RMU Safety Update. Pandemic Planning (by Lynn George, PhD, RN) Fire Safety Initiatives Continue at RMU. Fall Test Your Safety Knowledge:

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1 RMU Safety Update Published by the Robert Morris University Safety Department, (412) Pandemic Planning (by Lynn George, PhD, RN) Fall 2006 Inside This Issue: Pandemic Planning...2 Fire Safety Initiatives...2 Hazardous Waste...3 Management RMU Operations Center..4 Goes 24/7 Electrical Safety Tips...4 Emergency...5 Preparedness Checklist There is no doubt you have heard some of the recent press related to Avian Flu or an Influenza Pandemic. The World Health Organization and others track influenza outbreaks worldwide. There are many strains of the influenza virus that affect populations. In the last century we had 3 pandemic influenza or flu outbreaks. The first Spanish influenza in 1918, the second Asian influenza in 1957 and the 3 rd in 1968 commonly called the Hong Kong Flu. Each of these pandemics resulted when an influenza virus became easily transmissible from one person to another. The spread of disease quickly extended world wide, in most cases in a matter of months. Avian flu, a particular strain of influenza, is currently affecting wild and domestic birds around the globe. Health officials world wide consider the H5N1 strain of avian flu to be a likely cause of the next pandemic, if and when the virus becomes easily transmissible from one person to another. Currently this is not the case and those infected with the virus so far have been in close contact with infected birds. This close contact is the manner in which they have acquired the disease. H5N1 influenza is a very serious disease with a high mortality or death rate and the progress of the disease is being monitored carefully. (Continued on Page 2) Test Your Safety Knowledge: What is electricity? Find the answer on Page 4. Fire Safety Initiatives Continue at RMU Improving fire safety in the Residence Halls - Early detection is a key component of fire safety. With this in mind, RMU s Board of Trustees made a decision this past summer to replace the fire alarm system in each of the eight (8) traditional dorms. Similar to other utility/building systems, the new fire alarm systems are more reliable and provide added features over the old systems. The new systems include fire/smoke detection devices throughout the buildings. These devices are connected to a central fire alarm panel, which communicates 24-7 to an alarm monitoring company. The new systems were installed and operational by the end of August, (Continued on Page 2)

2 2 RMU SAFETY UPDATE Pandemic Planning (continued) The next time disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. It would be wise to prepare now for any sudden emergency. Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disasters by planning ahead. Use the Emergency Preparedness Checklist at the end of this newsletter to help you get started. Robert Morris University and other schools have been encouraged to plan for the possibility of an influenza pandemic. Currently Tim Kirsch, Director of Safety in the Office of Facilities Management at RMU is heading such a planning team for our university. Tim and the team have consulted with various local and international resources to gather information that is essential for an effective plan. Recently team members attended a conference at Carlow University, hosted by the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE). The topic was Planning for the Flu Pandemic: Risks and Responsibilities for Institutions of Higher Education. This conference was very helpful and included panel members from the University of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Health Department. Robert Morris University s plan is currently in the draft stage and a proposed budget will be submitted to the administration shortly. We are well on our way to having a plan in place by the end of the year. Information will be available shortly on the RMU webpage and will include such topics as RMU s plan and personal preparedness. Fire Safety Inititatives (continued) Fire Drills on Campus - Beginning September, 2006, fire drills will be conducted in all RMU facilities. This process is being implemented to provide all RMU faculty and staff an opportunity to practice / demonstrate their knowledge of established fire response procedures. RMU fire response procedures are detailed in the Fire Procedures Policy which can be accessed on the Safety Web Page at All RMU personnel should be familiar with the response procedures, which are summarized and easily The following are some suggestions about how you can prepare to stay healthy. The outbreak of influenza is being tracked worldwide. Stay informed by using reliable sites for information such as the WHO or the CDC, the Allegheny County Health Department Web site or Keep your immune system strong by eating a healthy diet and getting adequate rest and moderate exercise. Take advantage of vaccines for preventable diseases such as seasonal flu, pneumonia and meningitis. Use proper hygiene measures such as washing your hands after contact with individuals with cold or flu symptoms or contaminated surfaces. Soap and water is preferable but sanitizing hand wash is also effective when soap and water are not readily available. remembered by the R.A.C.E. acronym. Rescue persons who may need assistance. Activate the fire Alarm system and report the condition to Public Safety. Contain the fire by closing doors and shutting off fuel sources. Evacuate the building. Public Safety and Facilities will administer drills in all office buildings, classroom facilities and similar assembly buildings. The Fall 2006 Fire Drill Schedule and other drill information was distributed in an from the Operations Center (Jane Sullivan) on September 21, 2006.

