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Safety Committee Home |
Reporting Emergencies
When there is an emergency that poses
immediate danger to people or property, please call
911 and sound the fire alarm
if you can do so safely before evacuating. Follow emergency
evacuation procedures as outlined in the Northwestern
Health Sciences Safety Plan. Remain calm, notify others,
and respond to the emergency as appropriate. Procedures
for responding to specific types of emergencies are
described in the plan. Do not attempt to handle emergency
duties--e.g., fire fighting--for which you do not have
training.
For safety issues that pose no immediate danger to
people or property, please dial 232 to
speak with a representative from the Physical
Plant department.
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Chemical Spills
The guidelines below should be followed in the
event of a chemical incident in which there is
potential for a significant release of hazardous
materials.
Evacuation. If the spill is large or if the spill
seems hazardous, immediately notify security at
extension 232. Persons in the immediate vicinity
of a spill should immediately evacuate the area.
General spill control techniques. Once a spill
has occurred, the employees or faculty at the spill
site must decide whether the spill is small enough
to handle without outside assistance. Only employees
with training in spill response should attempt
to contain or clean up a spill.
Response and cleanup procedures for small spills.
Small spills generally can be handled by internal
personnel and usually do not require an emergency
response by fire department HAZMAT personnel.
Laboratories: Hazardous laboratory chemicals are
used in small quantities and generally diluted
solutions. None are extremely toxic or dangerous
to bare skin. Spills are to be covered immediately
and the instructor notified to supervise the cleanup.
No special cleanup procedures are required. Absorbent
towels may be used, rinsed in a sink and discarded
into a waste container. Volatile substances may
be evaporated in the hoods. Any skin contact with
spilled material should be washed with soap and
water. |
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Fires
If you see a fire or smoke, take the following
steps:
• Activate the alarm to begin evacuating the
building.
• If you are not in immediate danger, call
911 to report the fire. Provide the operator with
the building or area name, door number of the closest
entrance, the approximate location of the fire,
the size and type of fire, and your name. Next
dial 232 and request immediate assistance from
the Physical Plant Department.
• Exit the building by following posted evacuation
routes. Do not use elevators in an emergency.
Employees and students must receive permission
from their supervisor, class faculty member or
the emergency response coordinator before re-entering
the building. |
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Bomb Threats
If you receive a bomb threat over the telephone,
remain calm and act courteous. If possible, notify
another person to listen on another extension.
Take notes on the caller’s threat, tone,
voice characteristics, and background noise and
obtain as much information as possible.
Take the following steps after the caller hangs
up:
• Hang up the phone. Immediately, before the
next call comes in, dial extension 232 during normal
business hours. Tell the person who answers the
phone that there is an emergency situation and
you need to speak with the Physical Plant Director
immediately. If the Physical Plant Director is
not immediately available, contact the Presidents
Office. After normal business hours call 612-532-1097
or 612-910-4100. For bomb threats received at an
off-campus clinic call 911 and then notify the
Physical Plant Director at extension 232.
• Report the following information to either
the Director of the Physical Plant or the Presidents
Office:
- your name;
- the location and telephone number
from which you are calling;
- a description of
the bomb threat;
- the exact time you received
the call;
- the location of the device, if known;
- the
time the device is set to detonate, if known;
- the
type of device, if known;
- any other information
from your notes.
- Inform your supervisor.
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Disruptive Behavior
Employees at the scene of disruptive behavior (fights,
individuals under the influence, weapons violations,
picketing, riots, etc.) should immediately dial
232 and request assistance from the Physical
Plant Director or security officer. In situations
that involve violence or threatened violence
which endangers individuals or property, employees
should immediately contact
911 and report the
emergency to local police. Employees should exercise
due caution until appropriate campus or community
officials arrive at the scene. |
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Criminal Activity
Students and employees of the university
should immediately report criminal activities on
campus using the following guidelines:
• Report any personal property loss to the Physical
Plant Director or Vice President for Administrative
Services.
• Incidents that involve offensive or harassing
behavior or a violation of the University’s
drug and alcohol policies should be reported to the
Human Resources Director or the Dean of Student Affairs.
• Incidents involving violence (including sexual
assault) or injury should be reported immediately
by contacting the Physical Plant Director, the Human
Resources Director or the Vice President of Administrative
Services and local law enforcement officials.
• University officials will assist victims of
crime in notifying local law enforcement officials
upon request.
• An annual comprehensive security report is
published in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure
of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics
Act. The report is also available upon written request
from the Human Resource and Admissions offices. |
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Suspicious Mail
If you receive a suspicious-looking letter
or package:
• DO NOT open it, shake it or empty its contents
• Immediately dial 232 and ask for assistance
• Remain calm |
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Utility Failure
In the event of a power outage, call the Physical
Plant Director during normal business hours at
extension 232. After
hours call 612-532-1097 or 612-910-4100. The campus phone system will continue
to operate in the event of an electrical outage.
In the event of a major, campus-wide power outage:
• Remain calm
• Do not light candles or other flames as
they could ignite an explosion
• Turn off lights and unplug all electrical
equipment, including computers
• If evacuation is required, secure all experiments
and shut off all gases. All chemicals should be
stored in original locations.
• For off-campus locations, contact leasing
agent
• University administration will determine
whether classes will be cancelled and departments
closed. |
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Weather Emergencies
Northwestern Health Sciences University facility
is subject to the following weather emergencies:
• tornados and high winds;
• lightning;
• flooding; and
• winter weather.
During a tornado warning or high winds, employees
and students should move to places of maximum protection,
such as the interiors of buildings and the basement
level. Keep away from windows. Assist disabled
individuals in moving to these locations. Await
specific instructions from your supervisor or the
emergency response coordinator. A tornado watch
is issued when weather conditions are ideal for
a tornado to form. A tornado warning is issued
when a tornado is identified in the immediate vicinity.
During an electrical storm, stay away from windows
and open doors. You may be instructed to shut down
your computer. Stay clear of metal objects, such
as pipes and electrical appliances. Do not go outside.
Except during extremely hazardous weather conditions,
the university will remain open for business and
employees will be expected to report for work.
During severe winter weather, employees may listen
to the following radio stations for information
about any closings or delayed openings:
AM 830 WCCO – Radio
Channel 4 (CBS) - Television
Employees and students also may call the university’s
main phone number at 952-888-4777 or check the
university’s web site to determine whether
to report to work or class during severe weather.
Drive slowly in winter weather and be sure to clean
all ice and snow from vehicle windows. |
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