In my experience, when it is a real earthquake, you
get little if any warning so taking care of turning off electrical equipment,
etc. just isn't going to happen. Having a neat and orderly lab with as
little on the bench as is needed for the immediate work, so as to minimize
potential exposures, and securing equipment so it doesn't fall over easily, just
good lab hygiene at all times is number one, but drop cover and hold until
the shaking stops and hope for the best.
Lucy Dillman
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 4:56
AM
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Earthquake Drills
in the Lab
Melissa,
When there is a lab disruption (fire/earthquake/tornado drill or a real
event, whenever possible), students/faculty/researchers should immediately
'make the lab safe'. All containers of flammable solvents go into flammable
cabinets or hoods, electrical equipment being used at lab stations (hot
plates, stirrers, heating mantles, etc.) get unplugged. Separate things
that were being heated from the heat source - take beakers/flasks/baths off of
heat plates, drop heating mantles away from round bottom flasks, etc.
Ensure that all gas valves are closed. Close the master gas valve in the
lab if there is one. BTW- always check the valves before opening the
master.
Only when the lab has been 'made safe' will I release students for the
drill or event.
I know of an incident in which a hotplate was left on during an
evacuation which resulted in a real fire starting while the building was
empty.
John Nail
Professor of Chemistry
Oklahoma City University
Our campus is having an earthquake drill this week during my
general chemistry laboratory. I'm a transplant to Southern California and,
while I know the general principles of dropping down and getting under a desk,
etc. I'd like hear if anyone has specific advice for laboratory students in
the event of an earthquake.
Thanks,
-M
Chemistry Instructor
Pasadena City College
--
Melissa Anderson
Chair, Learning Assessment Committee
Pasadena City
College
