Hazardous substances: Emergency response

Major spills

A Major Spill poses an immediate risk to personnel e.g. large release of toxic or flammable substances, risk of explosion/fire.

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In the event of a major spill involving a hazardous substance where safety of personnel is at risk:

• Evacuate the immediate area by calling out to by calling out to others and activating lab spill/evacuation buttons where installed
• Call for assistance from capable personnel. (For example Chemical Owner, Lab Managers, technical staff)
• Extinguish any ignition sources if the chemical is flammable and it is safe to do so
• Identify the substance. through the use of signs, labels or SciTrack barcode. Retrieve the safety data sheet (available via Gold FFX) and note the safety requirements
• Capable personnel, wearing appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment, may attempt to contain any further spill (seal off the container, drop absorbent material on the spill, and/or put barriers around the perimeter and over drains)
• If the spill cannot be safely contained and it affects people or the environment, call Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) on 111 and have the following information ready to provide them:
  • Name 
  • Exact location of spill
  • Substance involved in spill
  • Quantity of spilled material
  • Size of spill in square metres
• Assign a person, preferably the Laboratory Manager, to meet FENZ and inform the building warden
• Evacuate the building if required
• Comply with FENZ instructions

There should be at least one large spill kit per floor.

Minor spills

In the event of a spill which can be contained and cleaned up with little risk to personnel:

• Ensure immediate area is cleared, and any ignition sources extinguished if the spilled chemical is flammable
• Call for assistance
• Identify the substance if possible through the use of signs, labels or SciTrack barcode. Retrieve the safety data sheet avilable via Gold FFX and note the safety requirements
• Wear appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment
• If safe to do so, stop the source (e.g., plug the leak, shut off valves, put solvent containers into flammables cabinets)
• If the chemical is corrosive, consider neutralising it or use a spill kit designed for that particular class of chemical
• Use disposable cleaning equipment or spill kit
• Contain the spill to protect the environment. Use drip trays and absorbent material in spill kit to stop the spread and block off access to drains
• Wipe spill toward the centre and use damp cloths to pick up broken glass
• Notify the Lab Manager/supervisor

• Warn people nearby and shout for assistance
• Where applicable, remove any source of heat
  and/or fuel that are contributing to the fire. For example, turn off heating elements, Bunsen burners, or flammable gas lines.
• If possible, attempt to smother the fire, e.g.,
  cover the top of a reaction vessel with a piece of glassware or use a wet towel or fire blanket.
• If the fire cannot be quickly extinguished, follow the steps for Fire Emergency below.

Fire Emergency

Find out what to do in the event of a fire emergency

Follow these instructions if someone has been exposed to hazardous chemicals.

Chemicals in the eyes

• As soon as possible, using clean cool water wash the eyes from near the nose outwards, not forgetting to wash under eyelids for 20 minutes. Ensure to irrigate for 20 minutes (or more) in case of contact with alkali chemicals, as these can cause serious damage even without much pain. Use an eye wash station where available
• Ask someone to check the chemical safety data sheet for further advice (available via Gold FFX) 
• Seek medical attention
• Notify the Lab Manager/supervisor

Chemical burns

• Brush off dry chemicals
• Flush liquids from the skin with cool running water for at least 15 20 minutes. Use a safety shower where available
• Remove any contaminated clothing
• Consult Safety Data Sheets for guidance on dealing with exposure to the specific chemical(s) (available via Gold FFX)
• Wrap skin exposed to the chemical with a dry sterile dressing or clean cloth, protected from pressure and friction
• Watch for symptoms of shock: feeling faint, pale or breathing irregularly
• Seek medical attention
• Notify the Lab Manager/supervisor

Chemical inhalation

• Leave the area and get fresh air
• Consult the safety data sheet for advice (available via Gold FFX)
• Seek medical attention for serious or persistent symptoms
• Notify the Lab Manager/supervisor

Chemical ingestion

• Call the Poisons Information Centre for advice on 0800 764 766
• Do not try to vomit or ingest fluids unless advised by the Poisons
• Information Centre or a medical professional
• Notify the Lab Manager/supervisor

• Ensure personal wellbeing
• Decontaminate yourself and others, including clothing
• Monitor for after-effects
• Administer/obtain medical care
• Submit an incident report

Dispose of contaminated materials

• Seal in plastic bags or containers all items used from spill kits and any other contaminated products. Take the bags/containers to an authorised disposals point complete with a hazardous waste declaration that identifies the materials
• Contact an authorised waste contractor to remove the waste
• Restock and review
• Re-stock spill kit
  
• Assess reasons for incident and implement corrective response as soon as practicable
• If the Fire and Emergency NZ  was called, retain a copy of the fire crew’s incident report