3 3 RMU SAFETY UPDATE Hazardous Waste Management There are a number of departments and operations that use hazardous materials. Subsequently, there are waste materials generated that must be disposed of in accordance with comprehensive Hazardous Waste Regulations. So how do you determine if waste materials that you/your department generate are hazardous? There are a few characteristics, as noted below, that you can use to make a general determination. Any waste material that is flammable, corrosive, reactive or toxic, will most likely be considered a hazardous waste. There are also specific hazardous waste listed in the federal regulations. Because of the stringent hazardous waste regulations, disposal of these materials must be coordinated through the Safety Office. To ensure that personnel from departments who typically generate hazardous waste understand the requirements and procedures for the safe handling/disposal of these materials, safety education was initiated. Representatives from Facilities Management, Science Labs, Media/Arts and Photography recently attended a half-day education session on Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. The John Jay Science Labs are a great example of one department where our hazardous waste procedures have been successfully implemented. A Laboratory Safety Committee, chaired by Dr. Paul Badger, has made great progress in establishing work practices in accordance with the regulatory requirements. The photos (left and bottom) depict hazardous waste from the science labs being packaged by a contracted vendor for transportation and disposal. The materials were segregated, packaged and labeled for transport off-site.... an example of successful waste management! Any waste material that is flammable, corrosive, reactive or toxic, is most likely considered a hazardous waste. Disposal must be coordinated through the Safety Office.

4 4 RMU SAFETY UPDATE Facilities Operations Center Goes 24/7 On September 1, 2006, the Operations Center expanded its coverage to 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. By contacting (412) , you can speak directly with one of the Operations Center staff. This expanded coverage supports the Utility Systems Management (USM) program, which is an important aspect of the safety process. USM deals with the safe and reliable operation of various building systems including, electricity, water, gas, information and similar systems. These systems are essential to our daily operations and often go unnoticed, until there is a problem or failure. To improve system reliability, Information Technology and Facilities Management utilize new technologies and maintain systems through ongoing preventive maintenance. In the event of utility system problems or failures, you have direct contact with the Facilities Management Department through the Operations Center. In addition to emergency calls, the Operations Center should be contacted for all your Facilities/Maintenance needs. Again, you can contact the center at (412) or to opsctr@rmu.edu Electrical Safety Tips (Richard Hawk Inc. What is electricity? Nobody knows the full answer. But we do know that electricity occurs naturally. Electricity happens when an outside force upsets the balancing force between protons and electrons (basic elements of every atom). Electrons in the atoms transmit an electrical charge through solid matter, such as metal, to produce an ELECTRIC CURRENT. You can't store electricity. Once you generate it, you have to use it right away or it disappears. (Santee Electric Cooperative, Inc.) If your house and appliances have all been purchased within the last decade or so, chances are that they all fit perfectly well together. But if the house and electrical contents are of varying vintage you may have 2-slot electrical receptacles, and 3- prong plugs. The ideal solution is to have an electrician bring your house wiring up to today s code requirements. If you have your service updated, you may be able to get up to 20 percent premium reduction from your fire insurance agent. If you use an electric blanket to keep you warm in bed, don t cover it with a bedspread or other blankets while it s turned on. If someone is electrocuted by extremely high voltages from overhead cables, do not even get close to them. If you attempt to sever the contact with a nonconductor such as a stick or a piece of clothing, the current may jump the gap. Call for help. Transformers generate heat while operating even those which plug into a socket to operate electronic equipment such as a lap-top computer. Ensure adequate ventilation and switch them off when not in use.

