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Environmental Health & Safety

Chemical Spill/Emergency Planning

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In an academic setting, chemical spills and accidental releases are inevitable due to the large number of chemical containers handled by faculty, staff, and students. The high volume of usage increases the likelihood of such incidents. Therefore, it is essential to understand and follow proper spill cleanup and disposal procedures. TCU will manage chemicals in a responsible manner that minimizes potential environmental and health impacts and fully considers all legal regulations and requirements, and governmental policies.

Faculty, staff, and students working in areas where chemicals are used must receive training on the hazards associated with the chemicals and the appropriate methods for responding should a spill occur, including proper clean up and disposal of chemical spills.

Academic Facilities (Laboratories)

It is the responsibility of the faculty and lab instructors to know the characteristics of the chemicals they work with and to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and students in containing spills that occur. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for each hazardous chemical will be maintained in hardcopy or accessible electronic format, available to all pertinent personnel.

TCU uses MSDS online, a comprehensive online database to provide the University community with easy access to SDSs. Each Principal Investigator (PI) or area manager is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date inventor of manufacturer-specific chemicals in their area or laboratory.

Work Areas

It is the responsibility of employees to know the chemicals they work with and to take precautions to protect themselves in containing spills that occur. Individual departments are responsible for maintaining a current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every chemical used in the workplace.

General Information

  • Every container used to store a chemical must be labeled. Prior to using the chemical, the employee shall read the label and SDS.
  • Store each chemical in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Anticipate spills by having the proper safety equipment on hand.
  • Learn where emergency showers and eyewashes are located.
  • Alert personnel in the immediate area of the spill of what has occurred.
  • Do what is necessary to protect life, including evacuation if necessary.
  • The SDS will contain information on proper clean-up procedures. An SDS must be available for every chemical used in the workplace.
  • If the spill is too large to handle, is a threat to personnel, students, the public, or the environment, involves radioactive materials, infectious agents, a highly toxic or reactive chemical, or if you have doubts, immediately call for assistance. Contact the Hazardous Material Safety Manager at 817-257-5395.

Basic Cleanup Procedures - For Minor Spills

  • Only trained personnel should attempt to clean up spills. 
  • Clear all persons from the area who are not directly involved in the cleanup.
  • Obtain a safety data sheet (SDS) for the spilled chemical.
  • Place all spilled materials in a sealed container and contact the Hazardous Material Safety Manager (safety@tcu.edu) for disposal.

Low Hazard Material Spills

  • These spills are described as having no fire hazard and are not particularly volatile, toxic, or corrosive (e.g., salt solutions).
  • If available, use an absorbent material such as: Trisodium Phosphate, Powdered Citric Acid (for bases), Sodium Bicarbonate (for acids), Sand/Clay Absorbent, Paper towels, and Absorbent pillows.
  • A dustpan and brush should be used to pick up the waste. Protective gloves and goggles should be worn.
  • Decontaminate the area with soap and water after the clean-up.
  • Place residue in a compatible container and prepare the container for waste storage and collection.
  • Contact the Hazardous Material Safety Manager at safety@tcu.edu for disposal or assistance.

Volatile, Flammable, or Toxic Material Spills

  • Notify all personnel in the area.
  • Extinguish flames and all sources of ignition, if possible.
  • Maintain fume hood ventilation, if applicable.
  • Vacate the area and call for assistance.
  • Contact the Hazardous Material Safety Manager for all hazardous chemical spills (after hours contact the TCU Police at 817-257-7777).

Mercury Spills

  • Notify all personnel in the area.
  • Use a trapped vacuum line attached to a tapered glass tube similar to a medicine dropper to pick up mercury droplets.
  • Do not use a domestic or commercial vacuum cleaner.
  • Cover all small droplets in accessible areas with one of the following: Sodium Polysilifide Solution, Powdered Sulfur, Silver Metal Compounds.
  • Prepare material for waste storage and disposal.
  • Contact the Hazardous Material Safety Manager at safety@tcu.edu for disposal pickup.

Radioactive Spills

  • Notify all personnel in the immediate area of the danger
  • Isolate the area.
  • Notify the Radiation Safety Officer - 817-257-5395
  • Follow decontamination procedures.

Injuries and Illness

  • Employees and students must notify their immediate supervisor or instructor of any illness and/or injury related to exposure to hazardous chemicals. 
  • Contact TCU Police at 817-257-7777.
  • Do not move seriously injured or ill persons unless they are in further danger.
  • Supervisors and instructors should access the Safety Data Sheet of the chemical to which the injured person has been exposed for use by the treating physician. The supervisor or instructor should be prepared to provide the following basic information to emergency personnel: Name, location and nature of emergency, name of the chemical involved, amount of the chemical, area involved, and symptoms.
  • Once the immediate danger has passed, contact Risk Management at 817-257-7711. 
  • For employee injuries, the department supervisor shall notify Risk Management at 817-257-7711.
  • For student injuries, instructors shall notify TCU Police.

Resources & Forms
TCU Hazard Communication Program (HAZCOM) 
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Pictogram

Training
Individuals who use hazardous chemicals in their workplace shall be trained. They will be informed of OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard and measures they can take to protect themselves and others from the hazards. Assignments of the online training courses listed below are administered by the Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator and Hazardous Material Safety Manager. For further training information, contact safety@tcu.edu. 

Hazard Communication - HZC-1.2
This online course addresses the purpose and requirements of a hazard communication (HAZCOM program), and informs how to identify chemical hazards, controls in the workplace, sources of information for workplace chemical hazards, and requirements for medical recordkeeping. 

Laboratory Safety in Research and Education - UNV-8.2
The online course teaches individuals to identify common physical and chemical laboratory hazards and related safe work practices required as recommended by OSHA. Additionally, it addresses standard emergency response procedures for individuals engaging in campus laboratories.