1.0
Emergency Response Plan
1.1
Fire Emergencies
1.1.1
•
A fire emergency exists whenever there is smoke or burning smell.
•
When there is an uncontrolled fire or fire hazard in the building or surrounding area.
•
When there is a abnormal heating of any material.
•
When the building evacuation alarm is activated.
•
Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is very small and you know how to do it safely. If you can not put out
the fire, leave immediately and make sure the fire station is contacted.
•
Total and immediate evacuation is safest.
Fire Response Plan
For large fires :
•
Call Emergency hotline – (9) 995.
•
Activate nearest fire alarm.
•
Alert people that there is a fire alarm activation or actual fire within the building.
•
Rescue any person in immediate danger to safety as long as it is safe to do so.
•
If clothing of person is on fire, roll person around on floor to put out flame or drench with water if safety
shower is available.
•
Close doors to confine fire.
•
Proceed to nearest exit and evacuate.
•
Does not use lift in case of fire.
•
Go to the pre-determined Assembly Area
•
Do not re-enter building until it is safe to do so.
For small(waste basket size) fires :
•
Extinguish the fire without evacuation. Use the appropriate fire extinguisher located in your lab for the type
of fire being fought.
•
However, personnel must be properly trained and also making sure there is a safe escape route.
•
Evacuate immediately if extinguishing is ineffective.
•
Laboratory users should never attempt to put out fire if
a) fire could block your escape route.
b) you are unsure of proper operation of extinguisher.
c) you have doubts on type of extinguisher and type of fire.
d) Call ERT (Fire) – (9) 67904033 for assistance.
Prior to responding to any fires, lab users must be thoroughly understand the hazards and their prevention. DO
NOT FIGHT A FIRE IF THERE IS A RISK TO YOUR LIFE AND OTHERS!
MSE Lab Safety Manual (version 3.0)
1
1.2
Chemical Spills
This chapter covers important information for emergency involving the release of a chemical that could harm
people’s health. All lab users should know :
1.2.1
•
Where the fire extinguishers are kept and how to use them.
•
The location of the lab spill kit, first aid supplies and how to respond to an injury.
•
Emergency procedures, including Eyewash / Safety shower locations.
Emergency Spills Response Plan
For serious spills:
•
Don’t Panic! Do not attempt to clean up the spill without knowledge!
•
Call Emergency hotline - (9)995.
•
If the spill presents an immediate danger, evacuate all users.
•
Remove casualties contaminated clothing. Flush with water at least 15 to 30 minutes.
•
Protect yourself and then remove injured person(s) to fresh air if safe.
•
Keep personnel away from the area.
For incidental spills:
•
Call ERT (Chemical) – (9) 6790 6156 for assistance if you are not sure what to do!
•
Alert those in the area.
•
Use protective equipment, use spills kit to contain the spilled materials.
•
Dispose of materials as chemical waste (see chapter 4.3)
Laboratory users should NEVER clean up:
•
Spills that present an immediate hazard (fire, explosion, chemical exposure, etc.)
•
Any spill of highly dangerous chemical
•
A moderate or large-scale chemical spill
To response to a small-scale laboratory spill, labs should have a simple spill kit, proper Personal Protective Equipment
and disposed wastes according to guidelines stated in chapter 4.3.
Prior to responding to any spills, lab users should be thoroughly familiar with the hazards involved. DO NOT
handles a spill without understanding the risks to themselves and others!
MSE Lab Safety Manual (version 3.0)
2
1.3
Compressed Gas Cylinders Leakage
Occasionally, a cylinder or one of its component parts may develop a leak. Most such leaks occur at the top of
the cylinder in areas such as the cylinder valve threads, safety device, valve stem, valve outlet, the regulator
and the tubing connection to equipment. Users must always ensure all these fittings are properly installed.
Always use gas detector or soapy water or any suitable solution to ensure that are no leakage to the system.
1.3.1
Gas Leakage Respond Plan
If there is a suspected gas leakage of any type of potentially hazardous or non-hazardous gas, the following
steps should be taken:
Inert or non-hazardous gas leakage
•
Open all windows and doors to ventilate the area.
•
Use a gas leak detector or soapy water or other suitable solution to detect location of leakage.
•
Remedied by tightening, recondition or replacing the valve, regulators or tubing connections to equipment.
•
If leak persist, move cylinder to an open area and consult supplier for instructions.
Cryogenic gas leak
•
Open all windows and doors to ventilate the area.
•
Get everyone out of the laboratory to prevent asphyxiation.
•
Shut off source of leakage if it’s safe to do so
•
Consult supplier for instructions
Flammable gas leak
•
Open all windows and doors to ventilate the area.
•
Get everyone out of the laboratory.
•
Do not light any flames or electrical sources.
•
Shut off source of gas if it’s safe to do so, otherwise, it may ignite and cause explosion.
•
Sound the building fire alarm and evacuate immediately following evacuation plan.
•
Keep everyone away from the area.
•
Notify Safety Officer or other responsible persons
Toxic or Major Gas Leak
•
Leave the area immediately and Close all doors on exit.
•
OPERATE NEAREST FIRE ALARM POINT.
•
Warn people to avoid the affected area
•
Notify Safety Officer or other responsible persons
•
Consult supplier for instructions.
If the leak causes fire, please follow the fire emergency response in section 1.1.1 of Chapter 1
MSE Lab Safety Manual (version 3.0)
3
1.4
Spillage of Biohazard Materials
In the event of spillage of Biohazard Material, the following emergency respond plan should be followed:
1.4.1
Emergency Response Plan
Guideline for decontamination and clean-up procedure.
