In the event of a notification of unusual or
objectionable odors, staff from the Department
of Environmental Health & Safety (including
Fire Protections Services) will respond to and
investigate the odor situation. Utilizing all
reasonable resources available, these staff will
strive to identify the source of the odor and
to quantify the causative chemical level.
The following will be considered during the course
of the odor investigation:
• Staff, faculty, students or guests in the areas(s)
affected by the odor may be asked to relocate
to a designated location while the investigation
is ongoing. Cafeteria, break, study, reading areas
and the like may be utilized for such a purpose.
• Investigators may take into account the number
of staff, faculty, students or guests exhibiting
health effects and the severity of the effects.
In the event a minority of individuals (approximately
20% of the individuals potentially affected) exhibit
mild symptomology, investigators may request that
the affected individuals be relocated while the
investigation is ongoing.
• Investigators may take into account the time
of the odor occurrence. For events occurring within
the last 90 minutes of a work, clinic or class
schedule, investigators may recommend to department
administration that affected individuals be released
early while the investigation is ongoing.
• All staff and faculty complaining of health
effects (regardless of the severity) are to be
presented with the opportunity to be examined
by the health professionals at Occupational Health
Services (OHS). Those with significant health
effects should be strongly encouraged to be seen
at OHS.
• All odor investigations involving complaints
of health effects are to be reported to the Campus
Industrial Hygienist or, in his absence, the Director
of Environmental Health and Safety for further
evaluation.
• In the event the source of the odor is found
to be related to University activities, investigators
have the authority to require that the activities
generating the odor be ceased until such a time
that the odors can be brought under control. Representatives
from the University Police Department may be utilized
as a resource should the offending party refuse
to voluntarily cease activities.
• Investigators are to refer recommendations
for the control of odors to the appropriate administrative
personnel for subsequent follow-up and abatement.
Investigators are to inform appropriate department
representatives of the results of their investigation.
Individual questions should be answered in a manner
consistent with the EHS Mission Statement, Strategy
and Values.
EVACUATION AND/OR WORK STOPPAGE GUIDANCE
CRITERIA
The following guidance criteria are generic in
design and are intended to define the scope of
Environmental Health and Safety and Fire Protection
Services (FPS) responsibility in ordering work
stoppages.
It is anticipated that most major evacuations
will be initiated by representatives of Environmental
Health and Safety/ Fire Protection Services. However,
department administration officials retain the
right and responsibility to initiate an evacuation
or work stoppage at any time they have reason
to believe an immediate hazard or danger exists
for their employees, students or visitors in the
affected area, whether representatives of EHS/FPS
are present or not.
EHS/FPS
ORDERED EVACUATION / WORK STOPPAGE
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DEPARTMENT ORDERED WORK
STOPPAGE WORK STOPPAGE
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| For
odor events which cause immediate, acute health
effects for staff, faculty, students or guests
of the University. |
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For odor events which cause minimal
or no immediate acute health
effects for staff, faculty,
students or guests of the University.
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In the event:
Initial or subsequent investigations reveal
a known source of hazardous materials which
possesses a “significant” exposure potential
and health threat.
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In the event:
Initial or subsequent investigations indicate
or reveal the odor to be a nuisance with
little or no immediate or long-term health
effects.
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and/or
On-site monitoring confirms exposure levels
of concern, exceeding established exposure
standards.
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and/or
On site monitoring does not indicate exposure
levels of concern.
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and/or
In the absence of the ability to monitor
levels, responders have reason to suspect
exposure levels may exceed established exposure
standards.
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and/or
In absence of the ability to monitor levels,
responders do not have reason to suspect
exposure levels exceed established exposure
standards.
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and/or
Employees, students, patients or visitors
exhibit significant health effects (e.g.
headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness,
unconsciousness, etc.)
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and/or
Employees, students, patients or visitors
sporadically exhibit mild or no health effects
(e.g.headache, eye or respiratory irritation,
general discomfort).
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then
An evacuation and/or a work stoppage may
be ordered by the IUPUI Hazardous Materials
Response Team EHS/FPS.
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and/or
Employees, students, patients or visitors
do not complain or exhibit health effects
but complain of the general aesthetics of
the work environment (e.g. “The air just
smells bad”).
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then
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The decision
to issue a work stoppage rests with the department
administration (e.g. chairman, department
head, dean or person in immediate supervision). |
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| Examples: |
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Examples: |
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| *Freon refrigerant
leak in a confined area. |
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*Sewer gas odors
originating from dry sewer traps. |
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| *Vapors from
a known chemical spill which impact adjacent
areas. |
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*Common odors
originating from industrial sources adjacent
to the IUPUI complex. |
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*Natural gas leak in the area.
*Asbestos dust generated from demolition
or construction activities.
*Smoke from a known fire which impacts
adjacent areas.
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*Non asbestos dust generated from demolition
or construction activities.
*Smoke or odors from overheated air handlers,
elevator motors or fluorescent light ballasts.
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| Approved
October, 1995 |
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Richard
Strong, Director
Environmental
Health & Safety |
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John
Mulvey, Director
Public Safety |
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