Major spill: A spill involving more than 50 mCi in liquid, or 100 mCi or more of a volatile form or easily dispersible solid (e.g., powder form), requires the following actions be taken:
- Evacuate the room immediately. Any person either involved in the spill or potentially contaminated should remain in the general vicinity (e.g., adjacent lab) to minimize the spread of contamination.
- Prevent access to the area by posting a person at the door or by locking the room and conspicuously posting the door to indicate the presence of contamination.
- Contact the RSO and the PH for instructions. Do not attempt to decontaminate prior to RSO instruction.
- Prepare and submit, within 14 days, a written report about the accident, actions taken, and what measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence.
Significant spill: A spill involving between 1 mCi and 50 mCi in liquid form, or less than 100 mCi of a volatile form or easily dispersible solid (e.g., powder form), requires the following actions be taken:
- Notify everyone in the area of the spill.
- Permit only a minimal number of personnel to remain in the area.
- Prevent the spread of contamination.
- Monitor all persons involved in the spill and request any contaminated individuals to remain in the general vicinity.
- Notify the RSO via telephone.
- Prepare and submit, within 14 days, a written report about the accident, actions taken, and what measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence.
Minor spill: A spill involving less than 1 mCi of any nonvolatile, liquid radionuclide requires the following actions be taken:
- Notify everyone in the area of the spill.
- Confine the spill. Liquid spills may be confined by placing absorbent paper on the spill. As a reminder, disposable gloves should be worn when attempting to confine these spills to prevent skin contamination.
- Monitor all persons involved in the spill and request any contaminated individuals to remain in the general vicinity.
- Contact the RSO and proceed with decontamination unless instructed otherwise.
- Prepare and submit, within 14 days, a written report about the accident, actions taken (e.g., survey and decontamination results), and what measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence.
