School of Physics Safety Manual

5. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Action in the event of Fire

If you discover a fire in the building firstly:

• Sound the alarm

Then, if the fire is small and can be safely tackled without taking personal risk, attack the fire with fire fighting equipment available. Turn off gas and electricity supplies. Use a CO2 or dry powder extinguisher for electrical fires. Continue to shout for help. If you extinguish the fire proceed directly to the main entrance foyer and report the incident.

Alternatively, if the fire is large and out of control:

• Leave immediately, closing the door behind you.
• Do not stop to collect personal belongings.
• Call the Fire Brigade

- Dial 999 from the nearest safe telephone

- Notify Estate Patrol by dialing 3999 on an internal or 263999 on an exchange line

- Give the address which is Physics Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL

• Make your way out of the building to the Fire Assembly Point (do not use the lifts)
• Report to the Fire Safety Officer (at the Assembly Point or main entrance) to provide details on precise location and nature of the fire

If you hear the alarm:

• Close your door and windows
• Do not stop to collect personal belongings
• If you have responsibility for a colleague with special needs, contact that person and give assistance
• Make your way out of the building to the Fire Assembly Point (do not use the lifts)
• Do not re-enter the building until told it is safe to do so

The Fire Assembly Point for Physics building is across the road opposite the main entrance and further up the hill towards the Sports Centre. Fire alarms are tested every week on Wednesday mornings. Ignore the bell if it rings at this time, unless it rings continuously for more than 2 minutes, when the drill above should be carried out. A fire drill is carried out at the beginning of the first term in the academic year during an afternoon when the building is at its busiest. This aims to ensure that new students are aware of the correct procedure whilst also noting the time required for complete evacuation of the building, which should be less than 5 minutes.

Whenever a fire extinguisher is used, the facts of the incident must be reported immediately to the Safety Officer. The extinguisher must be returned for checking and refilling.

Fire Marshalls are appointed to assist in evacuating the building.

Bomb Warnings

If informed of a bomb in the building by the Police or a caller:

Immediately sound the fire alarm to evacuate the building.

If informed by a caller, call the Police (999) and then call the Estate Patrol (ext 3999)

Move outside the building, initially to the Fire Assembly Point to await and co-operate fully with further instructions from the Police.

Be prepared to move well clear of the building and vehicles parked in the vicinity (bomb blasts can be dangerous up to 200 metres away)

If informed of a bomb somewhere in the University immediately call the Police and then the Estate Patrol. Do not evacuate the building but await further instructions.

Major Accidents

In the event of a major accident, immediate action should be taken as follows

• Determine continuing danger and extent of injury
• If necessary, evacuate area,
• Summon help & ensure that the following are contacted:

- the emergency services (999, any phone)

- a First Aider (where available)

- the Estate Patrol (263999 or Ext 3999)

If safe to do so, ensure that the injured are accompanied until help arrives.

Thereafter, as soon as possible:

• Ensure that the following are informed:

- the Health, Safety and Environmental Office (3049)

- the Head of School / Director of Building

- the School Safety Officer

- a Trade Union Health and Safety representative

- PERSONNEL DIVISION (3120)

• Record the accident details on a University Accident Report Form (see below)

Minor Accidents

In the event of a minor accident, immediate action should be to:

• Determine continuing danger and extent of injury
• Summon help & ensure that:

- a First Aider (where available) is contacted

- the injured are accompanied until help arrives

• As soon as possible thereafter ensure that accident details are recorded on a University Accident Report Form (see below)

Accident report forms

Most accidents in the School are caused by slips, trips and falls, minor cuts by sharp objects or by lifting heavy or awkward objects. All accidents, however trivial, must be reported immediately to the immediate supervisor and also the School Safety Officer. Any and all accident details are to be reported on a University Accident Report Form available on the intranet via the documentation page of the Health, Safety and Environment Office website or from the School Safety Officer or School Office. The original of this form must be sent to the H&S office with a copy to the School Safety Officer.

First Aid

First aid equipment is available throughout the building. Whenever first aid equipment is used an accident form should be filled in with a coy forwarded to the School Safety Officer. A list of trained first aiders is posted on Notice Boards at various sites throughout the School, to ensure that all staff are aware of the location of their nearest First Aider. These qualified First Aiders should always be contacted in the event of an accident.

If it is clear that the patient requires further treatment but can be moved in a car he or she should, after initial first aid action has been taken, be taken to the RD&E Hospital (Wonford), tel 411611. If the patient requires an ambulance contact the Emergency Services and ask for an ambulance, and also alert the Estate Patrol. For any eye injuries or foreign bodies in eye, take the patient to the RD&E Wonford (eye casualty, tel 402399). If a person is ill or simply needs to lie down and rest, take him/her to the University First Aid Room (Ground Floor, Peter Harrison Building). In cases of poisoning, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance and inform the Emergency Services of the nature of the case.

Outside working hours, for all serious injuries that occur in these times dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. Minor accidents should be dealt with and reported the following morning. If in any doubt or difficulty contact Estate Patrol (3999)

Student Health Centre

Students should register with a doctor as soon as they arrive in Exeter either at the University Health Centre at Reed Mews on the Streatham campus, at the St. Luke's Health Centre, or with a nearby practice. The University's Principal Medical Officer, or one of the other doctors located at the University Health Centre are available for consultation by appointment during term time on weekdays from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and from 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm. An emergency only service on Saturday mornings is available between the hours of 10.00 am to 10.30 am. A limited service is available during vacation periods. St Luke's Campus Health Centre, is located at South Cloisters. Further information is available from the Student Guild.

In Case of Emergency Forms

In Case of Emergency forms are provided for your voluntary use if you wish information to be recorded that may greatly assist the Emergency Services and also allow your next-of-kin to be quickly informed of any emergency that has involved you directly. The form is available via the documentation page of the Health, Safety and Environment Office website – specifically Appendix E to the health and safety policy. Completed forms should be forwarded to the School Secretary and will be kept safe and treated with the strictest confidence.