Report all life threatening emergencies by calling 911.
Being prepared to respond to emergencies is a vital component of safety in the laboratory. Knowing and implementing appropriate lab emergency procedures will mitigate the potential consequence of each of these incidents. Prepare for emergencies by:
- making sure that all safety equipment are available, visible, accessible, and useable,
- posting emergency procedures that clearly indicate steps to take and phone numbers to call, and
- practicing emergency procedures through trainings and drills
To allow you to respond to minor incidents such as cuts, burns, chemical spill, chemical splash or small fires, the following safety equipment must be available in your laboratory. These equipment need to be visible, labeled, unobstructed, routinely checked, and maintained in functional condition:
- Fire Extinguisher – monthly checks [pdf]
- First Aid Kit – every 6 months [pdf]
- Chemical Spill Kit – replenished every after use [pdf]
- Emergency Shower Checks [pdf] and Eyewash Checks [pdf] (weekly activation and flushing required, according to ANSI Z358.1-2014), must be recorded in a Maintenance Log [pdf].
Emergency shower test kits are available in most research buildings:
- 300 Main: Photonics Lab basement area, contact Mike Platt platt4@mailbox.sc.edu
- 300 Main - A, B, C Wings: Structures Lab, contact Russ Inglett inglettr@cec.sc.edu
- Catawba: Room adjoining 206, contact Silke Henrich henrich@cec.sc.edu
- CLS/EWS/PSC: PSC 6th Floor Autoclave Room, contact Kelly Hamilton hamilkl@mailbox.sc.edu
- GSRC: GSRC Stockroom, contact Dexter Thomas thoma748@mailbox.sc.edu
- Horizon: contact Kevin Kent kevinka@fmc.sc.edu
- Swearingen: Room 1B47, contact Carol Stork stork@cec.sc.edu , or Chris Thompson thomp899@cec.sc.edu
Print and post the following documents in conspicuous areas in your laboratory such as exit doors, designated areas for use of HF or mercury, safety bulletin or next to safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, safety showers and eyewashes.
Incident Reporting and Forms
All accidents and incidents including near misses must be reported to EH&S as soon as possible and immediately after emergency response has been completed (i. e. Emergency Responders has declared the incident area "All Clear", spills have been cleaned up and medical care has been initiated). Use the incident report form and near miss form.