Hazardous materials in various forms can cause death, serious injury, long-lasting health effects and damage to buildings, homes and other property. Many products containing hazardous chemicals are used and stored in homes routinely. These products are also shipped daily on the nation’s highways, railroads, waterways and pipelines.
Chemical manufacturers are one source of hazardous materials, but there are many others, including service stations, hospitals and hazardous materials waste sites. Hazardous materials come in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons and radioactive materials.
What to Do
- Never attempt to contain or clean up a hazardous material release unless you are trained to do so.
- Alert those in the vicinity and evacuate the area.
- Close all doors as you leave.
- DIAL 911 to report the release when you reach a safe location.
- Provide as much information as possible to the dispatcher, including identify and amount of the chemical released, specific location, hazards and any known injuries.
- Warn others not to enter the area.
- Do NOT re-enter the building until told it is safe to do so by UR Alert, emergency personnel, or university administrators.
If you are notified of a hazardous material incident
- Follow instructions provide by the UR Alert and emergency responders.
- Avoid the area of the release until given an “all clear message.
Material Safety Data Sheets
For additional information about what to do before, during, and after a hazardous materials incident, visit https://www.ready.gov/hazardous-materials-incidents.