Georgia Institute of TechnologySchool of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Important Information About Incident Reports

It is mandatory to complete an incident report after an accident. The report will not only provide accurate documentation of the event but it will also serve as a learning tool for others. Click here to review a sample of an authentic incident report. (The names have been changed to preserve privacy.)

Dealing With Emergencies (Ford ES&T and Bunger-Henry)


Please remember that you should never dial 911. Call the campus police at 4-2500. Dialing 911 will delay response time.

1. Types of Emergencies

• Laboratory Fires

• Chemical/ Biohazard Spills

• Explosions

• Medical Emergencies (Please note: Medical emergencies require different procedures. Please click here for details.)

2. Anticipating/Preparing For Emergencies

• Be familiar with General Laboratory Safety Guidelines in the Institute Safety Manual

• Anticipate/Prepare for emergencies (e.g., appropriate safety equipment)

• Determine evacuation route(s) from lab/office/classroom in Bunger-Henry and ES&T

• Update MSDS Notebook (have notebook available in lab or use Chematix); be familiar with MSDS websites)

• Be aware of environment (hazardous chemicals; visitors)

• Post emergency contact numbers behind door near lab safety manual

• Conduct periodic inspections of safety equipment such as face shields, eyewash, shower

3. If Building Evacuation Is Required

• PULL FIRE ALARM if building must be evacuated for any reason

• CALL the Campus Police 4-2500 (Do not dial 911 as this will delay response time) and REQUEST appropriate emergency personnel (e.g., fire, medical, EH&S)

• If you are running an experiment, assess the situation.  Shut down the experiment if leaving it unattended would cause a safety issue and if this can be done rapidly so that evacuation is not delayed

• Meet emergency personnel on Atlantic Dr. (Bunger-Henry);
Meet emergency personnel on Ferst Dr. (ES&T) at south end of ES&T near BME

• All personnel should meet in front of the building on Atlantic Dr. (Bunger-Henry); or at the corner of Ferst and Cherry Streets (ES&T) near the baseball field to be informed of current situation

4. Other Emergencies

  • Notify as appropriate:

  • 1. PI/Thesis Director
    2. Facilities Managers:
    ES&T – Mark Smith (5-4867, cell 404-202-9339,
    cell 770-900-5250, mark.smith@coe.gatech.edu)
    B-H: – Rod Sefton (5-2952, cell 770-900-5249, rod.sefton@coe.gatech.edu)
    3. School Chair: Ron Rousseau (4-2867) or
    4. Safety Chair: Thanassis Sambanis (4-2869

5. After Any Emergency (Items 1, 3 &4), Complete an Incident Report

• For ES&T: See Mark Smith (5-4867, cell 404-202-9339,
cell 770-900-5250, mark.smith@coe.gatech.edu)

• For B-H: See Rod Sefton (5-2952, cell 770-900-5249, rod.sefton@coe.gatech.edu)