Yes, we need to hear from you about accidents, injuries, work related illnesses and safety concerns:

• Report all injuries and hazardous safety conditions to your immediate supervisor. He/She will help to identify solutions with you. Your Joint Health & Safety Committee can also help with finding solutions
• Any employee can contact Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS) at Ext. 24352 to discuss safety and/or training issues
• For HHS and offsite locations call the Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office at Ext. 23453 to discuss a safety and/or training issue
• Report all injuries and accidents to your supervisor and complete an Injury Incident Report.
• These reports are available from your supervisor or at www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss and send to the appropriate health and safety office. On campus injury reports to can be sent to EOHSS (fax) 905-540-9085
• For HHS and offsite locations send reports to the Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office (fax) (905)528-8539 or MUMC 3N1
• For safety concerns arising outside of business hours, contact McMaster Security or your supervisor.
• For HHS and off-campus locations after hours, contact your supervisor

Additional information can be located in the Risk Management Manual (RMM) # 1000: Reporting and Investigating Injury/Incident/Occupational Disease Program available at www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss

 

Emergency Situations

Students requiring immediate help because of life-threatening or severe psychological difficulties can be seen the same day during weekday office hours in the Student Wellness Centre.

Student Wellness Centre MUSC B106 Ext. 27700
McMaster Security Services CUC 201 Ext. 88 (on campus) or click here

For After-Hours Emergencies or any Situation Requiring Immediate Referral contact McMaster Security. For a list of other after-hour resources refer to http://wellness.mcmaster.ca/faculty
------------------

1. Direct or indirect reference to suicide

• Regardless of circumstances or context, references to committing suicide should be taken very seriously and a mental health professional should be consulted

2. Threats and disruptive behaviour

• Intervention varies with severity of the behaviour
• Physical violence causing bodily harm and specific threats must be reported immediately to McMaster Security Services. 
• HHS locations call Ext. 5555 and St. Joseph call Ext. 7777. 

3. Drug and alcohol misuse

• In case of an apparent drug overdose or severe drug reaction call McMaster Security Services
• HHS call Ext. 5555 and St. Joseph call Ext. 7777. 
• Offsite call 911
• If a student appears to have a pattern of substance use, it is important to attempt to refer the student to counseling; however, it is also important to speak to the student when he or she is sober

Other situations of concern:

• Eating disorders
• Assault and harassment
• Marked changes in mood or behaviour
• Difficulties communicating and/or apparent distortions of reality
• Learning and academic problems.

 

Students experiencing the above difficulties should seek assistance, or be encouraged to do so, by going to or calling Student Wellness Centre, MUSC B106 Ext. 27700.

• Take all bomb threats seriously
• Remain calm and be courteous to the caller
• Listen carefully to the caller
• Record the information listed on the telephone call display
• Make notes that record the conversation with the caller

If possible ask questions:

• Where is the bomb? What does it look like?
• When will it explode?
• Why did you plant the bomb?
• What is your name? Do you represent a group?

At the end of the call, notify the authorities immediately

Contact Security Services

• Hamiton Health Sciences - call Ext. 5555
• St Joesph's - call Ext. 7777
• All other locations - call 911

 

If you are with a developing violent situation or crisis, the following is a list of actions that are recommended. It should be noted that these types of incidents are unpredictable.

The below guidelines are recommendations that are based on past experiences. You may have to alter some of these suggestions, depending on the situation.

• Exit the building immediately if it is safe to do so
• Notify anyone you may encounter to exit the building immediately
• Call McMaster Security Services or 911 if off campus
• Provide Security with the following:
• Your name
• Location of the incident (be as specific as possible)
• Describe incident (shooting, hostage, etc.)
• Number of suspects (if known)
• Description of suspects, or identity (if known)
• Your location
• Report to your building fire evacuation assembly area. This should be done only if it is reasonably safe to do so, and you may be further directed by Security, Police or Fire Wardens to move to an alternative area. Otherwise, it may be better to leave the campus.
  

If it is not safe to leave the building, follow Lockdown Procedure or the directions of the Security Dispatcher.

