Weather & Environmental Emergencies

Chemical spills

A chemical emergency is defined as a situation in which a chemical and/or chemical reaction is not properly contained and poses an immediate threat to the health and safety of persons in proximity to the chemical. This information provides you with the first basic steps to be followed in the event of a chemical release.

Students are not permitted to bring caustic, flammable or otherwise hazardous chemicals onto campus or store them in their rooms. This does not apply to common household chemicals, although they must still be stored and used safely.

Chemical spills should only be cleaned up by knowledgeable and experienced personnel. A chemical emergency that causes any exposure and/or harm to a person or persons is considered an accident. As such, an accident report form must be completed and submitted. In the event of a chemical release into the environment, Bucknell Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) must be notified immediately: 

Environmental Health & Safety
Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
570-577-3337
ehs@bucknell.edu

During holidays, weekends or evening hours
570-577-3333

If the incident involves the spill of a small quantity of a chemical, biological or radioactive material that you are familiar with and you have been trained in proper clean-up procedures, follow those instructions.

For chemical handling and hazardous waste policies and procedures, safety data sheets (SDS) for chemicals, standard operating procedures (SOPs) for labs, studios and workshops and other helpful resources, visit Bucknell Environmental Health & Safety (Login required).

Major chemical spill immediate emergency procedures

A major chemical spill is defined as a spill that staff is unable to handle safely without the assistance of safety and emergency personnel.

• If someone is injured, call 911.
  • Describe any known injuries to personnel.
• Evacuate the area and from a safe location call Public Safety at x71111 or (570) 577-1111.
• For chemical, biological or radiological incidents that do not pose a life-threatening emergency, call Environmental Health & Safety (Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) at 570-577-3337. During holidays, weekends or evening hours, call 570-577-3333. 

If you can do so quickly and safely, alert others of the threat and evacuate, especially if fumes are involved.

If necessary, so that you can exit quickly and alert others to evacuate, pull the fire alarm.
 

Minor chemical spill procedures

A minor chemical spill is defined as a spill that staff is capable of handling safely without the assistance of safety and emergency personnel. If you are cleaning up a small spill yourself, make sure that you are aware of the hazards associated with the spilled materials, and have adequate ventilation and proper personal protective equipment (at minimum, gloves and safety glasses). Consider all residual chemical and cleanup materials (adsorbent, gloves, etc.) as hazardous waste. Place these materials in a sealed container and store them in the chemical storage shed hood. Contact EH&S at EHS@bucknell.edu for disposal instructions.

Flood events

Lewisburg is a river town where flooding is possible. Floods and flash floods are dangerous. In the event of a flood, please observe the following precautions. Listen to and obey all warnings, restrictions and evacuation orders issued for your area.

• If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Avoid contact with flood waters due to the potential presence of electricity, the unknown amount of sewage, waste chemicals and the risk of drowning.
• Do not go floating, boating, swimming or rowing in flooding streams or the river.
• Use special caution at night because flood danger is more difficult to recognize in darkness.
• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to Public Safety at x71111 or (570) 577-1111.
• Do not enter or swim in the Mod Tunnel (under Route 15) during flooding. It is electrified, and you may be electrocuted.

Tornadoes

Tornados large enough to destroy buildings do occur in Pennsylvania. Tornado watches and warnings should always be treated as serious. Public Safety asks you to observe the following guidelines to stay safe in the event of a tornado. 

What to do when a tornado warning is issued

• Seek shelter.
  • The best places to seek shelter are buildings with basements. Monitor weather reports and go to these buildings when it begins to storm. If sirens are sounding, get to the nearest building. It is too late to seek other shelter. Unfortunately, taking pets into approved storm shelters is strongly discouraged because it limits the space available for citizens seeking shelter.
  • If the building you are in does not have a basement, go to the ground floor and enter an interior (windowless) room or hallway. It is too risky to go to another building once the sirens have sounded. 
  • If a power outage occurs during severe weather, elevators may not work. Persons with disabilities who are mobility impaired should go to a small interior room or closet (or a landing in an interior stairwell); stay away from windows and exterior walls. Tell someone where you will be going and take a cell phone, if possible.
• Shut off equipment that might be affected by a temporary loss of electricity.
• Close hallway doors as you leave to shield the corridors from flying debris.
• Stay away from windows.
• Use telephones for emergency calls only.
• Stay calm and alert.

During the storm

• Dial 911 or contact Public Safety at x71111 or (570) 577-1111 to report injuries and emergencies caused by the storm.
• Avoid large open rooms, if possible.
• Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside, when possible.
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture, such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it. If possible, cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (such as a mattress blankets) to protect against falling debris and flying objects.
• Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down; and cover your head with your hands.
• Remain at your chosen location until advised that it is safe to return to your regular work or study area or leave the building, or until the tornado or severe weather has passed and you have received an "all clear" notification.

After the storm

• Dial 911 or contact Public Safety at x71111 or (570) 577-1111 to report locations of trapped persons, making note of persons with injuries or disabilities.
• Call Facilities (570-577-1911) to report all damage.
• There will not be an all clear signal from the alert sirens. Additional blasts indicate a new or renewed alert.