Request a printed copy of the Emergency Response Guide.
Emergency Preparedness at ASU
Emergencies, disasters, accidents, injuries, and crimes can occur without warning. Being prepared to handle unexpected emergencies is an individual, as well as an organizational responsibility. This Emergency Response Guide has been developed to assist with preparation for a tragic event. Please read this guide thoroughly before an emergency occurs! Acquaint yourself with the contents and keep this flip chart available in your office for immediate reference. Preparedness is often defined by how well you respond to and recover from an incident; be prepared.
Preload important phone numbers listed on the contact and recent updates section of this document into your mobile phone.
What you can do to prepare
- Keep emergency supplies in your office (medications, flashlights, comfortable shoes, bottled water, batteries, portable radio).
- Post this Emergency Response Guide in a visible location. Ensure staff is made aware of it’s location.
- Become familiar with exit routes and assembly points around your building.
- Locate the nearest fire extinguisher and fire alarm pull station if applicable for your building.
- Complete and remain current on annual fire safety training.
- Register for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), First Aid, Crime Prevention, or other safety training courses.
Personal Injury
- Personal Injury Coverage - University employees are covered by Worker’s Compensation (Staff, faculty, student workers).
- Employee - Seek immediate medical attention if necessary and advise your supervisor. Complete incident report.
- Employee or Supervisor - Call Arizona’s Early Claim Reporting Line. Claim must be made within 24 hours. 1-800-837-8583 or complete the Supervisors Report of Injury, or SRI.
- Supervisor - Visit ASU’s HR webpage and complete the Supervisor’s Accident Investigation Report. Have injured employee sign and date the State Risk Management Authorization Form.
- Supervisor - Contact ASU Environmental Health and Safety within 24 hours of the incident.
- Supervisor - Return all completed forms to Human Resource Employee Service Center within five (5) days from the date of injury.
Property Loss
- Property Loss - Loss greater than 10,000 dollars must be reported within 24 hours and loss less than 10,000 must be reported within 10 days.
- Auto claims - Loss or damage greater than 5,000 dollars must be reported within 24 hours and loss or damage less than 5,000 dollars must be reported within 10 days.
- Reporting Party - Report all loss to Insurance Services or complete the ASU Claims Lost Report.
- Criminal Acts - If the loss or damage involves criminal activity, report it to the ASU Police Department.
If an aircraft incident occurs on the campus, buildings close to or downwind of the site may be evacuated.
Refer to the Evacuation Section of this guide for more information.
If you witness an aircraft accident:
- Call 911. Notify the operator of the accident location, the number of casualties (if known), and any campus structures affected.
- Do Not approach a downed aircraft. The responding Fire Department has equipment and personnel that are trained for such incidents.
Motor Vehicle Accident
If you witness a motor vehicle accident involving injuries
- Call 911
- Provide as much information as possible to the call taker.
- Look for hazards that could affect you or responding emergency personnel (fuel, chemicals, etc.) and report them to the 911 operator.
- Do not attempt to move the injured unless it is more dangerous to leave them where they are.
- Attempt to keep the victims calm and reassure them that assistance is on the way.
- Wear appropriate protective equipment if rendering aid.
Biohazards
Biohazards are microorganisms, microbial toxins, or other biological agents that can infect and/or cause disease in humans, animals, or plants. Biohazards include human blood, body fluid, tissues, and cell lines of human origin, as well as certain bacteria, bacterial toxins, viruses, fungi, rickettsia, prions, protozoans, and parasites. Genetically modified organisms and materials containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are also considered biohazards.
For any biological spill, notify others in the room so they will not unknowingly be exposed or spread the spill. For spills of a large volume, or spills of organisms transmitted via the inhalation route, immediately notify the Principal Investigator (PI) and EHS using the number listed on the contacts page. If someone is injured, call 911 for assistance and notify emergency personnel if you or others are contaminated with biohazardous materials. Personal exposure takes priority over cleanup. If you are exposed, immediately remove contaminated clothing and other protective equipment and wash affected areas with soap and water. If medical follow-up is warranted it should be sought immediately.
