Handling spillages

 

The individual departments decide what procedures for handling chemical spillages should apply at their various locations. The assessment should be based on risk assessments, the primary source of these being the directions for use of the substances involved. If work routines also affect the risk assessment, the risk assessments should be based on the chemical APVs.

 

A kit for handling spillages can be based on the following elements:

• Adsorbents (vermiculite, cat litter, absorbent rolls/cloths (Operma, PK Produkter))
• Chemical-resistant gloves (Nitril, 4H mm.)
• Breathing protection (combination filter/special filter)

Various types of scenarios should be considered; in some instances the speedy evacuation and sealing-off of the room may be more expedient, for example in the case of spillages of volatile hazardous chemicals outside the fume cupboards. Open windows may cause more damage than good by allowing the contamination to spread, but in cases where spillages lead to the formation of potentially explosive concentrations in the air, reducing the concentration may be more important than preventing a spread of the contamination.

 

It is important to consider possible scenarios and solutions before accidents happen, so as to be able to guarantee an effective response to any accidents.