Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility

Emergency Procedures

INRF Emergency Procedures

These are the standard operating procedures for INRF emergencies. These procedures should be followed in the event of an emergency, tempered by the judgement of the personnel involved. Every situation is unique, and common sense should observed in all cases.

In all cases, the indivudual(s) responding to an emergency situation should remain calm and practice good judgement. If someone has been hurt or is in danger, all actions should be made with the victim’s health as the first priority. After (or during) any incident, INRF staff and the Environmental Health and Safety office (EH&S) should be notified.

Helpful Documenation

Phone numbers for all emergency contacts are kept in the front gowning room of the clean room area, as are materials data safey sheets. Other reading material and first aid documentation can be found there. More information about the Standard Operating Procedures can be found in the INRF User Safety Training Manual and in the INRF Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Emergency Response Kits

First aid kits, spill kits, and other emergency response kits are located in the wet processing rooms. A first aid kit and a change of clothing are also maintained in the main entry area by the gowning room.

Evacuation

In the case of a general alarm or disaster (such as earthquake), all personnel in the clean room facility must evacuate the facility via the closest exit. Evacuation routes are posted throughout the facility. If you are using equipment, you should press the appropriate shutdown switch before leaving. Under no circumstances should you delay in exiting the facility. One INRF staff (e.g., lab manager, research coordinator) will exit by the gowning room and check the log computer to see who is in the facility.

All personnel in the facility should assemble at the front of the Engineering Gateway building. The INRF staff will check for the INRF users in the assembled area to be sure that all personnel have evacuated the facility.

Chemical Spill

In the case of a small to medium chemical spill (under a gallon), the appropriate response is as follows. If the spill is a flammable solvent, the user must act quickly.

  1. Make sure there is no exposure to eyes or skin.
  2. Inform others and get help.
  3. Put on gloves, goggles and protective gear.
  4. Use spill kit to contain spill, and to absorb or neutralize spill.
  5. Clean up waste and put in plastic container.
  6. Notify INRF staff if you haven’t done so already.

Chemical Exposure

In the case where you or someone else has gotten wet from a chemical, the following procedure is required.

  1. Determine exposed area—do not panic.
  2. Call for help: yell loudly, “I need help here!”. Immediately flush eyes or skin with water using the nearest shower station.
  3. Water flush must be for at least 15 minutes. If necessary, remove clothing (a change of clothing is provided in the gowning room).
  4. In the event of HF (hydrofluoric acid) exposure, rub calcium glutomate from the first aid kit over the exposed area. This is available in the first aid kit in the gowning room.
  5. If inhalation exposure, move to fresh air. Keep warm and do not panic.
  6. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. INRF staff and EH&S must be notified.

Note: An emergency change of clothing is available for the victim in the event that a shower is required. The extra clothing is in the gowning room.

Fire

In the event of fire, the appropriate response is to shut down any equipment near you, warn others nearby, then evacuate and pull the nearest fire alarm (or call 911). All alarms are outside the clean room.

In the case of a small fire (e.g., on a bench top), if you are trained and feel comfortable, you may choose to fight to fight the fire. This is the procedure:

  1. Call for help.
  2. Feel doors, if cool, crack slightly to observe fire.
  3. If fire is small and contained.
  4. Get fire extinguisher.
  5. Position your back to a clear escape.
  6. P-A-S-S: Pull, aim, squeeze, sweep.
  7. If you cannot extinguish fire, evacuate immediately, then pull a fire alarm.

Users are not required to fight fires. Only tackle a fire if it is small and you feel secure in your ability to handle the situation. If you are successful, you may prevent a small fire from turning into a large, potentially lethal fire.

Accident

In the event of an accident where someone is hurt, the appropriate response is to perform standard first aid. Do not panic! Check the status of the victim. If the victim is unconscious, do not move them unless there is immediate danger. Call for help. Call 9-1-1 for the campus police. Administer first aid or CPR if necessary.