{"id":22218,"date":"2021-04-19T13:20:56","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T20:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/?page_id=22218"},"modified":"2025-11-12T10:06:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T18:06:02","slug":"sppm-5-62","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-5-62\/","title":{"rendered":"5.62 Chemical Spill Control"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading wsu-font-size--xxmedium\">Safety Policies and Procedures Manual<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chemical Spill Control<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--single\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p><strong>SPPM 5.62<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>For more information contact:<\/strong><br>&nbsp; &nbsp;Environmental Health and Safety<br>&nbsp; &nbsp;509-335-3041<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h3>Reporting Spills<\/h3>\n<p>When chemicals are spilled or are otherwise released from containment, the laboratory or shop supervisor is responsible for ensuring that releases are appropriately reported, cleaned up, and disposed of.<\/p>\n<h4>Applicability<\/h4>\n<p>This section includes procedures for reporting, containing, cleaning up, and disposing of uncontrolled releases of chemicals.<\/p>\n<h5>Radioactive Materials<\/h5>\n<p>This procedure does not apply to spills of radioactive substances. During working hours, contact the Radiation Safety Office (RSO) for assistance with radioactive releases; telephone 509-335-8916. Telephone 911 or the Facilities Services dispatcher at 509-335-9000 during evenings and weekends.<\/p>\n<p>Refer to<a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-9-40\/\"> SPPM 9.40<\/a> for decontamination procedures for radioactive substances.<\/p>\n<h5>Biohazardous Materials<\/h5>\n<p>This procedure does not apply to spills, releases, or improper disposal of biological materials, e.g., biohazardous waste, dead animals. Call 911 or the local county\/area emergency response number for assistance with these releases (see <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-4-24\/\">SPPM 4.24<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h4>Who May Clean Up Spills<\/h4>\n<p>Personnel may clean up a chemical spill in their immediate work area if <strong>all <\/strong>of the following conditions exist:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It is safe for the employee to clean up material. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>The chemical spill took place in their work space and in their presence. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>The employee is trained to work with the material that is spilled. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>The employee is trained to clean up chemical spills. See <a href=\"#training\">Training<\/a>. (See also <a href=\"#mercury_spills\">Mercury Spills<\/a>.)<\/li>\n<li>The employee is able to clean up the spill with the personal protective equipment (PPE) they normally wear. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>The employee is able to clean up the spill in ten minutes. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>The employee does not create a situation which is hazardous to themselves or other employees. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>The employee feels comfortable cleaning up the material. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>A written emergency plan is in place for handling spills or releases. Refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/ehs.wsu.edu\/laboratory-safety-manual\/\">Laboratory Safety Manual<\/a> and the department&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/ehs.wsu.edu\/workplace-safety\/accident-prevention-program\/\">Accident Prevention Plan<\/a> for emergency plan requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If <strong>any <\/strong>of these conditions are not met, personnel must seek assistance.<\/p>\n<h5><a name=\"mercury_spills\">Mercury Spills<\/a><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Only an employee who is specifically trained is allowed to clean up a mercury spill. Mercury spill cleanup also requires specific equipment and materials.<\/p>\n<h5>Outside the Immediate Work Area<\/h5>\n<p>University personnel from locations outside the immediate work area may not respond to or clean up a chemical spill unless they are trained and certified at the Technician level through annual completion of an UPPM EPA\/DOE approved and certified course. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/laws-regs\/regulations\/standardnumber\/1910\/1910.120\">(29 CFR 1910.120<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.leg.wa.gov\/WAC\/default.aspx?cite=296-824\">WAC 296-824<\/a>) Campus Environmental Health and Safety (EH&amp;S) spill responders have completed such training. A supervisor may not identify an employee as a chemical spill management employee unless the employee has completed certified training.