A hazardous material incident is the accidental release of a hazardous material that has the potential of interrupting the services being provided on campus. Hazardous material incidents will be divided into ON-SITE and OFF-SITE categories. Shelter-in-place procedures may be required when the need for personal protection is necessary.
An on-site hazardous material incident is one in which a spill, leak or another type of release of hazardous material has occurred on a campus.
What to Do?
- Isolate area of spill/leak. Do not attempt to clean.
- Call the Office of Public Safety 212-772-4444 immediately.
- In the event of a laboratory emergency, the college laboratory technician, or other responsible individual in the laboratory, should immediately follow the emergency procedures posted in the specific laboratory and call the Office of Public Safety at 212-772-4444.
- If possible, note any characteristics about the material, like name, odor, color or physical description.
- Report any observed injuries or exposure to the Office of Public Safety immediately.
- Follow instructions given by emergency personnel for shelter-in-place or evacuation.
- Note: If mercury spills in the building (such as a broken thermometer, barometer, etc.), cover the contaminated area with a plastic item such as a garbage bag. Notify the custodians. (DO NOT CALL 911 FOR MERCURY SPILLS.)
- The Office of Environmental Health and Safety can provide information about chemical and laboratory safety at Hunter College. The director of EHS can be reached at 212-772-4462.
An off-site hazardous material incident is one in which a spill, leak or another type of release of hazardous material has occurred at a location that may pose a threat to the campus.
What to Do?
Such incidents may require immediate action. This action will depend on the proximity of the accident to the school, the wind velocity, and the weather conditions.
- The Office of Public Safety will be notified by appropriate parties.
- The Office of Public Safety will notify administration (and/or other appropriate persons).
- Follow emergency personnel instructions for shelter-in-place or evacuation.
Persons with special needs should dial 911 in an emergency situation and identify themselves, their special needs, and their exact location. This will help responders in providing rescue assistance. Faculty and staff should ensure that persons with special needs are given assistance.