Leaks & Spills

Laboratory staff shall clean chemical spills and contaminated areas that are bench scale and in which they have adequate materials to respond.

Take prompt action to prevent further release or harm to persons in the area if any hazardous, radioactive or biohazard material is spilled or is leaking.

If the spill is large, you do not have appropriate equipment or you feel uneasy, contact EH&S at 910.962.3057 for assistance. After hours, call 911.

Fill out the Unwanted Material Form after containing the spill or evacuating the area.

EH&S recommends that each laboratory have a spill kit. Since each laboratory uses different chemicals, the spill kit should be specific to the hazards present in that laboratory.

When available, EH&S supplies 1L, 4L or 5-gallon waste containers for disposing of liquid lab waste. Please call EH&S to request a waste container.

Broken glass containers, once full, can be disposed of directly into the dumpster by lab personnel. The liquid hazardous waste is disposed of and managed by EH&S. A Unwanted Material Form is available from EH&S and must be submitted prior to pick-up. All waste must be properly labeled.

Please make sure all waste containers are labeled, kept closed and are protected from breakage. Any fines for improper waste handling are the responsibility of the generating department.

If you notice the smell of natural gas or other strange odor, this may be the first signal of a hazardous materials release that could result in a loss of life or damage to property or the environment. Take prompt action to notify appropriate parties to investigate.

Notify the Physical Plant and EH&S at 910.962.3057 for assistance. After hours, call 911.

Provide the following information:

• Your Name
• Department
• Building
• Room
• Description of odor
• Time odor first observed
• Is this the first occurrence
• Leave the area immediately if you begin coughing, wheezing or have watery eyes
• Activate the fire alarm system to evacuate the building
• Do not close the door as this will concentrate fumes
• Evacuate to a safe distance and meet with authorities to provide information regarding the odor or leak