Hazardous Substances Spill/Release Policy

Hazardous materials are stored in many settings and buildings on campus. The E.H.S. office maintains a chemical (CAMEO) inventory database of what rooms and buildings may have products that are considered hazardous. A copy of this chemical inventory is located in the University Police Department. When a hazardous material spill occurs the chemical inventory is the primary sought information by spill response personnel.

If a hazardous spill / release, has been called in by the responsible party and is considered "small" (under one gallon) and the person responsible states that he / she will be cleaning the spill / release, a University Police Officer shall respond to the scene and provide security to area until the person assuming responsibility cleans the spill / release in conformance with the UML Small Spill Emergency Response Procedures (see Emergency Response Procedures for Hazardous Substance Spills). Send a copy of the incident to the Environmental Health and Safety Department.

Emergency Response Procedures

When a spill or hazardous substance release has been reported by a person not familiar with the incident or is identified by a University officer, the following Emergency Response Procedures shall be followed:

1. If a spill / release is considered 'small' (less than one gallon) secure the room and evacuate occupants from that floor.
2. If a spill / release is considered 'large' or of a substance which is determined to be immediately dangerous to life and health by a responsible person associated with the room or incident, activate the fire alarm system to evacuate the entire building. Secure the building and meet the fire department at the building's main entrance.
   NOTE: If persons are found unconscious in a room, do not attempt to rescue unless you have a supplied air respirator. Activate the nearest fire alarm pull section. The City of Lowell Fire Department will respond usually within 3 minutes.
3. If persons are injured:
   • Page the University E.M.T.(s) for response.
   • Contact the ambulance service for transport of individuals to the hospital.
   • Contact Saints Memorial Hospital Emergency Room and brief them to expected injuries, what chemicals may have been involved and the estimated time of arrival of injured person(s) to their facility.
4. Maintain security of floor or building until Emergency Response Coordinator or responding agency releases area (E.H.S., Clean Harbors or Fire Department)
5. Contact the Emergency Response Coordinator, Richard Lemoine, Safety Specialist, by pager, or home telephone.
   If the Emergency Coordinator is unable to be contacted, call Clean Harbors , Inc., for emergency response.
   If Clean Harbors is unable to be contacted, call the Lowell Fire Department for Hazardous Materials Response Team to respond.
6. Provide the following information to responding emergency coordinator or agency:
   • Your name
   • Building address, name of building and room number.
   • Name or substance spilled / released (if known).
   • Approximate amount of substance spilled / released.
   • Person(s) injured. Type of injury sustained.
   • Any additional information known that may be relative to the situation.
   • What emergency response directives have been implemented.
   • Ask what their response time will be.
7. Contact the Dean associated with the building / room to alert him / her of the situation, and seek the name, phone number and address of the person who is responsible for the room.
8. Contact person familiar with the room and request his / her presence.
9. Contact Facility Manager, Dave Kiser, and inform him of the situation.
10. Do not allow the floor or the building to be occupied until the Emergency Response Coordinator or responding agency has stated that the room, floor or building is safe and clear of hazard(s).

Emergency Response Telephone Numbers

Contact Environmental Health and Safety Department, Richard B. Lemoine, ext. 2618, for clarification of information pertaining to this Response Procedure.