Hazardous Spills

Need reference for your lab? Download the Hazardous spill clean up pdf.

Radiological Minor Spill:

1. Notify all personnel in the area that a spill occurred.
2. Cover the spill with absorbent paper to prevent its spread and wipe inward from the edge of the spill.
3. Wearing disposable gloves, remove the contaminated absorbent paper. Place in a plastic bag along with your disposable gloves, and dispose of the bag in the appropriate radioactive waste container.
4. Take wipe tests to determine the extent of the contamination. If contamination is still present, clean the area with an appropriate solvent using a clean hand/dirty hand method and resurvey.
5. Notify the Radiation Safety Program of the event (Phone 713-500-5840 or CYF G.102).

Radiological Major Spill:

1. Clear the area of all persons not involved in the spill, and close the door to the laboratory room.
2. Prevent the spread of the materials by covering the spill with absorbent pads. DO NOT TRY TO CLEAN UP!
3. Confine the movement of all personnel potentially contaminated to minimize additional contamination.
4. During Business Hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.): Call the Radiation Safety Program at 713-500-5840. During non-business hours: Call UTPD at 713-792-2890 or 911.
5. Contaminated clothing should be removed and stored for further evaluation. If the spill is on the skin, flush thoroughly and wash with mild soap and lukewarm water.

Chemical Minor Spill

1. Alert people in immediate area of spill.
2. Call EHS at 713-500-5832 if you need assistance.
3. Avoid breathing vapors from spill.
4. Wear protective equipment, including safety goggles or face shield, gloves and lab coat.
5. Use appropriate kit to neutralize and adsorb inorganic acids and bases. For other chemicals, use appropriate kit or adsorb spill with vermiculite, dry sand or paper towels. Collect residue, place in container, label container and call the EHS Hazardous Waste Line at 713-500-5837.
6. Clean spill area with detergent and water.

Chemical Major Spill

1. Alert people in the surrounding area to evacuate.
2. Immediately call UT Police at 713-792-2890 or 911
3. Attend to injured or contaminated persons and remove them from exposure. In case of personal contamination, remove affected clothing and flush contaminated skin with water for at least fifteen minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.
4. Close doors to affected areas as you leave.
5. Ensure that a person knowledgeable of the incident and location is available to assist emergency personnel upon their arrival.

Biological Spills

1. Alert people in immediate area of spill (and isolate area, if possible.
2. Cover the spill with absorbent paper.
3. Decontaminate with 1:10 (10%) bleach solution (solution should be in contact with spill for at least 15 minutes). DO NOT pour decontamination solution directly on a spill and make it bigger. Clean the spill starting from the perimeter and working inward. DO NOT use bare hands to dispose of broken glass or other sharps within a spill, or to clean a spill that may contain sharps. Utilize tongs, forceps or other rigid devices to retrieve and dispose of sharps.
4. Wearing disposable gloves and other necessary PPE (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses), remove the absorbent paper. Place all items used to clean up the spill in a biological waste receptacle (i.e., biohazard bag inside a sturdy, rigid container) for proper disposal.
5. Clean spill area with additional disinfectant, or detergent and water.
6. Call EHS at 713-500-5832 if assistance is required.