Dealing with Emergencies (Non-medical)

It is mandatory to complete a report after an accident/incident. The report will not only provide accurate documentation of the event but it will also serve as a learning tool for others.

Each individual working in or visiting a laboratory or building at Georgia Tech is responsible for adherence to safe procedures and Georgia Tech safety policies.

Pertaining to the following buildings:

Ford ES&T, 311 Ferst Drive (Building 147)
Bunger-Henry, 778 Atlantic Drive (Building 86)
Molecular Science & Engineering ("M"), 901 Atlantic Drive (Building 167)

1. Types of Emergencies

• Laboratory fires
• Chemical/biohazard spills
• Odors or gas/vapor leaks
• Explosions
• Medical emergencies (Please note: Medical emergencies require different procedures. Please click here for details.)

2. Anticipating/Preparing for Emergencies

• Be familiar with General Laboratory Safety Guidelines in the Institute Safety Manual, especially Emergency Procedures (pages 10-13) and Chemical Spills (pages 48-49)
• Anticipate/prepare for emergencies (e.g., appropriate safety equipment)
• Determine evacuation route(s) from lab/office/classroom in Bunger-Henry, Ford ES&T and M buildings
• Update MSDS Folder (have notebook or folder available in lab; be familiar with MSDS websites)
• Be aware of environment (review chemical inventory and MSDS forms for all hazardous chemicals in each lab in which you work; locate safety showers and eyewash)
• Post emergency contact numbers behind door near lab safety manual
• Conduct periodic inspections of safety equipment such as face shields, eyewash, shower

3. If Building Evacuation is Required

• PULL FIRE ALARM if building must be evacuated for any reason
• CALL the Campus Police at 911 or 4-2500 from a campus phone (DO NOT DIAL 9-911) — or dial (404) 894-2500 from a cell phone — and REQUEST appropriate emergency personnel (e.g., fire, medical, EH&S)
• Meet emergency personnel on Atlantic Drive at Ferst Street (Bunger-Henry and M building); meet emergency personnel on Ferst Drive (ES&T) at south end of ES&T
• All personnel should meet in front of the building on Atlantic Drive (Bunger-Henry); at the corner of Ferst and Cherry streets (ES&T); or at the corner of Ferst and Atlantic (M building); DO NOT assemble in the EST-IBB quad.
• Notify:

1. PI/Thesis Director and the PI of the specific laboratory if it is shared space
2. Facilities Manager — ES&T: Todd Clarkson, (404) 385-6896, cell (404) 512-2831; Bunger-Henry: Rod Sefton, (404) 385-2952, cell (770) 900-5249; M building: Vic Summey, (404) 894-5155
3. School Chair David Sholl, (404) 894-2867, or Safety Chair Rachel Chen, rachel.chen@chbe.gatech.edu, (404) 894-6884
4. Fill out incident report. Contact Curtis Burnett, curtis.burnett@chbe.gatech.edu, (404) 385-4108, cell (404) 819-6749

4. Other Emergencies

• Call Campus Police at 911 or 4-2500 if necessary (DO NOT DIAL 9-911); from a cell phone, dial (404) 894-2500
• Notify as appropriate:

1. PI/Thesis Director and the PI of the specific laboratory if it is shared space
2. Facilities Manager — ES&T: Todd Clarkson, (404) 385-6896, cell (404) 512-2831; Bunger-Henry: Rod Sefton, (404) 385-2952, cell (770) 900-5249; M building: Vic Summey, (404) 894-5155
3. School Chair David Sholl, (404) 894-2867, or Safety Chair Rachel Chen, rachel.chen@chbe.gatech.edu, (404) 894-6884
4. After any emergency (e.g., items 1, 3 and 4), fill out incident report.(See Todd Clarkson.)
5. Visitors (Georgia Tech or non-Georgia Tech) to labs are subject to the same safety procedures and policies as are the workers in that lab; in the event of an emergency in a laboratory that you are visiting, you should assist in carrying out emergency procedures as appropriate.