<\/p>\n<h5><a name=\"training\">Training<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>For information concerning laboratory-specific chemical spill training, see the applicable principal investigator (PI) or campus EH&amp;S or Facilities department.<\/p>\n<p>For information concerning certified chemical spill management training, see the applicable campus EH&amp;S or Facilities department.<\/p>\n<h6>Campus Contacts<\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li>WSU Pullman EH&amp;S: telephone 509-335-3041 &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>WSU Spokane EH&amp;S: telephone 509-358-7621\n<p>WSU Spokane EH&amp;S also provides information and assistance to WSU Health Sciences\u2014Yakima (which includes College of Nursing\u2014Yakima and College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences\u2014Yakima).&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>WSU Tri-Cities EH&amp;S: telephone 509-372-7163 &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>WSU Vancouver EH&amp;S: telephone 360-546-9706 &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>WSU Everett Facilities: telephone 425-405-1566<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Personnel at WSU locations not listed above may contact WSU Pullman EH&amp;S for assistance.<\/p>\n<h4>Assistance<\/h4>\n<h5>Pullman Campus \/ Whitman County<\/h5>\n<p>If a chemical spill or release exceeds the capabilities or training of&nbsp;Pullman campus or Whitman County work area staff, evacuate personnel from the affected area and <strong>telephone 911 to report the spill or release<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Keep personnel from re-entering the affected area.<\/p>\n<p>Pull the fire alarm if the circumstances are serious or grave, and a fire alarm is present.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> If mercury is spilled in a nonpublic area at WSU Pullman or Whitman County during normal working hours, <strong>do not<\/strong> call 911. Contact EH&amp;S; telephone 509-335-3041. A nonpublic area is a room to which access can be controlled by some means, i.e., a door. A public area is an area such as a hallway, lobby, or sidewalk.<\/p>\n<h5>Research and Extension Centers<\/h5>\n<p>If a chemical spill or release exceeds the capabilities or training of&nbsp;research and extension center (REC) personnel, evacuate personnel from the affected area. If circumstances are serious or grave, immediately call 911. Otherwise, keep personnel from re-entering the affected area, control access, and call for assistance using the applicable Hazardous Material Release Call List.<\/p>\n<h5>WSU Spokane<\/h5>\n<p>If a chemical spill or release exceeds the capabilities or training of WSU Spokane area staff, evacuate personnel from the affected area and contact Campus Safety and Security; telephone 509-358-7995. Campus Safety and Security contacts WSU Spokane EH&amp;S or an emergency responder to oversee the cleanup and assists in securing the area.<\/p>\n<p>Evacuate the immediate area of the spill and keep personnel from entering the area. Be prepared to provide as much information as possible to Campus Safety and Security, EH&amp;S, or the emergency responder to assist in the cleanup.<\/p>\n<p>Call 911 if the spill is associated with an unknown chemical, a fire, a significant injury, or it may pose a threat to the public.<\/p>\n<h5>WSU Tri-Cities<\/h5>\n<p>Spills at the WSU Tri-Cities campus must be reported to the campus emergency line; telephone 509-372-7234. WSU Tri-Cities EH&amp;S staff respond and determine proper cleanup methods.<\/p>\n<p>Evacuate the immediate area of the spill (e.g., the laboratory) and keep personnel from re-entering the area until EH&amp;S arrives. Campus Security may be requested to assist with isolating the area.<\/p>\n<p>Call 911 if the spill is associated with fire or significant injury, or if it may pose a threat to the public.<\/p>\n<h5>WSU Vancouver<\/h5>\n<p>If a chemical spill or release exceeds the capability or training of WSU Vancouver area laboratory and\/or Facilities staff, evacuate personnel from the affected area and contact the campus emergency line; telephone 360-546-9001; pager 360-690-1527. WSU Vancouver EH&amp;S staff respond and determine proper cleanup.<\/p>\n<p>Keep personnel from re-entering the immediate area of the spill (e.g. the laboratory) until EH&amp;S arrives. Public Safety may be requested to assist with isolating the area.<\/p>\n<p>Call 911 if the spill is associated with fire or significant injury, or if it may pose a threat to the public.<\/p>\n<h5>WSU Everett<\/h5>\n<p>Spills at the WSU Everett campus must be reported to the campus emergency line; telephone 425-314-9514. WSU Everett Facilities staff respond and determine proper cleanup methods.<\/p>\n<p>Evacuate the immediate area of the spill and keep personnel from re-entering the area until Facilities arrives. Campus Security may be requested to assist with isolating the area.<\/p>\n<p>Call 911 if the spill is associated with fire or significant injury, or if it may pose a threat to the public.