hazmat

Chemical Spill

In the event of a chemical spill or release of toxic or hazardous material that presents a potential for or has already caused:

  • A personal injury
  • A chemical overexposure
  • An exposure to a chemical of unknown health risk, including the detection of a noxious odor
  • An adverse environmental impact
  • Any other situation immediately dangerous to life, health, or property

1. Immediately notify all personnel in the affected area of the spill or release and evacuate all personnel from the affected area.

2. Call Public Safety at 711 from a campus phone or #78 from a cell phone from a location not affected by the spill. Public Safety will dispatch the appropriate response personnel.

3. Be prepared to give Public Safety the following information:

· Your name, phone number, and location from which you are calling from
· The nature of the incident
· The location of the incident (building, floor, room number)
· The name or type of substance (if known)
· The quantity of substance (estimate)
· The hazards (flammable, explosive, toxic – if known)
· Advise if there are injuries
· Suggest a secure location to meet emergency responders

4. Stay in the secure area to meet emergency responders.

5. Do not re-enter the spill area to perform rescue operations or participate in cleanup.

 

NON- EMERGENCY CHEMICAL SPILLS
If the spill does not involve or have the potential to cause a personal injury, chemical overexposure, exposure to a chemical of unknown health risk, adverse environmental impact, or any other situation immediately dangerous to life, health, or property, it is not necessary to evacuate personnel from the area or call Public Safety. You may contact the Environmental Health and Safety Services Office directly at 315-443-4132 during normal working hours for spill information and clean-up assistance.

Biohazard Spill

In the event of a biohazard spill, a spill of human blood or bodily fluids, or release of infectious material that presents a potential for or has already caused:

  •  A personal injury
  •  An exposure to a biological material of known or unknown health risk
  •  An adverse environmental impact
  • Any other situation immediately dangerous to life, health, or property

Please proceed as follows:

  • Immediately notify all personnel in the affected area of the spill or release and evacuate all personnel from the affected area.
  • Call the Department of Public Safety at 711 from a University phone or #78 from a cell phone from a location that is not affected by the spill (secure location). Public Safety will dispatch appropriate response personnel.

Be prepared to tell Public Safety the following information:

  • Your name, phone number, and secure location from which you are calling
  • The nature of the incident
  • The location of the incident (building, floor, room number)
  • The name or type of substance (if known)
  • The quantity of substance (estimate)
  • The hazards (if known)
  • If there are known injuries

Stay in the secure area to meet emergency responders or suggest another area if the current location is now inappropriate. Do not re-enter the spill area to perform rescue operations or participate in cleanup.

For more information and non-emergency questions, contact the Environmental Health and Safety Services Office (ext. 4132, 315-443-4132) or visit ehosu.syr.edu/EHOSU/display.cfm

Asbestos

If an incidental disturbance of asbestos or suspected asbestos containing material has occurred or if damaged asbestos or suspected asbestos containing material is identified, the following protocol should be followed:

  1. Clear the Area: Notify all persons in the immediate vicinity of the disturbed or damaged material to vacate the room/area. Any individuals potentially exposed or involved in the incident should stay in the vicinity of the incident for further evaluation.
  2. Close Off Access to the Room: Close the doors to the area and prevent entry into the area.
  3. Minimize the Spread of Contamination: If possible, contact Physical Plant (443-1234) to shut off the affected area’s ventilation.
  4. Notify the Physical Plant Environmental Shop (443-5697): or Environmental Health and Safety Services Office (443-4132) immediately; or after normal work hours contact the Department of Public Safety (443-2224).
  5. The Physical Plant Environmental Shop will perform any necessary asbestos testing and/or sampling and will facilitate the clean up or repair of the involved material.