Health and Safety - Section 6

Contact information for the lab supervisor and other relevant contacts are posted in the laboratory. This includes Ambulance, Fire and Police (911), UW Special Constable Service (22222), and Plant Operations (43793). 

Calling 911

911 can be called from any landline phone on campus. University of Waterloo Special Constable Service is automatically notified, and the exact location of the call is registered.

When calling 911 from a mobile phone, you should call UW Special Constable Service (519-888-4911) immediately after the call with 911 ends.

Calling UW Special Constable Service

When an emergency occurs, always contact the University of Waterloo Special Constable Service using extension 22222 or 519-888-4911 as soon as possible.  UW Special Constable Service can also be contacted in case of a chemical spill. University of Waterloo Special Constable Service has officers on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Calling Plant Operations

When there is an emergency due to infrastructure failure (pipe leaks, failed ventilation system, etc.), please contact Plant Ops using extension 43793. Plant ops is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For non-urgent issues, email details to pltops.maintenance@uwaterloo.ca. Provide the building and room number in the subject line and a thorough description of the problem in the body of the email.

In the event of a medical emergency, immediately call 911 for paramedics. Remember to call UW Special Constable Services (ext. 22222) after calling 911.

In case of minor injuries or illness, check the procedures posted in the First Aid Emergency poster on the lab. A basic First Aid kit is available in every lab.

You can also ask for help by contacting the First Aiders in your building. A list of First Aiders and their contact information is available on the First Aid Kit in each lab.

6.2.1. Eye Wash/Emergency Shower

All laboratories are equipped with an Eye Wash Station. Depending on the risks present, some labs may also have an Emergency Shower.

Eye Wash Station: In case of a chemical splash to your eyes in a laboratory, follow the procedure below.

• Seek aid immediately: If you're not alone, yell for help to assist in the procedure and/or call emergency services.
• Locate the eyewash: Remember where the eyewash station is positioned in the lab. Every second counts, so rushing is crucial.
• Activate the eyewash: Eyewash stations are designed for easy activation. It might involve pushing a lever, pulling a handle, or stepping on a pad. Locate the activation mechanism and trigger it.
• Flush your eyes: Move your face towards the eyewash fountains and hold your eyelids open with your fingers. Roll your eyeballs around to ensure thorough rinsing of the entire eye surface.
• Continuous flushing: Keep flushing your eyes for at least 15 minutes, even if it's uncomfortable. This extended rinsing is essential to remove all traces of chemicals.
• Consult SDS: Ask someone to consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to determine if any further action is required.
• Seek medical attention: Consult a doctor if any irritation or ill effects remain after 15 minutes of flushing. 

Emergency Shower: The procedure for using an emergency shower in a laboratory is similar to an eyewash station but focuses on flushing contaminants from your skin and clothing. Follow the procedure below in case of chemical contamination:

• Seek aid immediately: If you are not alone, yell for help to assist in the procedure and/or call emergency services.
• Locate the Shower: Emergency showers are typically bright yellow or orange for easy identification. Reach the shower as quickly as possible.
• Activate the Shower: Most emergency showers are activated by pulling a pull-rod or lever. Locate the activation mechanism and pull it firmly.
• Start Decontamination: Once under the showerhead, begin removing your clothes. Contaminated clothing can trap chemicals against your skin and prolong exposure.
  • In some cases, removing clothing might be difficult due to the urgency. Prioritize flushing exposed skin over meticulously removing clothes.
• Thorough Rinse: Wash your entire body with the shower water for at least 15 minutes. Ensure that all contaminated areas are flushed thoroughly.
• Consult SDS: Ask someone to consult the SDS to determine if any further action is required.
• Seek medical attention: Consult a doctor if any irritation or ill effects remain after 15 minutes of flushing.

In the event of a fire, stay calm and ensure the safety of yourself and others by following the procedure below. If the fire is small and contained, you may attempt to extinguish it. However, only do so if the fire is not spreading and your escape route is clear.

Keep in mind that responding to a fire in a research lab requires extra caution due to the potentially hazardous materials present.

Evacuation First:

• GET OUT: Your priority is to evacuate the building as quickly and safely as possible. Leave all belongings behind.

• Alert Others: Activate the wall-mounted fire alarm pull station located near exits to warn others.

• Close Doors: As you evacuate, close doors behind you to help contain the fire and smoke.

• Use the Stairs: Never use elevators in a fire. They may lose power or become trapped between floors. Take the stairs to the nearest exit.

