PLANNING FOR EMERGENCIES

 

Planning and practicing for emergencies are an essential component of laboratory safety.  Workers in labs should have the knowledge necessary to assess their risks from a small spill or release of a chemical or a small trash can fire, if they have received proper training.  The most important aspect of this training is being able to differentiate between an incidental situation and an emergency.  Practice in emergency procedures and evacuation drills will provide lab workers with the insight they need to make this differentiation.  Contact the Fire Marshal (257-6326) for information on fire extinguisher training.

 

An incidental release is one that does not cause an imminent health or safety hazard to lab workers and does not have to be cleaned up immediately to prevent death or serious injury to employees.  Lab workers should prepare for and handle their own incidental spills or releases.  If an accident does occur, please refer to Appendix VI for appropriate reporting procedures.

 

The following is a list of life-threatening situations.  If any of these situations occur the emergency procedures of the following section need to be followed:

 

1.        High concentrations of toxic substances

2.        Situation that could lead to bodily injury or death

3.        Imminent danger to life and health (IDLH) environments

4.        Situation that presents an oxygen deficient atmosphere

5.        Condition that poses a fire or explosion hazard

6.         A situation that requires immediate attention because of the danger posed to employees in the area

 

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR SELECTED EMERGENCIES

 

Fires and Other Life-Threatening Situations

 

The four actions below must be taken by whoever discovers a fire that cannot be put out safely by someone trained in fire extinguisher handling.  Other life-threatening situations such as equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment which results in uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical into the workplace also require that the below actions be taken.  Actual emergency conditions may require the procedures to be followed in a different order, depending on the layout of the laboratory, time of day, the number of people present and the location of the emergency relative to doors and alarm stations or telephones.

 

1. Alert personnel in the immediate vicinity. Explain the nature and extent of the emergency. Give instructions to sound the alarm and call for assistance.

 

2. Only where safe and possible: turn off any heat sources, confine the fire or emergency, shut the fume hood sash and close any doors.  These measures can help to prevent the spread of vapors, gases, or fire.

 

3. Evacuate the building or hazardous area. Use the evacuation alarm system. Follow posted evacuation procedures.  Assemble at your lab’s designated meeting point. Practice evacuation and assembly in drills.

 

4. Summon aid from a safe location and call 911.  Give location and explain the emergency.

 

Clothing Fire and Severe Thermal Burns

 

Thermal burns from a clothing fire or large splash of hot material can be life threatening if they are deep, extensive, or located on critical areas of the body.  Severe burns of the hands, feet, face, and genital areas are considered critical.

 

To extinguish a clothing fire:

 

• Stop the person on fire from running!

 

• Drop the person to the floor.  Standing will allow flames to spread upward to eyes and nose.

 

• Roll the person to snuff out the flames.

 

• Cool the person.  Remove smoldering clothing.  Use cold water or ice packs to cool burns and minimize injury.

 

• Get medical assistance immediately.

 

Chemical Splash to the Eyes or Skin

 

The most important emergency measure if chemicals are splashed to the eyes or skin is immediate flushing with water in the emergency eyewash and/or shower.  Most splashes need at least 15 minutes of washing. Get medical assistance immediately after flushing.

 

The following are instructions for using the eyewash or safety shower. 

 

Using an Eyewash

 

• Always wash with tepid water or eye solution from the inside edges of the eyes to the outside; this will help to avoid washing the chemicals back into the eyes or into an unaffected eye.

 

• Water or eye solution should NOT be directly aimed onto the eyeball but aimed at the base of the nose.

 

• Flush eyes and eyelids with water or eye solution for a minimum of 15 minutes.  “Roll” eyes around to ensure full rinsing. 

 

• Immediately seek medical attention.

 

 

Using a Safety Shower

 

• Stand directly under the shower head.

 

• Pull handle to activate shower.

 

• Wash with tepid water for a minimum of 15 minutes.

 

• To turn off the shower push the handle up.

 

Accidental Release and Response Procedures

 

If handled properly, a spill may be nothing more than a nuisance.  If handled improperly, a spill can seriously disrupt activities and the work of your colleagues.  At worst, a spill can cause bodily harm or property damage.  

 

To prepare for spills, you should do the following:

 

• Learn about the hazards for the chemicals in the laboratory.
• Write response procedures to address the hazards.
• Ensure personnel have the correct equipment and training to follow the written procedures.

More information about Chemical Spill Response Planning in Laboratories can be found at the American Chemical Society Website.