Spill kit contents
A spill kit is kept in each area where work with biohazards is conducted. Spill kit contents include: disinfectant (a dilute bleach solution or organism-specific disinfectant), paper towels, gloves, autoclave bags, sharps container, forceps (to pick up broken glass), and a broom and dustpan. A wrap-around laboratory coat and safety glasses should also be available in the kit.
Note: A 1:10 dilution of household bleach and water (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), prepared fresh daily, is effective in most situations. Contact EHS Biosafety/Biosecurity for more information about the selection of disinfectants, particularly for any organisms suspected of being atypical in their sensitivity to disinfectants.
Print a version of the Biological Spill Kit guide.
Biological Safety Level (BSL) classifications
BSL-1 is required for work involving well-characterized agents not known to consistently cause disease in immunocompetent adult humans, and present minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment. BSL-1 organisms may be transmitted by exposure to mucous membranes, ingestion, or injection/skin exposure.
BSL-2 is required for work involving agents that pose moderate hazards to personnel and the environment. BSL-2 organisms may be transmitted by exposure to mucous membranes, ingestion, or injection/skin exposure.
BSL-3 is required for clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research, or production facilities where work is performed with indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease through the inhalation route of exposure.
BSL-4 is required for work with dangerous and exotic agents that pose a high individual risk of aerosol-transmitted laboratory infections and life-threatening disease that is frequently fatal, for which there are no vaccines or treatments, or a related agent with unknown risk of transmission. There is no BSL-4 work at ASU.
Clean-up Procedures for BSL-1 and BSl-2 biological spills
- Alert others in the immediate area of the incident; notify the PI as soon as possible. If cleanup assistance is needed, contact EHS Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. or the ASU Police or local law enforcement agency non-emergency number listed on the contacts page for after-hours or weekends. Dial 911 if the spill constitutes an emergency.
- Put on gloves, safety glasses, and lab coat. If splashing is likely, wear goggles, face shield, and/or N95 respirator.
- Cover spilled material with paper towels and carefully pour an appropriate disinfectant onto paper towels in sufficient quantity to ensure effective microbial inactivation, proceeding from the outer edge of the spill to its center. Allow a 20-minute contact time to allow the disinfectant to inactivate the material.
- If broken glass or other sharps are present, use forceps to pick up item and discard into SHARPS container.
- Remove paper towels and other materials and dispose of in biohazard waste container.
- Re-wipe spill area with disinfectant diluted to working strength. Wipe down any contaminated stationary equipment or furniture with disinfectant.
- Decontaminate (using an autoclave or approved chemical treatment method) reusable cleanup items and other reusable equipment. Do not autoclave bleach or other hazardous materials.
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Notify laboratory personnel and the PI when the cleanup is completed.
- Contact ASU Health Services using the contacts page to receive a post-exposure medical evaluation (if necessary).
- Complete the accident/injury form on the EHS website.
