Emergency Spill Procedures

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Policy Number: Chem-1

Title: The Emergency Response Plan for Hazardous Substances Releases

Effective Date: 1/87

Revision: R4- 9/07

Number of Pages:7

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EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RELEASES ON UA's UPTOWN & DOWNTOWN CAMPUSES - EXCLUDING the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering

This plan is designed to describe proper actions and procedures to be followed by University employees during an emergency or event involving hazardous materials, such as a fire, explosion, or release/spill.

Furthermore, this plan includes information necessary to respond to an emergency situation, in order to prevent or minimize hazards to human health or the environment and contain the incident, if possible, until professional responders, such as the Albany or *McKownville Fire Department can take over the response.

This plan is an annex of the University at Albany's Campus Emergency Response Plan. If the scope of the emergency is deemed to be a Level 2 or Level 3 emergency, as defined by the Campus Emergency Response Plan, the Campus Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated and the Emergency Management Team (EMT) will be summoned to the EOC. The EMT Leader/Incident Commander determines whether to activate the Campus Emergency Response Plan, whether to convene all or part of the EMT and designates the incident's emergency level.

This plan, its contents, and emergency notification procedures shall be made available to all appropriate University employees.

In the event of an imminent or actual emergency situation on University property involving hazardous materials/hazardous waste in a fire, explosion or release/spill:

1. Appropriate emergency response is summoned by one or more of the following:

1. Activation of facility alarm systems
2. Telecommunication over University's 24 hour emergency numbers:

Power Plant 442-3444

University Police 911

Either action will trigger an immediate response to summon the Albany or *McKownville Fire Department and University Police to the appropriate University facility and scene of the emergency.

Tactical command will be established at a safe location by the first responders. Unified Command will be established, as necessary, with multiple agency responders. Medical assistance will also be summoned for first aid and medical treatment.

Upon activation of the facility alarm system or other notification to evacuate the building, all building occupants should proceed to the nearest exit following posted evacuation signs. After exiting the building, all personnel should move at least 100 feet away from the evacuated building. No one is to re-eneter the building until authorized to do so.

The person who discovered and initially reported the incident must be available to assist and direct proper response personnel to the incident location.

University Police will assume responsibility for site security and crowd and traffic control.

1. In the event of a Level 1 incident, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety or alternate will be summoned. In the event of a Level 2 or Level 3 emergency, the EMT Leader will be notified and will activate the Emergency Plan. The EMT Leader will convene all or part of the EMT at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

1. Albany or *McKownville Fire Department will be met by University Police at the appropriate Campus entrance and escorted to the emergency scene.

1. Upon arrival, Albany or *McKownville Fire Department, in coordination with the Director of Environmental Health and Safety will assess the emergency and take the necessary corrective actions. The Director of Environmental Health and Safety will immediately identify the character, exact source, amount and a real extent of any released materials. The EH&S Director will do this by observation or review of facility records or manifests kept in Chemistry B73. The EH&S Director may also contact the principal investigator responsible for the area, if the incident occurs in a research laboratory. Emergency phone numbers for the principal investigators are kept in Chemistry B73.

1. Concurrently, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety will assess possible hazards to human health or the environment that may result from the release, fire or explosion. The assessment will consider both direct and indirect effects of the release, fire or explosion.

1. If the EH&S Director or alternate determines that the facility has had a release, fire or explosion which could threaten human health, or the environment, outside the facility, the EH&S Director and the Albany or *McKownville Fire Department will assess, if evacuation of local areas is advisable and determine initial evacuation distances and places of refuge by consulting the DOT EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK. If evacuation is decided upon, the EH&S Director will immediately notify the EOC and other appropriate local authorities. The EH&S Director will also immediately notify the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation using the New York State 24 hours oil and hazardous materials spills notifications number 457-7362 and the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. The report will include:

1. name and telephone number of reporter;
2. name and address of facility;
3. time and type of incident (e.g. release, fire);
4. name and quantity of material(s) involved to the extent known;
5. the extent of injuries, if any; and
6. the possible hazards to human health, or the environment, outside the facility.

