Questions Hg spill
My lab had equipment that has a large volume of mercury. We discovered it was leaking, estimates are 1-20mL. The time duration is uncertain, but 1-6 weeks. No personnel were present in the space during the leak. The leak was discovered, the initial clean up done by on site response teams, assessed by hazmat safety vendor, cleaned and clear by a referred 2nd hazmat clean specialist vendor, and then 2 days later post inspection for vapor. The spill happened on concrete that was sealed 20 years ago but has eroded. On the post cleanup analysis they found trace (no data provided) vapors from the cracks and concrete seems, reapplied the zinc clean up powder, will do a 2nd round of clean with plans to do a new seal on the floor after the next post cleanup vapor inspection assuming the vendor approves. Now if this information has been provided in writing; only verbal updates.
Management has been tight lipped with providing data and an official report. When a peer requested the report they were given a copy on the hand written notes from the hazmat cleaning vendor. As far as I know, no vapor measurement data.
Talking to facilities it’s assumed that the hazmat cleaning vendor reported their findings to the county as required by law (CA) but there is limited information and communication in any written format about the event.
My understanding is that an official report has to be provided to potential exposure employees within 15 days following a formal written request. I will get medically tested as I was a first responder. I’m comfortable with hazmat risk as a part of my profession and personal hobbies (ceramics). But the uncertainty is concerning for some. I know the relative exposure risk from environmental exposure / food exposure is likely comparable. The spill location had constant HVAC air flow and constant temperatures (73F).
My primary question is what information should I request to get access to data and an official report. Does the hand written report qualify for the state osha standards? I am correct that the employer is requires to provide an incident report with the measurement data, initial site assessment, remediation procedures and related follow up assessment? Personally I’m more curious than worried (if anyone here believes I should be more concerned let me know).
It appears that there was foot traffic through the spill site. We were told that they did do a full analysis of the whole building, checking for vapor room by room. As well as the HVAC system. But words don’t replace data in a discipline that is data driven. I also did not have formal training on the spill response (planned all day in person training planned 2 weeks from now before the spill was discovered).
Our CHO was not trained on the SOP for this type of spill. The hazmat response plan and team had not been formalized at the time of the event. The real issue is that the uncertainty is creating anxiety among some peers.
I trust that the business is motivated to avoid litigation and (hopefully) the safety of their community members. The building was shut down 1 day during the initial response by the outside vendors and opened after being given approval by the vendor (again all verbal communication).
I’m looking for expert input about what type of report I have the right to request and what this group experts input is about the situation. I tell my peers they have the right to be safe and need to feel comfortable with their level of risk tolerance. My risk tolerance is higher than most but I’m also not blindly taking risks; I look this stuff up for fun! I like to make informed decision about risk (professional, personal, recreational as a long time wilderness backpacker).
What types of questions will help navigate an anxious administration but help get the information that I want to know? I want to frame it as curiosity (which is authentic) and maybe help them understand their legal obligations. That an in person hand waiving without a report and data creates more anxiety for some.
