MSDSs

Emergency Response Roles and Responsibilities 

The University has formalized a response hierarchy for all classes of emergencies, from small events to catastrophes. Four different service departments may play a part in handling emergencies that could arise in University facilities.

In all emergency situations, the role of University Police (UP) is to investigate the report (either a call or an alarm), provide site security, implement notification requirements, set emergency area boundaries, and establish communications.

The Office for Research Safety (ORS) will advise and assist with hazardous-material spill control and cleanup. When the ability to respond adequately to a hazardous agent spill or release emergency is beyond the capability of University personnel, ORS will advise UP to call the local fire department or local hazardous materials response team.

The Safety and Loss Prevention (S&LP) Division investigates incidents for insurance and worker's compensation purposes, as well as for fire and life safety improvement recommendations. S&LP acts as a liaison between ORS, UP, and emergency responders outside the University.

Any of the other departments may call upon Facilities Management (FM) Operations for advice on exceptional building features. FM personnel will provide technical expertise.

Building Emergency and Evacuation Plans 

The senior officials of ORS, UP, the Office of Risk Management-Safety, and Facilities Management are authorized to initiate evacuation of buildings. The University Emergency Response Plan requires that department heads cooperate to establish building safety committees and appoint building safety managers and alternates. The building safety committees shall develop emergency and evacuation plans for each building. The plans shall include a telephone tree for notifying key persons in case of emergency. All building occupants shall receive training in their respective emergency plan. Safety wardens shall be appointed for each building. 

In the event of a fire, hazardous material release, or other hazardous situation requiring emergency response in a safety warden's zone, the warden will: 

• Activate the fire alarm, if needed 
• Call UP and report the incident 
• Evacuate the Zone 
• Assist emergency personnel by providing information regarding location of the incident, origin, and persons involved 

The warden shall not be placed in imminent danger. 

Power Failure 

In the event of a power failure in a University research building, the building shall be evacuated. Evacuation is required because the ventilation system will cease to function. Although an emergency generator will maintain emergency lighting, air supply diffusers and chemical fume hoods will not operate. 

Expect a delay between power outage and generator start-up; there will be a period of darkness before the emergency lights are turned on. Be prepared by keeping flashlights in the work area. 

Once there is adequate emergency lighting, cap any open chemical containers and close gas cylinders, perform an orderly shutdown of equipment and processes, and close the fume hood sash. If refrigerators, freezers, or cold rooms contain heat-sensitive materials, consider using dry ice to keep these materials cold. Leave immediately when the area has been secured and can be left unattended. Contact ORS or UP if there is a possibility of an uncontrolled reaction in a process that cannot be shut down. 

Do not depend on safety showers or eyewashes. The safety equipment relies on a booster pump that will not be operational. Emergency telephones and manual pullbox stations should continue to operate properly. 

Incident (Accident) Reporting 

All laboratory incidents shall be reported to ORS, including minor spills, fires, or injuries. Laboratory incidents shall be investigated. ORS requires that an Incident Report form be completed by the person(s) involved in the incident. The person's supervisor is expected to sign the completed form. The form is then submitted to ORS for subsequent review and comment by the Chemical and Biological Safety Committee. The supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that corrective action to prevent repeat incidents is undertaken. 

ORS may also prepare an investigation report, depending on the staff's involvement in the cleanup of spilled materials or as follow-up for the incident. Investigations are made and reports written not only to satisfy certain laws but also to learn the cause of the problem and what changes in procedures, equipment, or training should be made to avoid other accidents. 

Fires or injuries not requiring outside assistance shall be reported to the Office of Risk Management-Safety. The Office of Risk Management-Safety documents all fires and shall report all accidental employee injuries to the University's Workers' Compensation carrier and lost-time injuries to the Illinois Industrial Commission. The injuries shall also be entered in the OSHA Injury Log. In case of a fire, injury, or other accident requiring outside assistance, the Office of Risk Management-Safety shall write an investigation report.

Internal ORS Links: What's New | Emergency Response | Administration | Biological Safety | Chemical Safety | Hazard Communication | Laboratory Safety | New to NU? | Radiation Safety

External ORS Links: Northwestern Home | Vice President for Research | Big 10 EH&S Links | Risk Management | Employee Safety Handbook

ORS - Evanston • 2145 Sheridan Road • Tech NG71 • Evanston, IL 60208
ORS - Chicago • 303 E. Chicago Avenue • Ward B106 W223 • Chicago, IL 60611
Phone 847/491-5581 or 312/503-8300 • FAX 847/467-2797 or 312/503-0547
e-mail researchsafety@northwestern.edu
Last Revision 05/16/2007
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