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SECTION 1: Emergency Procedures
For any emergency, including fire, explosions, accidents, and medical
emergencies, dial 911 from any University phone. Public
Safety personnel will respond, determine whether additional assistance
is needed and alert others who can help.
Fire Emergencies (top)
In the event of a fire, Public Safety should be notified immediately
at 911 and the following actions are recommended:
1. Put the fire out if you know how to do so without endangering yourself
or others. University policy states that individuals are not required
to fight fires, but that those who choose to do so may put out small,
incipient stage fires (no bigger than a wastepaper basket) as long as
they have been trained in the proper use of fire extinguishers.
- If you have been trained in the use
of a fire extinguisher, fight the fire from a position
where you can escape, only if you are confident that you will be successful.
Small fires can often be extinguished. Be sure to use the correct
fire extinguisher. See here
for guidance.
- A fire contained in a small vessel
can usually be suffocated by covering the vessel with a lid of some
sort.
2. If your clothing catches fire,
drop to the floor and roll to smother the fire. If a co-worker’s
clothing catches fire, knock the person to the floor and roll him or
her to smother the flames. Use a safety shower immediately thereafter.
3. If the fire is large or spreading,
activate the fire alarm to alert building occupants. If possible, shut
down any equipment which may add fuel to the fire. Do not turn off any
hoods in the immediate area, as they will tend to keep the area free
from smoke and fumes. Leave the fire area and prevent the fire’s
spread by closing the doors behind you.
4. Evacuate the building
and await the arrival of Public Safety. Be prepared to inform them of
the exact location, details of the fire, and chemicals that are stored
and used in the area.
5. Do not re-enter the building
until you are told to do so by Public Safety or the municipal fire official.
6. Contact Building Services at 8-3490 to replace used fire extinguishers.
Chemical Exposures (top)
The following procedures should be followed in the event of chemical
exposure. In all cases, the incident should be reported to your laboratory
manager, supervisor, or principal investigator, regardless of severity.
Consult your department manager and Employee Health at University
Health Services at McCosh to determine whether or not a First Report
of Accidental Injury or Occupational Illness should be completed for
Workers’ Compensation benefits.
In all cases, review the MSDS to determine if delayed effects are expected.
Chemicals on Skin
1. Immediately flush with water for no less than fifteen minutes.
For larger spills the safety shower should be used. While using the
safety shower, remove any contaminated jewelry or clothing. For pullover
shirts and sweaters, it may be beneficial to cut garments off to prevent
contamination of the eyes.
Hydrofluoric Acid: Flush
with water for 5 minutes. Apply calcium gluconate gel. If not available,
continue rinsing for 15 minutes. In all cases, seek medical attention
immediately. See Section 2E for more information.
Phenol (>10%): Flush
with water until affected area turns from white to pink. Apply polyethylene
glycol if available. Do not use ethanol.
Water-reactive Solids:
Brush off as much solid as possible. Proceed with rinsing.
2. If immediate medical attention is needed, call Public
Safety at 911 for an ambulance or transportation to University
Health Services at McCosh. Explain carefully what chemicals were
involved.
3. Discard contaminated clothing or launder them separately. Do not
reuse leather materials.
Chemicals in Eyes
1. Flush eye(s) with water for at least fifteen minutes. The eyes
must be forcibly held open to wash, and the eyeballs must be rotated
so all surface area is rinsed. The use of an eye wash fountain is
desirable so hands are free to hold the eyes open. If no eyewash is
available, rinse from the nose outward to avoid contaminating the
unaffected eye.
2. Remove contact lenses while rinsing. Do not attempt to rinse and
reinsert contact lenses.
3. Seek medical attention regardless of the severity or apparent
lack of severity. If an ambulance or transportation to University
Health Services at McCosh is needed, contact Public
Safety at 911. Explain carefully what chemicals were involved.
Chemical Inhalation
1. Close containers, open windows or otherwise increase ventilation,
and move to fresh air.
2. If symptoms, such as headaches, nose or throat irritation, dizziness,
or drowsiness persist, seek medical attention by calling Public
Safety at 911 or going to University
Health Services at McCosh. Explain carefully what chemicals were
involved.
Accidental Ingestion of Chemicals
1. Immediately go to University
Health Services at McCosh or contact the Poison Control Center
at 800-962-1253 for instructions. Do not induce vomiting unless directed
to do so by a health care provider. Explain carefully what chemicals
were involved.
Accidental Injection of Chemicals
1. Wash the area with soap and water.
2. Seek medical attention, if necessary. Explain carefully what chemicals
were involved.
Emergency Information Posters (top)
When fires or other emergencies occur in University facilities, several
agencies may respond, including the University’s Department of
Public Safety,
the Princeton Police and Fire Departments, Hazardous Materials Response
Teams from Trenton or Hamilton Township, the Princeton First Aid and
Rescue Squad, or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
In most instances, the individuals that respond have little or no familiarity
with either the building or the specific activities that take place
within.
The purpose of the Emergency Information Poster is to provide an easily
recognizable and consistent means of displaying essential information
about the status and content of laboratories or other facilities, primarily
for the benefit of the emergency responders. Such information is not
only important for the safety of emergency personnel, but is often of
considerable value in evaluating and mitigating the emergency.
Emergency Information Posters are required for any room or space where
there are hazardous materials used or stored. Posters may also be used
for other rooms with lesser hazards at the discretion of the person
responsible for that room.
During an emergency, the poster may be used as the primary source of
information about a room or space. Therefore, the information on the
poster should be complete and accurate. The following information should
be supplied on every poster:
- Responsible individuals - List those who are most familiar with
the activities in the room.
- Room diagram - A drawing of the room, showing important items such
as fume hoods, storage cabinets, lab benches, etc.
- Hazard class - Hazardous materials found in the room should be identified
and listed on the poster when quantities exceed the threshold levels.
- Posting/Review Dates - Posters should be reviewed to insure all
information is current and initialed at six month intervals, and replaced
every two years.
- Additional information - This allows narrative comments by the user
on material, storage conditions, unusual hazards, etc.
A copy of the poster should be placed on or near every entrance to
the room. One copy should also be sent to the Department of Public Safety.
Posters and instructions on their completion are available through
the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
Emergency Response Guidelines (top)
The Emergency Response Guidelines for Laboratory Workers booklet is intended
to provide simple guidelines that may be useful in the event of a fire,
medical emergency, chemical, biological or radiological spill or personal
contamination in the laboratory.
The booklets are designed to be posted on the wall with Velcro® and
should be located in each laboratory. The cover of the booklet lists the
Department Safety Manager, Chemical Hygiene Officer and Evacuation Assembly
Area for the appropriate building/department.
Emergency Response Guidelines booklets are available through the Office
of Environmental Health and Safety
(EHS).
 Introduction Section
2
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