Clean-up procedures for BSL-3 biological spills
Contact EHS Biosafety/Biosecurity for questions regarding BSL-3 biological spills.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements - summary table
| BSL-1 | BSL-2 | BSL-3 |
|---|---|---|
|
Protective laboratory coats, gowns, or uniforms recommended for preventing contamination of personal clothing. |
Protective laboratory coats, gowns, smocks, or uniforms must be worn while working with hazardous materials. |
Protective laboratory clothing with a solid-front, such as tieback or wrap- around gowns, scrub suits, or coveralls must be worn. |
|
Eye protection worn when conducting procedures that have the potential to create splashes of microorganisms or other hazardous materials. |
Eye and face protection (goggles, mask, face shield or other splatter guard) must be used for anticipated splashes or sprays of infectious or other hazardous materials when the microorganisms are handled outside the Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) or physical containment device. |
Eye and face protection (goggles, mask, face shield or other splash guard) must be used for anticipated splashes or sprays of infectious or other hazardous materials. [All procedures involving the manipulation of infectious materials must be conducted within a BSC, or other physical containment devices.] |
|
Personnel who wear contact lenses in laboratories should also wear eye protection. |
Personnel who wear contact lenses in laboratories should also wear eye protection. |
Personnel who wear contact lenses in laboratories must also wear eye protection. |
|
Gloves must be worn to protect hands from exposure to hazardous materials. |
Gloves must be worn to protect hands from exposure to hazardous materials. |
Gloves must be worn to protect hands from exposure to hazardous materials. |
|
Respiratory protection should be used in rooms where allergens may be present. |
Respiratory protection should be used in rooms containing infected animals. |
Respiratory protection must be worn in rooms containing infected animals and when there is a potential for splashes or aerosol generation. |
* Safety is improved when PPE is used in combination with physical containment devices or equipment, such as Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs).
viewCrimes against a person
The university has a zero-tolerance policy (SPP 814) with regard to acts of intimidation, threats of violence and acts of violence in the workplace. Visit the violence in the workplace page for more information.
Acts of Violence
- Flee the area to put distance between yourself and the attacker.
- Immediately dial 911 and request assistance.
- Shelter yourself. Try to place solid items between you and the attacker.
- Fight back. If possible, flee from fighting if the opportunity presents itself.
- Emergency call boxes (aka Blue Light Phones) are strategically located across each ASU campus. Immediate access to your local police department can be summoned by merely pushing a button.
Property crimes
ASU takes damage to property seriously and will promptly act to replace stolen or damaged property, remove graffiti, etc.
Criminal Damage or loss of State Property or Sponsor-Owned Equipment should be immediately reported to the ASU Police or local law enforcement agency.
Personal property, such as bikes should be registered at the site located on the contacts page. If stolen, bikes and other personal items may be covered by your homeowner’s policy, credit card insurance programs, or other non-traditional replacement programs.
Civil disturbance
Includes riots, demonstrations, or assemblies that become significantly disruptive.
- Report the situation to the ASU Police or local law enforcement agency.
- Avoid the area.
- Avoid provoking or obstructing demonstrators.
- Secure your area (lock doors, safes, files, vital records, and expensive equipment).
- Continue with normal routines as much as possible.
- If the disturbance is outside, stay away from doors or windows. Stay Inside!
- Prepare for evacuation or relocation.
- Follow law enforcement instructions.
Don’t work alone in a lab when using hazardous materials. Know the location of safety showers and eyewashes. Know the effects of the chemicals you are working with and always wear personal protective equipment (glasses, gloves and lab coats).
How to use an Emergency Shower
- Do not rub the affected area.
- Turn on water at an emergency shower station.
- Remove all contaminated PPE and clothing under the shower after it has been activated.
- Wash affected area for a minimum of 15 minutes.
- Seek medical attention.
- Report incident to supervisor and complete the incident report.
How to use an Emergency Eyewash Station
- Remove contaminated PPE.
- Do not rub the affected eye.
- Turn on water at eyewash station.
- Ensure no chemicals are on hands.
- Open affected eye and hold open so water reaches the eye.
- Wash eye for a minimum of 15 minutes.
- Seek medical attention.
- Report incident to supervisor and complete the incident report.
All employees are required to complete annual fire safety/fire prevention training.
In advance of an emergency, determine the nearest exits to your location and the best routes to follow. If time permits during the evacuation, secure your workplace and take personal items such as; keys for car and house, prescription medication, wallets/purse.
In most emergencies, complete evacuation of the campus is not necessary. If, however, there is a major hazardous materials release, flood, or other major incident, it may be necessary to relocate all university personnel to a safer location.
Evacuation from a building
- Walk, do not run.
- Do not use elevators.
