Biological & Chemical Spills

Spills happen. Knowing what to do if one occurs can save lives—including your own.

Biological, Blood, or Body Fluid Spills

  • Alert all personnel in the immediate area of the spill.
  • Isolate the area.
  • Call Suffolk University Police (SUPD) at 617-573-8111 or extension 8111.
  • Tend to any injured person(s) if you're properly trained. Use proper personal protective equipment.
  • Contact the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at 617-573-8628 or 617-570-4849.
  • SUPD or the Office of Environmental Health & Safety will notify a contractor to clean up the spill, as well as other departments or resources as needed.

If you've been exposed:

  • Vigorously wash the exposed area with soap and water for several minutes.
  • Report your exposure incident immediately to SUPD by calling 617-573-8111 or extension 8111. A report will be filed and first aid will be provided as needed.
  • Seek medical treatment if you have a concern that the exposure may affect your health.
  • If you're a student, we encourage you to report the incident to Counseling, Health & Wellness.
  • All exposures must be reported to the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at 617-573-8628 or 617-570-4849.

Chemical Spills

In case of a major spill or uncontrolled spills:
  • Notify others in the immediate area and move to safety.
  • Call the Suffolk University Police Department (SUPD) at 617-573-8111 or extension 8111.
  • Attend to any injured persons away from the spill; use PPE as recommended in the relevant safety data sheet.
  • SUPD will contact the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at 617-573-8628 or 617-570-4849.
  • The Office of Environmental Health & Safety will contact outside contractors and regulatory agencies as necessary.

All spills of unknown materials should be treated as hazardous chemical spills.

If your body or eyes are splashed by chemicals:

  • Call the Suffolk University Police Department (SUPD) at 617-573-8111 or extension 8111. If others are present, ask them to contact SUPD.
  • Body—Quickly remove all contaminated clothing, footwear, and jewelry and flood the affected body area with water for at least 15 minutes. Use only water.
  • Eyes—Irrigate the eyeball and inner surface of the eyelid with plenty of cool water for at least 15 minutes. Hold your eyelids open to ensure this wash is effective. Use eyewash or another water source. Remove your contact lenses.
  • Report the incident to your supervisor or lab instructor and the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at 617-573-8628 or 617-570-4849.

If you or someone else ingests hazardous chemicals:

  • Identify what you've ingested.
  • Call the Suffolk University Police Department (SUPD) at 617-573-8111 or extension 8111.
  • Call the Poison Information Center at 617-232-2120 or 800-682-9211 (If possible, one person can call SUPD while the other calls the Poison Information Center).
  • Provide the ambulance crew and physician with the chemical name and any other relevant information. If possible, send the container, MSDS, or the label with the victim.
  • Report the incident to your supervisor or lab instructor and the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at 617-573-8628 or 617-570-4849.

If you or someone else inhales smoke, vapors, and/or fumes:

  • If smoke or chemical vapors or fumes are present, move to fresh air or uncontaminated air.
  • Do not enter the area if you suspect that life-threatening oxygen depletion, explosive vapors, or highly toxic gases might exist there.
  • Call the Suffolk University Police Department (SUPD) at 617-573-8111 or extension 8111.
  • Report the incident to your supervisor or lab instructor and the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at 617-573-8628 or 617-570-4849.