Planning for a chemical spill in the workplace is essential and having the appropriate kit on hand can be as important as having the right fire extinguisher. There are a variety of spill kits available and you may need more than one type. If several different chemicals are in use, there should be enough spill kits that are specific for neutralizing that chemical.

The kits should be located near the chemical storage area and they must be readily accessible. If different types of chemicals are stored in the facility in separate places, spill kits designed to contain or absorb those chemicals should be nearby. The number on hand should be more than adequate to handle the volume of chemicals that are present and could spill. MSDS information on all chemicals should be kept nearby so all employees can have access to this information.

Many spill kits contain personal protective equipment (PPE) for one person and additional supplies may be needed. The PPE must be adequate for the safe cleanup of the specific chemicals and employees must be trained in their use. This should include how to use:

• gloves
• goggles
• face shields
• respirators
• protective aprons
• disposable jackets or coveralls
• boots or shoe covers

Just as OSHA requires all chemicals to be clearly labeled, the kits must be easily identifiable for their use in controlling specific chemicals. Spill kits come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from a small container to a 5 gallon bucket or a 50 to 95 gallon drum, a cart, a bag, on a caddy, or in a container compact enough to fit into the tight confines of a truck cab. There are:

• Universal Spill Kits
• Kits to neutralize Acids
• Kits to neutralize Bases
• Kits to handle Solvents
• Mercury Cleanup Kits
• Halogen Spill Kits
• Battery Acid Control and Cleanup Kits
• Kits to deal with an oil or oil-based chemical spill
• Kits designed to safely control and cleanup spills of fuels, lubricants, and hydrocarbon fluids.

Spill kits contain a variety of absorbent materials, absorbent pads, and may have spill containment socks and dikes as well as a drain blocker. There will be cleanup materials and disposal bags, MSDS information, and instructions. Kits can be customized to meet the needs of each work area as most supplies are also sold separately and in varying volumes.

Any employee, who works with hazardous chemicals or who may be around the area where they are used or stored, must be able to detect their presence or release. Everyone must know WHEN and HOW to use the spill kits and personal protective equipment. There must be on-going training for all employees and a special effort should be made to familiarize new employees early on the use of the kits and PPE.

Inadequate or improper cleanup of a chemical spill may result in injury or illness, fire or explosion, a release to the environment, and property damage. Having adequate supplies on hand and employees trained in their use can make the difference between a minor incident and a major environmental disaster.

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Mercury has been defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a hazardous material. In addition, mercury is a toxic substance that can cause some severe health consequences. The severity of these problems depend upon:

• Quantity of mercury that was able to enter your body
• Length of time you were exposed to the mercury
• Your body’s response to the mercury

Mercury remains liquid at room temperature and is used in a variety of household, industrial and chemical products, such as thermometers, barometers, blood pressure manometers, and fluorescent and energy saving light bulbs. It is necessary in outdoor lighting, motion picture projection, and even in the production of certain medications.

A small mercury spill is about the size of a dime or quarter and measures less than one fluid ounce or less than two tablespoons. A greater amount is considered a large spill.
You can be exposed to mercury by:

• Breathing in the vapors which are readily absorbed by the lungs
• By direct skin contact, especially through a wound or cuts
• By eating food that has been contaminated with mercury
• By drinking mercury contaminated water

Mercury is harmful to animals and humans and children are more susceptible than adults. Exposure to even small amounts over a long period of time may cause brain damage, lung, liver, and kidney problems as well as damage to a fetus. The level of mercury in the body can be measured through blood and urine tests, as well as studies on hair samples. High levels of mercury can cause immediate physical symptoms, which include:

• Insomnia
• Loss of appetiteExcessive fatigue
• Noticeable changes in behavior or personality

With longer exposure, additional symptoms appear:

• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Skin rashes
• Muscle tremors

When the exposure is stopped or the source removed, the symptoms usually disappear. However, effects upon the brain and nervous system may be permanent. Mercury is eliminated slowly from the body through urination and bowel movements.

The amount of mercury in a broken thermometer is usually considered a small spill and should be cleaned up promptly. Using a mercury spill kit is helpful and effective. A spill from a blood pressure device or a larger source can produce higher levels of airborne mercury, which necessitates different cleanup methods.

It only takes a small amount of mercury to create an unhealthy level of poisonous vapors. When mercury is spilled on carpet, usually by breaking thermometers, a thermostat, or fluorescent light bulbs, you have a problem. The mercury can not be cleaned up with an ordinary household vacuum or shop vac as this only creates deadly vapors and droplets. This spreads the mercury around and also contaminates your vacuum.

