Spill or Exposure Assistance and Reporting

Refer to the Biological Spills/Exposures webpage for guidance on spills and exposures involving hazardous biological materials, such as human blood and other human-derived materials, cultures of infectious agents or genetically modified materials.

Criteria:

  • < 1-gallon, low toxicity/low volatility, contained
  • worker has cleanup experience, comfort level, PPE, and spill cleanup equipment
  • no injuries or exposures

Actions:

1

Warn other and control access to the spill

2

Wear PPE

3

Contain and wipe up the spill

Criteria:

  • > 1-gallon, highly toxic/volatile chemical, out of containment
  • worker lacks cleanup experience, comfort level, PPE, or spill cleanup equipment
  • there are injuries or exposures

Actions:

1

Warn others and evacuate the area

2

Report the spill from a safe location by calling

EHS: 303-724-0345
or 911 from any campus phone
or police dispatch from a cell phone: Anschutz: 303-724-4444 | Denver: 303-556-5000
3

Secure the area by closing the door, using caution tape, etc.

4

Wait for emergency responders and provide them with details

Emergency Situations:

  • Call 911 or go to the closest urgent care facility or hospital emergency department.

Bloodborne pathogens or potentially infectious material exposures:

Skin or eye exposure to a biological/chemical agent:

  • Rinse the affected area in a sink, safety shower, or emergency eyewash for at least 15 minutes.
  • For needlestick or injury to the skin, wash with soap and warm water. 
  • Provide a copy of the involved chemical's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or human pathogen's Pathogen Safety Data Sheet to the healthcare provider.

For contamination with radioactive materials:

  • Notify the responders and/or providers of contamination.

Refer to the Biological Spills/Exposures webpage for guidance on spills and exposures involving hazardous biological materials, such as human blood and other human-derived materials, cultures of infectious agents or genetically modified materials.

For Exposures:

Outside of business hours

  • Visit the closest urgent care facility or emergency department.

Non-emergency exposures

For all exposures and injuries

IMPORTANT

  • For any incidents involving biological hazards (e.g., recombinant DNA, microorganisms, human-derived materials, or other potentially infectious materials), submit the Incident Report Form for Biological Hazards within 24 hours.