Hi Chris-

Here at UNC Chapel Hill we have our own internal hazmat team since our local fire department doesn’t.  Lab researchers clean up small spills and call us for specific ones.  Here is the blurb we have in our lab safety manual regarding when we are called:

Many laboratory spills are of limited hazard potential, and laboratory personnel can clean up safely. Your laboratory should be equipped to handle small low-hazard spills. You should call EHS (919-962-5507) if a spill situation involves any of the following:

• a respiratory hazard;
• a threat of fire or explosion;
• more than 100 mL of an OSHA regulated chemical carcinogen or a highly toxic chemical (see appendices to Chapter 7);
• more than 1 liter of a volatile or flammable solvent;
• more than 1 liter of a corrosive (acid or base) liquid;
• elemental (liquid) mercury spills; refer to section C below.

We don’t provide spill kits to each lab – they must purchase for themselves.  No spill response training beyond who to call. Our hazmat team follows Hazwoper so we have lots of training and medical component.  Let me know I fyou have any other questions.

-Cathy

 

Catherine R. Brennan

Chemical Hygiene Officer

Environment, Health and Safety

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

1120 Estes Drive Extension, CB#1650

Chapel Hill, NC  27599-1650

(919) 843-5331

(919) 962-0227 FAX

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

I’d like to gather some data regarding how you handle laboratory spills at your workplace.

 

·         Who handles incidental laboratory spills? Trained laboratory personnel? Or a company/school Hazmat team? Or the fire department?

 

·         Are there any restrictions regarding the quantity? such as those less than 1-2 liters vs. 2 liters or more?

 

·         Are there any restrictions on where they are permitted to cleanup a spill? Such as inside vs. outside the fume hood?

 

·         Are there any restrictions on the type of spills that someone is permitted to clean up? such as cleanup of corrosives? or cleanup of toxic chemicals?

 

·         Do you provide spill kits for your laboratories?

 

·         Do you provide spill response training for lab personnel?

 

Any other comments?

 

Feel free to respond directly to me if necessary.

 

Many thanks,

 

Chris

 

Christopher E. Kohler

Laboratory Safety Manager

University Environmental Health and Safety

Indiana University

1514 E Third Street

Bloomington, IN 47405

(812) 855-5454

cekohler**At_Symbol_Here**iu.edu