disinfectant. A 2x stock should be prepared for use.

3. Control the spread of the liquid.

Contain the spill. Make a dike around the outside edges of the spill. Use absorbent materials such as vermiculite, cat litter (note - these may produce additional toxic gases with certain chemicals / solvents), or absorbent spill pillows.

4. Absorb the liquid.

Add inert absorbents / neutralising agents (for acids / bases) or disinfectant (biological)to the spill, working from the spill's outer edges toward the center. Absorbent materials, such as cat litter or vermiculite, are relatively inexpensive and work well, although they are messy. Spill pillows are not as messy as other absorbents, but they are more expensive. Note that specific absorbents are required for chemicals such as hydrofluoric and concentrated sulphuric acids.

5. Collect and contain the cleanup residues.

The neutralized spill residue or the absorbent should be scooped without creating dusts and placed into aneco-lock bins or other suitable compatible plastic containers. For dry powders or liquids absorbed to dryness, double bag the residue using plastic bags. Additional packaging may be required before the wastes can be transported from your laboratory. For spills of powders or solid materials, you may need to add a dust suppressant. Be sure to place descriptive hazard labels (GHS symbol, name/s of chemicals solvents, date, person responsible, QMUL School or Institute – Centre, Building and Room Number) on each container.

6. Dispose of the wastes.

Keep clean-up waste separate from other wastes. Contact QMUL Health & Safety Directorate or your School / Institute contact to dispose the wastes via the hazardous chemical waste stores. See

7. Decontaminate the area and affected equipment.

Ventilating the spill area may be necessary. Open windows or use a fan unless the area is under negative pressure. In some instances, QMUL Health & Safety Directorate can test the air to ensure that hazardous vapours are gone. For smaller spills, conventional cleaning products, applied with a mop or sponge, will provide adequate decontamination. If you have any question about the suitability of a decontaminating agent, seek expert advice.

The following precautions apply to chemicals that have hazardous characteristics. Note that some chemicals may exhibit more than one characteristic.

Flammable Liquids

Remove all potential sources of ignition. Vapours are what actually burn, and they tend to accumulate near the ground. Flammable liquids are best removed through the use of spill pillows or pads.

Volatile Toxic Compounds

Use appropriate absorbent material to control the extent of the spill. Spill pillows or similar absorbent material usually work best because they do not have the dust associated with cat litter, vermiculite, or corn cobs.

Direct Contact Hazards (e.g. Corrosives)

Carefully select suitable personal protective equipment – check chemical breakthrough time, BS EN standard and quality standards and ensure they are effective. Make sure all skin surfaces are covered and that the gloves / goggles / lab coat or tyvek suit you use protect against the hazards posed by the spilled chemical. Often it is a good idea to wear two sets of gloves: one as the primary barrier, the second as a thin inner liner in the event the primary barrier fails. When the cleanup is completed, be sure to wash hands and other potentially affected skin surfaces.

Mercury Spills

Mercury spills do not normally present an imminent hazard unless the spill occurs in an area with poor ventilation. The main exposure route of mercury is via vapour inhalation. Consequently, if metallic mercury is not cleaned up adequately, the tiny droplets remaining in surface cracks and crevices may yield toxic vapours for years.

When a mercury spill occurs, first cordon off the spill area to prevent people from inadvertently tracking the contamination over a much larger area. Generally, a special mercury vacuum cleaner provides the best method of mercury spill cleanup. DO NOT use a regular vacuum cleaner, because you will only disperse toxic vapors into the air and contaminate your vacuum cleaner. If a special mercury vacuum is not available, first use an appropriate suction device to collect the big droplets, then use a special absorbent (available from most laboratory supply vendors) to amalgamate smaller mercury droplets.The absorbent mixture typically is sulphur with additional stabilisers. Note that sulphur is hazardous in its own right, and would need effective skin and respiratory protection during handling.

