Hang this poster beside your spill kit, so the order of the steps is in front of whoever opens it.
What is on the poster
When a spill happens
- Alert everyone and move students away. Leave the room if you need to.
- Flammable? Remove ignition sources and ventilate. Burners and hot plates off. Warn everyone. Open the fume hood.
- Help anyone who was splashed first. Skin: clothing off, water for 15 minutes. Eyes: eyewash for 15 minutes, lids held open. Breathed in: fresh air. Swallowed: Poison Help 1-800-222-1222.
- Put on the protection the safety data sheet calls for. Goggles, gloves, apron. Read SDS sections 2, 4, 6 and 8.
- Size it up and call your Chemical Hygiene Officer. Up to 300 mL is small. 300 mL to 5 L is medium. Over 5 L, unknown, in a drain, or burning: call for help.
- Small spill: contain, absorb, bag, label, wash, report. Protect the drains. Absorb from the outside in. Scoop into a labeled bag as hazardous waste. Wash the surface. Report it to your supervisor.
Do not clean it up yourself if the spill is large, unknown, has reached a drain or the outdoors, if no one trained is there, or if there is a fire. Get people out and follow the emergency procedure.
Built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard
This poster carries the SSTS mark. Like every Science Safety course, it is built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard (SSTS): every rule on it is taken from the body that governs it, at its current edition, and the source is printed on the poster, so you can check it yourself.
Stay current
When you get this poster, it is saved to your Science Safety account. If we revise the poster, or the Chemical Spills module it comes from changes, we will email you, and the latest version will be waiting under Downloads in your account. Every revision carries its revision number and date at the bottom of the poster, so you can tell at a glance whether the copy on your wall is current.
Printing and hanging
- One-page PDF, US letter (8.5 by 11 inches).
- White background, so it prints clearly on any office or classroom printer without using much ink.
- Hang it on the wall beside the spill kit, at eye level.
- The QR code in the blue title band opens this page, so anyone can get their own copy.
- The QR code at the bottom opens the Chemical Spills module.
Learn more
The Chemical Spills module teaches the full topic this poster comes from.
Sources:
- Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.1450, sections D.8 and E.3 – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (reviewed September 30, 2026)
- Chemical Spill Procedures – Princeton University Environmental Health and Safety (reviewed September 30, 2026)
- Maryland Science Safety Manual PK-12, September 2024 – Maryland State Department of Education (reviewed September 30, 2026)
- Poison Help, 1-800-222-1222 – America's Poison Centers (reviewed September 30, 2026)
Poster SSP-0014, Rev. 1, September 2026.
