For spill response purposes, all exposures during spill response will be maintained below the TLV of 0.05 mg/m3. An Arizona Instruments Gold Foil Mercury Detector(tm) or equivalent will be used to monitor the area for mercury contamination.
All mercury spills which escape the secondary containment of the instrument or device will be reported to the site spill response team. Two levels of response will be used: thermometer spills and all other spills.
Spills from broken mercury thermometers.
Laboratory personnel who discover a broken mercury thermometer from which the mercury has spilled onto counter tops, floors, or similar uncontrolled surfaces will clear the affected area, call the spill response team, and await their arrival before taking further action.
Routine thermometer spills, in open, well ventilated areas will be cleaned up by area workers, using a commercial clean-up kit such as those available from the J.T. Baker Chemical Company or Lab Safety Supply. Members of the spill team will provide technical assistance and will monitor the area with an Arizona Instruments Meter. Any mercury detection within 4 feet of the spill will warrant raising the level of the response to a "large spill" status.
Area workers will wear routine personal protective equipment while cleaning
up a mercury thermometer spill. This will include:
SAFETY GLASSES
LONG CUFF LATEX OR SOLVEX(tm) GLOVES
LAB COAT
SHOE COVERS
No respiratory protection will be used.
Large Mercury Spills
All mercury spills large than those from a thermometer will be cleaned up by
trained spill response personnel. Spill responders will use the following personal
protective equipment:
Mercury Levels less than TLV
AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATORY W/ APPROVED MERCURY CARTRIDGE(1)
CHEMREL SUIT
SOLVEX GLOVES over N-DEX GLOVES
DISPOSABLE SHOE COVERS
Mercury Levels greater than TLV
SCBA
HARD HAT
CHEMREL SUIT
SOLVEX GLOVES over N-DEX GLOVES
DISPOSABLE SHOE COVERS
A Nilfisk, Hako, or equivalent Mercury Vacuum, equipped with a fresh carbon filter and clean mercury trap will be used to pick-up the spilled mercury. The exhaust air from the vacuum will be monitored for mercury contamination at least every ten minutes by placing the probe from the Mercury Meter directly into the exhaust air. If mercury is detected in the exhaust air, the carbon filter of the vacuum will be immediately replaced and the mercury trap will be cleaned before resuming operations.
In the absence of a mercury vacuum, CSA recommends the mercury clean-up kit from EPS Chemicals(2). This kit has enhanced ability to reduce vapor concentration and to completely decontaminate the area.
Responders will maintain the indicated level of protection until all visible mercury is picked up. A lower level of protection may be authorized after all visible mercury is removed and the measured mercury concentration is less than the TLV.
Care must be taken to avoid being cut by broken glass.
All spill residue will be placed in a plastic pail. The lid to the pail will
be tightly attached and the pail will be clearly labeled. All mercury disposal
will be via recycle.
1. The cartridge must be equipped with an "End-of-Life indicator.
2. EPS Chemicals, 7551 Vantage Way #8, Delta, BC Canada V4G 1C9; 604 940 0975 or 800 663 8303 ask for Paul Bone.