Enviromental Safety Concerns

 

  • Hazardous Chemical Spills
    • Exposure or injury reporting: If there is any exposure or injury involved, complete a first report of injury and submit it to Human Resources. (https://ehs.unl.edu/student-injuryillness-reporting-form) 
    • Follow-up: Investigate all spills and take appropriate steps to prevent similar spills.
    • Outdoors: Immediately notify the Facilities Office at 308-367-5274 during business hours or the Frontier County Sheriff’s Office at 308-367-4411 after hours for assessment.
    • UNL’s EHS website for additional information: https://ehs.unl.edu/ 
  • In case of imminent danger to health, property, or the environment:
    • Isolate area of spill by shutting doors or use of other means.
    • For indoor releases/spills: Leave the area and pull fire alarm to initiate building evacuation. For outdoor releases/spills: If possible to do so safely (without risk of overexposure) take action to stop the release & prevent or minimize releases to storm sewers. Do not initiate evacuation from nearby buildings unless otherwise advised by emergency responders.
    • Render appropriate first aid. Thoroughly wash exposed areas of the skin with soap and water.
    • Refer to the SDS (safety data sheets) for the spilled material.
    • Call 911 or the Frontier County Sheriff’s Office at 308-367-4411.
      • Not an imminent danger:
        • Use appropriate spill supplies to contain spill.
        • Render appropriate first aid.
        • Refer to the SDS for the spilled material.
        • Notify your supervisor. Finish clean-up of spill using appropriate protective apparel as specified on SDS. Manage waste properly. Contact the Facilities Office (308-367-5274) for additional assistance.
  • Gas Leak 
    • Many buildings on campus use natural gas to provide heat and for laboratory work. In addition, underground natural gas lines run across campus. Natural gas does not have an odor, so a chemical that smells like rotten eggs is added to the gas. This chemical allows us to smell natural gas at levels well below explosive levels.
    • If a natural gas smell is noticed outside:
      • Evacuate the area
      • Call the Facilities Office (308-367-5274) to report the situation. Provide your name and contact information and as much information as possible.
      • If a natural gas smell is noticed in a building
        • Evacuate the area
        • Call the Facilities Office (308-367-5274) to report the situation. Provide your name and contact information and as much information as possible.
        • Based on the information provided, they will dispatch the appropriate personnel.
        • In the event of an evacuation:
          • Move away from any apparent source or at right angles to the prevailing wind. If wind direction is variable, try to move away from the source of the leak if known.
          • Gather a safe distance from the building.
          • If you have knowledge that may assist in evaluating the source of the leak, meet emergency responders as they arrive on-site.
          • Do not return to the building until instructed by emergency personnel.
  • Radiation Accident (or Radioactive Material Spills and Radiation Accidents)
    • General guidance for Radioactive Material Spills may be found in the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Safe Operating Procedure, Radioactive Material Spills and Radiation Accidents. 
    • For major spills at NCTA contact the facilities office at 308-367-5274.

UNL’s Environmental Health and Safety page under Environmental Safety Concerns: https://safety.unl.edu/campus-safety/radioactive-material-spills-and-radiation-accidents/