Basics of Chemical Spill Management
Basics of Chemical Spill Management
Chemicals have always been a hazard for
the people working in chemical laboratories, whatever be the size of
laboratory. In spite of the best attempts by the researchers to
practice safe science in the laboratory, accidents occurs resulting
in the release of chemicals. It is essential for all lab personnel to
be aware of a spill response plan that includes proper procedures and
materials to adequately contain and clean up a chemical spill. Spill
management plans depends on the diversity and comparative hazards of
the chemicals being used in the lab. The size and complexity of the
facility is also considered. However a few main components should be
part of every laboratory’s spill response procedures.
The following procedures will guide the
laboratory personnel to design an effective spill control plan for
their laboratory.
- There
are differences between major and minor chemical spills.
- Major
chemical spills need straightaway emergency response and assistance.
Major spills are quite difficult to contain and they are likely to
harm lab personnel and pose an immediate and serious fire risk.
- The
support and security staff should be prepared for major chemical
spills. The preparation should be done by working with your local
emergency responders to develop a notification and evacuation plan.
Some laboratories might have trained emergency response team for
initial response to major spills. However for many labs, such major
spills are beyond the capacity of their staff.
- Minor
spills are not a great threat to the lab personnel and will be
cleaned up by laboratory staff or facility-based emergency response
teams.
- You
must start cleanup of minor spills only when you know the chemical’s
name and hazards associated with it. You must have the required
protective equipment and spill kits that can handle it. The
importance of proper labeling and spill response training can be
understood.
- The
spill response training program for major and minor spills should be
different. It should be carefully designed to distinguish between
similar chemicals with different hazards. A spill of 500 milliliters
of 25 percent sodium hydroxide solution can be easily cleaned by lab
staff and same can be said about a similar spill of ammonium
hydroxide. Both of the liquids are corrosive bases, but the
irritating vapors of ammonium hydroxide’s pose a unique hazard.
- Small
basic labs like a high school science lab, should have easy-to-use
and simple spill kits. The kit should contain sodium carbonate for
acids, granular absorbent for organic solvents, and citric acid for
spills of liquid bases. Sand is also necessary as it is sometimes
applied to increase traction in spills of slippery compounds like
sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid .
Contents
of a Proper Chemical Spill Kit
All laboratories that deals with
chemicals must have access to a spill control kit. The key components
of an effective spill kit are content and location. The location of
the spill kits should be fixed in the laboratory. They should be
strategically located around work areas so that they will be easily
accessible. Contents of most spill kits are common items which may be
found throughout the lab, but they must be consolidated for emergency
use. Here is a list of recommended items that should be contained in
a chemical spill kit.
Absorbents
- Universal
Spill Absorbent: Mixture of Flor-Dri, sodium bicarbonate, and sand.
It is an all purpose absorbent, good for most chemical spills
including solvents, acids, and bases.
Acid
Spill Neutralizer: Sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or calcium
carbonate.
Alkali
Neutralizer: Sodium bisulfate.
Organic
Liquid Absorbent: Inert absorbents like clay, vermiculite, sand,
Flor-Dri, and Oil-Dri.
Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE)
Clean-Up
Material
Plastic
Bags for contaminated PPE
One
Plastic Bucket with lid for spill and absorbent residues
Plastic
Dust Pan and Scoop
