Emergency Procedures

Medical Campus Environmental Health & Safety has -80°C surge freezer space available, for use in an emergency or when defrosting a -80°C freezer.

During normal business hours, contact EH&S:

757-446-5798
ehs@odu.edu

Outside of regular business hours, call the EH&S Freezer Pager at: 757-415-0014.

When you hear the beep, enter your contact phone number followed by #. Then you may hang up.

EH&S will return your page in order to coordinate opening the Emergency Freezer(s).

If you decide to arrive on-campus, contact Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Police and Public Safety at 757-446-5199, so they can assist with your parking and access needs.

In event of a spill containing biological hazards, follow these basic steps:

• If an aerosol is suspected, leave the room for at least 15 minutes.
• Cover the spill with an absorbent (paper towel, absorbent pad, etc.).
• Spray or moisten the covered area with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) and leave in contact for at least 30 minutes.
• Remove absorbent with gloved hands. Reapply bleach solution to spill area and wipe with absorbent.
• Decontaminate adjacent areas with the bleach solution.
• Place all waste in a biohazard bag for disposal by commercial vendor or steam sterilization.
• Thoroughly wash your hands and other skin areas that may have been splashed.

In event of a spill containing a chemical, follow these basic steps:

• Warn others in the area, identifying the chemical if known.
• Contain the liquid or solid with absorbent pads or sheets.
• Extinguish flame/ignition sources if flammable liquid, solid or gas is released.
• In the event of a fire, assess the situation before using a fire extinguisher. Dry chemicals from the extinguisher may cause more damage to computer and electronic equipment than a small alcohol or solvent fire.
• If the chemical has come in contact with your lab coat or clothing, remove these items immediately.
• If it came in contact with skin or eyes, flush the affected area for at least 15 minutes with running water. Use the eyewash and/or safety shower.
• If the chemical is ingested, rinse out the oral cavity and seek medical attention.
• If seeking medical attention, bring the SDS or chemical container with you.

In event of a spill containing radioactive material, follow these basic steps:

• Notify others in the area at once.
• Confine or contain the spill immediately.
• If the spill contacts the skin, flush thoroughly with water. If the spill is on clothing, discard outer clothing at once.
• Notify Police and Public Safety at 446-5911, describe the situation including what radionuclide and how much activity.
• Permit no one to resume work in the area until it is decontaminated.
• Place contaminated items and materials used for decontamination in waste containers.