1. During the emergency, in coordination with the EOC, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety, along with other emergency response personnel, will take all reasonable measures necessary to ensure that fires, explosions, and releases do not occur, recur or spread to other hazardous waste at the facility. These measures will include, where applicable, stopping processes and operations, collecting and containing released waste, and removing or isolating containers.

1. The Director of Environmental Health and Safety or alternate will coordinate decontamination and cleanup of the hazardous waste release/chemical spill and will arrange for treating, storing, or disposing of recovered waste, contaminated soil or surface water, or any other material that results from a release, fire, or explosion at the facility.

1. The EH&S Director will ensure in the affected area(s) of the facility that no waste is stored until decontamination and cleanup procedures are complete and that all University emergency equipment used is cleaned and fit for its intended use before operations are resumed.

1. The Director of Environmental Health and Safety or alternate will notify, as necessary, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation and appropriate State and local authorities that the cleanup of the affected area(s) is complete before operations resume in the above areas. The EH&S Director will note in the operating record (via Power Plant) the time, date and details of any incident that require implementing the Emergency Response Plan. The EH&S Director or alternate will, as soon as possible, arrange a critique of the response to the incident with all responding parties and if activated, the EOC. As necessary, within 15 days after the incident, a written report will be submitted to the Commissioner stating:

1. name, address, and telephone number of the owner and operator;
2. name, address, and telephone number of the facility;
3. date, time, and type of incident, (e.g. fire, explosion);
4. name and quantity of material(s) involved;
5. the extent of injuries, if any;
6. an assessment of actual or potential hazards to human health or the environment, where this is applicable; and
7. estimated quantity and disposition of recovered material that resulted from the incident.

1. Pre-emergency planning including review of the University's Campus Emergency Response Plan, the University's Emergency Response Plan for Hazardous Substances Releases and where necessary site review, shall take place with all responding internal and external parties. This shall include Albany and *McKownville Fire Department, University Police Department, Power Plant, certain Academic Departments, the EMT, Albany Medical Center and St. Peter's Hospital.

1. The Director of EnvironmentalHealth and Safety and his alternates shall have training equivalent to the Hazardous Materials Specialist as specified in 29 CFR 1910.120 (6) (iv).

1. This plan and its contents must be reviewed, updated, and revised, if necessary, whenever the facility permit is revised, the plan fails in an emergency, the facility changes - in its design, construction, operation, maintenance, or other circumstances - in a way that materiallly increases the potential for fires, explosions, or releases of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents, or changes the response necessary in an emergency, the list of emergency phone numbers changes or the list of emergency equipment changes.

1. University at Albany employees will be informed of this Emergency Response Plan by either the Office of Environmental Health and Safety or by their respective supervisors during their indoctrination program, education sessions, or in-service training programs.

No University employee or student will enter an emergency scene unless specifically requested to do so by the Director of Environmental Health and Safety or the Incident Commander.

In all instances, NO University employee or student shall be expected to take any unreasonable risk involving actions relating to the emergency.

*Mckownville Fire Department has jurisdiction over the Service Building Complex, the RACC, the Physical Education Building and Indian Quad.

EHS Office Revised 9/07

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY

FOR HANDLING A HAZARDOUS WASTE RELEASE/CHEMICAL SPILL

Hazardous Waste Storage Facilities - Chemistry and Life Sciences

1. Fire Extinguishers (2) - BC C02 for flammables and electrical fires

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety routinely inspects these extinguishers. If the extinguishers are discharged, the Hazardous Waste Specialist submits them for immediate recharge. The Hazardous Waste Specialist also makes sure there are replacement extinguishers kept in the storage area while the others are being recharged. The Hazardous Waste Specialist has been trained in fire extinguisher usage.

