In Case of Emergency
If you are in need of immediate assistance, contact Campus Security at 613-533-6111 (emergency response).
Refer to the following procedures which cover many of the common or general hazards associated with work in the Department. They must be read and adhered to by everyone working in the Department. It is the responsibility of individual supervisors to assure the necessary procedures and protocols are both established and followed in their respective work areas.
Personal safety depends upon a positive attitude towards safety as well as good, informed judgment on the part of each individual working in the Department. Most health and safety problems in the laboratory can be avoided by practicing good housekeeping and common sense based upon informed knowledge of the hazards.
In the event of a fire emergency, you should be aware of the location and/or use of all fire extinguishers, fire alarm switches and fire exits in your area. If the fire cannot safely be controlled with a fire extinguisher, then the following actions should be taken
- alert all persons in the area of the fire emergency
- leave the area while closing doors and windows (where this can be done safely)
- activate the nearest fire alarm
- check to ensure that the area has been evacuated then leave the building to the nearest safe location
- phone the Emergency Report Centre (36111)
- be available to guide the Fire Department to the location of the fire
A listing of the location and type of fire extinguishers in the building can be found under Emergency Equipment.
Minor accidents involving hazardous chemicals or the malfunction and/or breakdown of equipment must be reported to your supervisor. More serious accidents must be reported to the Head of the Department and/or the Department Safety Officer as well as to your supervisor. All accidents involving personal injury must be reported promptly to your supervisor who is responsible for ensuring that the procedures below are followed. If your supervisor is not immediately available, contact the Department Safety Officer or the Head of the Department. For more information about Incident and Accident Reporting please visit Environmental Health & Safety's website.
Applying First Aid
First aid kits should be available in all labs. First aid should be given by someone who has had appropriate training.
In the case of minor injuries that cannot be satisfactorily treated by first aid alone, or if there is any doubt, the injured person shall be sent or taken to the hospital emergency room, or doctor of his/her choice. Queen's employee’s should take along a completed copy of the Workers Compensation Board Treatment Memorandum available from the Department Administrative Assistant. If this form does not accompany the injured employee to the treatment centre then it must be filled out and sent to the treatment centre as soon as possible.
In the case of injuries that are more severe, or there is doubt about the severity of the injury, and emergency assistance is required, call 36111 from an internal phone (or 911 from an external phone). A SEVERELY INJURED PERSON MUST NOT BE MOVED without the advice of medical or ambulance personnel.
If it is necessary to call an ambulance, indicate the location of the injured person and the location of the nearest appropriate entrance to the building. If possible send someone to that entrance to lead the ambulance personnel to the injured person.
Accidents Involving Critical Injury or Death
Immediately call 36111 for assistance.
As soon as possible, notify your supervisor, the Head of the Department (or Safety Officer), and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. The latter will notify the appropriate government agencies.
Do not touch anything associated with the accident, except for the purpose of saving life, relieving suffering or preventing unnecessary damage to equipment or property. The scene of an accident must be examined by the appropriate authorities.
All spills should be cleaned up promptly, efficiently and properly. All individuals at risk due to the spill should be warned immediately.
If the spill involves nonvolatile, nonflammable and nontoxic material then it should be cleaned up as directed by your supervisor. Most cleanups of liquid spills are facilitated by the use of an absorbent material that will neutralize the liquid where appropriate. Cleanup can then be carried out using a dustpan, brush and appropriate protective equipment. The spill area should be washed following the cleanup.
If a hazardous chemical such as a flammable, toxic or highly reactive substance is spilled, immediately warn everyone in the area. Shut down all equipment and leave the area. Your supervisor should be notified immediately and will be responsible for the proper cleanup of the contaminated area. Any clothing that has been contaminated should be removed as quickly as possible and decontaminated where possible.
Waste from chemical spills must be disposed of in an appropriate manner.
For more information regarding Chemical Spill Response procedure, please read SOP-HAZMAT-01. Chemical spills must be reported, to report a chemical spill please click here.
If you plan to work alone or perform an after hours experiment, follow the steps to the Lone Worker program on the SeQure App: https://www.queensu.ca/risk/security/sequre-app
In addition, complete the After Hours Experiment Form and obtain the applicable signatures.
Eyewash Fountains and Showers
All laboratories are equipped with eyewash fountains and showers. Access to this equipment must not be obstructed in any way. Eyewash fountains should be tested regularly (at least once a month) to ensure adequate water flow and to remove any rusty water.
If it is necessary to use any eyewash fountain, hold your eyelids open with your fingers and roll your eyes back and forth while washing them. Flush your eyes for at least 15 minutes to ensure removal of the chemical.
If it is necessary to use an emergency shower, activate the shower then remove contaminated clothing as rapidly as possible.
Fire Extinguishers
All laboratories are equipped with class ABC extinguishers (multi-purpose dry chemical) which smother fire with a layer of powder and are suitable for most fires except metal fires. Tthose labs with significant quantities of pyrophoric metals are also equipped with class D class extinguishers. Hallways (and outside stairwells) are equipped with class A extinguishers (designed for ordinary solid combustibles). All of these extinguishers are only designed to fight small local fires. Do not attempt to fight large fires; evacuate the building and call for professional fire fighters (telephone 36111 - Emergency Report Center).
List of Fire Extinguishers in Chernoff Hall
|
First Floor |
Second Floor |
Third Floor |
Fourth Floor |
Fifth Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stairway A1 - A Stairway B1 - A 100 - 2 x ABC 101 - ABC 102 (Mass Spec)- CO2 Outside 104 - A 105 (SEM) - CO2 106 (ICP-MS) - CO2 107 - C02 108 (NMR) - ABC 109 - CO2 & ABC Outside 110 - A 116A - ABC 118 South - ABC 118 North - ABC Outside 120 - A 120 South - ABC 120 North - ABC 122 South - ABC 122 - ABC & D 124A - ABC Outside 194 - A |
Stairway A2 - A |
Stairway A3 - A |
Stairway A4 - A Stairway B4 - A Stairway C4 - A 430 South - ABC 430 North - ABC & D 431 South - ABC 431 North - ABC 434 South - ABC 434 North - ABC Outside 435 - A & 435 South - ABC 435 North - ABC & D 436 (Instr. Room) - D 438 South - ABC 438 North - ABC 439 South - ABC 439 North - ABC |
Stairway A5 - A Stairway B5 - A Stairway C5 - A Outside 530 South - D 530 South - ABC & D 530 North - ABC & D 531 South - ABC 531 North - CO2 & ABC 534 South - ABC 534 North - ABC Outside 535 - A 535 South - ABC 535 North - ABC 538 South - ABC 538 North - ABC & D 539 South - ABC 539 North - ABC |