The purpose of this policy is to outline the emergency action plan in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations [29 CFR 1910.38(a)].
Policy Statement:
It is the policy of the University to notify all employees of the elements of the emergency evacuation plan and to expect all employees to read and understand the information presented In this plan. It is the intent of this plan to provide not only University employees, but also students and visitors with an appropriate emergency action plan.
It is the responsibility of each department head to enforce this policy. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the University's Human Resources Department. In the event of a fire alarm, all building occupants are required to evacuate. Failure to evacuate the building is a violation of this policy and may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the University's Human Resources Department. Employees who are observed not evacuating the building should be reported to their supervisor. Employees are encouraged to contact Environmental Health and Safety at 812 461-5393 if they are instructed by their supervisor not to evacuate. Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for notifying employees of the emergency action plan through the Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety web site and via communication to employee supervisors.
Evacuation plans are provided for all residence hall buildings. Environmental Health and Safety is in the process of revising and updating evacuation plans for academic buildings.
The emergency action plan contains the following elements:
3.1 Emergency evacuation procedures and route assignments
Evacuation plans are building specific. It is important for all employees of the University to be familiar with the evacuation policy for the building that is their primary place of employment as well as other areas that they are required to frequent.
The following procedures represent acceptable guidelines for ensuring the safe and orderly evacuation of building occupants:
Evacuation of individuals with disabilities
3.2 Employees conducting critical functions before evacuating
Employees who are required and permitted by the responding fire department to remain in the building to conduct critical plant operations should perform their duties only if they are not in the smoke/fire area. Employees should never risk injury when performing work related duties.
3.3 Accounting for all persons after emergency evacuation
Supervisors should develop a procedure to account for employees, students and visitors after an emergency evacuation has been completed. The procedure should designate an area outside the building to which occupants should assemble. Supervisors who have knowledge of any person(s) still inside the building need to inform emergency responders (e.g., fire department).
3.4 Rescue and medical duties
Rescue and medical treatment for injured employees will be provided by the responding fire department and EMS unit.
3.5 Preferred means for reporting fires
The preferred means for reporting a fire is by activating the fire alarm system in a building. This is done by pulling the nearest manual fire alarm pull station. After activating the alarm, the person discovering the fire should immediately call Security at 7777 from a safe location.
3.6 Names or regular job titles of persons or departments who can be contacted for further information under the plan
The manager for Environmental Health and Safety (461-5393) should be contacted for information about the plan.
All academic and administrative buildings and most residential facilities are equipped with fire alarm systems.
Upon hearing the fire alarm system, all occupants must evacuate the building immediately. Faculty members and instructors are required to cease instruction and assist students in exiting the building.
The only exception for remaining in the building applies to "designated personnel" who are required to operate or shut down critical systems. Should smoke and/or fire be in the area of a critical system, "designated personnel" also shall immediately evacuate the building.
University personnel are to notify Physical Plant management of any known areas within a building where the fire alarm appears not to be working or cannot be heard over the ambient noise.
All manually operated pull stations are required to be unobstructed, conspicuous and readily accessible. Physical Plant management is responsible for ensuring that the fire alarm system is operational at all times.
All employees must be trained on all the elements of the emergency action plan. Training should be conducted at the following times:
5.1 Emergency Action Plan Training Outline
For additional information or questions, contact Environmental Health and Safety at 812-461-5393.