The University of the Virgin Islands

Draft Laboratory EMERGENCY Response PLAN

During the course of normal laboratory activities, there is always the potential for either an emergency situation to arise or an accident to happen. These emergencies/accidents can result or lead to a chemical spill, fire, electrical shock, or the need for medical assistance. In the event of an emergency, an emergency response plan should be implemented. This plan would include evacuation of the facility if such action deemed appropriate. It is essential that all employees know how to act and react during the emergency. To accomplish this and to ensure a positive outcome, it is necessary that a written Laboratory Emergency Response Plan be developed and that all employees are trained and participate in drills. This manual is the Draft Laboratory Emergency Response Plan for the University of the Virgin Islands.

SECTIONS:

1. Chemical Spills

2. Biological Hazards Spills

3. Medical Emergency

4. Fires and Explosions

5. Personal Contamination – Chemical and Biological

6. Compressed Gas Leaks

7. Reporting of Incidents and Accidents

8. Important Response Agencies Addresses and Phone Numbers

1. Chemical Spills

A chemical spill is classified as an emergency whenever it:

Causes personal injury or chemical exposure that requires medical attention.
Causes a fire hazard or uncontrollable volatility.
Requires a need for breathing apparatus of the supplied air or self-contained type to handle the material involved.
Involves or contaminates a public area.
Causes airborne contamination that requires local or building evacuation.
Causes a spill that cannot be controlled or isolated by laboratory personnel.
Causes damage to university property that will require repairs.
Involves any quantity of metallic mercury.
Cannot be properly handled due to lack of local trained personnel and/or equipment to perform a safe, effective cleanup.
Requires prolonged or overnight cleanup.
Involves an unknown substance.
The chemical enters the land or water.

Anticipate chemical spills by having appropriate cleanup and safety equipment on hand. Procedure for cleaning chemical spills should be periodically discussed with all lab personnel so that immediate action can be taken once the spill occur. These cleanup supplies should be consistent with the hazards and quantities of substances used. Paper towels and sponges may be used as absorbent type cleanup aids but this should be done cautiously. Paper used to clean up oxidizers can later ignite and appropriate gloves should be worn when cleaning toxic materials with towels. Sponges should be chemical resistant. Commercial clean-up kits are available that have instructions, absorbents, neutralizers, and protective equipment, but these kits are usually expensive and may not cover everything used in a particular lab. Commercial absorbents (e.g Oil-Dry and Zorb-All), vermiculite, or small particles of clay-based absorbents are recommended; dry sand is acceptable, but less effective. Individuals or departments may want to assemble their own kits. These kits should be located strategically around the laboratory or department area.

The following substances are very hazardous and cleanup should be handles by trained personnel.

If a spill does occur, the following general procedures should be followed:

Alert personnel in adjacent areas.
Confine the spill and evacuate nonessential personnel from spill area.
Attend to contaminated personnel, if any. First, protect yourself; then remove injured person or persons to fresh air, if safe to do so.
If spilled material is flammable, extinguish flames and all other sources of ignition.
Never assume gases or vapors do not exist or are harmless because of lack of smell.
Do not touch the spill without protective clothing; wearing gloves is a must.
Maintain fume hood ventilation. Increase ventilation by opening closed fume hood sashes to the 12 inch or full open position.
If flammable vapors are involved, do not operate electrical switches unless to turn off motorized equipment. Try to turn off or remove heat sources, where safe to do so.
Secure appropriate cleanup supplies. Use specific-classified absorbents to collect its appropriate substances. Reduce vapor concentrations by covering the surface of a liquid spill with absorbent and control enlargement of the spill area by dyking around the spill with absorbent.
During cleanup, wear appropriate personal protection.
Notify the Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator and Laboratory Supervisor, if the spill involves a regulated substance.
Call Campus Security immediately at 693-1530 on St. Thomas or 692- 4444 on St. Croix or 911 emergency number. Notify the police dispatcher of location of the spill and, if known, the chemical spilled.
A copy of at the chemical’s MSDS shall accompany the victim to the hospital.
If the spilled substance is classified as chemical hazard, any contaminated cleanup supplies should be marked as hazardous chemical waste and should be disposed of in the EPA approved proper manner.

