Each spill kit in each lab should contain:

1.Disposable nitrile gloves - a few pair

2.Caution Chemical Hazard banners tape, 6' rolls - 2 each

3.Plastic bags (For disposal) - 6 each

4.UCSD Hazardous Waste Tags - 1 pad

5.Ball point pen - 1 each

6.Lab Marker Pen - 1 each

7.Container of Sodium Bicarbonate, marked "Acid Neutralizer - Sodium Bicarbonate" - 1 each

8.Container of Citric Acid, marked "Base Neutralizer - Citric Acid" - 1 each

9.Mercury Sponge containers - 1 each

10.Mercury In-Line Vacuum Trap Kit (bagged with tubing and disposal bags) - 1 each

11.pH paper - 2 vials

For O-Chem Labs:

Absorbent pillows (2/bag)

Outside of the spill kits should be hanging:

1.Dust Pan - 1 each

2.Foxtail Brush - 1 each

Spill Kit Items

Various items and products are useful when containing and cleaning up a chemical spill. Some people choose to purchase ready-made spill kits from lab safety supply companies. Others prefer to make their own custom spill kits. In either case, consider including the items on the following list in the spill kit for your laboratory or work area.

Review the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for chemicals used in your work area to determine which of the following items you need. Based on the type of chemicals you use, you may need additional items that are not included on this list.

The quantities of absorbents listed are adequate for about two 1-liter spills*. EHS expects that you will call for help in the case of a spill larger than 1 liter, unless the chemical is not very dangerous. You must be familiar with the chemicals used in your area — it may not be safe for you to clean up even a l-liter spill. It is helpful to stock enough material for two spills in case you have a second spill before your spill kit replacement items arrive. If you handle large amounts of chemicals that are not very dangerous, such as oils, you will need greater quantities of absorbents than are listed below.

Personal Protective Equipment

Chemical goggles

Chemical resistant gloves — a good glove combination for a wide variety of hazardous chemicals is nitrile gloves worn over 4-HTM gloves. This combination provides good chemical resistance and better dexterity than do 4-HTM gloves alone. Check glove guidance provided by vendors to ensure that your gloves are suitable for the chemicals that are in your work area.

Shoe covers

Lab coat

Polypropylene pads for diking and absorbing liquids. (These pads usually can not be used to clean up strong oxidizers.) Read the product specifications and get enough pads to handle two 1-liter spills. (For example, New Pig states that one of their 16x20" pads will absorb about 1 liter. You may actually need two of these pads to clean up a 1-liter spill, however.) These pads are relatively inexpensive, so you may want to keep some extra pads in reserve.

Diatomaceous earth (kitty litter/HighDri material) for diking and absorbing liquids. About 10 pounds should be sufficient to absorb two 1-liter spills. This material will work for most chemicals, but is messier to use than the pads. Do not use diatomaceous earth on hydrofluoric acid, because the acid will dissolve the material.

Mercury absorbing powder and supplies if you have mercury or mercury-containing equipment, such as thermometers. (In many cases, you can replace mercury thermometers with units that do not contain mercury.)

Spray bottle of acid-neutralizer for use after the bulk of acidic liquid is absorbed

Spray bottle of caustic-neutralizer for use after bulk of basic liquid spill is absorbed

Spray bottle of water

KIMTEX towels or equivalent and sponges for wiping surfaces

Plastic scoop, brush and dust pan

Laboratory tongs — to pick up broken glass

Containers for spill residues, such as large, heavy-duty plastic bags and plastic buckets with lids

Hazardous Material Collection Tags — these are available from EHS

*For spills involving radioactive material, consult the Radiation Safety Manual for instructions and guidelines. For anything other than very minor spills

of radioactive material, contact Radiation Safety personnel at EHS for assistance.