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Injury and Incident Response Poster for Labs Please display prominently in all lab spaces.

 

This poster may be accessed by logging into MS Sharepoint with UK Linkblue credentials.  Please contact labsafety@uky.edu to request an 11x17 printout of the poster for your laboratory.

Click HERE to access the Injury/Exposure Protocol Poster



lab injury and exposure poster

Planning for Emergencies

Laboratory emergencies may result from various factors that can result in serious injuries, fires, explosions, spills, or potential exposures.  All laboratory employees shall be trained and familiar with the location of their laboratory’s emergency response equipment and operating procedures. The Principal Investigator/Laboratory Supervisor of is responsible for ensuring this is completed.  The Lab-Specific Training Record Template provided in the "Training Requirements" portion of this website documents the review with lab personnel of the location of safety equipment, including first aid kits, eye washes, safety showers, fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, and spill kits.  This training must be maintained for all lab personnel in the lab-specific CHP. 

 

In general, the hazards within the laboratory shall be assessed by the PI/Laboratory Supervisor and lab-specific emergency plans established that cover the procedures and materials of the lab regarding: 

  • Handling small and large chemical spills
  • Procedures for responding to fires, including the need for the use of any special extinguishers
  • Response procedures for when equipment or instruments fail
  • Response for if ventilation systems fail
  • Responses to local equipment alarms  

 

Principal Investigators and/or lab supervisors must report any incident involving personal injury, exposure or illnesses, unintended fire, property damage or incidents involving an environmental release of hazardous materials directly to UK Environmental Health and Safety after emergency evacuation and/or First Aid has been completed. 

Laboratory Posting Requirements

Door signs must be placed on ALL entry doors to spaces that contain hazardous materials and/or equipment.  Door signs shall be reviewed and revised, as necessary, on no less than an annual  

basis.  A compliant door sign shall accurately display: 

  • PI/Lab Supervisor or responsible individual and accurate emergency contact information
  • Symbols for materials stored or used within the space (i.e., universal biological or radiological hazard symbols, GHS pictograms for chemicals and compressed gas cylinders)
  • Text or symbols indicating any other present hazards such as electrical, strong magnetic, noise, etc.
  • Required PPE and precautions required for or upon entry 

 

Instructions for generating a door sign are in the SciShield System, under the Research Tools menu, in the Document Library. For more information, please visit researchsafety.uky.edu or contact labsafety@uky.edu .

 

All labs are required to post emergency phone numbers and injury reporting procedures in a readily accessible location known to all lab workers. 

Alarms and Equipment Monitors

All types of monitors and alarms are used to warn personnel of an unsafe condition. If an alarm is activated, appropriate response is mandatory by all personnel. Report equipment alarms to the Principal Investigator, Laboratory Supervisor, and/or Facility Supervisor. If the alarm or monitoring system is facility-specific, follow the established specific emergency response procedures. Alarms on Chemical Fume Hoods or other engineering control devices shall be brought to the attention of those responsible for repair as soon as they are discovered.  Alarms shall not be tampered with or silenced without ceasing procedures with the equipment.  For Chemical Fume Hood alarms and concerns, please contact the UK Department of Occupational Health and Safety. 

First Aid and Medical Treatment

FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES CALL 911 OR GO TO THE UK CHANDLER HOSPITAL (OR CLOSEST) EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT 

 

As part of the university’s Occupational Health Program, the opportunity for Laboratory Workers to receive medical evaluation must be provided under the following circumstances:  

  • If an employee develops any symptoms thought to arise from exposure to a hazardous chemical.  Please note: Individuals exhibiting the acute onset of symptoms due to known exposure should seek immediate medical attention.
  • After an incident such as a spill, leak or explosion which may have resulted in an exposure.
  • When an over exposure is identified through evaluation or assessment.
  • There is an existing medical surveillance program in place for the work conducted. 

 

Any medical examination required from the above listed situations must be provided without cost to the employee, without loss of pay and at a reasonable time and place. Records of any medical examination will be maintained at the medical facility providing service or with appropriate medical personnel at the University.  

 

All workplace incidents, and workplace acquired injuries or illnesses sustained by UK personnel shall be reported by the Principal Investigator/Laboratory Supervisor to Workers Care by calling (800)440-6285.* 

 

UK students may contact University Health Services (859) 323-APPT during business hours, or (859) 323-5321 after business hours, on weekends or holidays.* 

 

*If known, the following information should be presented to the clinician when being seen for evaluation/treatment:  

  • Identity of the hazardous chemical(s) to which the individual may have been exposed 
  • A description of the conditions under which the exposure occurred. 
  • A copy of the chemical’s SDS  

Incident Reporting Procedures

All workplace incidents, and workplace acquired injuries or illnesses sustained by UK personnel shall be reported by the Principal Investigator/Laboratory Supervisor to Workers Care by calling (800)440-6285. 

 

UK students may contact University Health Services (859) 323-APPT during business hours, or (859) 323-5321 after business hours, on weekends or holidays. 

 

Unsafe working conditions or “near-miss” incidents (incidents not resulting in injury or release of hazardous material) is encouraged to be reported to UK Occupational Health and Safety at:  

Procedures for Emergencies

Lab personnel shall be trained on and informed of emergency procedures as well as the procedures detailed in their Building Emergency Action Plan (BEAP) 

 

Fire, rupture of containers resulting in large spills, failure of engineering controls or safety equipment, and/or any other circumstance resulting in uncontrolled release of hazardous materials: 

  1. Alert personnel in the immediate vicinity. Give instructions to sound the alarm and call for assistance. 
  1. Only where safe and possible: turn off any heat sources, confine the fire or emergency, shut the chemical fume hood sash and close any doors. These measures can help to prevent the spread of vapors, gases, or fire. 
  1. Evacuate the building or hazardous area. Use the evacuation alarm system. Follow posted evacuation procedures. Assemble at your lab’s designated meeting point. Practice evacuation and assembly in drills. 
  1. Summon aid from a safe location and call 911. Give location and explain the emergency.