Simulated Spill Procedure Exercise

Aide Memoire Checklist

(Simulated with non-hazardous material)

Step / Item / In place (√) / Location / Person allocated / responsible (name / initial)
1. Material Preparation / Simulated non-hazardous material (e.g. water)
(Also check pages 5-7) / Safe-break bottle (500 ml – 2.5 litre volume)
Non-hazardous spill indicator (glo-germ)
Determine which Hazardous Substance Simulation (only one):
Acid / base
Toxic
Flammable Solvent
Biological
UV light to visualise
Spill Kit in place and accessible (with sufficient absorbent material to absorb 2.5 to 5 litres volume)
Cordon off – hazard tape (3 rolls)
Cordon off barriers (if available)
Large Warning Sign(s) – ‘Chemical / solvent spill’ ‘ Biological spill’
Nearest QMUL telephone location/s identified
PPE – extra lab coats, different sizes
PPE – solvent / corrosive resistant disposable nitrile and re-usable butyl gloves: EN374-3, rating 2 or 3, AQL 0.65
Gloves chemical / solvent breakthrough time greater than 30 min – check
PPE – shoe protectors (Tyvek or corrosive resistant material)
PPE – Tyvek suit (optional for small spills)
PPE – wrap round hospital gown for affected person/s
RPE – not used for simulated spill
Nearest First Aid box fully stocked
Nearest First Aid box locations known, signposted and accessible
2. Controlling, Observing and Response Personnel Identified / All informed by email from Controlling Lab Manager at least 7 days prior to simulation that this is an exercise:
Code Word: Purple.
Date and approx. time of exercise.
Campus, Building, Area, Room / Location of exercise.
No evacuation of Building or Area will occur.
No external assistance (paramedic, Fire Brigade) is required.
To keep number at scene (including observers) - maximum 8 persons.
Controlling Lab Manager (aide memoire controller)
Responding Lab Manager
Researchers or technical staff (to simulate incident) – 2 at least
Building First Aider/s
Building or Area Fire Marshall/s
QMUL Security
EAF Maintenance Manager
H&S Adviser (photos and notes)
Controlling Lab Manager to convene 10 min pre-simulation meeting to check everyone is aware of their roles & responsibilities / Time Completed:
3. Personnel directly involved in simulation / In place for incident
Researchers or technical staff (to simulate incident) – 2 at least
ControllingLab Manager (aide memoire controller)
Observing H&S Adviser (photos and notes)
3. Incident simulation
and response / First researcher spills bottle content on floor / ground, allowing some water to spill / splash onto legs
Identify Simulated Hazardous Substance (only one):
Acid / base
Toxic
Flammable Solvent
Biological / Note Time of Incident:
First or second researcher clearly announces spill to those in vicinity
Evacuate / Second researcher evacuates first researcher to a nearby place of safety (without exposing themselves to any spilt liquid) / Note Time:
Second researcher initiates immediate assistance (e.g. washing of affected area) to injured person (if possible and safe to do so) / Note Time:
Isolate / Spill area isolated by second researcher. / Note time:
Method/s of isolation used:
Call for help / Second researcher telephones for first aid and respondinglaboratory managerhelp (via 3333) / Note Time of Call:
Security telephone for BB First Aider / Note Time of Arrival:
If no BB First Aider available, Security First Aider attends to scene. / Note Time of Arrival:
First Aid provided to first researcher / Note Time of completion:
Responding Lab Manager brings replacement gown for injured person, PPE for clean-up and spill kit / absorbent materials (as per page 6). / Note Time of Arrival:
First researcher taken to Building foyer to await further medical help. (Arrival at foyer will complete external assistance provision for the simulation) / Note time of arrival at building foyer:
Ventilate / If necessary, appropriate ventilation established. / Note Time:
Method/s used:
Barriers / hazard warning taped off zone around spill area established by Security / Responding Lab Manager. / Note Time:
Spill clean-up commenced by responding lab manager and controlling lab manager / Note Time of start:
Spill clean-up completed / Note Time of Completion:
Waste packaged / Note time:
Waste taken to waste store or autoclave / Note time:
Area opened for public use / Note time:
Incident response completed / Note Time:
Simulated Incident ‘Wash Up’ meeting / Meeting convened by controlling lab manager (for no more than 15 minutes). / Time convened:
Identify what went well
Identify what didn’t go to plan
Procedure Improvements needed
Incident materials, items needed
Controlling Lab Manager to complete QMUL Incident Report / Time report sent:

Document Control (QMUL_HS_133)

Author: Dr Mark Ariyanayagam
Position:Health & Safety Manager (SMD) and Biological Safety Adviser (QMUL)
Checked by:H&S Managers / Advisers / Safety Coordinators / Practiced in 3
QMUL Laboratories (May 2017)
Position:-
Approved by:Mrs Zarah Laing
Position:Director of H&S
Status:Version 1 - LIVE
Date of Issue:02 October 2017
Version No. / Date of alteration and re-issue / Details of changes / Changes made by
1 / 02 October 2017 / - / -

QMUL_HS_133_ Laboratory Hazardous Substances Emergency Protocol _V1_Oct 2017