UTHSC-H Safety Liaison UTHSC-H Safety Liaison TrainingTraining

UTHSC-HUTHSC-H

Environmental Health and Safety Environmental Health and Safety 713-500-8100713-500-8100

What is an “Area Safety Liaison”?What is an “Area Safety Liaison”?

A person who assists with health and A person who assists with health and safety functions for a designated area safety functions for a designated area within UTHSCHwithin UTHSCH

May volunteer or be designated by unit May volunteer or be designated by unit supervisorsupervisor

Replaces previous “fire warden” program, Replaces previous “fire warden” program, since functions are expanded beyond since functions are expanded beyond mere fire evacuationsmere fire evacuations

Overall Program GoalsOverall Program Goals

Improve building occupant safety during Improve building occupant safety during emergency situationsemergency situations

Provide volunteers with the information Provide volunteers with the information and tools they need to explain the and tools they need to explain the UTHSC-H emergency response process UTHSC-H emergency response process to others in their departmentto others in their department

Education and communicationEducation and communication

Goals For TodayGoals For Today

Kick Off the New ASL ProgramKick Off the New ASL ProgramMeet EH&S StaffMeet EH&S StaffMeet Fellow ASL’sMeet Fellow ASL’sUnderstand university emergency Understand university emergency proceduresproceduresOrienting ASL’s with your roleOrienting ASL’s with your roleProvide beneficial information and tools Provide beneficial information and tools that will help coordination during that will help coordination during emergenciesemergencies

Robert EmeryExecutive Director, EH&S

Radiation Safety

Janet McCraryManager

Chemical SafetyKathleen Maness

Acting Manager

Environmental ProtectionAlan Lucas

Manager

Safety SpecialistSelome Ayele

Safety SpecialistDita Geary

Safety SpecialistJennifer Palmer

Safety SpecialistMarianna Korshukin

Biological SafetyBruce Brown

Manager

Safety SpecialistTyler Zerwekh

Safety SpecialistScott Patlovich

Safety SpecialistJason Bible

Safety SpecialistReyes Torres

Bruce BrownDirector, EH&S

Safety SpecialistLeon Brown

Physical SafetyJoseph Parham

Manager

Safety SpecialistPete Martinez

Safety SpecialistJason LeBlanc

Safety SpecialistJulie Broussard

Safety Specialist (p/t)

Mike Allen

Safety Specialist (p/t)

Jim McMillan

Safety Specialist (p/t)

Steve Newsome

Why Change?Why Change?Emergencies are not simply limited to fireEmergencies are not simply limited to fireAwareness to man made disasters has Awareness to man made disasters has increasedincreasedLower fellow employee apprehension through Lower fellow employee apprehension through educationeducation Closure ProceduresClosure Procedures Access to emergency informationAccess to emergency information What is going on “behind the scenes”What is going on “behind the scenes”

Build upon fire response procedures for other Build upon fire response procedures for other emergency situations emergency situations Needed an excuse to have an annual luncheon Needed an excuse to have an annual luncheon and emergency response bagsand emergency response bags

Types of Foreseeable EmergenciesTypes of Foreseeable Emergencies

Man madeMan made FireFire Building Evacuation Building Evacuation

gas leak, bomb threatgas leak, bomb threat Widespread Power OutageWidespread Power Outage ExplosionExplosion Aircraft collisionAircraft collision Terrorist threatTerrorist threat Civil disturbanceCivil disturbance Release of hazardous materialRelease of hazardous material Medical emergencyMedical emergency Auto accidentAuto accident Criminal activityCriminal activity

NaturalNatural TornadoTornado FloodingFlooding HurricaneHurricane Tropical StormTropical Storm

ASL Duties and ResponsibilitiesASL Duties and ResponsibilitiesASL’s will play crucial role in the institutional safety ASL’s will play crucial role in the institutional safety program by:program by: Assisting with emergency evacuations and drillsAssisting with emergency evacuations and drills Accounting for evacuated personnelAccounting for evacuated personnel Assist in responding to emergency situationsAssist in responding to emergency situations Properly using portable fire extinguishers* or Properly using portable fire extinguishers* or

activating building alarmsactivating building alarms Assisting with the identification and protection of Assisting with the identification and protection of

mobility impaired individuals mobility impaired individuals Assistance with AED’s, first aid* Assistance with AED’s, first aid*

