SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURE

Minor Spill Response

Safety glasses or chemical goggles must be worn / Gloves must be worn when cleaning up spill material
Appropriate footwear with substantial uppers must be worn. / Protective clothing must be worn
Respiratory protection may be required depending on spilt substance. / Definition : Minor Spill
Spills that do not pose a significant risk to employees or students in the immediate vicinity or the environment. These spills do not have the potential to become an emergency within a short time frame.
FM HELPDESK: 83000 / QUT SECURITY: 88888 / EMERGENCY SERVICES: 000

Applies to All FM Staff and Contractors.

CORRECTION:
  1. Do not put yourself in danger. If the spillage is greater than 2.5lt; is a toxic substance; it poses a fire hazard or if you need additional assistance notify the FM Help Desk (83000) or Security (88888) after hrs.
  2. Immediately alert area occupants and supervisor.
  3. Clear the area. Check that others working close by are made aware of spill.
  4. Establish adequate ventilation. Vent vapours to outside of building only (i.e., open windows and turn on fume hoods or extraction fans if possible).
  5. Remove ignition sources and turnoff then unplug nearby electrical equipment.
  6. Attend to any people who may be contaminated and/or affected by the spill material. Contaminated clothing must be removed immediately and the skin flushed with water for no less than fifteen minutes.
  7. Consult the MSDS. The MSDS will have instructions on how to deal with specific substance spills. Where a substance is unknown, or the MSDS not available, always treat as hazardous. The hazards of the material and the correct clean-up procedures should be properly understood before proceeding to containment and clean-up phase.
  8. Assess whether assistance from the FM Spill Response Crew is required.
CONTAINMENT:
  1. Locate the nearest spill kit.
  2. Wear appropriate PPE to avoid breathing-in vapours and to prevent contact with skin and eyes.
  3. Providing it is safe to do so, stop the spill at its source. This may simply mean righting an overturned container, sealing holes or cracks in containers, or may require assistance to isolate pipes or tanks.
  4. Contain free liquids by damming using containment booms. Spill socks and absorbents may be placed around drains, as needed.

Ref: SOP805_032_Minor spills.docx / V 1:11 1 of 3
Product / Additional Specific Containment & Clean Up Procedures /
Petrol,
Diesel,
Lubricants, and Hydraulic Fluid / ·  Remove all ignition sources.
·  Increase ventilation by opening windows (if indoor).
·  Use clean non-sparking tools to collect the material and place into a suitable labelled container.
·  Absorb spilled product with kitty litter, sand, earth or vermiculite.
·  Collect residues in a flammable waste container. /
Cooking Oil / ·  The spillage should be contained with cellulose fibre based product e.g.: sawdust, Ecosweep™; Enertech ™, Global Peat™.
Strong Acid / ·  The spillage should be contained with earth or sand and or neutralised with commercial acid neutralisers. Alternatively, special non leaching absorbents/materials suitable for strong concentrations of acids or alkaline may be used instead. ( Note: Unisorb ™ in FM kits for this purpose)
·  Spill kits containing soda ash (sodium bicarbonate) can be sprinkled liberally over the spill.
·  Do not use rags or sawdust to clean up oxidising acid spills.
Strong Alkali / ·  The spillage should be contained with earth or sand and or neutralised with commercial acid neutralisers. Alternatively, special non leaching absorbents/materials suitable for strong concentrations of acids or alkaline may be used instead. ( Note: Unisorb ™ in FM kits for this purpose)
·  Any residual alkali should be washed with water ensuring that no contact occurs between washings and any aluminium or zinc containers.
Pesticide/Herbicide / ·  Increase ventilation by opening windows (if indoors).
·  Contain and absorb liquid spills with kitty litter.
·  Collect contaminated absorbent, place in plastic-lined metal drum.
Solvents/Paint / ·  Remove all ignition sources.
·  Increase ventilation by opening windows (if indoors).
·  Spills of organic solvents (e.g., turpentine and methylated spirits) should be absorbed using DRY earth, sand or a proprietary product suitable for the absorption of the liquid.
·  Commercial solvent neutralisers, such as Solusorb, act to reduce vapours and raise the flashpoint of the mixture.
·  Flammable solvents can be cleaned up with absorbent rags which then should be stored in vented containers.
·  Do not store the vented containers indoors.
Ref: SOP805_032_Minor spills.docx / V 1:11 1 of 3
CLEAN-UP:
  1. There should be two people present when cleaning up a spill.
  2. Neutralise acids / alkalis substances (if required).
  3. Loose spill control materials should be distributed over the entire spill area, working from the outside, circling to the inside. This reduces the chance of splash or spread of the spilled hazardous material. Use absorbent material as indicated in the MSDS or above.
  4. When spilled materials have been absorbed, use brush and scoop to place materials in an appropriate container (as described in MSDS). Polyethylene bags may be used for limited volumes.
  5. Mop or clean the affected surface with water.
  6. Collect solid residues, place into an appropriate sealed and labelled container for disposal as indicated in the MSDS or QUT Chemical Disposal Scheme. The method of disposing this waste will depend on the amount and the type of hazardous material that was spilt.
If the spill does enter open ground, storm water drains, or waterways, let your supervisor know so further prompt action can be taken.

References

  1. QUT FM PM800 H& S PLN805_017 - Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials Spills or Leaks Response.
  2. QUT FM PM800H & S SOP805_033 – Major Spill Response

Authorised by: Harvey Baldwyn – Maintenance Services Manager – QUT Facilities Management –

Date: 8th August 2011

Ref: SOP805_032_Minor spills.docx / V 1:11 1 of 3