1.16.5 Hazardous Material Incident

Purpose

1. To eliminate the loss of life, minimize personal injury and reduce damage or loss of University property in the event of a hazardous material incident. Such incidents include, but are not limited to, chemical spills, biological spills, fuel storage emergency, natural gas leaks requiring the assistance of outside agencies and/or vendors to assist in response procedures.

Responsibility

1. Personnel should always contact their supervisor and University Police in the event of an emergency

Chemical Spill

1.   Immediately leave the area
2.   Notify others in the area, to prevent contamination of additional personnel and environment.
   1.   If spill occurs inside a building, close all doors leading to contaminated area.
3.   Remove any contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin with disinfectant.
4.   Wash exposed areas of skin with soap and disinfectant.
5.   Inform Supervisor, if available.
6.   Contact University Police at “111” if dialing from a campus extension or 475-5711 if calling from off-campus phone.

Biological Spill

1.   Notify others in the area, to prevent contamination of additional personnel and environment.
   1.   Close door, and post with a warning sign.
2.   Remove any contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin with disinfectant.
3.   Wash exposed areas of skin with soap and disinfectant.
4.   Inform Supervisor, if available.
5.   Contact University Police at “111” if dialing from a campus extension or 475-5711 if calling from off-campus phone.

Fuel Storage Emergency

1. Should an emergency result from a fuel spill, storage spill or fire in a fuel storage area:
   1.   Leave the immediate area.
      1.   Do not allow others to enter the area.
   2.   Contact University Police at “111” from a campus telephone or 475-5711 if calling from an off-campus telephone.
   3.   All vehicle traffic must come to a complete and immediate stop.
      1.   Turn off engines.
   4.   Extinguish open flames such as matches, lighters, lit cigarettes, etc.
   5.   Do not attempt to fight a fire unless properly trained to do so.

Natural Gas Leaks

1.   Should an emergency result from a natural gas leak:
   1.   Leave the immediate area.
      1.   Extinguish open flames such as matches, lighters, lit cigarettes, etc
      2.   Do not turn off lights, use telephones, or any other electronic devices.
      3.   Do not allow others to enter the area.
   2.   Once you are at a safe distance from the leak, contact University Police at “111” from a campus telephone or 475-5711 if calling from an off-campus telephone.
   3.   All vehicle traffic must come to a complete and immediate stop.
      1.   Turn off engines.
   4.   Do not attempt to control or stop the leak unless you have been properly trained to do so.