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Emergency Response

Emergency Contact Information

  • During Working Hours: (304) 293-3413
  • Outside Normal Working Hours: (304) 293-6430

Spill Occurs or Contamination Is Found

  • Notify other persons in the area of the spill.
  • Evacuate if spill is of a volatile material.
  • Immediately remove contaminated shoes or clothing.
  • Mark the spill area and limit access to avoid the inadvertent spread of contamination.
  • Flush contaminated skin thoroughly with water.
  • Remediate small spills and contaminated areas by:
    • Put on protective gloves and lab coat. Use shoe covers if floor is contaminated:
    • Drop absorbent paper on a liquid spill.
    • Dampen a dry spill; take care not to spread the contamination
    • Dispose absorbent papers into Radioactive Waste containers.
    • Survey area either by GM survey meter and Gamma Well or Liquid Scintillation wipe test, depending on the isotope, to ensure that all contamination has been removed.
  • If the spill is too large to remediate on your own call RSD immediately for assistance.

Note: DO NOT call Housekeeping to clean up radioactive spills. The persons involved are responsible for the cleanup.

Incidents Involving Airborne Contamination (Dusts, Mists, Fumes, Vapors, Gases, Aerosols)

  • Notify all other persons to evacuate the room immediately.
  • Hold your breath and evacuate room.
  • Shut all doors to the laboratory.
  • Call Maintenance Engineering and have the air conditioning shut down in your area.
  • The Radiation Safety representative shall evaluate the hazard and the necessary safety devices for safe re-entry.
  • Report at once all known or suspected inhalations of radioactive materials.
  • Post a guard to ensure that no one re-enters the laboratory and to keep the area clear of spectators.
  • Assemble and monitor all persons who were in the laboratory at the time of accident. The place of assembly should be near the contaminated area in order to reduce the spread of contamination.
  • Perform, or have performed, any bioassays required by the RSD.

Injury to Personnel

  • If contamination is found in open wounds, flush the wound immediately with running water while spreading the edges of the wound.
  • In cases where radionuclides have accidentally been released into a finger or other extremity by a needle, induce the wound to bleed by "bleeding" it as a cleansing action in addition to the running water.
  • If contamination is found in the eyes, flush the eyes with running water.
  • Notify RSD immediately.
  • Perform, or have performed, any bioassays required by the RSD.
  • If the injury is serious, the person should be taken directly to the Emergency Room.

Ingestion of Radioactive Material

  • If radioactive material has been taken into the mouth, it should be assumed that some of the material has been ingested.
  • Notify RSD immediately.
  • If advised to do so by the RSD, induce vomiting.
  • Take appropriate steps, as recommended by RSD, to prevent or mitigate uptake of radioactivity into tissues.
  • Perform, or have performed, any bioassays required by the RSD.

Fire Emergency Procedures

When a fire happens, there are steps to take to ensure everyone's safety. If you discover a fire in the building follow these steps first:

  • Activate the nearest fire alarm
  • Close doors as you leave
  • Evacuate to your departmental's evacuation point
  • Call Dispatch at 3-4394 or dial 9-911
    • State your name
    • Nature of emergency
    • Size and location of the fire
    • Phone number where you can be reached