Hazardous Chemical Spill Response

Policy 303.16

Introduction

When a hazardous chemical is released, appropriate and immediate response can prevent serious injury to students and employees. In the event of a spill or other release of hazardous materials, all persons on Appalachian State University premises should be prepared to act appropriately.

Scope

On-the-job Hazard Communication or Chemical Hygiene training, which is required by OSHA, is the main way for employees to learn how to recognize and respond to chemical releases or spills. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) can also provide direction. Department or Area Supervisors are responsible for providing Hazard Communication or Chemical Hygiene training, for ensuring that MSDSs are available, and for ensuring spill response supplies are readily available in the area where spills may occur.

Employees from other ASU departments (for example Physical Plant, University Police, etc.) should never be requested to clean up a spill of hazardous materials for which they have not received Hazard Communication or Chemical Hygiene training.

For assistance with developing Hazard Communication or Chemical Hygiene training, obtaining or understanding MSDSs, and selecting spill response supplies, Supervisors may contact the Industrial Hygienist at 262-6838 or [email protected].

Definitions

Definition phrase or word

A chemical spill is any unplanned release of a chemical, whether it is a solid, liquid, or gas. A chemical is hazardous if it would cause harm to humans or the environment if not properly controlled.

A minor chemical spill is a spill that does not present an immediate hazard (health, fire, explosion, etc.) to persons in the area and which can be handled safely without the use of respiratory protection or specially trained emergency response personnel. ASU defines other spills as major chemical spills.