2. Biological Hazards Spills

Biological hazards are naturally occurring substances such as bacteria, fungi and moulds. In many cases, these hazards are not as visible or well known as chemical or physical hazards. As a precautionary measure, laboratory coats, gloves and, if necessary, masks over the mouth, should be used in order to avoid personal contact with biological agents. Disinfections and sterilization procedures should be written out and applied. If a spill does occur, the following general procedures should be followed:

· If an accident occurs that may generate aerosols or droplets of an infectious agent, all lab personnel must leave the area and close the door. Decontaminate clothing and then shower using disinfectant soap. Allow at least 30 minutes for the droplets to settle and for the aerosol concentration to decrease before cleanup.

· Wear appropriate personal protective clothing such as gloves, lab coat, and approved respiratory equipment, if needed, to clean up biological hazard spills.

· Cover the spill area with paper towels; pour a 10% bleach solution or disinfectant solution around the edges of the spill and then into the spill. Allow 10 minutes contact time.

· Working from the outer edges into the center, use paper towels to clean the area.

· Clean the spill area with fresh towels soaked in a disinfectant. Be sure to decontaminate any areas or surfaces that you suspect may have been affected by the spill. Use of a disinfectant spray on the spill area is appropriated at this point.

· Place all clean up materials and gloves into a bag for decontamination, preferably by autoclaving.

· Personnel involved must wash hands and face thoroughly after cleanup.

3. Medical Emergency

Personal injury is not uncommon in a laboratory setting. These injuries such as minor cuts or burns are usually commonplace but there can be injuries as severe as hazardous effects of chemical exposure or serious incidents such as burns from lasers, heart attacks, or strokes. All laboratory personnel must be familiar with UVI's Emergency Response Plan. The following additional procedures are intended to limit injuries and minimize damage should an accident occur:

Supplies in a First Aid Kit can be used to treat minor scratches, cuts, and burns. Every laboratory room must have a First Aid Kit.
Render assistance to persons involved and remove them from exposure to further injury, if necessary.
Warn personnel in adjacent areas of potential hazards to their safety.
Render immediate first aid such as washing in safety shower, administering CPR, or special first aid (such as the use of a cyanide kit if cyanide poison exposure is involved).
Turn off nearby electrical apparatus and remove flammable materials from the area.

In the case of a medical emergency, remain calm and do only what is necessary to protect life.

Call Campus Security immediately at 693-1530 on St. Thomas or 692- 4444 on St. Croix or 911 emergency number.
Do not move an injured person unless they are in further danger.
Keep the injured person warm. If feasible, designate one person to remain with the injured person.
If clothing is on fire, knock the person on the ground and roll them around to smother the flames or douse under a safety shower. A fire blanket should only be used as a last resort.
It is good practice following any administration of first aid, a nurse or physician qualified to handle medical emergencies should provide further examination and treatment.

Personal protection during the administration of first aid is very important. OSHA requires adherence to "Universal Precautions" when employees respond to emergencies which provide potential exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. "Universal Precautions" stresses that all patients should be assumed to be infectious for HIV, Hepatitis viruses, and other bloodborne pathogens.

· Persons responding to a medical emergency should be protected from exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Protection can be achieved through adherence to work practices designed to minimize or eliminate exposure and through the use of personal protective equipment (i.e., gloves, masks, and protective clothing), which provide a barrier between the worker and the exposure source. For most situations in which first aid is given, the following guidelines should be adequate.

o For bleeding control with minimal bleeding and for handling and cleaning instruments with microbial contamination, disposable gloves alone should be sufficient.

o For bleeding control with spurting blood, disposable gloves, a gown, a mask, and protective eye wear are highly recommended.

o For measuring temperature or measuring blood pressure, no protection is required.

· After emergency care has been administered, hands and other skin surfaces should be washed immediately and thoroughly with warm water and soap or a disinfectant agent if contaminated with blood, other body fluids to which universal precautions apply, or potentially contaminated articles. Hands should always be washed after gloves are removed, even if the gloves appear to be intact.

