Chemical Cleanout Toolkit
for Utah Schools
Appendix II: Emergency Response
SAMPLE Chemical Emergency Response Plan
Overview
The Chemical Emergency Response Plan should address:
- Preparation for, and identification and handling of chemical related accidents.
- Management of leaking or otherwise compromised containers, and compromised chemicals.
- Emergency disposal of shock-sensitives, other dangerous chemicals, and chemical spill materials.
- Gas leaks, plumbing leaks, electrical shorts or other utility emergencies.
- To evacuate if there is an incident.
Designate an emergency response coordinator
Assign responsibilities of the Coordinator and other staff during an emergency. Regulations require that Small Quantity Generators designate the coordinator who:
- Must be available 24 hours a day.
- Will serve as liaison between the school and the Emergency Responders to provide information on: the location and details of the incident; name of Emergency Hazardous Waste Contractor; location and contents of chemical storage areas; school layout; location and diagrams of shut-off valves for utilities; locations of MSDSs; etc.
Develop emergency response protocols
- Call 911 FIRST. The 911 Dispatcher will notify: the Fire Department to come to evaluate the problem; the Emergency Medical System if someone is hurt; and the Police if there is a need for security. The Fire Department will contact the District Haz Mat Team if necessary.
- Contact School Emergency Response Coordinator.
- Consult with the Fire Department to determine if you need to also call Utah DEQ if reportable quantities of spill material have been exceeded.
- Call an emergency hazardous waste contractor if their help is needed, or if the Fire Department or Utah DEQ requires you to. Check with them early on to provide an effective timeframe for the contractor to come. It is helpful to have a relationship with a hazardous waste contractor through regular waste pickups.
Provide chemical emergency response training
- Train the Emergency Response Coordinator, staff and administrators who use and/or responsible for chemicals, on the procedures outlined in the Emergency Response Plan.
- Define roles and responsibilities of staff.
- Provide examples on what constitutes an emergency.
- Provide information on the potential chemical hazards, how to identify an emergency, worst-case scenarios, evacuation plans, alarm systems, emergency shutdown procedures, location and use of common emergency equipment, proper emergency response, and any special chemical hazards in your school.
Emergency Response Plan
Diagrams of facility grounds
Emergency Response plan should include:
- Location of Chemicals - chemical use, prep and storage areas, and hazardous waste storage areas
- Types and general quantity of chemicals – corrosives, oxidizers, water reactives, flammables and poisons
- Master utility shut-off controls – identify and indicate utility shutoffs locations for electric, gas jets in lab, water sources, sprinkler control valves, and ventilation and/or exhaust systems. Also identify the room numbers the master utility serves.
- Entrances and emergency exits
- Emergency Response supplies and equipment - spill control equipment and supplies, emergency wash stations, first aid stations, fire extinguishers, and fire alarm systems, bells, sirens
Develop an evacuation and accountability plan
- Identify staff to facilitate an evacuation. All other staff should know which staff members are authorized to facilitate the evacuation.
- Include a diagram of evacuation route on floor plans and workplace maps.
- Post Evacuation Route throughout the school. Determine if you can use the same route as designated for fires.
- Identify safe distances and places of refuge.
- Develop a way to account for all building occupants during and after the incident, such as an assembly location where you can take a head count.
Develop communication systems
- Locate phones or two-way communication in or near chemical use and storage areas.
- Post emergency response information by communication devices in chemical use and storage areas.
- Develop a site security and control system to keep unauthorized people from entering the incident area.
- Develop a way to alert all building occupants about the incident, such as an alarm, public address system, etc.
Identify location, inventory and condition of emergency response equipment and supplies
- Emergency Deluge Showers
- Eyewash Stations
- Fire Extinguishers designed for use on the materials stored
- Wool Fire Blanket
Types of General Spill Management Supplies (Flinn, Inc., rule of thumb is to have twice as much of the following three items as the largest container of chemical that you store):
- Absorbents such as kitty litter – absorbs and contains spilled liquids and some of the vapors
- Sand – contains spill, provides traction, and prevents spill from migrating
- Neutralizers – Bases are used to neutralize inorganic acid spills and must be calculated in moles. Citric acid is used to neutralize strong bases.
- Specialty Spill Kits – e.g., Mercury Spill Kit, Acid Spill Kit
- Personal Protective Equipment – e.g., chemical splash goggles, chemical resistant aprons and gloves
Identify management of emergency response systems
- Location of Chemical Emergency Response Equipment and Supplies – locate wherever chemicals are prepped, used, and stored.
- Signage - post signs identifying the emergency response and first aid supplies, and keep the signs unobstructed.
Floor drain management
Manage drains to prevent chemical spills from entering. Some of the options include; permanent capping, using a temporary drain sealing material that is laid over the drain, or placing a berm around the drain by using a bead of silicon caulk around the rim (which could pose a trip hazard, depending on its location).
*Source: Massachusetts School Chemical Management Program, 2006
Flinn,Inc. Laboratory Safety Inspection Report, page 22, #72
Flinn,Inc. Laboratory Safety Inspection Report, page 22, #72
Step By Step Guide to Better Laboratory Management Practices, Washington State Department of Ecology Hazardous Waste and Toxics use Reduction Program, 1999
Next: Appendix III: Common Hazards
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