Chemical Spills

Chemical spills which may pose a threat should be handled by:

• Attempt to confine the spill as much as possible only if you have been trained to confine spills and are thoroughly familiar with the hazards of the spilled chemical.
• If you have contact with the spilled material, find a source of water ( restroom, kitchen sink, custodial closet) remove any contaminated clothing immediately and flush all areas of bodily contract with large amounts of water.
• Notify the Public Safety Department at (96)2-5555 and tell them:  Building Name, Floor, Room Number, Type of Accident and Chemicals Involved.

Minor Chemical Spills

Defined as a spill of potentially dangerous chemicals in quantities less than one liter. In a laboratory environment, this would normally be limited to extremely hazardous substances.

In an office maintenance environment it is presumed that the person using the chemical is aware of the properties and hazards associated with the use of the chemical and can, therefore, be responsible for its cleanup.

Major Chemical Spills

Defined as a spill of potentially dangerous chemicals in quantities exceeding one liter or creates a condition that would be dangerous for many people. These spills are generally beyond the training, scope, capacity and resources of the individual users. Major spills are NOT to be cleaned up by the user or departments who have the chemicals, but are to be referred to the St. Paul or Minneapolis Fire Departments for response by trained and properly equipped hazardous material teams.

If you have had bodily contact with a chemical, continue to rinse body contact areas with large amounts of water for at least fifteen (15) minutes or until medical emergency personnel arrive at your location. Public safety will notify the appropriate personnel; respond to the site of the chemical spill, and assist with first aid. The Public Safety Office will notify the proper response team.