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Chemical Spill

NEVER clean up a chemical spill unless you have received appropriate training. In the event of a chemical spill:

  1. Evacuate everyone in the immediate area.
  2. Isolate the area, closing doors as you leave and prevent others from entering the area.
  3. Notify the Vanderbilt University Police Department (VUPD) immediately! Dial 911 from any campus phone, or 615-421-1911 from any cell phone.
  4. Notify the Office of Clinical and Research Safety (OCRS) at 615-32(2-2057) or if outside regular office hours, call the OCRS On Call at 615-875-3779
  5. Keep people away from the spill and await the arrival of trained personnel.
  6. Obtain the Safety Data Sheet on the chemical, if known. Find the SDS information on the Internet at  https://www.vumc.org/safety/sds .
  7. If students are exposed, they should report immediately to the Student Health Center 615-32(2-2427).  If after hours, they should report to the VUMC Emergency Department 615-32(2-3391).
  8. If staff or faculty are exposed, instruct them to report to the Occupational Health Clinic 615-93(6-0955).  If after hours, they should report to the VUMC Emergency Department 615-32(2-3391). 
  9. Complete an incident report if there are injuries to an employee, student, or visitor, or if there is property damage.  If you have questions, contact Risk Management at 615-93(6-0660). 

To call the Vanderbilt University Police Department in an emergency:

  • Dial 911 from any campus phone.
  • Dial (615) 421-1911 from any other phone.

See also Chemical Safety, the VU Hazard Communication Standard and the Laboratory Standard.