There are special vacuums that have been developed to safely pick up and contain the mercury but there are rigid standards for their use and handling. This is not a piece of equipment that can ‘be rented out for a quick cleanup”. These vacuums sell for over $5000.00 and they are generally used in industry, by chemical hygiene companies, and emergency response and cleanup teams.

When you’re dealing with a mercury spill on carpet, you must decide how you’re going to handle it. Will you try to clean it up? Will you just simply remove the carpet?

Factors Affecting Your Decision Should Depend Upon The Severity Of Risk

• Quantity of mercury spilled.
• How much can be collected from the carpet?
• The type of room where spill occurred.
• How is the room used?
• Since young children and pregnant women are in a high risk category, will they be using this room often?
• If you decide upon clean-up, rather than carpet removal, your local health department or a spill response contractor might be able to monitor the room for the presence of any missed mercury. However, this can be costly.
• The monetary value of that portion of carpeting should be weighed against the cost of monitoring or the peace of mind resulting from its complete removal.

Removal Of The Contaminated Carpet

• Cut out the entire portion that contains mercury beads.
• Use a flashlight to look for any tiny beads of mercury hiding deep in the carpet pile.
• Double wrap the contaminated carpet in plastic and seal it tightly.
• Contact your local health department, EPA office, or fire marshal for disposal instructions.

Cleanup Of Mercury (If you decide to try to clean up the mercury from the carpet)

• Use a spill kit and follow the instructions.
• These kits contain powdered sulfur or zinc which is sprinkled over the spill. Be sure to cover all these areas with the powder as it binds with the mercury.
• Use a flashlight to find any mercury in cracks or crevices; sprinkle the powder there, too.
• This amalgam makes a brownish yellow powder which should be cleaned up using a dustpan and brush.
• Place amalgam in a disposal bag, seal tightly for disposal.
• Dispose according to local, state, or federal regulations.

Any young children or pets that were playing on the carpet in the area of the spill could be at risk from mercury’s effects upon the central nervous system. Your physician or local health department should be contacted to see if further testing is necessary.

• Highly explosive
• Very toxic
• Flammable
• Corrosive
• Volatile or unstable

Next, the employee situation and resources should be quickly evaluated:

• Has anyone been injured?
• Is the spill life-threatening or presenting a danger of fire or an explosion?  
• Are the employees on hand well- trained?
• Are there adequate supplies to handle this spill?
  

Using the Acid Spill Kit
If a spill occurs:

1. Evacuate the area or cordon off the spill.
2. Call 911 or emergency help if needed.
3. Take care of anyone who might have been contaminated by the acid, following approved first aid procedures.
4. Use personal protective equipment provided in the acid spill kit.
5. If the spill is small, apply neutralizer to it. This is usually a powder to be sprinkled over the spill.
6. Use a sufficient quantity of neutralizer. Its polymers will neutralize and encapsulate the chemical.
7. The spill will become a gel and its color will change, an indication that it has been neutralized. 
8. Use the whisk broom and dust pan from the kit to clean up the gel.
9. Place this material in the bag that comes in the kit. 
10. Dispose of according to federal, state and local regulations.
    

All employees should be trained in the use of the Spill Kits and if there is a variety of chemicals in the workplace, employees must know which spill kit is appropriate for each. Any spill that is not contained and cleaned up properly can become an emergency.

• Assess the risk and identify the volume and type of chemical spilled.
• Assess the amount of spill control supplies that are immediately available.
• Summon HAZ-MAT or Emergency Response Team if necessary.
• Evacuate everyone who is not wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Restrict access to spill area. 
• Select and use PPE to be worn while managing the spill.
• Confine the spill using absorbent socks, dikes, pillows, booms, drain blocker.
• Stop the source of the spill, which may mean: 
  • Closing a valve
  • Plugging a leak
  • Repairing a valve, ruptured pipeline, or chemical storage barrel, if possible
    

• Larger Acid Spill Kits contain a Spill Gun which contains an Acid Spill Neutralizer. This allows workers to handle a spill from a safe distance and it can also be used to pinpoint hard to reach areas.
• This technology allows a one-step application to mitigate dangerous vapors and fumes while neutralizing the spilled material. It decreases additional release of toxic vapors. This is very important as when neutralizing chemicals are applied to the spill, heat is generated and more vapors could result. Instead, a foam blanket is created which suppresses vapors from the spill
• The neutralizer acts as a natural gas/vapor scrubber and  decreases the heat that is given off by the chemical action
• A color indicator shows the degree and rate of neutralization.
• Chemical spill will gradually solidify to a neutralized gel which can be cleaned up
• Neutralized material is disposed of in appropriate containers or bags.