Emergency procedures

General advice | Earthquake | Flooding/water damage/leaks | Gas leaks | Utility failure

It is your responsibility to read safety posters and follow instructions during an emergency.

Know the location of the fire extinguisher and eye wash in your lab and know how to use them.
Know the building evacuation procedures.

General advice

  • Do not panic
  • Size up the situation quickly and decide what to do
  • If you are in personal danger, first get to safety, and then summon help
  • If you are asked to leave the area, make your area safe if time permits by turning off hazardous experiments or equipment, and closing the door. Then leave the area promptly

​Earthquake

  • Stay calm
  • Get under a table, desk, or bench, or stand in a doorway
  • Avoid windows
  • Leave building by stairs after shaking has stopped
  • Do not use elevators
  • When outside, stay clear of buildings and overhead hazards

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Flooding / water damage / leaks

Serious water damage can occur from a number of sources: overland flooding, broken water pipes, clogged drains, damaged skylights, windows or leaking roofs. 

If flooding or water leaks occur:
  • Contact Plant Operations (ext. 33793) and report the exact location and severity of the flood or leak.
  • If there is a hazard of electrical shock, evacuate the area immediately.
  • If safe to do so, take steps to avoid or reduce water damage by covering vulnerable objects.
  • If you know the source of the water and are confident of your ability to stop it (e.g. close window), do so.
  • If in doubt, phone ext. 22222

Gas leaks

When a natural gas odour/leak is detected take the following action:

  • Evacuate the immediate area.
  • If safe to do so, turn off the natural gas supply
  • Depending on the strength of the odour or size of the leak, contact Emergency Services 911, Plant Ops (ext. 33793), or UW Police (ext. 22222), advising them of the location of the odour/leak
  • If the odour/leak is from an off-campus site, evacuate the area and contact Emergency Services 911

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Utility failure

All utility failures (electrical, elevators, heat, etc.) must be reported immediately to Plant Operations (ext. 33793).
Note phones will not work in power outages; please use your cell phone.
In partial electrical power disruption students, faculty, and staff should move to areas where there is light and not return to the affected area until power has been restored. Take all personal belongings and secure the room, if possible.
In complete electrical power disruptions students, faculty, and staff should leave the buildings and not return until power has been restored. Take all personal belongings and secure the room, if possible.
Students, faculty, or staff members who need to enter the affected area(s) to pick up personal belongings should report to the UW Police and request an escort.
NOTIFY YOUR SUPERVISOR/INSTRUCTOR, HEALTH AND SAFETY COORDINATOR, AND/OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IMMEDIATELY AFTER ANY INJURY, FIRE, EXPLOSION, OR SPILL