Outdoor Warning Sirens

• Hennepin and Ramsey counties have outdoor warning sirens located on or near campus. The sirens, which are typically activated during severe weather situations, are tested at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month. 

SAFE-U

• SAFE-U is the University's emergency mass notification system. All students, faculty, and staff are required to receive emails with SAFE-U Alerts. You can add additional contact methods including phone calls and texts in MyU. 

Fire Alarms

• Fire alarms will go off if evacuation is necessary. The alarms are loud and have flashing lights. The building emergency alarm system can be activated in the event of an emergency requiring building evacuations such as a fire or major chemical spill. 

There are three types of chemical spills that may occur in the laboratory: emergency spills, non-emergency spills that one needs or just wants assistance from HSRM to clean up, and non-emergency spills that laboratory personnel can cleanup. 

When in doubt, it is always ok to be cautious and call 911

Emergency Spills

Emergency spills are spills that threaten human health and/or the environment either because of the high hazardous properties of the chemical, or just the volume of material released. It requires immediate emergency personnel response.

1. Cease all activity in the area, isolate the spill, and notify others in the immediate area of the spill.

2. Evacuate the area.

• If building evacuation is necessary, pull the nearest fire pull station, located at each stairway enterance.

3. Dial 911. Ask to be connected to the UMN dispatch center. Provide details to the dispatcher about where you are, what was spilled, and the extent of any injuries.

4. Provide first aid to anyone injured, if you can do so safely.

5. Remain nearby to provide information to emergency personnal when they arrive.

6. Contact the department safety officer and the front office to report the spill.

Non-Emergency Spills that require help

A non-emergency spill is a spill that cannot be safely cleaned up by lab personnel, but poses no immediate danger to people or the environment. Hazardous chemical spills which the lab is not trained or equiped to clean, but are isolated from any dangerous interactions would be a non-emergency spill. Or if the volume of low hazard material spilled exceeds the lab's capacity to easily clean it themselves.

1. Cease all activity in the area, isolate the spill, and notify others in the immediate area of the spill

2. Evacuate the area if necessary. Post signs to keep others from entering the area of the spill.

3. Call HSRM (612-626-6002) to report the spill. If for whatever reason you cannot contact HSRM, call 911 and report that you have a non-emergency chemical spill and need assistance with cleanup.

4. Wait for HSRM to arrive and then provide them with the details of the spill.

If the injury is serious, call 911.

If the injury is less serious, provide immediate first aid, and then go to the emergency room if necessary. Have someone accompany the injured for any needed assistance.

nearest ER:

M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center-East Bank

500 Harvard St SE SE, Minneapolis MN 55455

(near the corner of Washington Ave and Harvard Street)

All work related injuries require the person or their supervisor to submit an online First Report of Injury Form within 24 hours.