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 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
• CEP will notify Environmental Health & Safety at 709-864-3659,
• 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
• Complete an incident report form and submit it to Environmental Health & Safety.

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 from the building to the nearest assembly point and meet the Fire Department and Campus Enforcement Patrol to provide information on the nature of the emergency
• Re-enter the building only when Campus Enforcement Patrol authorizes to do so
• Complete an incident report form and submit it to the Environmental Health & Safety

Gas Leaks

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

• Attempt to find and stop the source of the leak by turning off values or containment
• If the odor becomes strong or if 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.
• CEP will notify Environmental Health & Safety at 709-864-3659
• 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 the nature of the emergency
• Re-enter the building only when Campus Enforcement Patrol authorizes to do so
• Complete an incident report form and submit it to Environmental Health & Safety.

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