How to Clean Up Mercury Spill From Fluorescent Light-OSHA
A new OSHA Quick Card provides guidance to minimize employee exposure to mercury when cleaning up a broken fluoresecent light. Safe Cleanup of Broken Fluorescent Bulbs
•Notify workers and tell them to stay away from the area.
•Open any windows and doors to air out the room.
•Do not use a broom or vacuum cleaner unless the vacuum cleaner is specifically designed to collect mercury.
•Wear appropriate disposable chemical-resistant gloves.
•Use a commercial mercury spill kit if available, or scoop up pieces of glass and powder with stiff paper or cardboard to avoid contact with the broken glass.
•Use sticky tape to pick up any remaining pieces of glass.
•Wipe down hard floors with a damp paper towel.
•Place all pieces of glass and cleanup materials in a sealable plastic bag or a glass jar with a lid.
•Wash your hands thoroughly after cleanup.