•
Put on the proper PPE (long-sleeved gowns, rubber boots, surgical masks, and rubber gloves).
•
Use the appropriate decontaminant solution (eg bleach) to treat the spill area. Pour it gently, directing its
flow into the spill area.
•
Cover the area with absorbent paper or cloth and allow 20 minutes of contact time.
•
Using an autoclavable dustpan and broom, transfer all materials from the spill area into an autoclavable pan
and autoclave all the clean-up materials.
•
Wash and mop the spill area with decontaminant-detergent solution.
•
Remove, gown, rubber boots and rubber gloves and wash them using appropriate decontamination solution
or autoclaving.
For spill inside Biosafety cabinet :
•
LEAVE THE CABINET TURNED ON.
•
Wear gloves and spray or wipe cabinet walls, work surfaces, and equipment with disinfectant equivalent to
1:10 bleach solution with a contact time of at least 20 minutes.
•
Soak up the disinfectant and spill with paper towels and wipe all surfaces.
•
Autoclave all clean-up materials before disposal in the biohazard waste container.
•
Wash hands and any exposed surfaces thoroughly after the clean-up procedure.
If you drop or spill biohazard materials and are not familiar with the emergency respond
•
Leave the area DO NOT attempt to clean up the spillage
•
Warn others of spill
•
Call ERT (Bioharzard)– (9) 6790 6286 for assistance.
•
Wait for assistance
Prior to responding to any spillage, lab users must be thoroughly understand the hazards involved. DO NOT
handles spillage without understanding the risk to themselves and others!
MSE Lab Safety Manual (version 3.0)
4
1.5
Radiation
Warning
•
Warn persons in and adjacent to the accident area. Regulate entry to the scene of the accident.
Evacuation
•
If evacuation is necessary, switch off apparatus producing ionizing radiation.
Notification
•
Immediately notify the ERT (Radiation) - 6158 or lab executives working in the lab of the accident.
•
Protective apron should be put on when switching off apparatus and make safe any other items which may
aggravate the accident situation.
•
Safety officers to identify and immediately isolate all persons who might have received high exposures.
Medical Surveillance
•
All necessary medical surveillance, personnel monitoring (e.g evaluation of personnel dosimeters if any,
analysis of body fluid samples such as blood, urine etc) should be provided. Exposures of persons involved
in the accident should be recorded.
Monitoring
•
All working areas should be thoroughly monitored before work is allowed to recommence. All equipment in
the accident area should be checked for defects before it is brought back into use.
MSE Lab Safety Manual (version 3.0)
5
1.6
Medical Emergencies
The following emergency procedures are recommended in the event an injury occurs from a fire, explosion, or
other laboratory accident. These procedures are intended to limit injuries and minimize damage if an accident
should occur.
In case of any emergency, you should remain calm and do only what is necessary to protect life (without
jeopardizing your own safety).
1. Summon help immediately by calling ERT(Medical) – 6161 or Emergency Hotline (9) 995 (after office
hours).
2. Render assistance to persons involved. Do not move an injured person unless he or she is in danger of
further harm.
3. Warn personnel in adjacent areas of any potential hazards to their safety.
4. If feasible, designate one person to remain with the injured person. The injured person should be within
sight, sound, or physical contact of that person at all times.
5. If clothing is on fire, knock the person to the floor and roll him or her around to smother the flames or, if a
safety shower is immediately available, douse the person with water.
6. If chemicals have been spilled on the body, flood the exposed area for 15 minutes with sufficient running
water from the safety shower and immediately remove any contaminated clothing.
7. If a chemical has entered the eye, immediately wash the eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelid with
plenty of water for 15 min. An eyewash fountain should be used if available.
1.6.1
Medical Facilities
All lab users should know the procedures in the school for responding to emergencies. They should periodically
review the emergency response plans for their lab and always be aware of the locations of:
•
Emergency telephone numbers
•
First Aid Kit
•
Eyewash fountains and emergency showers
•
Spill kits
•
Emergency exits and evacuation routes
MSE Lab Safety Manual (version 3.0)
6
1.7
Accident / Incident Reporting
a) In the event of all minor incidents (such as small incipient fires, minor spillage, non-hazardous gas
leakage, odour detection, minor injuries or violation of safety protocol, etc), the following person must be
notified:
i)
Lab Director
ii)
Safety Chairman
iii) Head of Division
b) In the event of all major incidents (such as incipient fire/explosion, Hazardous gas leakage, major spillage
and major injuries, etc), the following person must be notified:
i)
Lab Director
ii)
Safety Chairman
iii) Head of Division
iv) Vice Dean
v) Dean
c) Depending on the seriousness of staff / student injuries, Lab Director or Safety Chairman will decide
whether to send the injured to NTU Medical Centre or call for ambulance.
d) All incidents / accidents must be reported to the Safety Chairman and ERT leader, so that immediate
actions are followed up.
e) A written “MSE ACCIDENT/ INCIDENT REPORT” must be completed by the relevant parties and submit
within 24 hours to Safety Coordinator for review by the Safety Committee.
f)
The “MSE Accident / Incident Report” is used for analysis of root cause and for Safety Committee to
implement Corrective Action to improve our current lab practice. The report is not intended to assign any
blame; only to foster beneficial change.
g) Lab Director or Safety Chairman will ensure that photographs are taken at the site of accident showing the
injured & the causes of accident (eg. Equipment).
Failure to report a work-related accident is a statutory offence.
For more details, please check with MOM website: www.mom.gov.sg
MSE Lab Safety Manual (version 3.0)
7