Once Outside:

• Stay Out: Remain outside. Do not re-enter the building until authorized by the Fire Department or UW Special Constable Services.

• Meet at Designated Area: Proceed to the designated area and wait for instructions.

• Report:Report any information about the fire to the Fire Wardens and UW Special Constable Services.

If Unable to Evacuate:

• Close the door: Close the door to your room to slow the spread of fire and smoke.

• Avoid Smoke: Use available materials to stuff any cracks around the door to keep smoke out. Stay low, as heat and hot gases tend to rise.

• Report your location: Call 911 and/or UW Special Constable Services (ext. 22222) to report your location.

6.3.1. Fire Extinguisher

Most laboratories, depending on the risks present, are equipped with an ABC Fire Extinguisher. If the fire is small and contained, you may attempt to extinguish it. However, only do so if the fire is not spreading and your escape route is clear. Follow the easy-to-remember acronym PASS when using a fire extinguisher:

• P - Pull the Pin: Locate the pin at the top of the fire extinguisher. Pulling the pin allows the extinguisher to discharge.
• A - Aim Low:  Direct the nozzle at the base of the fire, not the flames. This targets the fuel source, extinguishing the fire more effectively.
• S - Squeeze the Lever:  Hold the extinguisher upright and firmly squeeze the lever to release the extinguishing agent.
• S - Sweep Back and Forth:Use a sweeping motion to cover the entire fire area at the base, moving the nozzle from side to side until the flames are completely out.

In the event of a hazardous material spill, the response requires a measured approach to ensure safety and proper containment. Stay calm and follow the procedures below:

• Identify the Chemical: If possible, identify the spilled chemical by checking the label of the container or consulting the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) binder. The SDS will detail the specific hazards and appropriate response procedures.

• Evaluate the Threat: Consider the amount spilled, its toxicity, flammability, and any immediate hazards like fumes or vapors.

• Stop the Source: If safe, stop the source of the spill

• Alert Others: Inform lab occupants about the spill.

• Larger Spills: If the spill is large, involves hazardous materials, or you are unsure about safe handling, do not attempt to contain it yourself.

  • Evacuate the lab immediately.

  • If the spill poses an immediate threat to the health of building occupants, activate the wall-mounted fire alarm pull station located near exits to warn others.

  • Call the Spills Team via UW Special Constables Service (ext. 22222) an report any information about the spill to UW Special Constable Services.

• Minor Spill: For small spills, attempt to contain them using spill kits available in research labs. See below for more details.

6.4.1. Spill Kit

All laboratories are equipped with Spill Kits. These kits contain absorbent materials like pads or socks suitable for various chemicals. Only attempt to use a spill kit after assessing the potential danger of the spill.

Protect Yourself First:

• Don PPE: Wear appropriate PPE (proper gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat). Disposable nitrile gloves provide limited protection against chemicals, so avoid prolonged contact with chemicals.

Contain and Clean Up: 

• Contain the liquid: Place the absorbent pads around the perimeter of the liquid to prevent spreading.

• Collect broken glass and other solids: Use tongs or a dustpan and brush. Do not use your hands to pick up broken glass.

• Absorb Remaining Liquid: Add more absorbent pads working inwards. Allow time for the material to soak into the absorbent pad. Continue until no standing liquid is present.

• Dispose:Place pads and other materials in a solid hazardous waste container.

• Clean up the area: Wipe down the area with paper towel and soapy solution. Dispose of paper towels with the used absorbent pads.

• Label the waste: Label the solid waste container and follow regular Hazardous Waste disposal procedures for final disposal. 

When an incident occurs, it is crucial to respond properly as outlined in the previous sections. It is also necessary to submit an incident report for regulatory compliance and to improve the overall safety of everyone.

An Incident Report allows the university to identify and address safety hazards. By understanding what happened, why it happened, and who was involved, the university can take steps to prevent similar incidents from happening again. This could involve repairing faulty equipment or infrastructure, improving processes and procedures, or providing additional or improved training.

The submission of an Incident Report is encouraged for near-miss events. Even though there wasn't an actual accident, submitting a report after a near miss allows the university to identify potential hazards before they cause serious injury or damage. By understanding the near miss, they can take steps to prevent a future accident. This could involve similar actions to those taken after an incident, like fixing equipment or providing training.

When an accident results in injury, the supervisor must submit the Incident Report within 24 hours of the incident. Failure to report injuries which result in health care or lost time from work (other than the day of injury) may result in a financial penalty to the Department. The Incident Report form and additional information can be found on the Safety Office Website. See the Related Links section below.