Lab Safety

24 Hour Emergency Contacts

For all medical emergencies, call 911 or the Harvard Police at 617-495-1212. 

Report Exposure

To report a research-related exposure, call the Exposure Response Call Center (ERCC) is a 24/7/365 hotline call center as soon as possible after calling the emergency response mentioned in prior section. Research-related exposure is exposure to research animal zoonoses toxin, chemical/biological/radiation and physical hazards. All Harvard affiliates can reach the ERCC at 866-360-8100.  

Report an Accident, Injury or Illness

Report all claims and injuries the to PMA Companies Customer Service Report Hotline at 888-631-5813 as soon as possible after calling the emergency response mentioned in prior section. Harvard Environmental Health and Safety will meet the regulatory agency and manage interactions on behalf of Harvard, working in partnership with school and unit leaders.

University General Lab Safety

Please review University guidelines for best practices and requirements for safety in the laboratory.  See The Lab Emergency Response Guide.  For questions specific to labs within Northwest, contact our Environmental Health & Safety Representative, Gloria Park.

Anonymous Reporting Hotline

To encourage individuals to voice their concerns. Harvard has an Anonymous Reporting Hotline which provides the opportunity to report lab safety concerns anonymously. This hotline is NOT a 24-hour, 911 or emergency service.

Emergency  Evacuation Procedures

Familiarize yourself with the emergency evacuation routes posted at each elevator and secondary stairway throughout the building. There will be an annual emergency evacuation drill. Questions about emergency procedures should be directed to the Northwest Building Health & Safety Representative. Please review the emergency evacuation plan summary and egress route for your floor(s).

Northwest Labs Evacuation Plan Summary

1. The evacuation plan for the Northwest Building is summarized as follows.
    
   1. Know the following before a fire alarm occurs:
      1. What level of the building you are on.
      2. What building quadrant you are in.
      3. Your room and lab numbers.
      4. Your primary and secondary exits via fire stairwells.
      5. Where your outside meeting location is.
      6. Who your safety monitors are for your area.
   2. Know what to do during a fire alarm:
      1. Leave the area by means of your primary evacuation route. If this exit is blocked, use the secondary route.
      2. Once outside the building, report to your designated meeting area. Wait for instructions from your safety monitor or from the Northwest Building Operations Emergency Team.
      3. Do not re-enter building until Fire Department indicates that it is safe to do so.

Regulatory Inspections

If an Environmental Health and Safety-related regulatory agency arrives onsite or contacts you, immediately contact Harvard Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) by calling the Harvard Operations Center at 617-495-5560 and Gloria Park at 617-631-5813. EHS will meet the regulatory agency and manage interactions on behalf of Harvard, working in partnership with school and unit leaders.