How to Clean Up a Photographic Chemical Spill

Instructions

• 1

  Know the procedure
  
  After a photographic chemical spill, you need to identify the chemicals involved. Also check how to remove the spill by reading the in-house spill response plan and Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS. Remember that MSDS let you know the chemical properties and how to clean-up the spill.
• 2

  Protective measures
  
  You need to take precautions while handling the photographic chemical spill. Wear protective clothing for example gloves, eye and face protection, protective aprons and suits. In case the spill is large or respiratory equipment is required, it is strongly recommended that you do not clean it. Let the professionals handle the spill.
• 3

  Ventilate the area and remove flammable devices
  
  After wearing protective clothing, you need to turn off or remove any flammable devices from that area. In addition to this, you are required to ventilate the area.
• 4

  Gather items to contain and clean the spill
  
  Next you need to gather the items for cleaning and containing the photographic chemical spill. Get a spill absorption and neutralization kit for this purpose. It usually contains sand-textured spill material or loose clay in order to absorb the photographic chemical. You will also find filled socks and pillows which are used to contain the fluid in that area. In addition to this, you also need to get brushes and special sealable containers or polyethylene bags to contain the fluid.
• 5

  Use the loose spill collection material
  
  After gathering the items you need to use it. Lay the loose spill collection material around the spill and then apply inwards. This will absorb the photographic chemical spill. Then you need to use brush in order to let the fluid get in the sealable containers or polyethylene bags.
• 6

  Clean the contaminated surfaces
  
  In the end you need to clean the contaminated surface. You can do this by applying detergent and water if appropriate.