Minor Mercury Spills Clean Up Procedure

In many HAZWOPER training courses, participants are educated about certain clean up procedures that would make their operations less riskier. This article will give you a sneak peak into the safety procedures of cleaning up a minor mercury spill on a non porous surface.

No one should underestimate the danger of a mercury spill. All mercury spills, regardless of the quantity, should be treated immediately. Metallic mercury evaporates slowly when exposed to the air. Even a few drops of mercury can make the air in a room reach the maximum in contamination levels. When mercury is spilled, it forms tiny droplets and can accumulate in small spaces and emit vapors. Workers when exposed to mercury spills have been diagnosed with many health problems. A greater problem is that mercury emits hazardous vapors that are invisible and odorless. So, mercury spills should be treated as soon as it is detected.

Mercury Spill Clean Up Steps:

• First evacuate the room and block off all access. Put a warning sign, which indicates the problem. Shut off the ventilation system of the room to prevent the spread of the mercury vapor to the rest of the building. Reduce the thermostat to slow down the release of the vapor into the air.

• Discard any contaminated items and placed it in a doubled plastic bag to dispose it properly. Wash off any affected skin areas immediately with soap and water.

• Clean up workers should wear personal protection equipment including clothing, eyewear and gloves. If the spill is old, respiratory protection should be used.

• Use rags to stop the spill from spreading by blocking it.

• Use cardboard or paper to move the droplets of mercury into a container. Do not push the mercury spill into any crack or crevices. Use a flashlight to illuminate any small droplets. You can use a sticky tape to pick them up.

• You must dispose the materials from the cleanup of mercury spills according to the Hazardous Waste Regulation.

• After the spill clean up, ventilate the room with fresh air for the next two days before re-occupying the space.

• Use a mercury vapor analyzer to test the contaminated space and any adjacent rooms or areas after completing the cleanup operation.

The above are some of the few points to remember when cleaning up a minor mercury spill. If there is a major clean up operation, you can join a HAZWOPER training course to learn about all the procedures.