Emergency and Safety Information

Safety is integral to the Center for Nanoscale Materials’ (CNM) scientific mission.

Important information for users and staff

As a staff member or user at the CNM, you need to be aware of safety regulations at Argonne National Laboratory. You are also required to have taken any safety, orientation and training classes or courses specified by your User Work Approval(s) and/or work planning and control documents prior to beginning your work.

For safety and security reasons, it is necessary to know of all facility users present in the CNM (Buildings 440 and 441). Users are required to scan their badge at the entryway kiosks upon entering and leaving.

Who to call in an emergency

Land lines: dial 9-1-1
Cell phones: dial 1-630-252-1911

Call in cases of injury, illness, or medical emergency. The Argonne Fire Department will respond and provide transportation to an offsite medical facility. If a user who is not an Argonne employee enters the Argonne Medical Department with an injury, illness, or medical emergency, they will be given minimal treatment, and the medical staff will call the Fire Department for transportation to an offsite medical facility. Users who are not Argonne employees are expected to carry their own health insurance for treatment at offsite medical facilities.

Where to assemble

If a building-wide alarm is activated, then alarm bells will activate and/or a public address announcement will direct occupants to evacuate. Staff and visiting users should exit the building and assemble in the CNM west parking lot (overflow parking lot). In the event of an extended real event, the alternate location is the Lower Gallery of Building 402.

Know where tornado shelters are located

Tornado shelters are marked with signs. Under a tornado watch, identify the location of your nearest shelter. Under a tornado warning, go to shelter immediately and remain until an all-clear is issued. CNM tornado shelters are the first and second floor washrooms, corridor D104 east end, corridor B113 east end, and corridor B124 midpoint.

Proper attire in CNM laboratory facilities

Many facilities used for CNM-related work are essentially chemical laboratories; all personnel visiting the CNM should bring and wear clothing that is appropriate for such environments. Although the CNM makes some personal protective equipment available to users, you must provide your own clothing. If you are wearing sandals, high-heeled or open-toed shoes, mesh fabric shoes, shorts, short skirts and dresses, or jewelry with long chains, you may not be able to work in these laboratories. In addition, the following may apply:

Persons having long hair may be asked to tie it back or put it under a net.
Persons wearing loose clothing might be asked to constrain clothing that could become caught in equipment or otherwise interfere with work.
Persons working with strong corrosives should wear clothing that can be easily removed

Many areas have posted requirements for entry. Please be aware of these requirements and pack accordingly. These requirements may include: