Biology Teaching Labs - Science Center

Laboratory Emergencies

Emergency Phone Numbers:

Any Emergency, (H.U. control center)*	5-5560
University Health Services Emergency	5-5711
Harvard University Police Department	5-1212
Fire	5-5560
Hazardous Spill (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., M-F)	6-3322
Guard's Desk (after 5:00 p.m.)	5-5260
Science Center Building Maintenance (8 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F)	6-8058
Teaching Labs Staff (rm 409)	5-2683

* Call the control center for any emergency after 5:00 p.m. or on weekends and holidays. Use the other emergency numbers during normal business hours.

Medical Emergency	Fire	Hazardous Spill	Security	Facilities

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MEDICAL EMERGENCY/INJURY

In a life threatening situation, call 911 from the nearest phone (room 409).

Make sure that the student is no longer in immediate danger to her/himself or to others.

Call University Health Services (495-5711), describe the situation and take action as advised. Always acompany an injured person to University Health Services.

First Aid supplies are available in the prep room, 409.

All lab accidents must be reported to University Health Services, and an incident report must be filed with the safety office.

Never work alone in the lab. Following this rule will help ensure that minor lab accidents do not turn into dangerous situations!

FIRE

In the event of a serious fire, pull the nearest fire alarm, and evacuate the building. Assist fire fighters with information when they arrive. Do not attempt to handle a serious fire yourself.

Fire extinguishers and fire blankets are available in each room. Please note their locations.

The gas flow in each lab can be shut off under each table in an emergency. Note the location of the shut off valves in each lab, and use them only if you can safely reach them.

If your clothing or hair is on fire, immediately "stop, drop, and roll". Do not try to get to the fire blanket yourself. Help a person on fire using a coat or fire blanket, and get them to "stop, drop, and roll".

In the case of an electrical fire or other electrical hazard, shut off electricity to the room using the emergency switch only if you can get to the switch safely. Never put water on an electrical fire.

Never put water on a fire in which oil, grease, wax, or organic solvents are present. This may spread the fire further. Only if it is safe to do so, cover a contained fire with a lid, or large beaker or bucket in order to smother it.

Be sure that all hot plates, ethanol burners, Bunsen burners, and gas flow, are off before you leave the lab.

HAZARDOUS SPILLS

In the event of a hazardous spill onto a person, eye wash stations are available at the sink in the back of each room, and emergency showers are located in room 409. Go to University Health Services as soon as you can safely do so.

In case of a hazardous chemical spill, evacuate the room, post a "do not enter" sign, contact the safety office at 6-3322, and notify teaching labs staff.

In case of a biohazard spill, disinfect the spilled material with bleach before attempting cleanup. Place cleanup materials in a biohazard bag. Wipe down the cleaned area with ethanol before resuming use of the area. Notify lab management.

SECURITY

In case of a security problem, contact the Science Center guard's desk at 5-5260 (after 5:00 p.m.), or the Harvard University Police at 5-1212.

Never leave the lab unattended with the door open. Leave the door closed when you are working in the lab outside of the regular class meeting time. Be sure that the door is locked when you leave.

FACILITIES

In the event of a broken window, water leak or other facilities problem notify Building Maintenance in the Science Center basement or call 6-8058.