Spills & Exposures

  24-Hour Emergency Contacts

Fire & Life Emergency: Call or text 9-1-1

CUPD Dispatch: 303-492-6666

Facilities Management Operations Control Center (OCC): 303-492-5522

Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens or Infectious Agents

If you are exposed to bloodborne pathogens or potentially infectious material:

 

1. Rinse the area in a sink, safety shower, or emergency eyewash for at least 15 minutes

2. Call for consultation or get help

  • Call 911 if a life safety issue.
  • During normal business hours, call EH&S at (303) 492-6025 for help. Then follow up with a Designated Medical Provider . Outside of normal business hours, call 9-1-1.

3. Report the incident

  • Email ehsbio@colorado.edu. Report within 24 hours any incidents involving biological hazards such as recombinant DNA, microorganisms, human-derived materials, or other potentially infectious materials. 

4. Waste Disposial

  • Contact EH&S for proper clean and disposal of affect surfaces or materials.

5. File a claim

If you are exposed to radioactive materials: 

 

1.Remove clothing

  • Carefully remove contaminated clothing and place into a sealed bag.

2. Immediately rinse the area in a sink, safety shower, or emergency eyewash for at least 15 minutes

3. Call EH&S

  • Contact the Radiation Safety Office at EH&S at (303) 492-6523, do not leave the area until EH&S has assessed the situation.
  • Call 9-1-1 if a life safety issue.

3. Seek treatment in nearest Emergency Department

  • Seek treament at the nearest emergency facility.

4. Waste Disposial

  • Contact EH&S to properly dispose of radioactive materials.

5. File a claim

 

If a biological or chemical agent contacts your eye or skin: 

 

1.Seek a nearby emergency facility if chemical fumes/vapors are inhaled.

2. Rinse the area in a sink, safety shower, or emergency eyewash for at least 15 minutes

3. Wash injured skin

  • For needlestick or injury to the skin, wash with soap and warm water.

4. Call for consultation or get help

  • Call 9-1-1 if a life safety issue.
  • During normal business hours, call EH&S at (303) 492-6025 for help. Then follow up with a Designated Medical Provider . Outside of normal business hours, go to the an emergency department.

5. Report the incident

  • Report the incident to EH&S. 

6. Waste Disposial

  • Affected surfaces can be cleaned with a bleach solution
  • Rags, towels, PPE used to clean up surfaces must be disposed of in biological waste
  • Sharp’s must be disposed of in a sharp’s container.
  • Follow Spill clean-up section for any spill chemicals

7. File a claim

 

Non-life threatening Chemical Spill:

 

1. Call 911 if the chemial spill is life-threating.

2. Contain the chemical

  • Use proper PPE such as nitrile gloves, safety glasses, non-open toed shoes, when containg the spill
  • Do not allow the chemical to enter a sink, floor, or storm water drains.

3. Contact EH&S (303-492-6025) to determine proper clean up and disposal requirements. 

4. Waste Disposial

  • Oils, glycol, or other non-regulated chemicals which are not free standing, can be disposed of in general waste receptacle.
  • Gasoline, Diesel, regulated chemicals must be disposed of through EH&S, via the paper waste tag system.