Actions to take when there is an oil spill.

• Determine if spill is major or minor.
• If it is minor, proceed with clean up and then report to EHS.
• If it is major, immediately contact Campus Police at x100 from a campus phone or call FIXIT at 617-253-4948.

A Minor Spill is one in which ALL of the following conditions are met:

• The responsible party is at the scene
• The material spilled is known
• The material spilled is not highly toxic
• The quantity spilled is small
• There is no fire hazard present
• The spill is completely contained inside a building
• The material has little or no potential to reach the environment (for example, via a floor drain)
• The spill is not in a common area (for example, a hallway) or other area accessible to the general public
• Advanced personnel protective equipment (that is, more than gloves and a half-face respirator) is not needed to respond to the spill

A Major Spill is one in which ANY of the following conditions apply:

• The responsible party is unknown (it’s an “orphan” spill)
• The material spilled is unknown
• The material spilled is highly toxic
• A large (or undetermined) quantity was spilled
• A significant fire hazard may be present
• The material has the potential to reach the environment (for example, via a floor drain)
• The spill is in a common area (for example, hallway) or other area accessible to the general public
• Advanced personnel protective equipment (more than gloves and a half-face respirator) is required to respond to the spill
• A responder is unsure whether the spill should be considered “Minor” or “Major”