Chemical Spills

Chemical spills pose serious risks to people and the environment. All lab personnel must be trained to respond appropriately.

Spills fall into two categories: non-emergency and emergency. Each requires a different response, outlined below.

Non-emergency spills involve a chemical and quantity that trained lab personnel can safely manage — for example, a small spill of a routine reagent on a fume hood benchtop.

To respond:

• Isolate the area and alert everyone in the lab.
• Review the SDS (Section 6: Accidental Release Measures) for chemical-specific cleanup guidance.
• Put on appropriate PPE — at minimum, safety glasses/goggles, lab coat, and gloves.
• Absorb and collect the spill using pads, oil dry, or kitty litter.
• Decontaminate the area with an appropriate solvent (soap and water is often effective).

Only trained personnel should perform cleanup.

Emergency spills involve a hazardous material in a quantity or location that exceeds your training. These typically include spills that:

• Exceed one liter in volume
• Involve a highly toxic or reactive compound
• Present an immediate fire or environmental hazard
• Require a respirator or specialized training to clean up safely

If an emergency spill occurs:

1. Stop all activities and evacuate. Alert everyone in the area immediately.
2. Treat exposures: bring anyone with chemical contact on skin or eyes to the nearest safety shower or eyewash station.
3. Call UTHSC Police at 901-448-4444 — they will contact Research Safety Affairs and, if needed, the fire department or other authorities. Be ready to provide:
   • Your name
   • Any injuries or exposures
   • Building and room number
   • Chemical(s) involved and approximate volume
   • Any control measures already taken
4. Secure the area. Close doors, post signs, and prevent anyone from entering the spill area or any space where toxic vapors may be present. Wait for the spill response team to arrive.

Every lab should have a spill response kit — either purchased from a vendor or assembled in-house — stocked to handle small spills of common hazards.

Each kit should include:

• Absorbents – pads, brooms, oil dry, or kitty litter
• Neutralizing agents – such as Spill-X for acids and/or bases (if large volumes are stored in the lab)
• Waste containers – drums, buckets, or bags for spilled material and contaminated cleanup debris
• PPE – gloves, safety glasses or goggles, lab coat or apron, and chemical-resistant booties
• Area marking – caution tape or equivalent to warn others of the spill