If any hazardous material is spilled or is leaking, take prompt action to prevent further release or harm to persons in the area. If you have any doubts about your safety or that of others in the area of a spill or leak, evacuate immediately and sound the building alarm.

Employees must be familiar with Safety Data Sheets (SDS) prior to working with any hazardous materials and the SDS must be easily accessible in the case of an emergency.

Chemical Spills

Includes chemicals such as flammables, corrosives, oxidizers, toxics, cryogenics etc.

Section 1:

If you feel you can respond to the spill yourself consider the following:

• Do you have the appropriate training to respond to this type of spill?
• Do you have the appropriate spill kit for the chemical?
• Do you understand the potential hazards involved?
• Are you familiar with the SDS?
• Do you have appropriate personal protective equipment?

If you answered Yes to all the above questions you can then continue the clean-up (instructions continue below). If you answered No to one of the above questions please proceed to Section 2.

• Stop the source of the leak if possible or contain the spill
• If spilled material is combustible, remove sources of ignition
• Begin clean-up; using the appropriate chemical spill kit
• Call Campus Enforcement Patrol (CEP) 709-864-4100, giving your name and the nature and location of the spill
• Use a scoop or dustpan to pick up the used absorbent and place it in an appropriate container.
• Label the container. Complete the hazardous waste form and submit it to Environmental Health & Safety for disposal

Section 2:

• Evacuate the area, closing the door behind you
• Sound the building alarm to warn the occupants (fire alarm pull station) and leave the building
• Move 100 meters away from the building to the nearest assembly point and meet the Fire Department and Campus Enforcement Patrol to provide information on about the emergency.
• Re-enter the building only when authorized by the Fire Department

Gas Leaks

Includes leaks of flammable, combustible, corrosive or toxic gases, oxygen and spills of cryogenic liquids.

• Only attempt to locate and stop the source of the leak if you are trained and qualified to do so, for example by turning off valves or using containment measures.
• If you hear a gas alarm, the odor of a gas is strong/unusual, or you begin coughing, wheezing, or have watery eyes, leave the area immediately and activate the fire alarm system (fire alarm pull station) to evacuate the building.
• Call Campus Enforcement Patrol at 709-864-4100, giving your name and the nature and location of the leak.
• Move 100 meters away from the building to the nearest assembly point and meet the Fire Department and Campus Enforcement Patrol to provide information about the emergency.
• Re-enter the building only when authorized by the Fire Department

For more information on Hazardous Spills or Gas Leaks please contact Environmental Health and Safety.