SECTION I - SECTION II - SECTION III - SECTION IV - SECTION V (APPENDICES)
II.Cover | II.A | II.B | II.C | II.D | II.E | II.F | II.G | II.H | II.I | II.J | II.K | II.L | II.M | II.N

Section 2 I

I. Reporting Chemical Spills and Accidents

1. Chemical Spills

1. Regulatory agencies consider a spill of hazardous chemicals to be an "uncontrolled release". Uncontrolled releases of chemicals are regulated under a number of federal and state laws depending on how dangerous the chemical is and the volume of the release. Some regulated spill conditions must be reported to local, state and federal agencies.
   

   Anyone who responds to, manages, or cleans up a hazardous chemical spill/release must be knowledgeable of methods and equipment used for protection of self and environment. Also, anyone who cleans up a chemical spill/release must be knowledgeable as to whether the cleanup residual/debris constitutes a dangerous waste under Washington rules, and must be knowledgeable of proper disposal practices. (SPPM S70.45, Chemical Spill Control )

   Some chemical spills can be "cleaned up" by employees with relatively little training. Others must be cleaned up by a highly trained chemical response crew whose personnel meet specific training and surveillance requirements. In general, a laboratory worker who is trained to use a particular hazardous chemical in his/her specific work duties and general work area is permitted to clean up small spills of that hazardous chemical in that specific work area. Any person responding to, or cleaning up spills outside his/her own immediate laboratory work area must receive special training, certification and medical surveillance.

2. In a laboratory setting, laboratory employees may be expected to clean up hazardous chemical spills. If laboratory workers are expected to clean up spills, the following conditions must be met:
   
   
   • Employees are trained to specifically recognize which spills they are responsible to clean up and which they are to refer to specially trained and certified non-laboratory cleanup personnel (e.tg., Pullman Fire Department, EH&S Environmental Services, etc.).
   • Employees are thoroughly trained to use detection methods and observations so the extent of exposure to the hazardous chemical is determined. (See the chemical's written standard operating procedure (SOP) which identifies the Procedure / Process, Chemical Name(s) and Associated Physical and Health Hazards, Location of Health and Safety Information, Protective Equipment, Waste Disposal Procedures, Designated Area Information, Decontamination Procedures and Special Storage and Handling Procedures. (Reference Section IV. Standard Operating Procedures for definitions, guidelines, examples, and personal protective equipment requirements)
   • Employees are trained to use engineering controls and personal protective equipment properly, and in a manner appropriate to spill circumstances. Normally, if a laboratory employee is required to wear a respirator to clean up the spill, the spill is too large or toxic for a minimally trained, non-certified laboratory employee and must be cleaned by certified chemical response personnel. When in doubt, call 911.
   • Employees have access to emergency medical treatment, tailored to the circumstances of the spilled/released chemical. (See SPPM S70.45, Chemical Spill Control)
   • Employees have immediate access to professional help if cleanup does not go as planned or expected. (Provide written instructions for clean-up and emergency response in Section III.B.7.h of the Laboratory Safety Manual.)
   • Employees are trained to manage waste materials generated by the cleanup of the spilled/released chemical. (See SPPM S70.40, Recycling or Disposal of Chemical Waste)
   EH&S Environmental Services provides training in the identification, handling and disposal of chemical waste.
   
   
3. It is advised that each laboratory have a written spill/release management protocol based on the provisions of Safety Policies and Procedures Manual (SPPM) Section 70.45 , "Chemical Spill Control". Based on the SPPM information, the following general guidelines can be followed:
   
   
   • Small spills that do not endanger workers in the immediate area may be cleaned up by laboratory personnel who are trained, properly equipped to handle the situation and in the laboratory at the time the spill occurred. (See Section III.B.7 for the contents of a recommended laboratory spill kit.) If the laboratory person assigned to clean up small chemical spills is not in the laboratory when the spill occurs, a specially trained and certified non-laboratory cleanup personnel must be called. (WHITCOM 911)
     Even if you are properly trained to clean up small chemical spills, do not attempt to clean up a spill if you were not present at the time of the spill .
   • If the spill is large, if the chemical is not easily identified, or if the chemical is extremely hazardous, then
     • Evacuate all personnel from the area.
     • Report to WSU Fire/Police Dispatcher (call 911).
   • When placing an emergency call:
     • Give your name
     • Give your location (building & room)
     • Give the phone number you are using
     • Describe the nature of the emergency; then answer the questions the dispatcher asks you.
     • Do not attempt to clean up elemental mercury spills, as this may spread the contamination.
     • During normal business hours (M-F 8 AM - 5 PM), report mercury spills directly to EH&S at 335-3041. All other times, call 911 for assistance.
     • Report spills of radioactive materials directly to the Radiation Safety Office at 335-8916.
     • For additional information, access the EH&S Environmental Services Waste Management Guide at http://www.ehs.wsu.edu/wmg/WMGcover.asp.

2. Reporting Accidents

1. For any accident involving personal injury, seek first aid or medical attention immediately.
   
   
2. If a WSU employee becomes injured or ill, the University requires WSU1131-RTIN001-0304 be filled out and submitted to Benefit Services within 24 hours following the incident. (Reference - SPPM S25.20). For assistance with the form, call Benefit Services at 335-4589.
   
   
3. When medical treatment is required for a work related injury or illness, fill out a Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Accident Report available from your health care provider.