Safety Equipment
APSU buildings, laboratories and work areas across campus have safety equipment designed to prevent injuries and respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials and operations.
Understanding the location, proper use, and limitations of this equipment is essential for maintaining a safe environment. All personnel should be familiar with the safety equipment available in their work area.
Use the sections below to learn about common types of safety equipment found on campus, including their purpose, proper use, and inspection requirements.
You've seen it - now let's use it!
Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) are important assets in reducing the risk of death from sudden cardiac arrest. An AED is a device with pads that are attached to the victim’s chest to assess the heart rhythm and, if needed, automatically recommends whether or not to deliver a shock to the person’s heart. A person who has just gone into sudden cardiac arrest is in urgent need of defibrillation to save their life.
AEDs are placed throughout campus and in all Campus Police vehicles so early defibrillation to victims is available while waiting for emergency medical services (EMS) to arrive on the scene. APSU Emergency Management and Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) oversees the AED program on campus.
APSU faculty and staff interested in being trained in the use of AEDs should contact EHS at 7555 or the Physical Plant at 7456 to make training arrangements. EHS provides CPR/AED/First Aid training certified by the American Red Cross. This training is available to all APSU faculty and staff as well as students if there is space available.
When should I use it?
- Someone collapses and is unresponsive
- Not breathing normally or only gasping
In an emergency situation:
- Call 911
- Turn the AED on
- Follow the voice instructions
AED Locations on Campus
| 601 N 2nd Street By Ladies' Room | Harvill Hall Lobby | |
| Art & Design 1st Floor Across from Elevator | Jenkins in Room 105 | |
|
Kimbrough Across From 234 | |
| Browning 2 nd Floor by 137 | Library 2 nd Floor Near Elevator | |
| Castle Heights Main Lobby | Library 3 rd Floor Near Elevator | |
| Claxton 2 nd Floor by Men's Room | Maynard 2 nd Floor by Stairs | |
| Clement 2 nd Floor Lobby | McCord 2 nd Floor by Elevator | |
| Dunn Center 1st Floor in Front Lobby | McReynolds 1 st Floor Across From Con. Room | |
| Dunn Center 2 nd Floor by Track | Meacham Lobby Building 200 | |
| Ellington 1 st Floor by 117 | Memorial Health Main Lobby | |
| Ellington 3 rd Floor by 317 | Miller Hall 1 st Floor Office | |
| Emerald Hills 4C Laundry Room | Music/Mass 1st Floor Lobby | |
| Ericksson 1 st Floor Lobby | Sevier Hall Lobby | |
| Farm By Fire Extinguisher in Red Building | Sexton In Lobby | |
| Fort Campbell Main Lobby | Shasteen Warehouse by Shower Station | |
| Foy Center 1 st Floor In Gym | Stadium 1 st Floor Entrance Home Side | |
| Foy Center 1 st Floor In Weight Room, Locker Rooms, and Equipment Check-out (2) | Stadium 2 nd Floor by Section C/D Home Side | |
| Foy Center 2 nd Floor In Hallway by Studios | Stadium 4th Floor by Elevator Home Side | |
| Foy Center 2 nd Floor On Track | Stadium In Concession Area Visitor Side | |
| Foy Center In Swimming Pool Area, ( when in season) Room 117A (off season) | Sundquist E Wing 1st Floor by Café | |
| Gov Terrace North Hallway 1 st Floor | Sundquist E Wing 2 nd Floor by B/C Wings | |
| Gov Terrace North Hallway 1 st Floor | Sundquist E Wing 3 rd Floor by A/D Wings | |
| Gov Terrace South Hallway 1 st Floor | Technology 1st Floor By Stairs Near Vending | |
| Gov Terrace South Hallway 1 st Floor | Tennis/football Center In Hallway by Locker | |
|
Trahern Across From 208 | |
| Harned 2 nd Floor by Vending Area | UC 2 nd Floor by Elevator | |
| UC 3 rd Floor by Elevator |
In addition to the above, Athletics has several AED’s that are portable. Boyd Student Health has an AED in the ARD Building. There is an AED in each Patrol Car in Public Safety.
An eyewash station is used to flush chemicals or debris from the eyes during an exposure.
When should I use it?
