Occupational Safety Policies

7.1 – Emergency Response Program

The Temple University Health and Safety policy relies heavily upon prevention of accidents.  Accordingly, policies have been developed to assure a reduction in the probability of accidents, including those resulting in fire or spills of chemical, radiological or biological agents.  However, it is recog­nized that a plan is necessary to respond to potential emergencies.  Response to specific emer­gencies require specific actions as follows:

Fire:  Some fire alarms on campus are connected directly to the Temple Police Force, which in turn notifies the Philadelphia Fire Department. Upon activa­tion of a fire alarm, the building is evacuated in accor­dance with EHRS Policy No. 7.5. Whenever a fire alarm is sounded, Campus Police must be notified by calling ext. 1-1234.

Fire in laboratories requires knowledge of the nature and quantities of biologic agents, chemicals, and radioactive materials present in each laboratory.  All principal investigators or supervisors are required to provide the EHRS with an inventory of hazardous materials present in their laboratory.

Chemical Spills:    The requirements for chemical spill cleanups are outlined in EHS Policy No. 5.7.

Radiological Emergencies:  Emergencies dealing with radioactive materials are handled by the EHS.  During working hours, the EHS personnel will respond to emergen­cies.  The process for emergencies occurring after working hours is identical to that described for chemical spills.

Medical Support:  The Temple University Hospital provides emergency medical services and is called upon for treatment of injured individuals for all emergencies requiring immediate attention.

7.2 – Emergency Action Plan

The Temple University Health and Safety policy relies heavily upon prevention of accidents.  Accordingly, policies have been developed to assure a reduction in the probability of accidents, including those resulting in fire or spills of chemical, radiological or biological agents.  However, it is recog­nized that a plan is necessary to respond to potential emergencies.  Response to specific emer­gencies require specific actions as follows:

Fire:  Some fire alarms on campus are connected directly to the Temple Police Force, which in turn notifies the Philadelphia Fire Department. Upon activa­tion of a fire alarm, the building is evacuated in accor­dance with EHRS Policy No. 7.5. Whenever a fire alarm is sounded, Campus Police must be notified by calling ext. 1-1234.

Fire in laboratories requires knowledge of the nature and quantities of biologic agents, chemicals, and radioactive materials present in each laboratory.  All principal investigators or supervisors are required to provide the EHRS with an inventory of hazardous materials present in their laboratory.

Chemical Spills:    The requirements for chemical spill cleanups are outlined in EHS Policy No. 5.7.

Radiological Emergencies:  Emergencies dealing with radioactive materials are handled by the EHS.  During working hours, the EHS personnel will respond to emergen­cies.  The process for emergencies occurring after working hours is identical to that described for chemical spills.

Medical Support:  The Temple University Hospital provides emergency medical services and is called upon for treatment of injured individuals for all emergencies requiring immediate attention.

7.3 – Corridor Utilization Policy

A safe working environment requires that corridors, stairwells and areas accessible to Temple University employees and members of the general public can be readily used during an emergency. The Temple University policy is based on the Building Official Code Administration (BOCA) Fire Prevention Code.

Definition of Corridors:  The function of corridors is to allow uninhibited movement of people among offices, laboratories, rooms, and other facilities.  The Philadelphia Fire Code makes a distinction between common corridors and limited access corridors. Those who are not necessarily working in the adjacent offices, laboratories; and other facilities use common corridors. Those who work in adjacent offices, laboratories, and other facilities frequent limited access corridors primarily or entirely.

Common Corridors:  Philadelphia Fire Prevention Code prohibits storage in common corridors.

Freight Elevator Lobbies:  Storage and/or operation of equipment is restrict­ed to alcove areas in freight elevator lobbies. Materials or equipment (other than that in transit) may not encroach on the passage width so as to restrict the reasonable movement of supplies, materials, or equipment.

Electrical Outlets:  Electrical supply to authorized equipment must be provided by permanent installation of an easily accessible, fused outlet, located adjacent to the equipment.  Extension cords do not replace permanent wiring.

Stairwells, Horizontal Exits, and Designated Areas of Refuge:  Materials and equipment not required for emergency response may not be located or used in stairwells, horizontal exits, or designated areas of refuge.

7.4 – Emergency Telephone Contacts

Emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Individuals should contact the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety Department (EHRS) at 215 707-2520 if assistance needed with chemical, biological, radioactive material, or radiation producing equipment.

  • During business hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) the caller should contact EHRS at 215-707-2520, or call the page operator at 215-707-4545 and ask for a representative of EHRS be paged.
  • After hours and on weekends and holidays call the page operator at 215-707-4545 and ask for a representative of EHRS be paged.

The caller should specify the type of emergency that they need assistance with.

For security problems or Fire Safety concern, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call extension 1-1234.

Personnel on the Episcopal Campus should dial the following numbers:

  • Page Operator: 5551
  • Code: 2-6300
  • Fire/Security/Bomb Threat: 2-6300
  • Blood Spill: 2-0502
  • Biomedical Emergency: 2-0507
  • Risk Management: 2-0447
  • Chemical/Mercury/Radioactive Spills: 2-2520 (EHRS)

7.5 – Fire Drills

Temple University Fire Drill Policy is based upon the requirements of the Philadelphia Fire Prevention Code, and applies to all University buildings. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) imposes additional requirements on fire drill policy for hospitals.

All Buildings Except Temple University Hospital

Frequency of Fire Drills:  Temple policy requires a fire drill in every building at least every two months. These drills are conducted during normal business hours.

Fire Drill Notice:  Notice of an impending fire drill is given three to four days prior to the drill.  Notice is posted in visible areas such as elevators, entrances, and lobbies.

Building Evacuation:  Everyone must evacuate the building, including all employees, students, and visitors. Occupants of the building must exit according to predetermined escape routes. Diagrams of these escape routes are attached to walls at various locations. Once outside the building, all people must stand clear of the entrances. Return to the building is permitted only after the fire marshal evaluates the situation.

Temple University Hospital - Patient Tower

Frequency of Fire Drills:  Quarterly fire drills are required for every work shift.

Fire Drill Notice:  The hospital operator and hospital security are notified concerning the time of the next scheduled fire drill. Once notified, the drill is conducted.

Building Evacuation:  During a fire drill, all visitors are expected to evacuate the building according to predetermined escape routes. Diagrams of these escape routes are attached to walls at various locations. Patients and hospital staff are not evacuated during a drill.