CHEMICAL/HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILL

Chemical accidents may originate inside or outside building. Examples include: toxic leaks or spills caused by tank, truck, or railroad accident; water treatment/waste treatment plants; industry or laboratory spills, etc.

Accidents originating OUTSIDE the building:

Staff Actions:

• Notify principal
• Move students away from immediate vicinity of danger (if outside, reverse evacuation)
• Observe wind direction by observing flags or leaves and move students appropriately   

Principal / Designee:

• Initiate Shelter in Place, shut off HVAC units, seal doors and windows as needed
• Call 911, notify District Support Team
• Do not leave the building unless instructed to do so by emergency management officials
• Document actions and complete incident reports

Accidents originating INSIDE the building:

Staff Actions:

• Notify principal
• Move students away from immediate vicinity of danger

Principal / Designee:

• Check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to determine the urgency of situation
• Call 911 if warranted, notify District Support Team, central office
• Initiate evacuation plan if appropriate; avoid the area where the chemical accident occurred and any fumes which are present
• Follow standard student assembly, accounting and reporting procedures; modify assembly area if needed to be upwind, uphill, and upstream from the location of the spill
• Wait for instructions from the emergency responders
• Do not take unsafe actions such as returning to the building before it has been declared safe
• If combustible material spill is suspected, refrain from lighting matches or candles, and do not turn off/on electrical switches/equipment including cell phones (remember, electrical sparks can trigger an explosion)
• Document actions and complete incident reports