 

On-Campus Emergencies
Campus Security	University Lines – Ext. 88
Emergency Response Fire, First Aid, Crimes in Progress Personal Safety Bomb Threats Alarm Systems Vehicle Accidents Maintenance Emergencies (off hours)	905 522-4135 or 905 525-9140 Ext. 24281
Maintenance Emergencies – Facility Services	Ext. 24740
EOHSS Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services	Ext. 24352
Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office	Ext. 24956
SWHAT – For Employees and Student Walk Service	Ext. 27500
Other Important Numbers (If using a University phone, dial '9' before the phone number)
Emergency	911
Hamilton Police Services	905 546-4925
Ambulance	905-574-1414
Poison Control	1-800-268-9017
Crime Stoppers	1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
Sexual Assault Centre	905 525-4162
McMaster Employee Family Assistance Programme (EFAP – Human Solutions)
Toll free English Toll free French TTY (hard of hearing)	1-800-663-1142 1-866-398-9505 1-888-384-9505
McMaster Human Rights and Equity Services	Ext. 25781
Red Assistance Phones
Located throughout campus – Provide direct access to Security Services McMaster University’s main campus pay phones across campus have a “Security hot-button” that provides direct access
Campus Wide Emergency Information (Information will be available and updated at the following locations)
McMaster Emergency Line – Main Switchboard	905 525-9140
McMaster’s Webpage	http://www.mcmaster.ca
McMaster Daily News	http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca
McMaster Security Services	http://security.mcmaster.ca
EOHSS	http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss
Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Offi ce & Offsite	http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/safetyoffice
Listen to local radio stations:	CHML (900 AM), CFMU (93.3 FM), K-Lite (102.9 FM), Wave (94.7 FM)
Watch for local coverage on television:	CHCH TV

 

In the event that the campus must close, the University has a plan to ensure that an evacuation is conducted as quickly and as safely as possible. The McMaster community will be informed of the evacuation via either: voice message over the campus siren system, email, or by staff personally coming to buildings. The University’s Evacuation Policy can be found online at: http://www.mcmaster.ca/newsevents/crisismanagement/

The University’s Crisis Management Group has the authority to implement a controlled evacuation of the campus for the following crises:

• Natural Crisis – including, but not limited to: winter storms, blizzards, tornadoes, floods, lightning strikes
• Human Caused Crisis – included, but not limited to: nuclear reactor incident, serious criminal activity affecting the University Community, fire in residence, any vehicle accident with mass casualties, medical emergencies such as food poisoning or epidemic, student or labour unrest.

In the event that an evacuation is initiated by the Crisis Management Group (CMG), the following routes for vehicle traffic, listed in the map below, have been designated. Following these routes will ensure that roadways will remain clear for emergency responders and emergency transportation vehicles. Parking / Security staff will be posted to direct vehicle traffic flow. If necessary buses will be arranged to evacuate personnel to an alternate location or for residence students alternate home until it is safe to return to campus.

If a physical impairment restricts mobility and prevents evacuation, please contact Security for assistance.

 

• Be Prepared
• Know your Evacuation Route
• Know an Alternative Route
• Remain Calm

If you discover a fire:

• Close the door to the fire area
• Pull the nearest fire alarm
• Proceed to an assembly area away from the building (at least 100 ft from exit)
• Do not re-enter the building until the ‘all clear’ signal is given
  

 

When the Alarm System is activated: Building occupants are alerted of possible fire emergency by bells The location of the fire is automatically identified and the fire department is notified Smoke and fire separation doors close automatically Magnetic locking devices on doors release Air handling systems shut down to help control smoke movement Elevators stop functioning

Upon hearing an alarm: Always leave the building immediately by the designated exit If the primary exit is dangerous, use the nearest safe alternate exit DO NOT use the elevators Proceed to an assembly area at least 100 ft (30 metres) away from the exit Keep entrance ways, access ways and the roadway clear Await instructions from McMaster Security

 

If you encounter smoke:

• Crouch low to the floor and take shallow breaths
• If possible, place a moist cloth over your mouth and nose
• Proceed to the nearest safe exit
• If you are trapped by a fire
• It may be safer to stay in your current location
• Let someone know that you are there.
• Call McMaster Security
  - For Hamilton Health Sciences locations dial Ext. 5555
  - St. Joseph dial Ext. 7777
  - Offsite locations - Call 911
• Tell the dispatcher your location
• If necessary, a closed door can provide good protection against fire and smoke

Remember…

• Do not use elevators
• Do not re-enter until the ‘all clear’ is given
• Fire extinguishers are intended only for small fires

EXTINGUISHERS

• Fire classifications:

  Class A Wood, paper, textiles

  Class B Flammable liquids & gases

  Class C Electrically energized fire

• To operate a fire extinguisher:

  Pull the pin

  Aim at the base of the flame

  Squeeze the handle to release contents

  Sweep the fire slowly from side to side, covering it with the extinguishing agent.