4. Fires and Explosions

Small fires can easily be extinguished without evacuating the building or calling the fire department. However, even a small fire can quickly become a serious problem. The first few minutes are critical to preventing a larger emergency. The following actions should be taken by the University’s personnel and students in the event of a minor fire:

Alert other people in the laboratory and send someone to call Campus Security immediately at 693-1530 on St. Thomas or 692- 4444 on St. Croix.
Attack the fire immediately, but never attempt to fight a fire alone. A fire in a small vessel can often be suffocated by placing a larger beaker or watch glass over the top.
Extinguish small fires by using a portable fire extinguisher.
Use the proper extinguisher, directing discharge of the extinguisher at the base of the flame:

class A fires- ordinary combustible solids such as paper, wood, rubber, and textiles.
class B fires- petroleum hydrocarbons and volatile flammable solvents.
class C fires- electrical equipment.
class D fires- combustible or reactive metals such as sodium, potassium, or magnesium, metal hydrides, or organometallics.

Procedure for Using Most Fire Extinguishers

Pull the pin.
Aim nozzle or horn at base of fire
Press lever
Use a sweeping “ side to side ” motion.

Water can only be used for Class A fires. Water hose extinguishers have the longest range of all types of extinguishers; properly trained personnel can effectively out the fire without getting to close to it.
Avoid entrapment, always fight a fire from a position accessible to an exit.
Fire extinguishers are designed to handle small fires. If there is any doubt about your safety, do not try to out the fire.

If there is any doubt whether a fire can be control locally by available personnel or equipment, the following actions should be taken:

Activate the building’s emergency alarm system.
Alert other people in the building.
Try to keep calm.
Confine the fire (close hood sashes, doors between laboratories, and fire doors) to prevent further spread of the fire.
If confronted with smoke or fumes, keep head as close to the floor as possible. Cover month and nose with a piece of cloth or one’s hand.
Close all doors when exiting. Before opening any doors, feel the metal doorknob. If it is hot, do not open door.
Send someone to call Campus Security immediately at 693-1530 on St. Thomas or 692- 4444 on St. Croix or call 911 for professional fire emergency response from a telephone in other building.
Assist injured personnel.
Evacuate the building via stairways; move to an assemble point for accountability. The assembly point for the St. Thomas’ upper campus is the parking lot in front of the main door of the Chancellor’s Building. The assembly point for the St. Thomas’ lower campus is the parking lot to left of the main door of the Classroom Administration Building. The assembly point for the Marine Science Complex is the upper level parking lot in front of the main door of that building. The assembly point for the Sports and Fitness Center is the large parking lot on the left side of the door of that building.
Help evacuate people with disabilities.
After evacuating the building, SYAY-OUT – NO NOT RE-ENTER for any reason. Stand well clear of the building to permit emergency apparatus necessary maneuvering space.
Follow directions of fire and police personnel.
Report how many individuals were involved, whether some are unconscious, burned, or trapped; whether an explosion occurred; and whether there has been a chemical or electrical fire.

5. Personal Contamination – Chemical and Biological

Chemical Spill to a Large Portion of the Body

Immediately flood the contaminated area with sufficient running water.
Remove all contaminated clothing.
Continue to rinse with cold water for 15 minutes. Wash chemical from contaminated areas with the water but do not apply creams or lotions.
Get medical attention promptly.

Chemicals on the Skin in a Confined Area

Flush the exposed skin with cold water.
If the skin is not burned, wash the area with soap.
Seek professional medical attention if necessary.

Chemical in Eyes

Flush the eyeball and inner eyelid with cold water for 15 minutes. Forcibly hold the eye open to wash thoroughly behind the eyelids.
Get professional medical attention promptly.
For caustic splash, continue to irrigate during transportation.

For Contact Lenses

Copiously irrigate the eye with irrigation solution or water (do not use neutralizing solutions) while holding the lids apart as described above.
Do not worry about loosing the contact lens.
If the lens remains after the initial flushing, remove it or slide it onto the conjunctiva and re-irrigate.
Seek professional medical attention promptly. Let them know if the contact lenses are still in the eyes.

Smoke or Chemical Fume Inhalation

Remove from the contaminated air to fresh air.
Treat for shock, if necessary.
Notify Campus Security.
Identify the chemical(s), and obtain the MSDS for the hospital.
Get professional medical attention promptly.