Spill Kits

Spill cleanup kits, a spill kits' instruction manual and protective equipment to handle small spills of flammable solvents, caustics, and acids. The Hazardous Waste Specialist replaces the spill kits when used. The replacement kits are kept in the EHS storage area/laboratory in Chemistry B55A.

1. Mercury Spill Kit

The spill kit contains protective equipment, mercury absorbent and sponges to handle a small spill of mercury. Replacement kits are kept in the EHS storage area/laboratory in Chemistry B55A.

1. Personal Protective Equipment: chemical splash goggles, gloves, tyvek coveralls, and rubber booties.

The Hazardous Waste Specialist replenishes this equipment as needed. This equipment is kept in the EHS storage area/laboratory in Chemistry in B55A.

1. An emergency phone was installed in or by both Hazardous Waste Storage Rooms and will be used to summon emergency assistance. These phones will be tested monthly by the Hazardous Waste Specialist.

Sprinkler System in the Hazardous Waste Storage Rooms

When the sprinkler system is activated, the building's alarm system is also activated.

1. Pig Putty to seal leaking containers. Compatibility Chart is with the putty.

1. DOT 85 gal. Overpack Salvage Drum

1. Universal Spill Control Pads to clean up any type of chemical spill.

1. Various reference books kept in Hazardous Waste Storage Rooms
   1. Emergency Phone Numbers for the labs and the Emergency Response Plan are kept in the Hazardous Waste Storage Rooms.

   EHS Storage Area/Laboratory-Chem B55A

   1. Universal Spill Control Pillows and HazMat Pads and socks - to absorb any type of chemical/hazardous waste spill.

   The pillows, pads, and socks are ordered and restocked by the Hazardous Waste Specialist as necessary.

   1. J.T. Baker and Ansul Spill Cleanup Kits for Flammable Solvents, Caustics, and Acids.

   The kits are ordered and restocked by the Hazardous Waste Specialist as necessary.

   1. Personal Protective Equipment: chemical splash goggles, nitrile gloves, latex gloves, Silver Shield gloves, tyvek coveralls, Chemrel Incident Suits (Level B), assortment of respirators, polyethylene booties, HazMat booties, face shields and hardhats.

   This personal protective equipment is inventoried, ordered and restocked by the EH&S Office as necessary. The Assistant Director of EH&S has training in the fitting and usage of respirators.

   1. Spill Control Carts (2) containing Ansul spill clean up kits for flammable solvents, caustics, formaldehyde, and acids, mercury spill kit, universal spill control pillows and hazmat pads, a MSA Fast Response Foam Generator (to control the vapor hazard of spilled volatile chemicals with a water based foam blanket), mop, bucket, duct tape, DO NOT ENTER tape, HazMat booties, chemical splash goggles, nitrile gloves, latex gloves, polycoated tyvek coveralls, Level B Chemrel suits, 4 ml plastic bags for spill cleanup waste, NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, 3M Respirator Selection Guide, DOT Emergency Response Guidebook, Emergency Phone Number list.

   The Assistant Director of EH&S as necessary restocks these carts.

   1. Hako Minutemen 800 Series Mercury Recovery Vacuum System Model M.R.S. 3 for Mercury Spills.

   The Assistant Director of EH&S has had training in the usage of this vacuum cleaner. The Assistant Director coordinates the cleanup of the spill and then cleans and reassembles the vacuum cleaner. The mercury waste from the vacuum cleaner goes out as a hazardous waste.

   1. Mercury Spill Cleanup Kits contains mercury absorbent and sponges to clean up small mercury spills.

   The EH&S Office orders and restocks these kits as necessary.

   1. Puncture Repair Kit and Pig Putty for leaking chemical containers.

   Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (2 units).

Environmental Health and Safety Office - Chemistry B73

1. University master inventory of chemicals and products containing chemicals and several chemical reference books.

1. PPE kits for each trained member of the EHS Office for spill clean ups.

Uptown and Downtown Power Plants

1. Spill Control Carts stocked with socks, pillows, and pads to clean up oil, coolants, solvents, and water.

1. Drain Blockers.

EHS Office 9/07