The document discusses the dangers and prevention of chemical spillages in the workplace, highlighting causes such as inappropriate storage and lack of training. It outlines the health risks associated with chemical exposure, routes of exposure, and detailed cleanup procedures, including the use of personal protective equipment. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of safety protocols and reporting incidents to supervisors to prevent future occurrences.

1. Spillage
Response
Awareness
QA/QC Department

2. Inappropriate Handling
techniques
Damaged storage
containers
01.
Common Causes
of Spills
Here are some common causes of chemical spillages:
Inappropriate storage
containers
Uncontrolled access to chemical
storage
Lack of chemical-related
training, and
Lack of supervision

3. 02.
The Dangers of
Chemical Spillages
Chemical spillages present several dangers and can be a serious risk to health.
Depending on the nature of the chemical spilt, those dangers could be:
Slip, trip and fall hazards
Contamination of other materials
Risk of fire
Contamination of the environment

4. 03.
The Routes of
Exposure
Hazardous materials can have different effects on human health
depending on how they enter the body
Inhalation Injection Absorption
Ingestion

5. 04.
Many chemicals and other
hazardous substances
release fumes, vapors or tiny
particulates
Breathing these can cause
severe respiratory problems
Enter the body through
cuts or open skin.
Injection routes let the
contaminant straight into
your bloodstream and
often leads to severe
health problems
Failing to properly remove
contaminated clothing or
wash hands.
Eating or drinking
contaminated foodstuffs can
cause severe digestive
problems and other sever
health problems
Not using PPE and not
properly cleaning oneself
down.
Many chemicals can easily
seep through the many layers
of skin into the bloodstream
and cause severe skin
disorders
Inhalation Injection Absorption
Ingestion

6. Why are Chemicals
Dangerous?
The majority of chemicals we use in our industries are hazardous to human health, or the
health of the environment.
There are too many health effects that chemicals can cause to list them all here. Just
understand that they are dangerous and can cause immediate (acute) and long term (chronic)
symptoms. Take every precaution provided for you when working with chemicals.
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7. Why are Chemicals
Dangerous?
Chemicals can be explosive
Chemicals can be flammable
Chemicals can be corrosive
Chemicals can kill animals and the
environment
06.
Chemicals can cause burns
Chemicals can cause severe respiratory
diseases
Chemicals can cause sensitisation
Chemicals can cause death
Chemicals are dangerous because Chemicals are dangerous because

8. 07.
How to Prevent Spillages in
the Workplace
Only purchase and store the quantity of materials needed to perform the
work
Where reasonably practicable, buy only the least hazardous materials
Where reasonably practiceable, buy only non-hazardous materials
Minimise traffic in the storage area and where the work will take place
Store liquid waste in secondary containers
Regularly inspect shelving and container integrity
Be aware of evacuation routes and emergency equipment

9. 08.
Can I manage
this Spillage?
Quantity Familiarity Safety
Is the spillage less than
1 gallon?
Is the spillage of a
chemical I have been
trained to use?
Can I safely contain the
spillage?
Spill Kit
Is there a spill kit available, in
a designated area and clearly
marked for which type of
chemical to be used for?
Before cleaning up a spillage, you first need to ask yourself the following questions:

10. 09.
An Example of a Chemical
Spill Kit’s Contents
This is a chemical spill kit, designed to be used to clean up smaller spillages:
A wheelie bin filled with the rest of the spill kit contents
Absorbent socks (barriers) to contain the spillage
Absorbent cushions to contain runoff
Absorbent pads and a container of loose materials to soak up the majority of the
spillage
A dustpan and brush to transport the excess absorbent materials into
disposal bags
Disposal bags and ties to properly remove the used absorbent materials
Personal protective equipment to protect the person performing the cleanup

11. 10.
How to Manage a Spillage
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Decide if you hold the requisite information
Prepare the cleanup plan of action
if there is the possibility of an acute respiratory hazard present,
or if you need assistance to clean up the spillage.
knowledge, and training to safely handle the incident.
For example: Should you wait for help, attend to an injured person, shut off
a valve or remove ignition sources first?
Immediately evacuate the area and report the spillage to your supervisor or
manager
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If anyone is injured or contaminated
Make sure to always wear PPE provided to you.
Immediately inform you direct supervisor and begin decontamination
measures or first aid, if trained.
It is the last line of defense against hazardous substance exposure

12. To stop the source
Close the valve
Shutting down the pump to stop
the flow
Bandaging the leak in a hose
Reposition the leaking container
11.
Safely Containing the
Spillage
To contain a spillage you must stop the source and stop the spread
To stop the spread
Build an absorbent barrier
around the spillage
Create a flow channel
Use absorbent cushions and pads
to soak up the main body of the
spillage

13. 12. Safely Using the Absorbent
1 Absorbent should be
distributed over the entire
spillage area, working from
the outside, circling into the
inside.
This stops the spread of the
spilt chemical.
2 When spilt materials have
been absorbed, use a
brush and scoop to place
materials in the
appropriate container
(provided in spill kits).
Dispose of any
contaminated items and
PPE used during the
cleanup in the appropriate
waste bin.
3 Complete the required
hazardous waste label -
identifying the material
as spill debris involving
the chemical
4 Arrange for collection
of the hazardous waste
container by an
approved waste
contractor as soon as
possible.

14. 13.
Safely Managing Flammable
Substances Spillages
Turn off all sources of
ignition
Wear the PPE supplied
with the spill kit
Lay chemical spill pads
over the spilt substance
Place the used pads into
the supplied plastic
disposal bags
Wipe up any remaining
liquid with paper towels
Dispose of the paper
towels in the same plastic
disposal bag
Allow the pads to
completely absorb the
liquid
Seal the bag and attach a
completed hazardous
waste sticker

15. The absorbent materials now have the very same hazardous properties as
the originally spilt material.
Safely dispose of all contaminated, disposable coveralls, gloves, and
respirators.
Decontaminate all non-disposable items (brooms, shovels, PPE, etc.) using a
mild detergent and water
Report the spillage and cleanup to your supervisor, manager, or health and
safety officer as soon as possible.
Review what happened, to aid in the prevention of future spillages.
No matter the size of the spillage, record the incident and the actions taken
to prevent exposure and cleanup.
Ensure the supplies used to clean up the spillage are replaced immediately.
14. What to After the Spillage is
Cleaned up?
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16. Take care of your own safety and if it is safe for you to do so, the safety of your
colleagues.
Immediately activate the building’s fire alarm system.
If anyone came into bodily contact with the spilt material, immediately remove any
contaminated clothing and flush their skin with plenty of water.
Call emergency services and give them the following information:
Your identity and why you are calling
Your exact location and the nature of the emergency
Whether anyone has been injured or is showing signs of acute health effects
The names and nature of every hazardous substances involved in the emergency
(if known).
15.
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What to do in an Emergency
Situation

17. Head to the nearest emergency assembly point.
Leave clear access for the emergency personnel.
Ensure every person who was exposed stays together, in the same area. They should not be
allowed to leave until they have been checked by the relevant authorities and medical personnel.
If you have the time to do the following without placing yourself at risk, then do so:
1.Close, but do not lock, doors behind you to isolate the area
2.Turn off, unplug, or remove potential sources of ignition
3.Contain the spilt material using berms, absorbent socks or other means
4.Place signs in prominent places to warn people the area is unsafe to enter
16. What to do in an Emergency
Situation
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18. 17.
Your safety and the safety of
others should be your top
priority!
Please note: This is general awareness training. You are not trained as an
emergency responder and should not attempt to manage emergencies.
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19. Thank
You
Knights of Safety Academy