Versions Compared

Key

  • This line was added.
  • This line was removed.
  • Formatting was changed.
Reviewed byDate
Incident Support Team710/241/20132014

I. GENERAL

Suffolk University has established these procedures to be followed by different groups, (Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS), Suffolk University Police Department, Facilities, ABM, laboratory personnel, NESAD, etc.) in response to threats or actual spills or releases of chemicals, petroleum, biohazard material, and other unknown substances. These procedures are communicated through various means, such as Suffolk University’s Chemical Hygiene Plan, Suffolk Emergency Plan, and also training for the CAS faculty and staff. These procedures are an integral part of Suffolk University’s OEHS Management System.

II. DEFINITIONS

       A Minor An Incidental Spill is one in which ALL of the following conditions are met:

  • the responsible party is at the scene; and
  • the material spilled is not highly toxic, corrosive, reactive, biohazard material or a special hazard; and
  • the The quantity spilled is small; and
  • there There is no fire hazard present; and
  • the The spill is completely contained inside a buildingcontained in the immediate area; and
  • the The material has little or no potential of traveling to reach other areas or the environment (e.g., via a floor drain, sinks, etc); and
  • the spill is not The spill is capable of being protected if it is in a common area (e.g., a hallway) or other area accessible to the general public; andadvanced personnel protective equipment (i.e., more than gloves and safety glasses) is not needed to respond to the spill

      A Major Large Spill is one in which ANY of the following conditions apply:
  • the responsible party or the chemical spilled is unknown ; or
  • the material spilled is highly toxic, corrosive, reactive, biohazard material or a special hazard; or
  • a A large (or undetermined) quantity was spilled; or
  • a A significant fire hazard may be present; or
  • the The material has the potential to travel to other areas or reach the environment (e.g., via a floor drain); or
  • the The spill is in a common area (e.g., hallway) or other area accessible to the general public; or
  • advanced Advanced personnel protective equipment (more than gloves and safety glasses) is required to respond to the spill; or
  • a A responder is unsure whether the spill should be considered “Minor” “Incidental” or “Major”. “Large”

III. POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Minor

Incidental Spills -


Suffolk University policy is that minor, indoor spills of hazardous materials or waste that present no immediate threat to personal health or safety, or of being released to the environment, are to be cleaned up by the personnel responsible for the spill unless they are not comfortable doing so. Hazardous material users and hazardous waste generators must be aware of the properties of the materials they use and the waste they generate.
All chemical and petroleum spills must be reported. Notification for minor spills is generally made directly to the Suffolk University Police or OEHS at (617

-

) 570-4849

)

or (617

-

) 573-8628

)

. If the Suffolk University Police receives the initial contact, they will contact OEHS. Once assessment and clean up is complete, OEHS will give the “all clear” for an area to be reoccupied.

Major Spills -
Major
    • Biological Spills: ABM
    • Petroleum Based Spills (hydraulic, lubricants, fuel oils): Suffolk Facilities
    • Chemical Spills (labs): Laboratory Personnel

Large Spills - Large spills are to be immediately reported to the Suffolk University

Police emergency

Police Department's emergency number, extension 8111 from a University phone, or (617) 573-8111 from any other phone

immediately

. If initial notification is made of a

major

large spill, or if at any time during the spill response it is determined that the incident should be considered a

“Major Spill”

large spill, OEHS is contacted immediately to respond to the site. OEHS will take control of the situation once they are on site, fully briefed, and accept control. OEHS will defer to the Boston Fire Department once they are on site, fully briefed, and accept control. OEHS will determine if notification to outside authorities is required (and if so, will make the notification). 

Clean Harbors

 

Triumvirate is Suffolk University’s 24 Hour Emergency Spill Response Contractor.

  OEHS

 OEHS will respond to and co-manage a

major

large spill event along with Clean Harbors. OEHS and/or Suffolk University Police will be responsible for activating an Emergency Response by Clean Harbors. During the duration of a major spill, OEHS will serve as

a

the liaison among those affected including, but not limited to; outside agencies (if applicable), faculty/staff, facilities, SUPD, OEHS

, BFD or

, the Boston Fire Department, and authorized outside contractors

(Clean Harbors)

such as Triumvirate. OEHS will also

conduct

oversee all monitoring that is required to give the “all clear” for an area to be reoccupied.

IV. EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION 

            Department                                Extension           From an Outside Line                      


Suffolk University Police                           8111 or 8113       617-573-8111 or 8333

OEHS – Michael Kauffman                     8628                     617-573-8628                             

OEHS – Frederick Wafula                           4849                     617-570-4849                   

Boston EMS/Fire/Police                              9-911                           911                                   

Facilities Management                                 8110                     617-573-8110

Clean Harbors Emergency Response                                        800-645-8265

Facilities - Jim Wallace                                8110                     617-573-8110

ABM, Cleaning Service                                8110                     617-573-8110