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Previous by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] pull fire alarm for chemical spills? Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 11:56:03 AM Author: Allen Niemi <anniemi**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU> |
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We had a grad student pulling out of the hood a burning oil bath, luckily the flame was extinguished but the smoke alarm was activated. When our responder came to the building,
thanks to the fire alarm, he found the gentleman with both burned hands sitting in complete shock on the front steps of the building . He did not use the fire extinguisher next to him and did not call anyone out of fear. Our responder called the ambulance
to get him the help.
Our researchers came from so many countries where the fear of repercussion can be high. In my lab safety trainings, we suggested they pull the fire alarm if they don’t want
to call 9-11 so that we can at least locate them. Spills large or small outside the fume hood, we asked them to push the room exhaust purge or the hood exhaust purge and leave the area until help comes. Spills large or small should be mitigated and preferably
by trained personnel .
Only my thoughts and opinions . Stay warm everyone .
Best
Yung Morgan , MsPH
Lab safety and IH services
Environmental Health and Safety
117 Draper hall
Umass-Amherst , MA 01003
VM 413-545-5118
Mobile: 413-658-7467
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU]
On Behalf Of Heather McCollor
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 11:08 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] pull fire alarm for chemical spills?
It is my belief that pulling the fire alarm will change the airflow system in the building to help contain the fumes within the room while others are evacuating.
Heather McCollor
On Tue, Feb 11, 2014 at 4:22 PM, Strode, Kyle <strode**At_Symbol_Here**carroll.edu> wrote:
The Risk Management Committee at my college is revamping our "Emergency Protocol Guide" for campus. Regarding chemical spills, they have asked me what should be on the chart when there is
a chemical spill.
One member suggested that when a large spill occurs, the person should pull the fire alarm. Even for a pretty nasty spill, I am uncomfortable with that recommendation. I am worried that
As a relatively new CHO, it seems to me that for chemical spills, the protocol would be to have a person call the FD if a chemistry professor determines that it is necessary.
In my teaching career, we have only had one nasty spill (boiling nitric acid spilled out of the hood and everyone started choking), which we mitigated by evacuating the lab and waiting until
the lab ventilation system cleaned most of it out. Then we went in and mopped it up with bicarbonate.
I am interested in your thoughts, advice or experiences.
Kyle
Kyle Strode
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Carroll College
1601 N. Benton Ave.
Helena, MT 59625-0002
--
Heather McCollor
Laboratory Materials Supervisor
Macalester College
1600 Grand Ave
St Paul, MN 55105
651-696-6484
NAOSMM past-president Aug 2013-Aug 2015
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