- If safe to do so, assist people with mobility impairments as indicated by that person, or direct them to the nearest stairwell, and contact ASU Police or local law enforcement agency for assistance.
- Gather outside at a designated assembly area. There, your supervisor/senior person will take roll and account for all personnel.
- Do not return to your building until instructed by ASU Police or local law enforcement agency, EHS, or other responders in charge of the scene.
In-place evacuations
In some instances, it is safer to evacuate “in-place” than it is to leave a building, e.g., smoke or fire is immediately outside your room, live electrical wires bar access to the exit, individuals with mobility impairments are above or below ground floors or the hazard is outside the building or area you are located.
- Call 911 and tell them your name, location (campus, building and address) and if you are unable to evacuate, include why evacuation is not possible. Follow directions of the 911 operator.
On-campus assembly areas
In the event of an area evacuation, you will be notified where assembly areas will be located. Food, water, first-aid, shelter and information will be available at designated assembly areas when applicable.
If you discover a fire or see smoke
- If the building alarm is not sounding, manually activate the alarm by using a fire alarm pull station generally located near an exit if the building is equipped.
- Immediately exit the building and close doors behind you on your way out.
- Call 911 from the nearest safe phone or activate an emergency blue light call box if applicable.
Note: Dialing 911 from a cell phone may not go directly to the ASU Police or local law enforcement agency. (Always provide ASU campus and address).
If the building fire alarm is activated or someone informs you of a fire
- Walk to the nearest exit. Do not use the elevators!
- If able, assist people with mobility impairments.
- Notify emergency personnel if you know or suspect someone is trapped or still inside the building.
- Gather outside at a designated area away from the building, and do not attempt to re-enter the building until authorized to do so by the emergency responders.
If caught in smoke
- Drop to hands and knees and crawl towards the nearest exit.
- Stay low as smoke will rise to the ceiling.
- Hold your breath as much as possible; breathe through your nose and use a filter, such as a shirt or towel.
If trapped in a room
- Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.
- Wet and place cloth material around or under the door to help prevent smoke from entering the room.
- If the room has an outside window, be prepared to signal someone outside.
Clothing on fire: Stop, drop and roll
- Roll person around on the floor to smother the flame.
- Only drench with water if a safety shower is immediately available.
- Call 911 to obtain medical attention.
- Report incident to a supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for notifying ASU’s Office of Human Resources and EHS.
Information can be located on the contacts page.
Fire extinguisher instructions: PASS
Note: Call 911 prior to attempting to extinguish any fire. Inform the 911 operator of the current situation and location of the fire. No one at ASU is required to attempt to fight a fire.
- Pull the pin completely from the fire extinguisher.
- Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the handle to discharge the agent onto the base of the fire.
- Sweep the nozzle side to side at the base of the fire and continue discharging a few seconds after the fire has been extinguished.
Note: Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is considered small or at an incipient, or beginning, stage and you have completed your annual fire safety training. If you cannot put out the fire, evacuate immediately.
viewA hazardous materials incident is considered a spill of the following: Chemicals (liquid and solids), hazardous waste or oils (fuel oil: diesel and gasoline).
Only trained and authorized personnel is permitted to respond to hazardous materials incident.
In case of a major hazardous materials spill call 911 immediately
Provide the dispatcher with information regarding the spill, i.e., location of spill, injuries, type of chemicals, hazards, flammability of substances, SDS, etc.
- A minor spill is one that a trained employee is capable of containing safely without assistance from EHS or emergency personnel. All other spills are considered major.
- Do not attempt to clean up even a minor spill unless you feel comfortable doing so.
For a major spill or leak
- If conditions warrant, activate the nearest fire alarm.
- Immediately evacuate the area, closing doors behind you. (Refer to the Evacuation section of this guide.)
- Call 911. If dialing from a cellular device, there is a chance that you will connect with a police agency other than ASU; tell them your location and situation and they will direct you to the appropriate help.
