Hazardous Materials Spill

What are the types of hazardous materials spills?

Incidental Release: one that does not cause a health or safety hazard to employees and does not need to be cleaned up immediately to prevent death or serious injury to employees

Emergency Release: this type of release is of a bulk quantity of hazardous material introducing an immediate, significant hazard to health and the environment. An emergency release would require an effort from outside the immediate release area by designated responders (i.e., local hazmat team, local fire departments, etc.). Do not attempt to mitigate an emergency release! Vacate the area and inform your supervisory chain.

The University policy for emergencies is to dial 911.

What do I do in the event of an incidental release?

Safety First!

Life safety is always the top priority in spill situations!

Regardless of the level of hazard involved, these are the steps that should be immediately followed.

• Communicate the hazard 

• Notify your supervisor, the professor, or lab technician that a spill has occurred

• Notify people in the area to keep back

• Remain calm 

View the incidental spill response training video for best practices related to incidental spill response.

Review the Code of Safe Practices for an incidental spill for a quick reference.