- A chemical splash to the eyes
- Dust or debris in the eyes
- Any eye exposure to hazardous material
How to use it
- Push the activation handle
- hold eyes open and place eyes in the flow of water
- Flush continuously for 15 minutes
- Seek medical attention
Important notes
- Do not rub your eyes
- Remove contacts if possible
- Report the incident immediately
- If the exposure is only in one eye, tilt your head so the contaminated eye is lowest.
This helps prevent chemicals from washing into the unaffected eye.
A safety shower is used to rinse chemicals off the body or clothing after a spill or exposure.
When should I use it?
- Chemical spill on the body or clothing
- Large splash or fire involving chemicals
How to use it
- Pull the handle
- Remove contaminated clothing
- Rinse for 15 minutes
- Seek medical help
Important Notes
- Use immediately
- Seek medical attention and report any incidents to EHS
A fire extinguisher is used to put out small, early-stage fires.
When should I use it?
- Fire is small and contained
- You have a clear exit path
- You have been trained (recommended)
How to use it (PASS)
- Pull the pin
- Aim at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle
- Sweep side to side
Important notes
- Call 911 and report any fires to campus police and EHS
A chemical fume hood is one of the most important safety features in a laboratory, designed to protect you while working with hazardous chemicals. Fume hoods use controlled airflow to capture, contain, and safely exhaust vapors, gases, and airborne particles away from the user and out of the building.
When should I use it?
- Working with volatile, toxic, or odorous chemicals
How to use it safely
- Keep sash at marked height
- Work at least 6 inches inside
- Keep airflow unobstructed
Do not use it for
- Chemical Storage
- With sash fully open
Proper use of a fume hood helps protect not only you, but also others in the lab. If you have questions about fume hood use, maintenance, or safety practices, contact your department supervisor or EHS.
A biosafety cabinet (BSC) is a specialized piece of laboratory equipment designed to provide protection when working with biological materials such as bacteria, viruses, and cell cultures. Unlike a chemical fume hood, which protects the user from chemical vapors, a biosafety cabinet is designed to protect the user, the environment, and the materials being handled through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration and controlled airflow.
Biosafety cabinets are commonly used in research and teaching laboratories to support safe handling of potentially infectious or biohazardous materials.
Proper training and certification are essential for safe operation. If you have questions about biosafety cabinet use, maintenance, or certification, contact your department supervisor/lab manager or the EHS office.
A sharps container is used for the safe disposal of items that can puncture or cut skin, such as needles, syringes, lancets, and broken glass contaminated with biological or chemical materials. Proper use of sharps containers helps prevent injuries and reduces the risk of exposure to potentially infectious or hazardous substances.
Sharps containers must be puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and clearly labeled. They should be located as close as possible to the point of use so that sharps can be disposed of immediately after use—never carried around the lab. Do not recap, bend, or break needles before disposal, and never place sharps in regular trash bags or recycling bins.
Do not put in
- Regular trash
- Chemical waste
- Overfilled containers
A chemical spill kit is an essential safety resource used to quickly and effectively respond to small, incidental spills in the laboratory or work area. These kits contain materials designed to contain, absorb, and clean up hazardous substances, helping reduce the risk of exposure, fire, or environmental contamination.
When should I use it?
- Small, known chemical spills
- Only if you are properly trained to do so
Do NOT use if
- Spill is large
- You don't know the chemical
- There is fire, vapor, or injury
What to do instead
- Evacuate area
- Call 911 and EHS
Always use appropriate personal protective equipment when working with hazardous substances and dispose of materials according to hazardous waste procedures.
Emergency Alert Beacons: What You Need to Know
What are Alertus beacons?
Alert beacons are yellow emergency devices placed in over 50 buildings around campus
that signal when there is a serious situation. When activated, these beacons provide
visual and audible alerts to individuals inside these buildings, ensuring emergency
notifications are received promptly.
When will I see or hear them?
- Severe weather
- Fire or hazardous conditions
- Security threats
- Other situations where quick action is needed
What should I do if a beacon activates?
- Listen carefully to any instructions
- Follow the directions given (for example, evacuate or move to a safe area)
- Stay alert for updates from campus officials through Rave Guardian app.
