Spill kits with instructions, adsorbents, reactants, and protective equipment may be available for the clean-up of minor spills. A minor chemical spill is one that the laboratory staff is capable of handling safely without the assistance of safety and emergency personnel. All other chemical spills are considered major and necessitate the activation of the institutional spill response policy. Refer to inside front cover of this manual for additional information on emergency response. Special requirements have been established for determining and communicating the hazards related to chemicals produced in the laboratory.
Specific provisions vary based on intended use.
When a chemical of known composition is produced and is determined to be hazardous, the principal investigator or laboratory supervisor must ensure that the personnel who use this chemical are provided appropriate training and controls. Each investigator or laboratory supervisor has the responsibility to identify and characterize these unknowns as soon as possible so that it may be determined whether or not they are hazardous chemicals. Development of Labels. The target population for this class is all newly hired employees. The goals for this class are to familiarize employees with the pertinent regulations and Duke Chemical Safety Programs, to understand what safety and health resources are available at their work locations, and to improve employee awareness regarding chemical safety and health issues they may encounter in their work environments.