Due to its hazardous nature, as well as the difficulty and time involved in cleanup, every effort should be made to prevent spills of metallic mercury.
Globules can get into cracks and crevices, under table legs, and into and under equipment.
When a spill does occur, the following procedures should be used during cleanup, based on the size of the spill. Mercury spills with a volume greater than that found in a standard thermometer are considered large. Amalgamated mercury cannot be recycled and disposal is expensive. To eliminate potential contact with skin or clothing, appropriate protective equipment, such as that listed below, should be worn when working with mercury spills. The following equipment should be assembled prior to cleanup initiation.