Emergency - Call Amherst College Police

(413) 542-2111

Incidental Chemical Leaks, Odors or Spills

  • Notify persons in the area, laboratory, office or room of the leak, odor or spill.
  • Report all emergencies to the Amherst College Police at (413) 542-2111.
  • The dispatcher will notify the appropriate emergency response personnel, including but not limited to:
    • Police Officer (on duty)
    • Environmental Health & Safety
    • Chemical Hygiene Officer
    • Facilities Personnel
Reporting Procedures
  • Inform dispatch of the name of the chemical, odor or hazardous material, if known.
  • Additional information should include:
    • location of the leak, odor or spill
    • number and location of ill or injured persons
      • if medical treatment is required
    • if faculty, staff and students are out of the hazard area
    • if the door to the facility, laboratory or other area is closed
    • any other applicable information pertaining to the leak, odor or spill

Large Scale Chemical Leaks, Odors or Spills

  • Notify persons in the area, laboratory, office or room of the leak, odor or spill.
  • Immediately evacuate the area to a safe location.
  • Close the door to the facility, laboratory or room where the leak, odor or spill has occurred.
  • Report all emergencies to the Amherst College Police at (413) 542-2111. 
  • The dispatcher will notify the appropriate emergency response personnel, including but not limited to:
    • Police Officer (on duty)
    • Environmental Health & Safety
    • Chemical Hygiene Officer
    • Facilities Personnel
Reporting Procedures
  • Dispatcher should be given the following information:
    • exact location of the incident
    • name and quantity (if known) of the materials involved
      • hazardous properties of materials involved
        • biological
        • corrosive
        • flammable
        • radioactive
        • reactivity
        • toxicity
    • number and location of ill or injured persons
      • what is being done for ill and/or injured
      • ill and injured persons should be relocated to a safe area, but should not leave the building unless directed by the Amherst College Police, or the facility is compromised  by explosion, fire or other life threatening situation
        • for McGuire and Merrill Science, the designated safe area shall be Merrill Rm 425
Personal Injury
  • Anyone exposed to chemicals, in contact with the skin should immediately irrigate the affected area with water, for not less than 20 minutes.  Use of a sink, emergency drench hose or shower, or eyewash station is acceptable for this purpose.
    • if the chemical injury is serious, warrants the use of a drench shower or eyewash station, immediate contact the Amherst College Police Department (413) 542-2111.
    • when an ambulance is requested or first aid is required, a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must be provided.
  • Persons exposed to chemicals in contact with the eye should immediately irrigate the affected area with water for not less than 20 minutes. An eyewash station should be used for this purpose.
    • if the chemical injury is serious, warrants the use of a drench shower or eyewash station, immediate contact the Amherst College Police (413) 542-2111.
    • when an ambulance is requested or first aid is required, a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must be provided.

Last updated: April 2021