- Do not attempt to clean up the spill yourself.
- Provide clean-up/response personnel with appropriate Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and other pertinent information.
For a minor spill or leak
- Alert people in the immediate area.
- If you attempt to contain or clean up the spill:
- You must wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Never attempt to clean up a spill if you are alone.
- Avoid breathing vapors.
- Do not allow anything to discharge into drains!
- Use your spill kit.
- Bag or contain cleanup material and label it with a Hazardous Waste Tag.
- Contact EHS for waste removal at the number listed in the attached contacts page Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (leave a detailed message after hours).
Chemical spill on the body
- Flood exposed area with running water from a faucet or safety shower for at least 15 minutes.
- Remove contaminated clothing, place in a plastic bag and seal.
- Avoid contact with eyes.
- Check SDS to determine if delayed effects may be expected.
- Obtain medical attention at the nearest ASU Employee Health, ASU Health Services, urgent care or hospital. For locations nearest you, contact ASU Employee Health or CorVel using the number listed on the contacts page.
- Report all incidents to a supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for workers compensation paperwork, notifying EHS during business hours (see contacts page) or the ASU Police or local law enforcement agency for after-hour or weekend incidents (see contacts page).
ASU Environmental Health and Safety has personnel trained in the proper clean-up and containment of minor and major hazardous spills or releases and can be dispatched using the number listed on the contacts page, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call the ASU Police non-emergency number, listed on the contacts page, after hours to request EHS assistance.
Employees must be trained in the safe use of chemicals and chemical waste management prior to working in a laboratory or cleaning up minor spills. To register for Laboratory Chemical Safety training or for Hazardous Waste Management Training, go to the Environmental Health and Safety website.
viewUnless authorized, do not give statements of behalf of the university.
During an incident involving ASU, all inquiries from the news media should be directed to ASU’s Strategic Communications & Media Relations staff. Media Relations representatives are trained to respond to media inquiries in a timely way on behalf of ASU.
If you are contacted by members of the media, take the caller’s name and phone number. Then, refer the caller to Strategic Communications & Media Relations representative (see contacts page). Strategic Communications & Media Relations staff will coordinate media response, taking into consideration all applicable legalities.
Affiliates of ASU can receive emergency text messaging and emails by visiting My ASU and registering for Alerts/Advisories. Ten additional guests can be added to each account.
viewCall 911 for all medical emergencies
All University personnel are encouraged to learn first-aid and CPR/AED. For more information, contact Environmental Health and Safety.
Heat-related illness
- Get the victim to a cool place.
- Loosen tight clothing.
- Apply cool, wet cloths to the skin.
- Fan the victim.
- If the victim is conscious, give cool (not cold) water to sip.
Cuts and punctures
- For minor incidents: Vigorously wash injury with soap and water for several minutes.
- For serious incidents: Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. If Impaled by a foreign object – Do not remove the object and wait for medical attention to arrive.
Material splashed in eye
- Immediately rinse eye and inner surface of eyelid with water continuously for a minimum of 15 minutes.
- Forcibly hold the eye open to ensure effective flushing behind eyelids.
Cardiac arrest
- Call 911 for emergency medical assistance.
- Locate the nearest AED(s) within the building or in a nearby building.
- The use of an AED is necessary to revive a victim of cardiac arrest. The unit is automated, will give verbal instructions regarding proper use, and will only shock when the victim’s condition warrants a shock. Have someone at the scene dial 911 in order to report the incident.
Report any personal injury incidents to your supervisor as they are responsible for notifying ASU’s Office of Human Resources and EHS about the incident.
Additional site instructions
- Keep emergency supplies in your office (medications, flashlights, comfortable shoes, bottled water, batteries, portable radio).
- Post this Emergency Response Guide in a visible location. Ensure staff is made aware of its location.
- Become familiar with exit routes and assembly points around your building.
- Locate the nearest fire extinguisher and pull station.
