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Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Incident

​The University of Houston Downtown continually monitors for and is prepared to respond to HAZMAT incidences.  A small chemical spill, involving 5-gallons or less, of a KNOWN substance and of KNOWN origin can typically be handled by UHD EHS (Environmental Health & Safety) and Facilities Management.   Enviornmental Health and Safety in conjunction with Emergency Management and UHD PD is directly connected to the wider Harris County Emergency Response infrastructure.  Emergency Management in coordination with UHD PD will disseminate emergency notifications to the UHD community via a combination of emails, text messages, and digital displays. Notifications for public viewing will be published to the UHD ​Home Page, UHD Facebook, UHD Twitter, and UHD Alerts ​on Twitter.  Contact UHD Enviornmental Health and Safety at 713-221-5831/8232/5073 for questions regarding HAZMAT accidental spills.  UHD PD will respond to all suspicious substance incidents to determine whether additional partners are needed. 

 

Preparing for a HAZMAT Related Incident 

If asked to Evacuate: 

  • Evacuate the building at the nearest exit 

  • Do not re-enter the building until authorized to do so by emergency personnel  

  • If unable to exit, go to nearest exit st​airwell or safe area and call 911 

  • Stay informed by receiving UHD Alerts ​

If asked to Shelter-in-Place:

 

  • If outside, find a safe building to shelter in 

  • Go into an interior room with no windows 

  • If possible, cover vents in the room 

  • Take your emergency supply kit, unless you have a reason to believe it has been contaminated 

  • Stay informed by receiving UHD Alerts ​

 

Exposure/Ingestion 

  • In the event you are exposed to a chemical, immediately wash/flush the exposed area for 15 minutes with cool water from an emergency shower or eyewash station (in areas where HAZMAT is stored or used), a restroom sink, or water cooler.  

  • If a potentially toxic substance was accidentally ingested, inhaled or you were exposed, call 911 immediately.