Chemical spills and releases of oil can present a serious danger to people, the environment, and property. Spills are preventable, but if they do happen, planning and training are vital to a safe, efficient, and appropriate response.
Chemical Spills
The Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), also known as the Laboratory standard, requires employers to develop a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP), and the CHP requires detailed procedures for addressing chemical spills and other emergencies.
Chemical Spill Response Plans
All Tulane groups that use or store hazardous chemicals must implement a Chemical Spill Response Plan. OEHS has developed a Chemical Spill Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for groups working with or storing hazardous chemicals. This SOP can be tailored to include instructions specific to the group's location, operations, equipment, and hazards.
Read and familiarize yourself with the Chemical Spill Response Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). As part of your overarching Spill Response Plan, ensure that (1) group members have read and understand the SOP; (2) members have been specifically trained on spill response procedures based on the chemicals that they handle*, and are familiar with the location and use of emergency equipment and chemical spill kits; and (3) appropriate spill kits for the chemicals in your work area are available and stocked.
*Note: Online general training does not take the place of specific, hands-on training provided by supervisory lab members.
Categorizing Spills
Chemical spill response procedures depend on the spill's classification as a Major or Minor spill.
A Major spill if any of the following conditions are present: (1) medical attention needed; (2) uncontrolled release of a chemical; (3) imminent fire or explosion; (4) serious respiratory hazards; (5) incompatible materials that can react violently or create hazardous byproducts; (6) on-site personnel are not trained or equipped to respond to the spill; (7) identity of the chemical unknown; (8) chemical may or has reached the environment; (9) natural gas leak; (10) potential for significant property damage.
Major spills require evacuation of the area and immediate reporting to TUPD via the emergency phone number located on the back of your Splash Card! These numbers are listed below.
DOWNTOWN TUPD: 504-988-5555
UPTOWN TUPD: 504-865-5911
PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER: 985-871-6411
OEHS has developed a Chemical Spill Response Flow Chart to aid in the classification of spills. Review and familiarize yourself with the flow chart. Include the Chemical Spill Response Flow Chart in your Spill Response Plans.
- Chemical Spill Response Flow Chart [to be added]
Chemical Spill Kits
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Resources
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) is a regulation at 40 CFR 112 that specifies requirements for certain facilities to prevent oil spills into navigable waters or adjacent shorelines.
The SPCC planning requirements apply to Tulane, and oil spills on Tulane campuses have the potential to reach navigable water or adjoining shores. Stormwater runs off from the Uptown and Downtown campuses eventually reaches the street, enters a city storm drain, and flows through the city drainage system to Lake Pontchartrain.
SPCC Plans
An integrated Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) / Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) Contingency Plan has been jointly prepared for the Uptown and Downtown campuses, and the Tulane Primate Research Center has a standalone SPCC Plan. To request more information or a copy of the plans, email oehs@tulane.edu.
