General Steps To Follow

When 1 pint or more of a hazardous substance or any amount of an extremely toxic substance is spilled, call Emergency Assistance (9-1-1) and Occupational Safety (4-2740), in that order. Evacuate the room, close the door, and wait for emergency personnel.

If the spill substance is flammable, extinguish all ignition sources before leaving the room.

Remove all contaminated clothing immediately. Clothes must be laundered before reuse or disposed of as hazardous waste. Use emergency shower if face and hands are splashed. Use eye wash if splashed in the eyes.

In case of chemical contact with skin or eyes, flood the affected area immediately with water; continue for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical assistance at Emergency Room for skin irritation, contact with an extremely toxic substance, or any eye injury.

Small spills (1 pint or less) may be cleaned up by laboratory personnel. Laboratory must keep spill absorbents on hand. Absorbent material is available through the Storehouse (cat. no. 43900-101, Safe Step Spill Absorbent).

Most strong acids may be absorbed and then neutralized with aqueous solutions of sodium bicarbonate, calcium hydroxide, or sodium carbonate. Caustic solutions and flammable liquids may be absorbed with an insert absorbent.

DO NOT attempt to blot cryogenic liquids with unprotected hands. Wear gloves. If the cryogenic fluid evaporates to a flammable or toxic gas, follow procedures (1) (2) for large spills.

For mercury spills, see UC Davis EH&S Safety Net 16 Guidelines for Mercury Spill Control, for more information.

Solid spills are not usually emergencies. If the materials spilled is toxic, use dampened cloths or paper towels to transfer it to plastic bags. Brushing dry materials may cause dust to become airborne.

For chemotherapy spills, follow written departmental policy for chemo spill pick up (see PCS X-01). Place absorbed chemo spill materials in green chemotherapy waste hags for disposal. Contact Environmental Services for final mop up of spill site.