University Police Emergency Procedures Guide

Hazardous Material Spills

Hazardous materials are substances with dangerous ingredients- particularly chemicals that can hurt the environment, cause injury, or even death

• Cover your mouth with clothing or a clean cloth to avoid breathing any vapor from the spill.
• Unless properly trained and equipped, DO NOT attempt to clean up the spill.

Chemical Spills

• If a hazardous material spill occurs, call 911 immediately.
• Provide appropriate details of the incident including type of chemical if known.
• Alert People around the spill to evacuate.
• If possible, control access to the affected area by closing doors.
• Cover your mouth with clothing or a clean cloth to avoid breathing any vapor from the spill.
• Unless properly trained and equipped, DO NOT attempt to clean up the spill.
• If personally contaminated, seek eye wash and/ or an emergency shower.
• Seek emergency medical attention immediately.
• Remove all contaminated clothing.
• Flush with copious amounts of cool water for 15 minutes ensuring you do not scrub the chemical into your skin.
• Turn off all ignition and heat sources.
• DO NOT pull the fire alarm unless there is a fire.
• Stay upstream, uphill, or upwind of the release.
• Remain a safe distance from the building until an All Clear is announced and directed to do so by the authorities.