1. Environmental Health & Safety 4-6783 www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/healthcare
Fire Safety and
Chemical Hazard Communication
for Students
Environmental Health & Safety

2. Fire Response - RACE
What to do in the event of a Fire: Remember RACE!
R emove: all occupants from fire and smoke A larm: Pull the alarm box, then dial 321 announcing Code Red and location (pull boxes are generally located in nurses station, by elevators, and in stairwells) C onfine the fire by closing doors E xtinguish or Evacuate: Use fire extinguisher if you can do so safely or evacuate to a fire safe area!

3. Manual Pull Stations
Activation will sound building fire alarm as well as notify University Police.
Pull this device when you have a smoke or fire condition.
Follow up with call to 321.

4. Fire = CODE RED indicates that a fire condition exists
Dial 321, notify operator of Code Red and provide location
If you have a fire in a patient’s room and have to evacuate the patient, call out “Code Red” for someone to activate the fire alarm. Do not call out “Fire!”
If you hear “Code Red” called out, pull fire alarm and dial 321, giving your location for the Code Red.
Offsites - contact local Fire Dept. or 911, depending on your location (EH&S Policy 2-4)

5. *Pre-Recorded Voice Messages*
Fire Alarm Signaling
Fire Alarm Signaling Method
*Pre-Recorded Voice Messages*
Based on area of alarm activation, fire alarm will broadcast a voice recorded message stating Code Red with the area in alarm.
Example announcement of fire alarm originating on T18 south:
T18 N&S: Strobes flash, alert tone sounds followed by announcement: “Code Red 18 south”
T17 N&S: Chimes sounds followed by announcement:
“A Code Red is being investigated on 18 South”
T19 N&S: Chimes sounds followed by announcement:
Note: Fire alarm strobes will be activated in area of alarm only until the code green is called.
Fire alarm strobe

6. Fire Extinguishers
All areas have multi-purpose, dry chemical extinguishers which are good for:
Class A: Ordinary combustibles
Class B: Flammable liquids
Class C: Electrical

7. When using an Extinguisher… think PASS
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher:
P ull the Pin and stand back 6-10 feet A im nozzle at the base of the fire – hit the fuel not the flames! S queeze the handle to depress the button and release the agent S weep nozzle from side to side until completely empty

8. NEVER use an Elevator during a Fire!
Elevators
NEVER use an Elevator during a Fire!
In most cases the elevators will operate normally during general fire alarm.
If an elevator lobby detector activates, the elevators will return to level 5 and go into a standby mode.

9. Chemical Hazard Communication

10. Safety Tips
Read product label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) prior to using a chemical product.
Know how to access your dept’s chemical inventory and SDS on-line (formerly referred to as Materials Safety Data Sheets or MSDS).
Go to “Resources” section on hospital intranet
Be aware of safety signage as you enter rooms (i.e.: radiation, biohazard, required personal protective equipment)
Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE), as required. If unsure, ask.

11. Safety Tips
5. Know how to activate a Major Chemical Spill response - Notify your supervisor.
If no supervisor available, call University Police at 911 or from your cell phone. (Off sites call the local fire dept or 911, depending on location)
Review your dept’s Emergency Management Manual and Plan.
7. Know the location of your dept’s disaster/power outage kit
Kit contains flashlights, batteries, extension cord, duct tape, glow sticks
8. If you encounter a potentially hazardous condition (i.e., wet floor, tripping hazard), immediately report it to your supervisor.
If a non-hazardous spill, clean up with a paper towel or other absorbent material.

12. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) – Your Guide to Workplace Safety
Material Safety Data Sheets are now called Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
SDSs provides details on:
Potential hazards
Required PPE
Safe work practices
Exposure controls
Spill Response and First Aid
SDS will have:
Signal word (Danger or Warning)
Hazard Pictograms
Hazard Statements
Precautionary Statements

13. Pictograms and Hazard Classes to be used on Labels and Safety Data Sheets

14. Previous Labeling - NFPA Safety Diamond
Flammability
Assign a number to reflect the degree of hazard to the worker
RATING SYSTEM: 0-4
The higher the number, the higher the hazard!
Health
Reactivity
Special Hazard
Label all secondary containers with product and hazard information!

15. New label format
Read label for hazard, storage, PPE, handling, & first aid information

16. Radiation Safety Questions - contact RPS at 8-2356 or 4-3196.
Be aware of radiation & laser safety signage.
Do not enter posted areas without authorization from area manager or Radiation Protection Services (RPS).
Know how to keep your radiation exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) using time, distance and shielding.
Questions - contact RPS at or

17. Questions or Comments? Contact EH&S at 4-6783
Ask to speak to a staff member in the Healthcare Safety team!
us at:
Review Admin and EH&S P&Ps at Inside SBUMC under “Policies & Procedures”
For additional information, review the EH&S Fact Sheet and go to:

18. Quiz
Fire Safety Question #1 - What does the fire alarm signal of strobes followed by code red announcement indicate?
Full building evacuation is required
Fire alarm is in another area and be prepared for evacuation
Fire alarm is in your area; follow RACE
Answer: C

19. Quiz RTK Question #1 - Why are Safety Data Sheets (SDS) important?
Provide nutritional information
Provide economics information
Provide safety information including what to do in the event of an exposure or spill
Provide biomedical engineering information
Answer: C

20. Quiz
RTK Question #2 - If you observe a fire in a patient’s room and need to evacuate the patient, you should also:
Call out “Code Red” for someone to activate the fire alarm
Call out Code Green for someone to activate the fire alarm
Do nothing. You have already done all that is expected of you.
Answer: A

21. Quiz
RTK Question #3 - What phone number would you call for a major chemical spill response?
321
From a hospital phone call 911 or from a cell phone which will connect you with University Police (Off-sites call 911)
444
311
Answer: B