ASL Duties and ResponsibilitiesASL Duties and Responsibilities

Answering questions or directing questions for Answering questions or directing questions for appropriate resolutionappropriate resolution

Providing updates on changes to personnel, Providing updates on changes to personnel, such as ASL’s or AASL’ssuch as ASL’s or AASL’s

Notifying EH&S for corridor and exit Notifying EH&S for corridor and exit blockagesblockages

Provide feedback to EH&S from the university Provide feedback to EH&S from the university communitycommunity

Alternate ASL’sAlternate ASL’s

To improve coverage for each area, an To improve coverage for each area, an alternate ASL will also be designatedalternate ASL will also be designated

Responsibilities and time commitments will Responsibilities and time commitments will be identical to ASLbe identical to ASL

Most Likely ThreatMost Likely Threat

Of all the foreseeable threats, a building fire is Of all the foreseeable threats, a building fire is considered to be the most likely event to be considered to be the most likely event to be encountered, and thus aggressively controlledencountered, and thus aggressively controlledRationaleRationale Sources of ignition omnipresentSources of ignition omnipresent Sources of combustible materials are also Sources of combustible materials are also

omnipresent omnipresent Other threats are statistically more rare and/or Other threats are statistically more rare and/or

seasonally dependentseasonally dependent Systems to address fire safety can serve as the Systems to address fire safety can serve as the

foundation for addressing many of the other possible foundation for addressing many of the other possible threatsthreats

Actual Alarm EventActual Alarm Event

A building fire alarm is activated by eitherA building fire alarm is activated by either Pull station engaged by person encountering Pull station engaged by person encountering

firefire Detection system senses smoke or fireDetection system senses smoke or fire Water flow from sprinkler headWater flow from sprinkler head System falsely detects or malfunctionsSystem falsely detects or malfunctions

High Rise Alarm DesignHigh Rise Alarm Design(a high rise is 75 ft or taller)(a high rise is 75 ft or taller)

Alarm sounds on Alarm sounds on affected affected floor, the floor immediately floor, the floor immediately above and the floor above and the floor immediately belowimmediately belowFrom experience, be aware From experience, be aware that sound that sound might be heard might be heard faintly on other floors, near faintly on other floors, near speakers, or resonating speakers, or resonating through elevator shaftsthrough elevator shaftsIf the alarm is on your floor, If the alarm is on your floor, you’ll know it -- its really you’ll know it -- its really loud!loud!

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What To DoWhat To DoOccupants on affected floors assemble at stairwell exitOccupants on affected floors assemble at stairwell exitOccupants should exit if they see smoke/fire or feel their Occupants should exit if they see smoke/fire or feel their safety is threatenedsafety is threatenedAutomatic notifications to UTPD, FPE, and EH&SAutomatic notifications to UTPD, FPE, and EH&SUTPD dispatch calls HFD unless immediately notified by UTPD dispatch calls HFD unless immediately notified by EH&S or FPE of “false alarm” (usually due to contractor EH&S or FPE of “false alarm” (usually due to contractor activities)activities)UT Police remains at panel while FPE investigates origin UT Police remains at panel while FPE investigates origin – UT Police serves as contact for HFD upon arrival– UT Police serves as contact for HFD upon arrivalInvestigation could take a minimum of Investigation could take a minimum of 10 – 15 minutes10 – 15 minutes, , so building occupants should expect the alarms to sound so building occupants should expect the alarms to sound for at least this longfor at least this long

Automatic NotificationsAutomatic Notifications

When a building alarm activates:When a building alarm activates: UT Police dispatch receives an indication of UT Police dispatch receives an indication of

alarm identifying building, floor, and actual alarm identifying building, floor, and actual device sending alarmdevice sending alarm

Facility Operations is automatically notified via Facility Operations is automatically notified via a pager system, identifying building only a pager system, identifying building only

EH&S also notified automatically via pager EH&S also notified automatically via pager system with building identification onlysystem with building identification only

Fire Department NotificationFire Department Notification

UT Police dispatch UT Police dispatch immediately notifies immediately notifies Houston Fire Department Houston Fire Department unless immediately notified unless immediately notified by officer, FO or EH&S that by officer, FO or EH&S that alarm is falsealarm is false

Once notified, Houston Fire Once notified, Houston Fire Department will proceed to Department will proceed to site to investigate, site to investigate, regardless of subsequent regardless of subsequent notificationsnotifications

