• Check to make sure the environment is safe.
• Check to see if the person is conscious by tapping and asking loudly. “Are you OK?”
  • If the person does not respond, ask someone to call Georgia Tech Police (404-894-2500) and get an AED, then perform CPR.
• When AED is brought, attach pads to the person as shown in the diagrams on the pads. Then follow the AED’s audio instructions.
  • Note: The AED will only deliver shocks if needed; if no shock is needed, no shock will be delivered.
• Continue CPR until the patient is responsive or a professional responder arrives and takes over.

Emergency phone number:

404-894-2500

If you believe there has been an asbestos release or exposure in your building:

1. Leave the area.
2. Call the EHS Emergency Phone at 404-216-5237 or the GT Police at 404-894-2500. Describe why you believe there has been an asbestos release and give a specific location (building, room number).
3. EHS staff will assess the situation and bring in contractors if necessary.

For More Information:

Asbestos Information

Emergency phone number:

404-216-5237

Follow one of the links below to see the appropriate response.

For More Information:

Biological Spills, Biological Exposures

Emergency phone number:

404-216-5237

Chemicals can be a hazard whether they are spilled on someone or an inhalation hazard to an area. Follow the emergency procedure linked below.

For More Information:

Emergency Procedure

Emergency phone number:

404-216-5237

If you notice that the Dangerous Gas Monitoring System has been triggered, call the GTPD (404-894-2500) with as much information as you have. Evacuating the lab or building may be appropriate. Follow the information in the Emergency Procedure linked below.

For More Information:

Emergency Procedure

Emergency phone number:

404-216-5237

• Check to make sure the environment is safe.
• Immediately contact Georgia Tech Police Department at 404-894-2500.
• Turn off the source of electricity, if it is possible. If not, move the source of current away from you and the person, using a dry, non-conducting object (i.e. wood, cardboard or plastic) if possible.
• Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of consciousness or breathing. Do not touch the injured person if he or she is still in contact with the electrical current. Do not move a person with an electrical injury unless he or she is in immediate danger.

Emergency phone number:

404-894-2500

• Check to make sure the environment is safe.
• Ask the injured person what happened and if they are ok.
• Do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger.
• Immediately contact Georgia Tech Police Department (404-894-2500).
• Stabilize the injured persons head and neck in the position found.
  • If the person is impaled by an object, DO NOT remove the object. Keep the person still. Stabilize the impaled object and if possible, bandage around the object.
• Keep injured person calm, monitor the victim's breathing until professional responders arrive, be ready to perform CPR if needed.

Emergency phone number:

404-894-2500

If the fire is small (generally no larger than a small trash can), and you feel comfortable using a fire extinguisher, use it to extinguish the fire. Then call Fire Safety at 404-931-0507 or email firesafety@gatech.edu for a replacement fire extinguisher.

If the fire is larger or you don't feel comfortable using a fire extinguisher, pull the fire alarm and evacuate the building. Call the GTPD (404-894-2500) to report it, and meet the officer at the scene to relay important details.

Emergency phone number:

404-894-2500

If a suspected or known emergency injury occurs:

1. Stop all work in the lab.
2. Shut down the laser (if it is safe to do so).

Fire or life-threatening medical emergency

1. Call the Georgia Tech Police(404-894-2500).

Non-life-threatening medical emergency

Includes severe injuries from beam exposure such as suspected or known eye exposure, vision loss, bleeding from the eye, and burns to areas around the eyes or on the face

1. Call the Georgia Tech Police (404-894-2500) or ask a co-worker/Laser Supervisor to transport you to a hospital ER. DO NOT go to an urgent care clinic for these types of injuries. The Grady Hospital ER is recommended.

Non-emergency injuries

For guidance on where to seek treatment for non-emergency injuries, contact the Laser Safety Officer at 404-894-8847 or laser@ehs.gatech.edu.

1. Do not alter the laser setup. Analysis of the setup as it existed at the time of injury can help to find the cause of the accident and in the development of corrective actions to prevent a recurrence.
2. Call the Laser Supervisor and the Laser Safety Officer (404-894-8847).
3. Visit https://ehs.gatech.edu/form/employee-incident-accident- for accident and injury reporting requirements.

For More Information:

Emergency Response per Laser Safety Policy Manual

Emergency phone number (EHS 24/7 on-call phone): 404-216-5237

1. Secure the site. Keep vehicles and pedestrians out of the area.
2. Call the EHS Emergency Phone at 404-216-5237, or the Georgia Tech Police at 404-894-2500
3. For smaller spills (5 gallons or less), grab your spill kit and use the sorbents.
4. Contain the oil as much as possible. Place booms or socks around sewer grates to keep the oil from entering.
5. Do not wash the oil down the drain!

For More Information:

Planning for Emergencies

Emergency phone number:

404-216-5237

In the event of a major spill:

1. Notify anyone in the area that there is a spill;
2. Use absorbent paper to contain the spill if possible
3. Contact ORS at 404-894-3605
4. Blockade the area to prevent someone from entering the spill, if possible
5. Check if anyone is contaminated
6. Wait in the room, yet away from the spill, for ORS to arrive

In the event of personal contamination, immediately:

1. Remove contaminated clothing
2. Wash contaminated skin gently with mild soap in sink, or use emergency shower if contaminated skin can't be washed in sink
3. If in eyes, use eyewash for 15 minutes
4. Contact ORS immediately at 404-894-3605

In the event of a missing radioactive source:

• Contact ORS at 404-894-3605

Emergency phone number:

404-216-5237

In the event of an actual or suspected x-ray burn or exposure, or a malfunctioning x-ray machine:

• Turn off the x-ray machine. There should be an emergency posting on or near the machine to indicate the best way to do this. Some options include:
  • Hitting the emergency stop button
  • Unplugging the unit
  • Flipping the breaker on the wall
• Call ORS at 404-894-3605. If no answer, or if GTPD services are needed, call 404-894-2500.

Emergency phone number:

404-216-5237