MRI Safety - Emergency Information

In the event of a true emergency (i.e., a fire or serious accident that threatens life, limb, or property), your first call should be to 911. This will summon Fire, Police, Medical Services, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). Next, call the Building Safety Officer, the appropriate Laboratory Director, and Person in Charge for that laboratory. This information can be found on the door of each laboratory in the building.

If the emergency effects the whole building (fire, gas leak, release of toxic fumes, radiation leak), do the following:

• Activate the nearest fire alarm and get help – Dial 911
• Alert personnel in the immediate area
• Confine the fire or emergency if possible
• Evacuate the building
• Report pertinent information to responding emergency personnel
  

Confining fires – take measures to prevent the spread of fire

• If the fire is in a vessel, cover with a non-flammable object to suffocate the flames
• Remove nearby flammable objects
• Close windows and doors
• If it is safe to do so, use an appropriate fire extinguisher
• If evacuation is necessary, and if there is time, shut off power to any equipment, turn off gas valves
• Keep your personal safety first in your mind – do not try to contain a fire that is beyond your control; follow evacuation **procedures
  

Evacuate the building

• This means sounding the nearest fire alarm and going to the nearest exit without delay.
• DO NOT use the elevator
• Remove any obstacles in hallways or near fire doors if time allows.
• Do not return to the building unless permitted to do so by the Fire Department.
  

If there is a safety concern that needs to be addressed that is not a true emergency, notify the Building Safety Officer, the appropriate Laboratory Director and Person in Charge for that laboratory. Again, this information can be found on the door of each laboratory in the building. All incidents should be reported without delay. Additionally, EHS may be contacted at 814-865-6391 for any concerns. If you are injured in a Penn State facility and require medical assistance, you must do the following:

• You MUST go to Penn State Occupational Medicine FIRST:

Centre Medical Science Building
1850 East Park Avenue, 3rd Floor, Suite 310
(building in front of Mount Nittany Medical Center)

Report your injury to Gaylord Shawver, the Building Safety Officer, who will:

• Initiate an Accident Report to be sent to Worker’s Compensation (within 24 hours); and
• Determine any safety issues that need to be addressed.