Hazardous Material
A hazardous material incident may occur at any time involving transportation of chemicals via railroad, highway, airway, waterway or an industrial accident at a nearby business.
Response to a hazardous material incident will vary according to the location, quantity, chemical involved, time of day, day of the week, and weather conditions.
Notification of an incident may be issued by Fire/Rescue, Police, Sheriff Office, Security, Wayne County Emergency Management, Administration, the news media or an ordinary citizen.
Directives given by emergency responders may include shelter in-place, and/or evacuation. Shelter in-place should be given first consideration if the facility provides adequate protection from the chemical involved.
Unless directed by an authority having jurisdiction, choose a route for evacuation that leads away from possible exposure and consider:
- Wind direction
- Chemical runoff
- Traffic congestion: Time of day, day of the week
Students, faculty, or staff responsibilities:
- Report to the Wayne State College Campus Security Department all suspicious or unusual odors.
- Know the location, effects and first aid treatment for all chemicals stored on campus that are part of your program or curriculum.
- Locate ill or injured persons, alerting the Wayne State College Campus Security Department as to their location and needs. Be aware that contamination can be spread by physical contact or contact with clothing and equipment.
- Faculty should account for all students, if possible.
Additional precautions to take include:
- Do not walk into or touch spilled materials. Avoid inhalation of fumes, smoke and vapors, even if no dangerous materials are known to be involved. Do not assume that gases or vapors are harmless because of lack of a smell – odorless gases or vapors may be harmful.
- USE CAUTION! Do not handle empty containers because they may still present hazards until they are cleaned and purged of all residues.
Do not attempt to enter an area contaminated with toxic materials or vapors without proper training and equipment. This applies to rescue attempts. If hazardous materials are airborne, evacuate under emergency conditions, out of the path of prevailing winds.