Chemical Ingestion

Administer antidote, if known and available.
Wrap in blanket to prevent shock.
Notify Campus Security.
Identify the chemical(s), and obtain the MSDS for the hospital.
Get professional medical attention promptly.

Biological Hazard Exposure to Eyes

Flush the eyeball and inner eyelid with cold water for 15 minutes. Forcibly hold the eye open to wash thoroughly behind the eyelids.
Get professional medical attention promptly.

Biological Hazard Ingestion and Inhalation

Get professional medical attention promptly.

Biological Hazard Exposure on Skin

Immediately flood the contaminated area with sufficient running water.
Wash area with soap and water and apply disinfectant or 10% bleach solution. Use paper towels to scrub affected area.
Remove all contaminated clothing.
Continue to rinse with cold water for 15 minutes. Again, wash contaminated areas with the water and disinfectant solution but do not apply creams or lotions.
Place used paper towels and gloves and contaminated clothing into a biohazard bag to be sterilized by autoclaving before for disposal.

6. Compressed Gas Leaks

If the leak cannot be remedied by tightening a valve gland or a packing nut, emergency action procedures should be activated. When the nature of the spill constitutes a more serious hazard or involves the release of gas or fumes, the following procedures should be followed:

· If a leak is suspected, do not use a flame for detection; instead use a flammable-gas leak detector or soapy water.

· Activate the building’s emergency alarm system.

· Alert other people in the building.

· Send someone to call Campus Security immediately at 693-1530 on St. Thomas or 692- 4444 on St. Croix or call 911 from a telephone in other building.

· Rescue injured personnel, if possible.

· Evacuate the building; move to the assembly area, which is usually the parking lot away from the main door of the building.

· Help evacuate people with disabilities.

· Notify Campus Security with the details of the situation.

· University personnel should never attempt to repair a leak at the valve threads or safety device; rather, they should consult with the supplier for instructions.

7. Reporting of Incidents and Accidents

Reporting of accidents and occupational illnesses involving death, critical injury, lost time health care (by a medical practitioner) or damage to University’s property is required for employees, for students, and for visitors under both the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. Reporting of accidents is done centrally through the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Employees should understand that the purpose of reporting and documenting accidents is not to affix blame, but instead to determine the cause of the accident so that similar incidents may be prevented in the future. Incidents should be reported on the Incident Report Form within 48 hours of occurrence. Accidents should be reported on the either an Injury Accident Report Form and Non-Injury Accident Report Form within 48 hours of occurrence. Period reviews of these reports will often reveal problem areas that need special attention

· Reportable incidents and accidents are those which:

result in personal injury or lost time from work (excluding those requiring minor first aid).
result in property damage.
occur to a university employee during the course of his/her work either on or off university premises.
occur to a student during the course of his/her classroom, laboratory or field work.
occur to a student during the course of a work placement (either paid or unpaid) which forms part of their university curriculum.
occur to any person on university premises.

8. Important Response Agencies Addresses and Phone Numbers

Ambulance Hospital Emergency 911

Fire Emergency 911

Police Emergency 911

University of the Virgin Island Campus Security St. Thomas: 693-1530 and St. Croix: 692- 4444.

University of the Virgin Island Physical Plant St. Thomas: 693-1510 and St. Croix: 692-4170

Government of the Virgin Islands, Planning & Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, St. Thomas, VI 777-4577, 775-1344, and 775-1348.

Government of the Virgin Islands, Planning & Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, St. Croix, VI 773-0565.

Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Building Room 142, St. Thomas, VI 00801 714-2333

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333

Public Inquiries: 1-800-311-3435 or 404-639-3534

National Response Center, c/o United States Coast Guard (G-OPF), 2100 2nd Street, Southwest - Room 2611 Washington, DC 20593-0001 Chemical/Biological Hotline: 1-800-424-8802

Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Region 2, Regional Office for U.S. Virgin Islands, 201 Varick Street, Room 670, New York, New York 10014 212-337-2378

Written by Ann Marie Dublin and Eugenia Somerall-Sello

Reviewed by Paul L. Kahn, On-Scene Coordinator, Environmental Protection Agency

Web Page Designed by Eugenia Somersall-Sello
Last Updated: August 30, 2004