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Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov. Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.

Emergency Procedures

Return to the Basic Emergency Procedures home page

Preparedness Basics

What every employee should know

Evacuation Procedures

When you must quickly leave the building or fire zone

Lockdown Procedures

​​Temporary security measures to stay safe inside

Shelter-in-Place (SIP) Procedures

When it is safer to stay inside during a storm or HAZMAT

Active Shooter

Run, Hide, Fight

Workplace Violence Prevention

Warning signs and what you can do

Bomb Threat

Procedures to remember and a checklist to print

Earthquake

What to do when the ground shakes

Fire

What to do when you see a fire or hear the alarm

Hazardous Materials Spill or Release

Follow your lab’s emergency response procedures

Maintenance Emergency (Power Failure, Flooding, Gas Leak)

For all maintenance or facility-related emergencies​

Severe Weather (Tornado or Thunderstorm)

Be ready to act quickly if a weather warning is issued​

Closures and Dismissals

Check the current OPM Operating Status​

Guidance for Individuals with Disabilities

Make a plan with your supervisor

Additional Resources

Learn More

Hazardous Materials Spill or Release

​​If a hazardous materials spill occurs, follow your lab’s written emergency response procedures. DO NOT attempt to clean up a spill unless you have the training and resources to clean the spill without risk to yourself or others.

For more information on hazardous materials spills in a laboratory, refer to guidance from the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) Laboratory Procedures for Spills and in the NIH Chemical Hygiene Plan.

For High-Level Hazard Spills (laboratory spills that cannot be controlled)

  • Evacuate the area and close doors behind you.
  • Initiate first aid to any exposed or injured employees in accordance with the safety data sheet.
  • Call 911.
  • Warn others to not enter the area.
  • Do not attempt to reenter the space until told it is safe to do so.
  • Report to OMS in Building 10, Room 6C306 within one hour of an exposure.​​