8.2 Spills Policies and Procedures

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

• The quantity spilled is small; and
• There is no fire hazard present; and
• The spill is contained in the immediate area; and
• The material has little or no potential of traveling to other areas or the environment (e.g., via a floor drain, sinks, etc); and
• 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
  
    A Large Spill is one in which ANY of the following conditions apply:
• A large (or undetermined) quantity was spilled; or
• A significant fire hazard may be present; or
• The material has the potential to travel to other areas or reach the environment (e.g., via a floor drain); or
• The spill is in a common area (e.g., hallway) or other area accessible to the general public; or
• Advanced personnel protective equipment (more than gloves and safety glasses) is required to respond to the spill; or
• A responder is unsure whether the spill should be considered “Incidental” or “Large”
  
  

III. POLICY AND PROCEDURES
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.

• • 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 Department's emergency number, extension 8111 from a University phone, or (617) 573-8111 from any other phone. If initial notification is made of a large spill, or if at any time during the spill response it is determined that the incident should be considered a 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). 

Triumvirate is Suffolk University’s 24 Hour Emergency Spill Response Contractor. OEHS will respond to and co-manage a 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 the liaison among those affected including, but not limited to; outside agencies (if applicable), faculty/staff, facilities, SUPD, OEHS, the Boston Fire Department, and authorized outside contractors such as Triumvirate. OEHS will also 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

Triumvirate Emergency Response                                        800-645-8265

Facilities - Jim Wallace                            8110                     617-573-8110

ABM, Cleaning Service                            8110                     617-573-8110