5 Emergency Preparedness Checklist 5 RMU SAFETY UPDATE The next time disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. It would be wise to prepare now for any sudden emergency. Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead. This checklist below will help you get started. Discuss these ideas with your family, and then prepare an emergency plan. Post the plan where everyone will see it. For additional information about how to prepare for hazards in your community, contact your local emergency management or civil defense office and American Red Cross chapter. 1. Call Your Emergency Management Office or American Red Cross Chapter Find out which disasters could occur in your area. Ask how to prepare for each disaster. Ask how you would be warned of an emergency. Learn your community's evacuation routes. Ask about special assistance for elderly or disabled persons. Ask your workplace about emergency plans. Learn about emergency plans for your children's school or day care center. 2. Create an Emergency Plan Meet with household members. Discuss with children the Discuss how to respond to each disaster that could dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes and other occur. emergencies. Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries. Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room (see Escape Plan below). Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main Post emergency telephone numbers near switches. telephones. Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire. Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information. Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls. Take a basic first aid and CPR class. Keep family records in a water and fire-proof container. 3. Emergency Contact List: Out of State Contact Name: City: Telephone (Day): Evening: Local Contact Name: Telephone (Day): Evening: Nearest Relative Name: City: Telephone (Day): Evening: Family Work Numbers: Father Mother: Other: Emergency Telephone Numbers: In a life threatening emergency, dial 911 or the local emergency medical services system number. Police: Fire: Hospital: Family Physicians: Name: Name: Name: Reunion Locations: 1. Right outside your home 2. Away from the neighborhood, in case you cannot return home: Address: Route to try first: 5. Escape Plan In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your house, apartment or mobile home on a moment's notice. You should be ready to get out fast. Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Using a black or blue pen, show the location of doors, windows, stairways, and large furniture. Indicate the location of emergency supplies (Disaster Supplies Kit), fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first aid kits and utility shut off points. Next, use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting at least two escape routes from each room. Finally, mark a place outside of the home where household members should meet in case of fire. Be sure to include important points outside such as garages, patios, stairways, elevators, driveways and porches. If your home has more than two floors, use an additional sheet of paper. Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least two times each year. H:\USERS\KIRSCH\SAFEY COMMITTEE\NEWSLETTER\FALL 2006 NEWSLETTER.DOC

6 Emergency Preparedness Checklist (Page 2) 6 RMU SAFETY UPDATE 6. Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or duffel bag. Include the following: A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months. A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes. A first aid kit and prescription medications. A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries. An extra set of car keys. A list of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers. A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener. Blankets or sleeping bags. An extra pair of glasses. Credit cards and cash. A list of family physicians. Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members. 7. Home Hazard Hunt In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a potential hazard. Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. Fasten shelves securely. Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves. Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds. Brace overhead light fixtures. Secure water heater. Snap to wall studs. Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations. Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products away from heat sources. Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans. Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors and gas vents. 8. If You Need to Evacuate Listen to a battery powered radio for the location of emergency shelters. Follow instructions of local officials. Take your Disaster Supplies Kit. Use travel routes specified by local officials. 9. If you are sure you have time... Shut off water, gas and electricity, if instructed to do so. Make arrangements for pets. Animals may not be allowed in public shelters. 10. Prepare an Emergency Car Kit Battery powered radio and extra batteries Blanket Fire extinguisher (5 lb, A-B-C type) Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter. Shovel Flares 11. Fire Safety Plan two escape routes out of each room. Teach family members never to open doors that are hot. In a fire, feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Find another way out. Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household members in case of fire. Purchase a fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type). * Consider installing home sprinklers. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes. Lock your house. Let others know when you left and where you are going. Flashlight and extra batteries Booster cables First aid kit and manual Maps Tire repair kit and pump Teach family members to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire. Install smoke detectors. Clean and test smoke detectors once a month. Change batteries at least once a year. Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets. Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your house. H:\USERS\KIRSCH\SAFEY COMMITTEE\NEWSLETTER\FALL 2006 NEWSLETTER.DOC