Spill response procedures

Spill response procedures

Guidance on how to respond to chemical and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) spills on the St. George campus.

Contents

— What is a spill?

— Who to contact about a spill

— Chemical spills

— PCB spills (polychlorinated biphenyls)

— Spills outdoors (chemical or PCB)

— Get support

What is a spill?

The definition of a “spill” is given in the Environmental Protection Act, 1990 which is legislated by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) 

A spill, when used with reference to a pollutant, means a discharge 

  1. Into the natural environment
  2. From or out of a structure, vehicle or other container, and
  3. That is abnormal in quality or quantity in light of all the circumstances of the discharge

Examples of spills

  • Fuel spill in a parking lot
  • Broken bottle of chemicals in a lab
  • Freon leak from a cooling unit
  • Leaking storage tank
  • Excessive fumes vented through a fume hood
  • Hazardous chemicals poured down a drain

Who to contact about a spill

Always report spills immediately to the Environmental Protection Services (EPS) team:

  • 416-978-7000 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

After hours:

  • St. George: 416-978-2222
  • Scarborough: 416-978-2222
  • Mississauga: 905-569-4333

EPS will determine whether the spill needs to be reported to the MECP Spills Action Centre and ensure proper documentation and response.

Chemical spills

Major chemical spills

If the spill poses a significant hazard or you are unable to handle the spill yourself:

  1. Evacuate the area immediately.
  2. Call EPS or Campus Safety (numbers above).
  3. Provide your name, location, name and quantity of chemical spilled
  4. Help anyone exposed to the chemical and refer to:
    1. the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) of the spilled chemical.
    2. the “Chemical Spills on Body” procedure (if applicable).
  5. Wait in a safe location for responders.
  6. Keep unauthorized people away from the contaminated area.
  7. Report the incident to your supervisor, Joint Health and Safety Committee and complete the Accident/Incident Report Form.

Minor chemical spills (indoors)

If the spill is small and you are trained and confident in managing it safely:

  1. Stay calm and plan your cleanup carefully.

    1. Consult the spilled material’s SDS.

    2. Gather appropriate personal protective equipment.

    3. Collect your chemical spill kit and/or spill response equipment (brush, dustpan, tongs for broken glass, etc.).

  2. Call EPS at 416-978-7000 if:

    1. Guidance or assistance is required  

    2. The spill is generating hazardous fumes 

    3. The spill has spread outside the local area  

  3. Shut off ignition sources if the spill involves flammable materials.

  4. Turn on fume hoods to manage vapours.

  5. Contain the spill to the smallest area possible using the appropriate absorbent material (for example, Vermiculite, acid neutralizer, etc.).

  6. Remove any nearby equipment or materials from the path of the spill.

  7. Sweep up solid, low-toxicity materials and place in a sealed waste container.

  8. Dispose of all cleanup materials as hazardous waste:

    1. Use leak-proof containers and attach chemical waste labels
    2. Call 416-946-3473 to arrange for collection and disposal

  9. Wash the spill area with warm, soapy water if the chemical is water-soluble.

  10. Report the incident to your supervisor, Joint Health and Safety Committee and complete the Accident/Incident Report Form.

PCB spills (polychlorinated biphenyls)

PCBs are toxic and regulated substances. Follow these procedures based on spill size and location.

Major PCB spills

Follow the steps below if any of the following apply:

  • Spill > 1 litre (liquid) or > 1 kg (solid)
  • PCB concentration > 5,000 ppm
  • Spill entered the natural environment (air, water, or soil)
  • Cleanup exceeds on-site capabilities
  • You’re unsure of what to do

Steps

  1. Evacuate the area.
  2. Call EPS or Campus Safety immediately.
  3. Report the location, amount spilled and confirm PCB involvement.
  4. Stay in a safe area and await responders.
  5. Attend to anyone who may have been contaminated and seek out first aid (if required).
  6. Restrict access to the contaminated area.

Minor PCB spills (localized)

Follow the steps below if the following applies: 

  • Spill < 1 litre (liquid) or < 1 kg (solid) 

Solid spills (indoors only)

  • Contain the spill and prevent spreading.
  • Scoop or shovel material into a steel drum or approved container.
  • Clean area with Varsol and ventilate the area.

Liquid spills (indoors only)

  • Contain the spill to prevent spreading.
  • Absorb liquid with inert material (for example, vermiculite or sand).
  • Scoop material into a steel drum or approved container.
  • Clean with Varsol and ventilate area.

All contaminated materials, including PPE, must be treated as PCB waste. Contact EPS for disposal.

Spills outdoors (chemical or PCB)

  1. Contain the spill quickly with suitable absorbent material.
  2. Cover or block entrances to drains and sewers if possible.
  3. Call EPS or Campus Safety immediately.
  4. Follow instructions and remain on-site until responders arrive.
  5. Report the incident to your supervisor and complete the Accident/Incident Report Form.

EPS will determine whether the spill needs to be reported to the MECP Spills Action Centre and ensure proper documentation and response.

Get support

If you have questions, please contact the Environmental Protection Services team.