Student Life

Security and Public Safety > Environmental Health and Safety Policies > Handling of Hazardous and Perishable Materials

The Lake Forest College Mission Statement declares, "We maintain a secure residential campus of great beauty".  We interpret "secure" in its broadest sense. Webster defines secure as follows: to relieve from exposure to danger; to make safe against adverse contingencies.  

As such, the Lake Forest College Safety Manual is a guide for developing sound, safe working habits in our work environment.  The objective of this manual is to provide each employee with a framework of basic information to develop safety-conscious attitudes and behavior. 

Occupational safety and health, whether in the laboratory, residence hall or office, is of paramount important to Lake Forest College.  How we perform our jobs and our personal perspectives regarding safety and health are critical to the success of an outstanding safety effort.  Safety is everybody's responsibility; therefore, we ask for your commitment to this College goal. 

The Director of Security, who works closely with an appointed Safety Committee comprised of persons representing each organization element, directs the Lake Forest College Safety Program.  Each employee is encouraged to work with this committee and to assist in formulating and complying with this manual and other applicable procedures.

Various other safety resources within Lake Forest College are provided as supplements to this manual.  These resources will differ depending on the type of job you do, the equipment and personal protection required for job performance, and your work environment.  Your supervisor will provide you with additional information necessary for safety in your workplace.

Mail Services frequently receives hazardous material including, but not limited to chemical, biological, and radioactive agents.  Most commonly, hazardous material shipments received at Mail Services contain perishable materials shipped on dry ice.

When these packages are received, they should be immediately checked in to the Arrival Inbound Tracking System.  Additionally, the recipient should be notified via telephone immediately.  To prevent the package from sitting in Mail Services overnight, the appropriate Professional Lab Supervisor should be notified if the package has not been removed by 1:30 p.m.  Keep calling people in the department until someone has picked up the package.

Slightly damaged hazardous materials may be signed for, provided the outside shipping container has no sign of puncture and there is no sign of leakage through the container.  Severely damaged hazardous material containers must not be accepted.  Upon entry of such items to Mail Services, contact a supervisor  who will make a determination of how to proceed. 

If a hazardous materials package is discovered damaged on the shelf the following action must take place:

1.      Immediately contact a mailroom supervisor.

2.      A call must be placed to Security if there is any sign of spill.  In case of a radioactive shipment, this would include any puncture to the outside packaging.

Food and other perishable items may never be placed in a mailbox.  Any such items are to be checked in as accountable  and placed on the shelf in its appropriate place.  The addressee should be called immediately. 

Emergency Hazmat. Contacts:  (Remember to call Security first at ext. 5555)