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F.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENT
The Baton Rouge metropolitan area is highly
industrialized where multiple risks of
hazardous material exist. The University is
bordered on by the Mississippi River on the
west, a major petrochemical plant on the
south, a major highway which serves as a
main thoroughfare for the transportation of
chemical and petroleum products, and two (2)
major railroad routes on the east. More
petrochemicals plants, a municipal landfill,
a hazardous waste disposal company and a
nuclear power plant are located further
north of the campus.
1.
Off-Campus Release
A major off-campus release could require
sheltering or evacuation of all or part
of the campus. The implementation of
this protective action on the campus
will be closely coordinated with the
Parish EOC to ensure the timely
integration of the traffic flow from the
University campus into the routing
designated by the Parish.
2.
On-Campus Incident
If you create or discover a spill or
release and are unable to control or
clean up the spill, someone is injured
or ill, or there is fire or an explosion
this is an emergency and you should:
a. Close off
area to prevent further
contamination, and restrict access
to the area.
b. Activate
fire alarm.
c. Evacuate
building or area.
d. Follow
Building Evacuation Procedures.
e. Immediately
report any spill or release of a
hazardous chemical, from a safe
location using the Hazardous
Material Release/Spill Report.
f. Call
University Police and provide:
Your
name
Name of
material spilled, if known
Estimated amount
Exact
location of spill
Report
injuries
Actions
you have taken
g. Once
outside, move to an area that is at
least 300 feet away from the
affected building, and not downwind.
Keep streets and walkways clear for
emergency vehicles and crews.
DO NOT RETURN TO
AN EVACUATED BUILDING
unless authorized
by responding emergency personnel.
If the release or
spill of hazardous material is "minor"
and capable of being cleaned up without
the assistance of emergency personnel,
the following steps should be taken:
h. Wear
respiratory protection and other
appropriate personal protective
equipment. Check the Material Safety
Data Sheet for specific
instructions.
i. If a
flammable material, eliminate all
sources of ignition in the area.
This may involve shutting off
electrical power and vehicular or
motorized equipment in the area.
j. Clean spill
area with appropriate cleaning
solution. (Check MSDS).
k. Should
decontamination be required for
employees or other personnel exposed
to hazardous materials, contact the
University Chemical and Hazardous
Material safety Officer for
assistance.
3.
Radioactive Spill Response
If a spill of radioactive material
cannot be controlled or cleaned up with
available resources, results in a person
being injured and/or there is a fire or
explosion, the Emergency Response Plan
should be activated:
Immediate Actions
Close
off the area
Pull
fire alarm and evacuate building
Call
University Police or 9-911 (from
a Campus phone) or 911
4.
Response to Minor Radioactive Spills
Minor spills are those spills of a few
micro-curies of activity where the
radionuclide does not become airborne
and emergencies where there is no
personal injury. Lab personnel can
utilize a spill response kit to handle
most minor spills.
a. Prevent Spread of Contamination
(1) Immediately notify all persons in
room or area about the spill.
(2) Limit
access to the area of the spill to
those persons needed for cleanup
purposes. Do not let other persons
into the area until spill is
decontaminated.
(3) Confine
spill and prevent spread of
contamination, (i.e., cover the
spill with absorbent materials). If
a liquid spilled from an intact
container, return container to the
upright using gloves or a lever.
(4) If
volatile (dusts, fumes, gases)
materials are involved, turn off all
fans and shut off room ventilation
system, but keep fume hood on to
keep the room under negative
pressure.
(5) Limit the
movement of persons involved who may
be contaminated, and do not them
leave area until they are surveyed
for contamination.
(6) Survey
potentially contaminated personnel.
If the spill is on clothing, remove
/ cut contaminated clothing, and
package it separately as
radioactive. If skin is
contaminated, immediately wash it
with water and soap.
(7) Survey the
entire area and mark contaminated
areas using magic markers.
b. Pre-Decontamination Procedures
(1) Wear
protective attire (heavy-duty
rubber gloves, lab coat, safety
glasses, footwear).
(2)
Re-evaluate (i.e., monitor) the
extent of the contamination,
survey the entire lab/area. Make
sure all contaminated areas are
identified and marked.
(3) Make a
decontamination plan. What to
clean first, how many people
need to be involved, who should
remain in clean area to bring
supplies... etc.
c. Decontamination
(1) Clean
wet spills or wet contamination
using absorbent paper/towels by
wiping it. Start at the outside
edge of the spill and work
inward. After the liquid is
cleaned, treat the residue as
dry contamination (see next
item).
(2) For
dry contamination, dampen
absorbent paper towel and/or the
contaminated surface.
(Generally, water may be used,
except where a chemical reaction
with the water could generate an
air contaminant or a chemical or
physical hazard. Mineral oil or
another predetermined organic
solvent should then be used.)
(3) Wipe
down area starting at the
outside edge of the contaminated
area and working inward.
(4) Powder
or resin bead spills, do not dry
mop it. If dusts are possible,
wear appropriate respiratory
protection, and decontaminate
using a high efficiency HEPA
filter vacuum. If HEPA-filtered
vacuum is not available,
carefully dampen the
contaminated area making sure
the solution used (e.g., water,
vinegar, etc.) does not react
with the spill.
(5) Once
moistened, clean using the
procedures for a wet spill.
(6)
Dispose of the absorbent paper
into yellow plastic radioactive
waste bags after each use; mark
the waste with "Caution
Radioactive Material" tape.
Decontamination solutions must
not be allowed to drip onto
other surfaces.
d. Decontamination Supplies
(1) Yellow
plastic bags, "Caution
Radioactive Material" tape,
absorbent materials (e.g.,
absorbent paper, "floor dry"),
decontamination detergents
(e.g., mild soap, lava,
vinegar), and rope or tape,
bucket of water, decontamination
solutions, scrubbers, brushes,
mops....etc.
(2)
Protective clothing, heavy duty
plastic gloves or a box of
disposable gloves, lab coat,
footwear, and safety glasses.
(3)
Portable radiation survey meter,
swipes and alcohol (to moisten
wipes).
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