Collage

Chemical Spills

Upon receiving notice of a chemical spill, the University Police Dispatch will send a patrol unit to respond to the incident and will inform the following personnel immediately.

  • Environmental Health and Instructional Safety Officer or refer to emergency call list.
  • Chemical Hygiene Officer, Ext. 7233, or other EH&IS personnel, or refer to emergency call list.

In the event that safety personnel are not at the scene of the spill, the University Police Officer will relay any specific information about the spilled substance through the Dispatcher to the responding personnel. Upon receipt of the information, the Chemical Hygiene Officer or other Environmental Health and Instructional Safety personnel will, if necessary, respond to the scene.

FIRST RESPONDER ACTIONS

DON'T RUSH INTO QUICK DECISIONS.

  • Protect yourself by keeping a safe distance from the spilled material. If outside, consider wind conditions.
  • Identify the material using personnel information, labels or instrumentation. Identify the hazards involved using an MSDS or DOT information.
  • Isolate the scene.
    • Deny access to everyone but trained personnel.
    • Survey the site for potential problems.
    • Evaluate the situation.
    • Enter the site only if fitted for the proper personal protective equipment.
    • Unless properly trained, response is limited to 1-4 above.

UNIVERSITY POLICE WILL:

  • Notify the Manager, Director or Chair of the area in which the spill occurred.
  • Remove all unauthorized personnel from the area and provide for a required 50 ft. minimum safety zone around the spill.
  • Evaluate the situation or on advice from safety personnel notification of Fullerton Fire Department.
  • If the spill is outside of the building, notify Central Plant, Ext. 2432, for ventilation control of the area, if needed.
  • Notify Physical Plant if electrical, plumbing, or custodial assistance is needed.
  • If spill involves an outside vendor, obtain company name and insurance carrier.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND INSTRUCTIONAL SAFETY OFFICE/CHEMICAL HYGIENE OFFICER:

I. MAJOR CHEMICAL SPILL
  • Advise University Police on the proper course of action.
  • If spill results in contamination of ground, water, or air or is above the Reportable Quantity (RQ) then notify the following agencies:
    • Notify the Office of Emergency Services (OES) at 1-800-852-7550 and obtain a control number for the incident.
    • Notify the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 to comply with CERCLA requirements.
    • Notify California Hazardous Material Incident Reporting System (CHMIRS) 1-916-427-4287. Except for:
      • Petroleum spills less than 2 gallons from vehicular fuel tanks.
      • Sewage overflows.
  • Fill out CHMIRS Form.

II. MINOR CHEMICAL SPILL
  • Safety personnel will respond to evaluate the situation and coordinate the necessary clean up.
  • If further assistance is needed, contact the Fullerton Fire Department via University Police Dispatcher.
  • Notify Office of Emergency Services (OES) at 1-800-852-7550 and obtain a control number for this incident only if greater than the RQ.
  • Notify the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 to comply with CERCLA requirements. (for reportable quantities see business plan)

The Environmental Compliance Manager, or designated representative, will be responsible for notifying the appropriate agencies.

Revised 5/1/2008, LL