Hazardous Material Spills

Excerpts from COD Emergency Response Plan

College Staff Response

Pre-planning is essential when working with chemicals and other hazardous materials. Employees must consider the following items to prepare themselves for spill reporting and control:

Know what substances are in your work area and the dangers they present. Reviewing Material Safety Data Sheets for substances in your work will help you prepare for any dangers these materials present.

Acquire sufficient quantities of appropriate safety materials, goggles, respirators, spill pillows, etc. in a readily available location.

Report all Spills or possible contamination incident in Glen Ellyn to the Public Safety Police Office, 942-2000; in other locations Dial 911.

Be prepared to explain:

Injuries.
Location and type of the spill, building and room number.
Name of chemical or material involved, if known.
Approximate amount of material involved.
Any identifiable reaction; fire or gas etc, from spill.
Who was in contact with spilled substance

Equipment or processes containing hazardous materials should be halted and the area evacuated, unless doing so posses a greater hazard. Close doors to contain the situation until trained responders arrive or you have knowledge that opening doors and windows to ventilate area is appropriate. If a determination has been made to contain the area, contact the building engineers to shut off the ventilation system.

Account for everyone in the room and compile a list of all individuals who might have been contaminated by the spill. Prevent others from entering danger area and wait for police.

If direct contact is made with a spilled substance, immediately remove contaminated clothing. Flush any point of bodily contact with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Report the injury to Heath Services at ext. 2154.

Police Response

Collect information regarding incident.
Review Material Safety Data Sheet.
Respond to the scene, forming a perimeter at a safe distance.
Notify Hazardous Materials Coordinator.
Notify Fire Department if needed.
When appropriate, have Engineers turn off ventilation system to the area.

Fire Department Response

Respond to scene.
Assist any injured.
Initiate appropriate containment measures.
Initiate appropriate cleanup measures.