Hazardous Materials

Emergency procedures for hazardous substance spills

  • Any spill of a suspected hazardous substance must be reported immediately to Campus Public Safety at (802) 865-6465 or campus ext. 6465. Campus Public Safety will immediately contact the Physical Plant at (802) 860-2705 and the Burlington Fire Department.
  • Stop the SOURCE of the spill if possible, but DO NOT attempt to clean up the spill yourself.
  • Remove any victims from the area ONLY if it can be done safely, and evacuate the area.
  • If chemicals come in contact with your skin, immediately flush the affected area with clean water for at least 15 minutes.
  • Persons who may be contaminated by a spill/release are to:
    • Seek medical attention immediately.
    • Avoid contact with others.
    • Alert responders/emergency personnel of the injury.
    • Try to obtain the Safety Data Sheet for the chemicals involved to provide to emergency responders.
  • Aid victims if possible until emergency help arrives.
  • Provide any information you may have to the first responders.

Emergency procedures for fumes/vapors

  • If the presence of harmful/irritating fumes is suspected, the affected area should be evacuated, remove any victims from the area ONLY if it can be done safely.
  • Use a telephone away from the affected area and notify Campus Public Safety at (802) 865-6465 or campus ext. 6564. Campus Public Safety will immediately contact the Burlington Fire Department.
  • Ventilating an affected area, by opening windows and or activating exhaust fans, should only be done if doing so doesn’t exacerbate the situation or put personnel in harm’s way.
  • Make yourself available to emergency responders to provide critical information.