hazardous material/chemical spills

Overview

1.    This program provides the immediate actions to response to the release of a material which may exhibit one of the following conditions and other which are not included.
    a.    Release of a known hazardous material. Such a small quantities in a laboratory.
    b.    Release of potentially hazardous materials where there complete identity is unknown.
    c.    Release of petroleum products.   
    d.    Release of a flammable or hazardous gas.

2.    This procedure applies to all areas of Southern Connecticut State University.

3.    This procedure applies to all personnel on University property, including employees, students, contractors and visitors.

4.    Reporting Procedures
    a.    Any spill is to be immediately reported to the Environmental, Health and Safety Officer (EHSO)
    b.    Office    (203) 392-6053
    c.    Cell    (203) 530-2408
    d.    University Police    (203) 392-5375
        i.    From on-campus phones 888
        ii.    The University can always make the decision to call 911 if they feel it is necessary
    e.    911 if no one else can be reached.
    f.    The EHSO will make the initial determination of the severity and whether or not additional outside response is necessary. 
    g.    If the EHSO cannot be reached:
    h.    University Police or Robert Sheeley can make initial determination of the severity of the incident and can call in our contractor listed below.
        The University has an open contract for any environmental problems or spills with
        Environmental Services Inc.
        90 Brookfield St.
        So. Windsor, CT 06074
        (860) 528-9500, (860) 620-9566
        They are a 24-hour-a-day emergency response company under contract to the State and the University.
        vi.    If for some reason this company cannot be contacted, Clean Harbors can also be called at (800)  645-8265.

5.    Notification Procedures for campus and CSU
    a.    Chemical spills come under two regulations as far as reporting. 
6.    Minor Spill
    a.    A spill is a minor  or incidental spill is a spill which is in a laboratory and all of the following criteria are met:
        i.    The laboratory person is trained in accordance with the OSHA laboratory standard, 29CFR1910.1450.
        ii.    The material is a known substance.
        iii.    The spill can be cleaned up with normal materials used in the procedure. 
        iv.    No additional Personal Protection Equipment , (PPE) is required.
        v.    No additional assistance is required
        vi.    The use of additional materials not used in the normal lab procedure such as a spill kit to contain or clean up the spill is not required.
        vii.    If all of the above criteria are met, then the laboratory person, at their training level, can clean up the spill with no further notifications required.
        viii.    If all of the above criteria are not met, then the spill is defined as a major spill and is handled as specified below.

7.    Major spill or OSHA regulated spill. 
        i.    If any of the above listed criteria are not met, then the spill is a regulated spill and comes under the Emergency Response section of OSHA 29CFR1910.120.
        ii.    CT State Regulations of the DEP Hazardous Material Bureau use a no minimum quantity rule. That is, any amount is a reportable spill unless it falls under the laboratory standard.
        iii.    The room containing the spill shall be immediately evacuated.  If necessary, the evacuation may extend to the floor or the entire building depending of the spill and chemical characteristics.
        iv.    The Incident Management System (ICS) is implemented.
1.    The on scene leader (Site Supervisor) must be certified in the following areas:
    a.    ICS
    b.    OSHA Emergency Response, 29CFR1910.120
    c.    OSHA Site Supervisor 29CFR1910.120
    d.    SCBA 29CFR1910.134
    e.    US DOT Hazardous Materials
    f.    US EPA RCRA
        v.    Personnel who will perform the cleanup must be trained to a minimum of  Emergency Response Technician level and must be under the control of a trained Site Supervisor as 29CFR1910.120 specified in OSHA.
        vi.    NOTE:  A spill containing any amount of mercury is classified as a major spill and immediate evacuation of the area is required in accordance with procedures listed in Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

    b.    Notification Procedures for other agencies
        i.    For a major spill, (Reportable), immediate outside agency notifications must be made with follow up written reports.
        ii.    911
        iii.    CT DEP Response Unit Hotline (860) 424-3338 , 3333
        iv.    US EPA Emergency Response Hotline (800) 424-8802

8.    Requirements for Protection/Minimization of Impact
    a.    The first concern is the safety of personnel and to decontaminate affected personnel as soon as possible in an area outside the spill zone. 
    b.    Seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
    c.    Provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to medical personnel to provide treatment instructions.
    d.    Prevent the spill from spreading.
    e.    Stop the source.
    f.    Use spill kit materials to make berms and dikes around the area.
    g.    Isolate or secure the area so unauthorized persons cannot enter the affected area.

9.    Individual and Group Safety Guidelines
    a.    Follow the following regulations
    b.    Hazardous Materials Right to Know 29CFR1910.1200
    c.    Chemical Hygiene Plan 29 CFR1910.1450
    d.    Hazardous Materials Plan 29CFR1910.120
    e.    U.S. Department of Transportation latest issue of the Emergency Response Guidebook
    f.    Follow requirements specified in NIOSH Pocket Guidebook, currently 2004
    g.    Follow the instructions in the book, Prudent Practices for Laboratories
    h.    Follow the requirements of UD EPA 49CFR 1 through 790
 

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