Don't Let a Minor Chemical Spill Turn Into a Crisis

Should your work involve chemicals then spills are an everyday possibility. Of course it’s best to avoid them in the first place but there will inevitably be times when they happen and you need to organize a clean-up. It’s therefore important to have equipment and procedures in place to deal with the situation when it arises.

The first thing to do in the event of a spill is attend to any injuries. Once that’s done you can turn attention to the spill itself. Small spillages can be dealt with using appropriate absorbent materials, but there are some extra precautions that you may need to take. If the material presents a respiratory hazard then masks or breathing apparatus may be required. If it’s flammable you need to turn off all electrical equipment in the area to remove the risk of a spark.

If the spill is relatively small then it can usually be dealt with using absorbent materials. These usually come in a tube like form that can be used to prevent the spill from spreading, you can then use absorbent pads to soak it up. It’s important to use goggles and disposable gloves to protect yourself. A chemical spill kit should always be kept on premises where chemicals are stored. A well-designed kit will contain all you need to absorb a spill and dispose of the waste safely. It should also include warning tape to keep other personnel away from the spill area.

Certain types of spill need particular treatment:

• For acid spills you need to make sure that appropriate absorbents are used.
• Mercury should be dealt with using a trapped vacuum line (not a conventional vacuum cleaner). Mercury vapours are poisonous so it should be cleaned up as soon as possible.
• Solid spills can usually be dealt with using a dustpan and brush but care should be taken to avoid skin contact and the breathing of any dust.

In a laboratory or industrial environment it’s important that all personnel know what they need to do in the event of a chemical spill. They should be made aware of what procedures to follow. They also need to know where appropriate chemical spill kits are stored and how to make use of them. Identify any particular hazardous materials and ensure that staff are aware of additional precautions that may be required.

Prevention is, of course, the best option and it’s best if spills are avoided. However, accidents do happen so you need to have plans and equipment in place. If you’re prepared to deal with spills then they can be handled quickly, safely and with minimal disruption to your business.

If you’re dealing with chemicals on an everyday basis then you need to have chemical spill kits available to cope with accidents.