If you spill tea, coffee, or food then please clean it up immediately.

For larger spills, please raise a ticket with Estates and Facilities (eaf-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk or ext. 2580).

Biological agents are classified into four Hazard Groups (HG) according to their ability to cause human infection, the severity of the disease that may result, the risk that infection may spread into the community, and the availability of vaccines and effective treatment.

The following steps should only be taken by those trained and competent to do so. If you are unable to identify somebody with sufficient knowledge and understanding to conduct a spill cleanup, cordon off area and seek expert external assistance.

• Isolate spill or leak area immediately in all directions.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Obtain identity of substance involved.
• Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
• Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.
• Be particularly careful to avoid contact with;
  • broken glass or sharp objects that may cause cuts or abrasions that could significantly
  • increase the risk of exposure.
  • damaged packages containing solid CO2 (dry ice) as a refrigerant may produce water or frost
  • from condensation of air. Do not touch this liquid as it could be contaminated by the
  • contents of the package.
  • liquid nitrogen may be present and can cause severe burns.
• Absorb spilled materials with biological spill kit granules or other non-combustible material while avoiding direct contact.
• Cover damaged package or spilled material with damp towel or rag and keep wet with suitable disinfectant.

For information on biological safety please see Biological

Prevention is the best solution: it may seem obvious but the best way to deal with a chemical spill is to avoid it in the first place.  The key is to follow proper procedures for storing, transferring, handling, using and disposing of chemicals. All workers should be trained to recognise the hazards and proper procedures associated with the chemicals they may encounter, including action they need to take when a spill occurs.

The following steps should only be taken by those trained and competent to do so. If you are unable to identify somebody with sufficient knowledge and understanding to conduct a spill cleanup, cordon off area and seek expert external assistance.

• Isolate spill or leak area immediately in all directions.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Obtain identity of substance involved.
• Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
• Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.
• Be particularly careful to avoid contact with broken glass or sharp objects that may cause cuts or abrasions that could significantly increase the risk of exposure.
• Absorb spilled materials with chemical spill kit granules or other non-combustible material while avoiding direct contact.
• Cover damaged package or spilled material with damp towel or rag.  

If chemical / solvent spill is of significant volumes or amounts able to cause a fire, immediately treat as a fire incident and evacuate the area / building as per the QMUL Fire Evacuation Procedure Guidance on QM Emergency Fire Procedures [DOC 85KB]

Mercury spills do not normally present an imminent hazard unless the spill occurs in an area with poor ventilation. The main exposure route of mercury is via vapour inhalation. Consequently, if metallic mercury is not cleaned up adequately, the tiny droplets remaining in surface cracks and crevices may yield toxic vapours for years.

When a mercury spill occurs, first cordon off the spill area to prevent people from inadvertently tracking the contamination over a much larger area. Generally, a special mercury vacuum cleaner provides the best method of mercury spill cleanup. (DO NOT use a regular vacuum cleaner, because you will only disperse toxic vapors into the air and contaminate your vacuum cleaner). If a special mercury vacuum is not available, first use an appropriate suction device to collect the big droplets, then use a special absorbent (available from most laboratory supply vendors) to amalgamate smaller mercury droplets. The absorbent mixture typically is Sulphur with additional stabilisers. Note that Sulphur is hazardous in its own right, and would need effective skin and respiratory protection during handling

Remove all potential sources of ignition. Vapours are what actually burn, and they tend to accumulate near the ground. Flammable liquids are best removed through the use of spill pillows or pads.

Use appropriate absorbent material to control the extent of the spill. Spill pillows or similar absorbent material usually work best because they do not have the dust associated with cat litter, vermiculite or corn cobs.

Carefully select suitable personal protective equipment – check chemical breakthrough time, BS EN standard and quality standards to ensure they are effective. Make sure all skin surfaces are covered and that the gloves / goggles / lab coat or Tyvek suit you use protect against the hazards posed by the spilled chemical. Often it is a good idea to wear two sets of gloves: one as the primary barrier, the second as a thin inner liner in the event the primary barrier fails. When the cleanup is completed, be sure to wash hands and other potentially affected skin surfaces.

The following steps should only be taken by those trained and competent to do so. If you are unable to identify somebody with sufficient knowledge and understanding to conduct a spill cleanup, cordon off area and seek expert external assistance.