Immediate ResponseImmediate Response

Nearest UT Police Nearest UT Police andand Facility Operations Facility Operations personnel proceed to building alarm panelpersonnel proceed to building alarm panelPanel display will identify origin of alarm. Panel display will identify origin of alarm. PanelPanel may be silenced at this point, but horns, strobes, may be silenced at this point, but horns, strobes, and recorded announcement continueand recorded announcement continueUT Police makes standard announcementUT Police makes standard announcementUT Police remains at panel while FO UT Police remains at panel while FO investigates origin – UT Police serves as contact investigates origin – UT Police serves as contact for HFD upon arrivalfor HFD upon arrivalNote – Note – investigation could take 5 -10 minutesinvestigation could take 5 -10 minutes, so , so building occupants should expect the alarms to building occupants should expect the alarms to sound for at least this longsound for at least this long

If Alarm is ErroneousIf Alarm is ErroneousFalse alarms are usually caused by dust False alarms are usually caused by dust from construction activities, accidental from construction activities, accidental damage to a device, or device not damage to a device, or device not properly isolated while conducting alarm properly isolated while conducting alarm system maintenancesystem maintenanceIf found to be erroneous, FPE return to If found to be erroneous, FPE return to panelpanelSilence building alarm, reset panelSilence building alarm, reset panelMake “all clear” announcementMake “all clear” announcementProvide necessary information to HFDProvide necessary information to HFDNotify Public Affairs or designated building Notify Public Affairs or designated building contact, who in turn will distribute building contact, who in turn will distribute building e-mail describing event (pre-written text e-mail describing event (pre-written text with inserted factswith inserted facts))

If Alarm is RealIf Alarm is Real

Responding FPE notify UTPD panel operator to evacuate Responding FPE notify UTPD panel operator to evacuate buildingbuildingOccupants are notified to evacuate the buildingOccupants are notified to evacuate the building If fire is quickly extinguished by building occupant or If fire is quickly extinguished by building occupant or

sprinkler system, the building may not be evacuatedsprinkler system, the building may not be evacuatedArea Safety Liaisons assist with maintaining inventory of Area Safety Liaisons assist with maintaining inventory of personspersonsAssemble persons at safe distance from buildingAssemble persons at safe distance from buildingIf fire localized, FPE may attempt to use appropriate portable If fire localized, FPE may attempt to use appropriate portable fire extinguisher to put fire out. If attempt unsuccessful, FPE fire extinguisher to put fire out. If attempt unsuccessful, FPE to evacuate area as well.to evacuate area as well.HFD will be seeking information onHFD will be seeking information on Location of fire and sourceLocation of fire and source Location of injured, trapped, or mobility impaired personsLocation of injured, trapped, or mobility impaired persons Report necessary information to Fire ChiefReport necessary information to Fire Chief

Post-Event StepsPost-Event Steps

Public Affairs distributes information to key Public Affairs distributes information to key UTHSCH leadership and mediaUTHSCH leadership and media

Notifications for UTS for insuranceNotifications for UTS for insurance

UTPD secure siteUTPD secure site

FO coordinate clean up, but considers FO coordinate clean up, but considers preservation of evidence, using existing preservation of evidence, using existing disaster recovery contractsdisaster recovery contracts

Legal involved for personal and/or regulatory Legal involved for personal and/or regulatory notificationsnotifications

UTHSC-H Closure ProceduresUTHSC-H Closure ProceduresLevel 3 and 4

The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonClosure Porcedures

UTPD MonitorsPotential Emergency

Situations andUpdates President

Dr. James T. WillersonPresident

Dr. Michael McKinneyChief Operating Officer

(COO)

Dr. Max BujaExecutive Vice President

Academic Affairs

Dr. Peter DaviesExecutive Vice President

Research

The decision to close the university is made byWillerson, McKinney, Buja, and Davies. The decision

can be made by any one of the four.

Public Affairs

Answering servicemain swithcboard is

notified

Voice mail message isupdated at 713-500-9996

or 713-500-7999

School deans andexecutive council are

notified of closure

Emergency Responders Emergency Responders and Site Coordinatorsand Site Coordinators

EH&SEH&S

Facility OperationsFacility Operations

Houston Fire Department Houston Fire Department

UTPDUTPD

Public AffairsPublic Affairs

Public Affairs Emergency Public Affairs Emergency Notification ExampleNotification Example

SAMPLE EMERGENCY WEATHER ALERT FROM PUBLIC AFFAIRSSAMPLE EMERGENCY WEATHER ALERT FROM PUBLIC AFFAIRS::

Be prepared for hazardous weather Be prepared for hazardous weather The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for the remainder of The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for the remainder of

today. Tropical Storm ___________ is rapidly moving to the west across the central Gulf today. Tropical Storm ___________ is rapidly moving to the west across the central Gulf of Mexico. A ______ watch is in effect for ____________ until ______.of Mexico. A ______ watch is in effect for ____________ until ______.

See National Weather Service storm tracking at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/See National Weather Service storm tracking at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/In a serious weather emergency, UTHSC-H employees and students may find out whether the In a serious weather emergency, UTHSC-H employees and students may find out whether the

institution is officially open by the following means: institution is officially open by the following means: Tune in to any of these radio stations: KILT-AM 610, KILT-FM 100.3, KPRC-AM 950, or Tune in to any of these radio stations: KILT-AM 610, KILT-FM 100.3, KPRC-AM 950, or KTRH-AM 740. Local television stations KHOU, KHWB, KPRC, KRIV, KTRK, KXLN 45 KTRH-AM 740. Local television stations KHOU, KHWB, KPRC, KRIV, KTRK, KXLN 45 and KTMD 48.and KTMD 48.Employees with offices in the Medical School, John Freeman Building, Hermann Employees with offices in the Medical School, John Freeman Building, Hermann Professional Building, or Jesse Jones Library Building may call (713) Professional Building, or Jesse Jones Library Building may call (713) 500-7999500-7999. . Harris County Psychiatric Center employees should call (713) Harris County Psychiatric Center employees should call (713) 741-5001741-5001..All other employees and students may call (713) All other employees and students may call (713) 500-9996500-9996. . Closings and other emergency conditions will be posted on the Web at Closings and other emergency conditions will be posted on the Web at http://www.uthouston.edu and http://www.uth.tmc.edu. http://www.uthouston.edu and http://www.uth.tmc.edu.

If these communication media are out of order or do not provide adequate information, If these communication media are out of order or do not provide adequate information, employees should call their supervisors. All employees and supervisors are reminded to employees should call their supervisors. All employees and supervisors are reminded to keep home phone numbers with them at home so that they can reach each other in case keep home phone numbers with them at home so that they can reach each other in case of emergency. of emergency.

Employees defined by their department as “essential’ and employees and students with clinical Employees defined by their department as “essential’ and employees and students with clinical obligations at hospitals and other locations should check with their supervisors.obligations at hospitals and other locations should check with their supervisors.

Emergency Response BagsEmergency Response Bags

Contain supplies that could be useful in an Contain supplies that could be useful in an emergency situationemergency situation

Use contents as needed and call EH&S for Use contents as needed and call EH&S for restockingrestocking

Take bags with you in the event of an Take bags with you in the event of an evacuationevacuation

Return bags to EH&S if duties changeReturn bags to EH&S if duties change

Packet ReviewPacket ReviewASL Responsibilities and ProceduresASL Responsibilities and ProceduresEmergency Contact NumbersEmergency Contact NumbersFire ExtinguishersFire ExtinguishersEvacuation Request FormEvacuation Request FormAED/CPR lists and locationsAED/CPR lists and locationsESRPESRPHallway Clearance PolicyHallway Clearance PolicySample Public Affairs AlertSample Public Affairs AlertASL Emergency KitASL Emergency KitBuilding Specific InformationBuilding Specific Information

List of ASL’sList of ASL’s Building Site Plan with Recommended Assembly LocationsBuilding Site Plan with Recommended Assembly Locations

Assembly LocationsAssembly Locations

For information on assembly locations please contact Environmental Health and Safety at 713-500-8100.

How to determine a closed How to determine a closed stairwellstairwell

Exit Sign will Be covered

There will be postings on the door

Alternate Exit Route

Not an exit sign

Design of new stairwells: Design of new stairwells: the the egress pathegress path

From ground level, exit up a ½ floor

From the first floor, exit down a ½ floor

In the event of a building alarm, a gate will deploy to direct people along the exit path

Results of the Great UTHSC-H Nuisance Results of the Great UTHSC-H Nuisance Fire Alarm ChallengeFire Alarm Challenge

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