Please follow the emergency procedures outlined by Indiana University Emergency Management and Continuity (IUEMC) for:
- Personal medical emergencies;
- Fire and building evacuation;
- Severe weather and other natural hazards; and
- Spills, leaks and odors.
Major emergencies
In the event of an accident in the laboratory involving a fire, explosion, or a large release of a hazardous chemical:
- Evacuate the building by activating the nearest fire alarm.
- Call 911 to give the details of the accident including the location, personal. injuries, and types of hazardous material involved.
If the incident involves chemical contamination or serious personal injury (e.g. profuse bleeding, broken bone, unconsciousness, immobile victim, etc.) follow the steps above and, if comfortable and safe to do so:
- Move the victim from the immediate area of the fire, explosion, or spill.
- Remove any contaminated clothing from the victim and flush all areas of the body contacted by chemicals with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes.
- If trained to do so, administer first aid as appropriate and wait for emergency medical responders to arrive.
Minor emergencies
In the event of an accident in the laboratory which involves a minor chemical release or spill (with no personal injuries):
- Follow the Chemical Spill Response Procedures as indicated in the IU Biological, Chemical, Radiological Spill Reporting Program and written in the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
- For assistance contact the IUEHS representative of the respective campus.
If the accident involves minor injuries requiring treatment, report to the medical services provider of the respective campus:
- Administer first aid as appropriate and report to the appropriate supervisor or to the administrative office in the building or department as necessary.
- Responsible departmental personnel such as faculty, staff, or building managers should coordinate transportation assistance for the injured person.
- If a university vehicle or approved university vehicle drivers are unavailable, use of alternative transportation is appropriate.
- Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and observe local speed limits and traffic ordinances.
Incident reports
All laboratory incidents must be reported:
- Report all incidents (including non-injury and near-misses) to IUEHS.
- Report all incidents involving chemicals must be reported to IUEHS using the Spill or Incident Follow Up Report Form, even if they are handled internally by lab members.
- Submit occupational injury report and worker’s compensation claims to Human Resources at https://hr.iu.edu/workers.
Fires and fire alarms
If a fire alarm sounds, laboratory workers should:
- Extinguish any open flames (Bunsen burners, alcohol lamps, etc.) and close all fume hood sashes.
- Exit the building immediately to a designated assembly area.
- Report any incident information to the IU Police Department (IUPD) and stay available for a personnel count or any questions.
If a fire occurs, laboratory workers should:
- Pull the fire alarm and evacuate;
- Use an extinguisher if necessary to clear a route to make an escape;
- If trained,* use an extinguisher to fight an incipient fire but evacuate if the fire is not extinguished by a single extinguisher;
- Clothing fires can be extinguished using a fire blanket or the emergency shower if the lab does not require evacuation, or the Stop, Drop, and Roll method if the lab must be immediately vacated;
- Water reactives and burning metals may only be extinguished using Class D fire extinguishing media; and
- If chemicals are involved in the fire, follow your building emergency action plan as required. Then notify your designated building representative, contact IUEHS, and be prepared to provide information regarding the specific chemicals involved to IUEHS and emergency responders when they arrive.
* Insurance, Loss Control and Claims (INLOCC) approved annual field training