 

Harassment includes vexatious behaviour or comments that are insulting, offensive or make you feel uncomfortable. These behaviours may be repeated over some time or may be a single, isolated incident that is serious enough to significantly impact your ability to cope. Whether or not harassment has occurred is determined by the impact of the behaviour on the target and not on the intent of the harasser.

Harassment can take many forms, such as:

• Unwelcome physical contact
• Gossiping, ignoring or excluding someone
• Inappropriate looks, gestures, jokes or displays of offensive materials
• Threatening behaviour
• Angry rages, persistent criticism or public reprimands
• Damaging property
• Offensive or intimidating email

Sources of Harassment:

• Fellow Employees
• Supervisor/manager
• Student/client/patient/customer
• Members of the public
• Unauthorized intruders
• Outside contacts including current and former spouse/partner
  

Harassment violates the University’s policies and codes of conduct and creates a stressful and disrespectful campus environment.  Harassment that targets an individual or group of individuals on the basis of one or more protected human rights grounds is not only a breaching of University policy, it is also a breaching of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

If you are being harassed:

Ask for help:

• Call and discuss the situation with Human Rights and Equity Service Office at Ext. 27581 for assistance in resolving the situation.

Tell the Harasser to Stop:

• If it is too difficult to speak to the harasser, try sending a letter or email. Identify the incidents(s), state what you found the objectionable in the harasser’s behaviour and say clearly that you want the harassment to stop. Keep a copy of all correspondence.

Keep a Record:

• Record dates, times, nature and details of the incidents and names of witnesses (if any) at that time.

Protect Yourself:

• If possible, avoid being alone with the harasser. If you have contact, written or verbal, stay calm and avoid resorting to behaviour that could lead to charges of harassment against you.

Get Support:

• Find someone supportive who will respect how you feel and tell them about the harassment. They could make sure that you are not left alone with the harasser, be present if you decide to confront the harasser, or simply provide support. See your doctor if you are having health related problems as a result of the harassment

Electronic Harassment

Definition of Electronic Harassment:

A course of vexatious comments or conducts that is carried out using technological means that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.

Included in this would be any electronic communication containing content that the sender knows or ought reasonably to know will upset, annoy, intimidate, frighten or make the recipient(s) uncomfortable without a legitimate reason for doing so.

Modes of Electronic Harassment:

• Email
• Text Message
• Learn Link
• Facebook or similar site
• Webpage

Collecting Information:

• Keep the correspondence in the original state. Print out and collect any documentation of the harassment.
• Keep email in inbox (don't forward)

If you think you are a victim of Harassment:

• Contact your supervisor (if appropriate)
• Contact McMaster Security Services
  • For HHS contact Ext. 5555 or for St. Joseph’s dial Ext. 7777
  • Offsite contact Hamilton Police Services
  • non-emergency number (905) 546-4925.
• If the threat is imminent, call 911.

Visit http://www.mcmaster.ca/hres to learn more about University’s harassment policy.

 

Early reporting is essential to successfully responding to an infectious disease outbreak.

• Employees are responsible for notifying their direct supervisor when they are aware of an infectious disease incident.
• Supervisors and/or Department Heads are required to report any case of a notifiable infectious disease and must ensure all available information of an incident is provided to McMaster Security Services and Employee Health Services
• Examples of infectious diseases include
  • Hepatitis
  • Anthrax
  • Meningitis
  • Tuberculosis
• Employee Health Services will communicate these issues, as appropriate, with Public Health, Campus Health Services and the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board.

 

If you are directly involved, or upon receipt of notification of a lockdown AND if exiting the building is not possible or safe, the following actions are recommended:

• Go to the nearest room or office
• Close and lock the door if possible. Barricade with available furniture if available
• Cover the door windows. Turn off the lights
• Keep quiet and act as if no one is in the room
• DO NOT open the door (emergency personnel will have a key)
• Notify campus security (if possible) - Give the dispatcher the following information:
• Your name
• Your location (be as specific as possible)
• Number of shooters (if known)
• Identification or description of shooter
• Number of persons involved
• Your location
• A volunteer in the group should record names of all persons present
• Wait for Police or Security to assist you out of the building or provide further instructions

Click here to view the McMaster Faculty and Staff On-LIne Training for Lockdowns

 

