1.4.14.1  Chemical Spills

(Please refer to Spill Policy Attachment.)

All spills of unknown materials should be treated as a hazardous chemical spill.

• Call the SUPD at (617) 573-8111
• Contact the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at (617) 570-4849 or (617)573-8628
• Remove any affected personnel from the area
• Attend to injured personnel
• Contain the spill  and alert others in the immediate area
• OEHS will respond and take control of the situation once they are on site, fully briefed, and accept control.
• OEHS will be responsible for contacting the Boston Fire Department and/or Clean Harbors, as well as any other necessary outside regulatory agencies.
• OEHS will defer command to the Boston Fire Dept. once they are on site, fully briefed, and accept control.
• NOTICE:  Do not attempt to clean up a mercury spill.  Call the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at (617) 570-4849 or (617) 573-8628 and then contact SUPD at (617) 573-8111.
  

1.4.14.1.1  Chemicals Spills on the Body and in the Eyes

• Quickly remove all contaminated clothing and footwear.
• Immediately flood the affected body area with cold water for at least 15 minutes. Remove jewelry to facilitate removal of any residual material.
• Wash off chemical with water only. Do not use neutralizing chemicals, unguents, creams, lotions, or salves.
• Get medical attention promptly by dialing SUPD at x8111.

• Irrigate the eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with plenty of cool water for at least 15 minutes. Use eyewash or other water source. Forcibly hold eyelids open to ensure effective wash.
• Check for contact lenses.
• Report incident to supervisor, laboratory instructor and to the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at (617) 570-4849 or (617) 573-8628.
  

** Please note that there are chemicals at Suffolk University, though limited, that should not be flushed with water after contact with the eyes and skin.  Some chemicals, such as Phenol, will react with water and cause more damage to the affected area than before the water was applied.  Please consult the MSDS and know the hazards of the chemicals you are using before you begin work with them.

1.4.14.1.2  Personal Contamination and Injury

• Know the locations of the nearest safety shower and eye wash station.
• Report all incidents and injuries to your supervisor.
• If an individual is contaminated or exposed to a hazardous material in the laboratory, do what is necessary to protect their life and health as well as your own. Determine what the individual was exposed to. The MSDS will contain special first aid information.
• Do not move an injured person unless they are in further danger.
• Get medical attention promptly by dialing x8111.
  

1.4.14.1.3  Ingestion of Hazardous Chemicals

• Identify the chemical ingested.
• Call Suffolk University Police by dialing x8111.
• Call the Poison Information Center by dialing (617) 232-2120 or (800) 682-9211.
• Provide the ambulance crew and physician with the chemical name and any other relevant information. If possible, send the container, MSDS or the label with the victim.
  

1.4.14.1.4  Inhalation of Smoke, Vapors and Fumes

• Anyone overcome with smoke or chemical vapors or fumes should be removed to uncontaminated air.
• Do not enter the area if you expect that a life threatening condition still exists - oxygen depletion, explosive vapors, or highly toxic gases (cyanide gas, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide)
• Get medical attention promptly dialing x8111