Safety Mandate - Emergency Contacts and Hazard Warning Signs

Many of you may know that we've had two laboratory fires within about four months in the Shorey and Biomedical Research Buildings. Repair and replacement costs has exceeded $400,000 thus far and there are still repairs to be made and equipment and supplies to be replaced. As a result of those fires, the UAMS Safety Coordinating Committee, has mandated new requirements for laboratories based on recommendations from the Little Rock Fire Department and information provided by this office (Occupational Health and Safety). This document addresses the issue of "emergency contact persons" and "hazard warning signs." There will be additional requirements and/or recommendations in the near future.

The UAMS Safety Coordinating Committee has mandated that each laboratory (including common use areas) be labeled outside each door to indicate who to contact in the event of an emergency and potential hazards therein, such as; radiation, biohazard, etc. During both fires, fire fighters were apprehensive about entering a laboratory that had no signage to indicate potential hazards. We ask that you immediately place the name, office and home phone number of at least one person to contact in the event of an emergency, adjacent to or on your laboratory door. This can be type written information using letters at least one inch in height. Applicable hazard warning signs should be posted also.

Permanent signs may be obtained by submitting a work order request to Physical Plant.

Lamar D. Griffeth, M.S.
Fire, Life & Chemical Safety Officer

New e-mail address: griffethlamard@uams.edu

Check out our website at http://www.UAMS.edu/safety