Responding to Medical Emergencies

Ensuring your own safety and that of the injured person

• Call for assistance
  • On Campus  - Call Security Services
    • For Hamilton Health Sciences - Dial Ext. 5555 or at St. Joseph’s Hospital dial Ext. 7777
    • For off - site locations - Dial 911
• Advise the dispatcher of the nature of the injury or illness and the location (building, street address and floor/room number)
• Do not move the injured person unless there is a high risk of further injury or death
• Keep calm and do not leave the person unattended
• On campus, McMaster Security Services and Emergency First Response Team (EFRT) will be dispatched to the situation to provide emergency assistance
• Provide first aid only if qualified and wait for a first response team to arrive
  • Assess whether the injury is considered critical

In the case of a critical injury, supervisors are responsible for:

• Securing the accident site and ensuring that further injury is prevented
• Immediately arranging for medical and emergency assistance by the calling appropriate number
• Immediately notifying Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS) at Ext. 23453
  • For HHS, St. Joseph’s and offsite locations contact the Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office at Ext. 23453
• Ensure that the site remains undisturbed until EOHSS / FHS Safety Office provides clearance
  

All medical injuries require the completion of a McMaster University’s Injury/Incident Report.  It is available from your supervisor and online at www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss

• For incidents on campus, send completed forms to EOHSS at (fax) 905 540-9085
  • For Hospital Hosted and Offsite locations, fax Incident Reports to the Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office to (fax) 905 528-8539

 

McMaster University’s Nuclear Reactor (MNR) has been safely in operation since 1959.  Safety and security of the MNR is governed by strict licensing requirements.  Although the possibility of a nuclear emergency is remote, staff are prepared and trained to deal with the types of issues that could occur.  Cooperation of faculty, staff and students is essential for the successful implementation of safety plans.  For more information, please visit http://mnr.mcmaster.ca/.

Pre-Release Evacuation

In the event of a nuclear emergency, the buildings in the immediate vicinity of the MNR will be evacuated prior to the release of any radioactive material from the MNR.

Evacuation will be signaled by fire alarms, signage or by public address (where possible).

• If alarms are used, staff will inform people of the reason why they must evacuate the premises
• Yellow tape will cordon off the Emergency Safety Zone to restrict access
• Non-emergency response personnel will be evacuated from the following buildings:
  • Reactor Evacuation Zone
    • John Hodgins Engineering Building (JHE)
    • A.N. Bourns Building (ABB)
    • Thode Library (Thode)
    • Tandem Accelerator (Tandem)
    • McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR)
    • Clarke Utility Centre (CUC)
    • General Sciences Building (GSB)
    • Burke Science Building (BSB)

Follow-up treatment for radiation exposure will not be necessary in the successful activation of the plan at this stage

Radioactive Release

If it is not possible to evacuate prior to the release of radioactive material, or if radioactive material is released before evacuation is completed, people in the evacuation control zone may be instructed to “Shelter in Place” until they can undergo monitoring for contamination.

Shelter in Place

• Stay inside of the building to protect against radiation exposure
• Keep windows and doors closed
• Fire marshals / health physics, Security Services or Reactor personnel will provide updates and direct personnel to safety

If it is necessary to shelter in place, signs will be posted on exit doors of your building and fire marshals will be utilized to control the exits.

Contamination Monitoring

If radioactive material is released prior to the completion of the evacuation, people evacuating from the area will be required to undergo monitoring for contamination.

• Staff will instruct people in affected buildings to “Shelter in Place”
• Health Physics/MNR or McMaster Security staff will escort personnel to the monitoring station
• If contamination is detected, assistance will be provided to decontaminate

 

Your personal safety is important to McMaster University. We have numerous personal safety devices on the campus for your safety, such as closed circuit TV (CCTV) cameras and Red Assistance Phones as well as the services of the Student Walk Home Attendant Team (SWHAT). We have included some personal safety tips that can assist you in remaining safe both on and off the campus.

Suspicious Activity

If you witness anything unusual or abnormal in your building or on the campus, contact McMaster Security Services immediately

• For HHS contact Ext. 5555 or for St. Joseph’s dial Ext. 7777 to contact security
• At Independent locations contact the police at 911 or contact the facilities local security department

On the Street:

• Walk in groups for safety’s sake
• Avoid dark or deserted areas
• Be aware of alternate routes and safe places
• Plan your route. Avoid shortcuts through dark, untravelled areas. Take the most direct, frequently travelled route
• Be alert. Walk with confidence
• Familiarize yourself with locations of the campus red assistance phones
• Walk near curb, away from shrubs
• Never carry large amounts of money, or show it in public
• If you think you are being followed, go to the nearest public place
• Let people know where you will be, and what time to expect you
• When working alone at night, consider staying in contact with Security. Please refer to the Working Alone Policy for McMaster