Why does this matter?
Alert beacons provide immediate warnings and clear instructions during emergencies.
Recognizing them and responding quickly can help keep you and others safe.
Naloxone (Narcan): What You Need to Know
What is Narcan?
Narcan is a brand name for naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
It works quickly to restore breathing in someone who is experiencing an overdose.
Is it safe to use?
Yes. Narcan is safe and easy to use. It will not harm someone if opioids are not present.
It has no effect on alcohol or other non-opioid drugs.
When should I use it?
- Someone is experiencing slow or no breathing
- Unconscious or unable to wake up
- Blue or gray lips or fingertips
- Choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds
What should I do?
- Call 911 immediately.
- Give Narcan (nasal spray).
- Try to wake the person and keep them breathing (rescue breaths if trained).
- Stay with them until help arrives.
- Give a second dose if there’s no response after 2–3 minutes.
Where can I find Narcan on campus?
Narcan is available at select locations across campus, including the MUC 1st floor,
health center, residence halls, campus police.
Why does this matter?
Opioid overdoses can happen anywhere. Fast action can save a life. Carrying and knowing
how to use Narcan helps keep our campus community safe.
What are Stop the Bleed kits?
Stop the Bleed kits are emergency kits that contain supplies to help control serious
bleeding. They are designed for anyone to use in an emergency before professional
help arrives.
What’s inside a kit?
- Gloves
- Gauze or dressings
- A tourniquet
- Bandages
- Simple instructions
When should I use a kit?
- Blood that is pooling on the ground
- Bleeding that won’t stop with pressure
- Loss of a limb or deep wound
- Clothing soaked with blood
What should I do?
- Call 911 immediately.
- Put on gloves if available.
- Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound.
- Use gauze or dressings to pack the wound if needed.
- Apply a tourniquet for severe arm or leg bleeding if trained.
- Stay with the person until help arrives.
Where are the kits located?
Stop the Bleed kits are located across campus, often near AEDs or in high-traffic
areas such as academic buildings, residence halls, and athletic facilities.
Why does this matter?
Severe bleeding can become life-threatening in minutes. Quick action with a Stop the
Bleed kit can save a life.
What are First Aid kits?
First Aid kits contain basic medical supplies to treat minor injuries and provide
care until further help is available.
What’s inside a kit?
Most kits include:
- Bandages and gauze
- Antiseptic wipes
- Adhesive tape
- Gloves
- Scissors
- Basic first aid instructions
When should I use a kit?
- Cuts and scrapes
- Minor burns
- Blisters
- Small wounds that need cleaning and covering
What should I do?
- Clean the wound if possible
- Apply a bandage or dressing
- Use gloves to protect yourself
- Seek additional care if the injury is serious or does not improve
When should I get more help?
Call 911 or seek medical attention if:
- Bleeding is severe or won’t stop
- The injury is deep or large
- There are signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth)
- The person feels faint or unwell
Where are the kits located?
First Aid kits are located throughout campus in offices, labs, residence halls, and
common areas.
Why does this matter?
Quick access to First Aid supplies can help prevent infections and keep minor injuries
from becoming more serious.
Compressed gas cylinders are used to store and transport gases under high pressure for laboratory, research, and facility operations. Because of the pressure and contents, cylinders must be handled and stored carefully to prevent injury, leaks, or damage.
When should I use them?
- Your work requires a controlled supply of a specific gas
- The correct regulator and equipment are available
- The cylinder is properly labeled and in good condition
- You have received appropriate training
Do not use if:
- The contents are unknown or the label is missing
- The cylinder is damaged, leaking, or shows signs of corrosion
- The proper regulator is not available or does not fit correctly
- The cylinder is not secured or is stored improperly
What to do instead:
- Do not attempt to use or repair the cylinder
- Secure the cylinder if it is unstable and safe to do so
- Keep a safe distance from leaking or damaged cylinders
- Notify your supervisor or EHS
- Follow emergency procedures if there is a significant leak or hazard
Basic safety practices
- Always secure cylinders upright with a chain or strap
- Keep protective caps on when not in use
- Use the correct regulator for the specific gas
- Open valves slowly and never force connections
- Store cylinders away from heat, electrical sources, and incompatible materials