<\/p>\n<h5>Emergency Call<\/h5>\n<p>When placing a 911 emergency call or call to the local county\/area emergency response number, use a campus telephone rather than a cellular telephone, if possible. Provide the following information:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Caller&#8217;s name; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Time the release or spill occurred; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Location of the release, i.e., building and room number; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Nature of the emergency, e.g., fire, spill, etc.; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Names and quantities of chemicals involved, if known; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Location where the responders will be met by the reporting person or departmental personnel; and &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Telephone number of the safe location where the call originates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Answer any questions from the dispatcher or emergency responder. Stay on the telephone until the dispatcher or emergency responder says to hang up.<\/p>\n<h4>Cleanup and Disposal<\/h4>\n<p>Laboratory or service workers who meet the training requirements under <a href=\"#training\">Training<\/a> may use neutralizing or absorbent materials, or mechanical devices to clean up the contaminant.<\/p>\n<p>Place cleanup materials and contaminants in appropriate waste containers and dispose of as required (see <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-5-66\/\">SPPM 5.66<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h4>Reporting<\/h4>\n<p>Trained laboratory or service workers performing spill cleanup&nbsp;must report the spill to the campus EH&amp;S or Facilities department to properly document the incident.<\/p>\n<p>The applicable campus EH&amp;S and Facilities departments are solely responsible for reporting chemical releases to regulatory authorities when required by law.<\/p>\n<h4>Reoccupation<\/h4>\n<p>Prior to reoccupation, the applicable campus EH&amp;S or Facilities initiates appropriate decontamination procedures to ensure that the health and safety of future occupants of the site will not be compromised. After decontamination, the applicable campus EH&amp;S or Facilities performs further environmental monitoring to ensure that the area is suitable for reoccupancy.<\/p>\n<h4>Records Maintenance<\/h4>\n<p>Regulatory agencies require that the University maintain records of spill management activity. Departments performing spill control maintain the records; otherwise, such records are maintained by campus EH&amp;S or Facilities, as applicable (see <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/business-policies-and-procedures-manual\/bppm-90-01\/\">UPPM 90.01<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Spill management records must include the following information:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Whether spills of regulated materials above threshold quantities were reported to the proper authorities in a timely manner. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Whether residual contamination of the environment is present. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Whether illness or injury resulted as a consequence of the spill. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Whether personnel who responded to and\/or cleaned up the spill were properly trained and were allowed access to medical surveillance. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Whether the clean up residuals were properly managed. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>What actions were taken to minimize the chance of future occurrence of similar release(s).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Medical Surveillance Records<\/h5>\n<p>Human Resource Services (HRS) maintains medical surveillance records for employees who may be exposed to chemicals through cleanup or other activities.<\/p>\n<p>Contact HRS for assistance; telephone 509-335-4521.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: .8rem\">_______________________<br><strong>Revisions:<\/strong>&nbsp; Apr. 2021 (Rev. <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/revisions\/sppm-revisions\/sppm-revision-129\/\">129<\/a>); Aug. 2000 (Rev. 36); Nov. 1994 (Rev. 12); Sept. 1986 &#8211; new policy (Rev. 2).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Safety Policies and Procedures Manual Chemical Spill Control<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1061,"featured_media":0,"parent":21864,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"wsuwp_university_location":[],"wsuwp_university_org":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22218"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1061"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22218"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69074,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22218\/revisions\/69074"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_location?post=22218"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_org","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_org?post=22218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}