Laboratory chemical spill response
Hazardous Material Response Team: 9-911
HIGH RISK due to nature of the chemical (highly toxic, flammable, reactive) and quantity involved; extensive measures required to control or contain the spill; unique circumstances of the lab; personnel contamination or injury involved; or other factors necessitate the need for prompt, full scale, professional emergency response action.
Call Reno HazMat, 9-911
Environmental Health & Safety: (775) 327-5040
MODERATE RISK during normal working hours, but when there is a “low comfort level” of lab personnel involved. Because of the particular circumstances involved, additional physical support, professional advice or technical information is needed.
Call EH&S, (775) 327-5040
“Do it yourself”
LOW RISK because worker fully understands hazards and risks involved; there is no personnel contamination; adequate spill control materials are at hand; proper personal protective equipment is available; worker has been trained in spill clean up procedures. Report personal contamination to EH&S.
GUIDE: 1 L or less of flammable liquid or concentrated acid or base, or 100 ml or less of a particularly hazardous substance.
Lab personnel should preplan, through the development of written SOPs, their actions in case of spills or personal contamination associated with all chemicals in the laboratory inventory.
Volumes indicated are planning guidelines only and do not equate to risk or to a lab worker’s ability to properly handle an effective chemical spill response.