1. Prevent the spread of dusts, particles and vapours and protect yourself / others. If the substance is volatile or can produce airborne dusts. Close the laboratory door and increase appropriate exhaust ventilation (through fume hoods, for example) to prevent the spread of dusts and vapours to other unprotected areas.
2. Ensure all necessary personal protective equipment (including respiratory protective equipment) is in place for all those conducting the clean-up exercise, checked for effectiveness against the spilt material (e.g. breakthrough time,  protection factor) and any fitting has been conducted (e.g. face fit test for respiratory equipment) prior to the cleanup.
3. Check that all other materials and local / external permits necessary for the clean-up is in place, including transport.
4. Inactivation or neutralisation, only if possible and safe to do so. Spills of many liquid acids or bases, once neutralized, could be scooped up and collected into suitable compatible containers. However, be careful because the neutralisation process is often vigorous, causing splashes and yielding large amounts of heat. If safe to do so, neutralise acids with soda ash or sodium bicarbonate. Bases can be neutralized with citric acid or ascorbic acid. Use pH paper to determine when acid or base spills have been neutralised. Biological spills should be inactivated with a suitable and effective disinfectant. A 2x stock should be prepared for use.
5. Control the spread of the liquid. Contain the spill. Make a dike around the outside edges of the spill. Use absorbent materials such as vermiculite, cat litter (note - these may produce additional toxic gases with certain chemicals / solvents), or absorbent spill pillows.
6. Absorb the liquid. Add inert absorbents / neutralising agents (for acids / bases) or disinfectant (biological) to the spill, working from the spill's outer edges toward the center. Absorbent materials, such as cat litter or vermiculite, are relatively inexpensive and work well, although they are messy. Spill pillows are not as messy as other absorbents, but they are more expensive. Note that specific absorbents are required for chemicals such as hydrofluoric and concentrated sulphuric acids.
7. Collect and contain the cleanup residues. The neutralised spill residue or the absorbent should be scooped up without creating dusts and placed into an eco-lock bin or other suitable compatible plastic container. For dry powders or liquids absorbed to dryness, double bag the residue using plastic bags. Additional packaging may be required before the waste can be transported from your laboratory. For spills of powders or solid materials, you may need to add a dust suppressant. Be sure to place descriptive hazard labels (GHS symbol, name/s of chemicals solvents, date, person responsible, QMUL School or Institute – Centre, Building and Room Number) on each container.
8. Dispose of the waste. Keep clean-up waste separate from other wastes. Contact QMUL Health & Safety Directorate or your School / Institute contact to dispose of the waste via the hazardous chemical waste store. See Hazardous Waste
9. Decontaminate the area and affected equipment. Ventilating the spill area may be necessary. Open windows or use a fan unless the area is under negative pressure. In some instances, QMUL Health & Safety Directorate can test the air to ensure that hazardous vapours are gone. For smaller spills, conventional cleaning products, applied with a mop or sponge, will provide adequate decontamination. If you have any question about the suitability of a decontaminating agent, seek expert advice.

 Spill procedure - Clean-up guidance [PDF 317KB]

1. Raise the alarm by LOUDLY ANNOUNCING TO THOSE IN THE VICINITY ‘CHEMICAL / SOLVENT / BIOLOGICAL SPILL’. Quickly evaluate the toxicity, flammability, and other hazardous properties of the chemical / solvent or hazardous nature of the biological material as well as the size and location of the spill (for example, from a chemical fume hood or in a lift) to determine what assistance is necessary).

2. Evacuate others from the area to a safe place away from the spill.

3. If the affected person/s is/are conscious, assist affected person/s to a place of safety (a place not affected by the spill) only if you are able to do so without harming yourself or others.

• Do not enter enclosed cryogenic facilities when oxygen depletion monitors are sounding and / or if there is an indication that a significant amount of cryogenic liquids /gases have spilt or have been released.
• Do not enter confined / enclosed spaces where chemical / solvent vapours or biological organisms have been released.

4. Isolate the area by cordoning off the affected area with barriers, warning tape, hazard or warning signage and / or by closing doors and / or preventing unauthorised access.

5. If a person is unconscious and / or you are unable to assist, then immediately call for help from a safe place.

• DO NOT attempt lone rescues if you are unable to assist
• DO NOT tackle spill incidents if you are not competent to do so
• DO NOT go beyond what you know how to do

(QMUL does not have Breathing Apparatus equipment or personnel who are trained to use such equipment, so always call for the Fire Brigade if such a situation arises).

6. Call for Help using QMUL Emergency Number 0207 882 3333. State your;

• Name,
• Your location,
• Nature of incident (chemical / solvent / biological spill) and number of affected person/s
• Ask for a First Aider (first aid protocols will be followed)
• Ask for the Fire Brigade

(If no Building Based First Aider is available and/or if medical or other help is immediately required, call 9-999 for a paramedic / ambulance or the Fire Brigade, and then inform QMUL Security 3333.)

7. Ventilate the area – only if necessary and only if you are able to do so safely without causing further risks - by opening windows and doors and / or activating emergency ventilation exhausts. (Estates and Facilities Maintenance will need to be informed for assistance -contact via QMUL Emergency Number 3333)

• If a fire has started, DO NOT open windows or doors but keep them shut to contain the fire.
• If volatile chemicals or solvents have been released and a fire or explosion is likely, DO NOT open windows or doors but keep them shut to contain the fire / explosion. If an emergency exhaust ventilation system is in place (e.g. via a fume cupboard), remotely activate the system.
• If aerosol transmitted biological organisms have been released outside of containment, DO NOT open windows or doors. If an emergency exhaust ventilation system is in place (e.g. via a microbiological safety cabinet), remotely activate the system.

Spill - Emergency Protocol (chemical/solvent/biological) [PDF 351KB]

Caution: exposed person(s) may be a source of contamination.

Persons administering first aid should take precautions to avoid personal exposure or secondary contamination of others.

• Move exposed person(s) to a safe isolated area.
• Call emergency medical services. How to request first aid and emergency medical assistance [PDF 297KB]
• If clothing and/or shoes are significantly contaminated, remove and isolate them. However, do not allow this to delay other first aid interventions.
• In case of contact of the substance to skin, eyes, nose or mouth, immediately flush the exposed area with copious amounts of running water. Continue this until emergency medical services arrive. Then follow their advice for further decontamination.
• Most effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance are likely to be delayed.
• Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the substances involved, and take precautions to protect themselves.

For futher information of first aid please see First Aid Treatment

Documents 

• Spill Kits - Guidance on contents [PDF 718KB]
• Laboratory Chemical Solvent Biological Spill_Emergency Protocol [DOC 46KB]
• Personal Protective Equipment Policy

HSD web pages

• Biological
• Hazardous Waste
• Genetically Modified Organisms
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 
• Training Courses

External web pages

• HSE - Chemicals 
• HSE - Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

For advice or assiatance 

• Contact the H&S Manager / Advisor for your Faculty / PS or the subject lead at http://www.hsd.qmul.ac.uk/contact-us/ 
• All H&S staff can be contacted via the help desk at hs-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk