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