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Chemical Spills & Alarming or Sharp Odors
- Assume that the chemical is hazardous unless you know for certain that it is not. Disable ignition sources when applicable, and if it can be accomplished safely.
- Evacuate the room and close the door.
- If there is an immediate threat to safety, activate the fire alarm pull station and call dispatch.
- Warn people in the area of the spill or chemical release.
For substantial spills call:
- Gaithersburg Campus x2222 from a campus phone or call 301-975-2222 from a cellular phone.
- Boulder Campus Safety, Health, Environmental Division (BSHED) x5375 (option 3) or call 303-497-5375 from a cellular phone. If no answer, call Security Dispatch at x7777 from a campus phone or call 303-497-7777 from a cellular phone.
For eye contact, promptly flush eyes with water for 15 minutes and seek immediate medical attention by calling:
- Gaithersburg Campus x2222 from a campus phone or call 301-975-2222 from a cellular phone. If calling 911 inform the 911 dispatcher that the emergency is on the NIST campus.
- Boulder Campus Call 911 and inform the 911 dispatcher that the emergency is on the NIST campus. After calling 911, call x7777 from a campus phone or call 303-497-7777 from a cellular phone.
For skin contact, promptly flush the skin with water and seek immediate medical attention by calling:
- Gaithersburg Campus x2222 from a campus phone or call 301-975-2222 from a cellular phone. If calling 911 inform the 911 dispatcher that the emergency is on the NIST campus.
- Boulder Campus Call 911 and inform the 911 dispatcher that the emergency is on the NIST campus. After calling 911, call x7777 from a campus phone or call 303-497-7777 from a cellular phone.
Get to a safe area and wait until first responders arrive.
*Do NOT touch or walk through the spilled material.
Ensure a person knowledgeable about the chemical release or spill is available to communicate with emergency responders when they arrive.
Report the incident to a supervisor immediately.
Additional Resources
EPA-Actions on Preventing Hazardous Substance Spills
Ready.gov-Chemical and Hazardous Materials Incidents