SolveYourProblem Article Series:
Home Emergency Preparation Tips &
Family Disaster Plans

What To Do In Case of a Chemical Spill

If you live or work near a chemical plant or any other area where chemicals are treated, you should take the time to establish a plan of action in case of a chemical spill. But even if the possibility of a chemical spill may not seem like an imminent threat, the dangers and risks associated with this type of disaster are great enough for everyone to take the time to learn more about the dangers of a chemical spill.

If you come into contact with a chemical spill in your workplace, first try to determine whether it is a low hazard or high hazard spill. If you suspect the spill is small or low hazard, you should still take specific steps to ensure your safety and the safety of others. First, don't panic. Alert everyone in the area of the spill and evacuate to a safe location. If there is time, try to ventilate the area. If you have access to windows, open them completely. If there is a chemical fume hood in the area of the spill, open the face of the hood completely to begin the ventilation process. Notify the appropriate personnel or officials immediately, and try to secure the area of the chemical spill so no unauthorized personnel can come into contact with the spill.

Never touch the chemical spill without protective clothing and gloves, even if you do not perceive immediate danger. Even if you do not smell dangerous gasses or vapors, do not assume they are not present. Many potent chemicals completely anesthetize the nose, temporarily eliminating the sense of smell. If you are absolutely certain that the chemical spill does not present an immediate danger to your health or the health of others, do whatever you can to control the spread of the chemical spill. At a minimum, try to prevent the spill from seeping across doorways, or spilling into open floor drains.

If you know of or suspect that flammable gasses or vapors may be involved, do not operate any electrical or motorized equipment, except to turn them off. Remove any sources of heat from the area of the chemical spill as well.

If someone has been injured during the course of the chemical spill, remove him or her entirely from the area so that they can get fresh air. Remove any items of clothing that may be contaminated. Get the person to a shower or other water source, and immediately flush their skin and eyes with clean water for at least fifteen minutes. After fifteen minutes of flushing with fresh water, use a gentle soap to clean their skin.

If you experience a chemical spill that is potentially an emergency or high hazard spill, you should take great care to avoid the area of the spill entirely. Emergency chemical spills are those that involves serious personal injury that requires immediate medical attention, cause uncontrollable volatility and fire hazards, cause airborne contamination, involves the contamination of a public area, involves any amount of metallic mercury being spilled, demands the use of a supplied air breathing mechanism, causes significant structural damage in the are of the spill, involves substances that are unknown, and involves a spill that will require a long and prolonged clean up.

Chemical spills classified as emergency or hazardous should only be treated by professionally trained individuals. If you come in close contact with this type of chemical spill, evacuate the area immediately. Try to isolate the area of the spill by locking any entrances to the area, or barricading the area with any materials you can find. If the chemical spill threatens to spread beyond the area, pull the nearest fire alarm to evacuate anybody who may be in the same building. Call 911 immediately after evacuation. Be on hand to answer any questions. Emergency personnel will want to know what chemical was involved, the amount of chemical that was spilled, and information on the precise location of the spill.

If you are ever unsure as the nature of the chemical spill, it is a good idea to assume that the hazard level is high. Treat this type of chemical spill as a high hazard spill. Evacuate and secure the area, and contact the appropriate authorities immediately.

# # # # #

SolveYourProblem.com : 2006

> Home > Emergency / Disaster Articles : Main Page