Building/Office Safety

• Ensure exterior of building is secure, do not prop doors open
• Immediately remove props from any doors
• If a door is unable to be secured, call Securisty Services immediately
• At HHS call Ext. 5555 or at St. Joseph’s call Ext. 7777
• At Offsite locations, contact your supervisor or building manager
• Keep office and personal property secure at all times
• Report lost or missing access cards or keys immediately to local security
• Do not lend keys or access cards to anyone

 

If you detect a suspicious odour:

• Leave the area immediately and wait to assist responders with information
• During normal business hours, notify your supervisor
• Contact Work Control Centre (Facility Services), Ext. 24740 and ask what the response time will be
• On campus contact
  • Environmental Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS), Ext. 24352
  • After hours, call McMaster Security Services
• For Hamlton Health Sciences and off-campus locations contact FHS Safety Office at Ext. 24956.  After hours call building security.  HHS dial Ext. 7777 and St. Joseph’s call Ext. 5555. 
• Offsite locations call 911
• Describe the location of the odour and the characteristics of the odour (e.g. what does it smell like?).    Relay any other pertinent information that may be relevant to the situation.

If you notice a suspicious package / letter:

1. Do not handle the package / letter.
2. Contact Security Services.
3. Wait for instructions.

If you open a suspicious letter:

• If you have opened the letter, rest it down gently where you first read it.  Leave it alone, remain calm and avoid sudden movements. 
• Inform a co-worker in the immediate area about what has happened and ask them to call McMaster Security Services
• For HHS call Ext. 5555 or St. Joseph’s call Ext. 7777
• Offsite locations call 911
• Have a co-worker turn on water to prevent the contamination of surfaces; wash hands thoroughly.  Then move to an area where you can avoid contact with others and stay there.
• Remain calm, exposure does not mean that you will become ill.  McMaster Security Services or the 911 will make sure you receive specific information about symptoms and effective treatment.
• If you are in an area or job where packages are received and opened routinely, have a specific plan for identifying and responding to a suspicious package and exercise that plan on a routine basis.
• If possible, create a list of persons who were in the room or area when the suspicious letter or package was recognized.  Provide a list of persons who may have handled the package or letter

Suspicious/Hazardous Mail may contain any or a combination of the following:
Fictitious return address Excessive postage Excessive weight Rigid or bulky Badly typed or written Special endorsements Lopsided or uneven Protruding wires No return address	Strange odour Biological substances Restrictive markings Leaking unidentified liquid Excessive wrapping tape or string Mailed from foreign country Sharp items: needles, nails razors Ticking or unusual sounds	Melts or alters surfaces Offensive mail (includes death threats and objectionable matter) Unidentified powder, granular or sand like substance on or leaking from the item Crystallization of wrapping Chemical substances Addressed to title only Oily stains / discoloration

 

Weather changes quickly and can highly influence the university. The following is a list of guidelines to deal with weather emergencies.

During snow or ice storms:

• Listen to local weather advisories on the radio:
• K-Lite (FM 102.9 FM)
• Wave (94.7 FM)
• CHML (900 AM)
• CFMU (93.3 FM)
• Access the McMaster Daily News or the McMaster website for school closure updates
• Call the McMaster University switchboard at 905 525-9140 to listen for emergency closings
• Watch for local news updates on television:
• CHCH

During tornadoes and windstorms:

• Move toward the centre of the building or toward any office areas that do not have glass windows
• Remain in a designated safe area until the threat has passed
• Try to find something heavy to hide under (such as a large desk)
• Protect yourself physically, especially your head and neck
• Do not run outside as falling debris may cause injury

During a power blackout:

• Remain calm
• Stay where you are. Emergency lighting for evacuation purposes on campus will operate for a minimum of 20 minutes 
• Turn off all electrical equipment with manual switches
• Unplug your computer to protect equipment from possible power surges when the power returns
• Contact McMaster Security Services on campus if you require assistance contacting any emergency services
  

Stranded on Campus:

• As soon as an emergency situation has been declared, individuals should assess their personal safety when deciding whether to stay or leave the University. Should you decide to stay in your location, you are asked to call McMaster Security Services to inform security of your location.
• McMaster Security Services will also check all buildings for stranded people and will advise them to communicate with Housing and Conference Services Centre Ext. 24223 for assistance.

Please refer to the University Storm Policy for more details.