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Be familiar with the alarm system in your area. If the incident could threaten the health of individuals in the building or area, activate the alarm. At a minimum notify your supervisor or co-workers.
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Attend to injured personnel if you are able to do so without jeopardizing your own safety. Don’t put yourself at risk, unnecessarily.
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You have to decide whether or not you can handle the spill situation. A significant number of the chemicals that we use in the science laboratories are considered to be toxic and pose adverse health effects. So if you are not sure you can handle it, then the best course of action is to notify the Chemical Hygiene Officer at x3751 or campus security at x3636 and evacuate.
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If possible, you would want to try to confine the spill to prevent it from spreading. Additionally, limit access to the area with barricades or appropriate warning signs.
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Notify others and get help. Don’t try to clean up a spill by yourself.
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Later, after the emergency situation has been neutralized, than you may have to wear some form of protective equipment during a cleanup because of the greater chance for exposure. Where would you get the information on what type of protective equipment is necessary?
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The MSDS should contain information on emergency procedures and clean up methods. Also, the Standard Operating Procedures located in the Chemical Hygiene Plan, detail appropriate actions for spill situations. It only helps you if you read ahead of time. It’s usually too late after the spill occurs.
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