• Alert your fellow workers immediately (if there are any).

• Press the emergency ventilation system (EVS) button which are present inside labs with fume cupboards and also in the public corridors. The EVS is intended for use in the laboratory if the spill produces toxic or flammable vapours, but is not applicable for biohazardous or radioactive spills, or if a fire has already occurred.

• If safe to do so:
  • Confine spill.
  • If the spilled chemical produces flammable vapour

1. turn off all burners.
2. switch off all electrical equipment which has hot surfaces (for example, hot plate and heating mantle) and/or generates electric spark (for example, brush type motor) NOT in vicinity to the spill.
3. if equipment mentioned in 3 ii) above is nearby to the spill, interrupt their electricity supply by switching off the main of the bench (sub-distribution board) if the main is away from the spill.
4. do NOT switch on/off or unplug any electrical equipment nearby to the spill.

• Evacuate the room. Make sure nobody stays behind, close the door(s) of the laboratory after you leave .

• 1. Inform the Security Control Centre by dialling 8999. Do not use a telephone nearby to the spill if flammable or toxic vapour(s) are involved.
  2. Inform the Security Control Centre of the room number, the name of the chemical and quantity spilled. Provide information on nature of hazard and special aid required if the spilled chemical is very uncommon. Advise them if anyone has been injured and if medical assistance is required.

• Keep a safe distance from the laboratory but with the entrance in sight, forbid unauthorized entry to the laboratory & wait for the arrival of the emergency response team.

• Describe the accident to the emergency response team leader upon his/her arrival.

Students or technicians upon discovering a chemical spill during a laboratory session.

• Alert all persons in the vicinity immediately.

• Inform the person-in-charge in the laboratory immediately.

• If the spill produces toxic or flammable vapours, the staff should press the Emergency Ventilation System (EVS) button of the fume cupboards. Do NOT use the EVS if the spill involves biohazardous or radioactive material or if a fire has broken out.

• If it is safe to do so the person-in-charge should:
  • confine the spill.
  • if the spill produces flammable vapour, instruct students to

  1. turn off all burners.
  2. switch off all electrical equipment EXCEPT those in immediate vicinity of the spill.
  3. if electrical equipment which have hot surfaces (e.g. hot plates, heating mantles), or which generate electric sparks (e.g. brush type motors) is/are close to the spill, the staff should interrupt the electric supply by switching off the main of the bench (sub-distribution board) if the main is NOT in close proximity to the spill.
  4. Do not switch on/off or unplug any electrical equipment nearby the spill.

• The person-in-charge should evacuate the students and at least one should accompany them to a safe place. The lecturer/TA/ technician(s) should make sure that no persons remain behind, and then close the door(s) of the laboratory after they leave.

• 1. The lecturer/TA should inform the Security Control Centre by dialling 8999. Do not use a telephone nearby to the spill if flammable or toxic vapour(s) are involved.
  2. Provide SCC with information on room number, the name of the chemical and quantity spilled, and whether any injuries have occurred or medical attention needed.

• As far as possible, the lecturer/TA/technician(s) should keep a safe distance from the laboratory but with the entrance in sight. They should forbid unauthorized entry and wait for the arrival of the emergency response team.

• The lecturer should describe the accident to the emergency response team (SCC, HSEO) upon its arrival.

• Alert co-workers in the area, and activate the local warning system to prevent unintentional or unauthorized entry.

• If it is safe to do so:
• • Contain all spill materials inside the dangerous good store whenever possible.
  • Confine the spill if safe to do so.

• Evacuate people in area nearby if the situation is severe. Leave contaminated clothing or articles behind and leave the store and close its door firmly.

• Inform the Security Control Centre by dialling 8999 or by any possible means (at least one staff should remain at the scene).

• Inform the Security Control Centre as to the location of spill, the name of the chemical and quantity spilled, and whether or not any injuries have occurred or medical assistance needed.

• As far as possible, uninjured staff at the scene should keep a safe distance from the store but with the entrance in sight, forbid unauthorized entry to the store and wait for the arrival of the emergency response team (SCC, HSEO).

• Upon arrival of the emergency response team, describe the details of the spill situation to them.

• Alert people in the vicinity and activate the local warning system or EVS if there is one nearby. In either event, staff on the scene should as far as possible keep the spill in sight while preventing unintentional or unauthorized entry by others.

• If it is safe to do so, the staff involved should confine the spill.

• One of the staff should report to the Security Control Centre by dialling 8999 or by any other means available.

• Items to be reported include location of the spill, name of the chemical and quantity spilled, and information on any injuries and whether or not medical assistance is needed.

• Prevent further spread of the spill by wind in open area if safe to do so.

• Wait for the arrival of the emergency response team at the scene.

• Describe the spill situation to the emergency response team upon its arrival.