Health, Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Contacts & Blue Light Phone Information

EMERGENCY

Call 9-911 from any VIMS campus phone. If you call 911 from a cellular phone, be prepared to tell the operator your exact location.

• Stay on the line until the operator ends the call.
• Tell the operator which building you are in or near and where you are in the building.
• Give the operator all the details of the incident

In Gloucester County, a 911 call is directed to the Gloucester County Sheriff.  On the Eastern Shore, calls are transferred to local Sheriff's Offices, the Chincoteague Police Department, Virginia State Police or the appropriate fire and EMS agencies.

The VIMS landline telephone system is programmed to allow identification of the 911 emergency location of a caller. Do not move a landline phone to a new office or workspace as this may pose a threat to a caller’s safety in case of emergency. 

Emergency Blue Light phones on the Gloucester Point campus may be used to make 911 calls to the Gloucester County Sheriff.  The RED button is for 911 calls, only.  The phones are located at nine locations across the Gloucester Point campus as shown on the VIMS Campus Map.  

The BLACK button on a Blue Light emergency phone will call VIMS Security.  

Emergencies - in the Field or on the Water

Quick link: Emergency & After Hour Contacts (Marine Operations)

Field Operations - coming soon

Marine Operations - Individuals are available to respond to after-hour emergencies including vessel breakdowns, and concerns regarding failure of field personnel on research vessels to communicate with land-based personnel regarding change of return time or having secured vessel activities for the day.  Visit Marine Operations Emergency & After Hour Contacts for details.

Emergency Planning Resources

William & Mary's Emergency Management Team is responsible for overall coordination of the university's emergency preparedness efforts. The VIMS Emergency Management Team coordinates efforts for VIMS and oversees the development of VIMS emergency response and continuity of operations plans.

Laboratory & Research Safety

Quick links: OS&EP; Chemical Hygiene Plan

Faculty, staff and students who work in scientific laboratories are exposed to many kinds of hazards. The VIMS Office of Safety and Environmental Programs (OS&EP) is committed to ensuring that members of the VIMS community and visitors to the VIMS campus have a safe working and learning environment.  All VIMS faculty, staff and students are required to take safety training during orientation. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to ensure that research personnel have the appropriate training and follow procedures.

The VIMS Chemical Hygiene Plan sets forth policies, procedures, equipment, and work practices that, when properly implemented, are capable of protecting employees from the health hazards presented by hazardous chemicals used in VIMS/SMS laboratories.

Prevention of accidental spills requires the utmost attention to proper handling procedures by the user. The VIMS HAZCOM Training Program stresses the importance of handling hazardous material correctly and ensures that the required Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is available for every hazardous chemical or material used by VIMS/SMS personnel.  

In case of a hazardous material spill on the VIMS campus, follow appropriate protocols and contact Eric Fidler, Environmental, Health & Safety Specialist. Office: 804-684-7322; Cell: 804-832-4158.

Office of Safety & Environmental Programs

Quick links: OS&EP

The VIMS Office of Safety and Environmental Programs is committed to ensuring that members of the VIMS community and visitors to the VIMS campus have a safe working and learning environment.  All VIMS faculty, staff and students are required to take safety training during orientation.

For information and support on the VIMS campus, contact Eric Fidler, Environmental, Health & Safety Specialist. Office: 804-684-7322; Cell: 804-832-4158.

Reporting Behavioral Concerns

Quick link: Report Concerns

Following the W&M guidance, you may choose to communicate a concern through the Report Concerns website (W&M)*.  Early intervention and support may help a person struggling with their issues to avoid long term problems, better manage their condition and reestablish their behavioral stability. Reporting your concerns, individually or with comments from others, allows the university to offer the individual assistance, address worries and make necessary decisions regarding our community’s safety.

If there are immediate health and safety concerns surrounding a person’s behavior because of written or spoken threats, previous violence or abuse, violations of the law or university policy, or possession of firearms or other weapons, you should call 911.

*Note: W&M also has a Care Concerns system that provides outreach, supports, and services to students who are experiencing significant challenges.  Members of the community are encouraged to submit a care concern if there is a significant concern about a student’s wellbeing. Care Concerns are NOT for crisis response or mental health triage.

Risk Management

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https://www.wm.edu/offices/publicsafety/riskmanagement/

Severe Storm Preparedness

Quick link: Storm Preparedness

From time to time, the Institute experiences severe storms. Information on Storm Preparedness is provided to help VIMS personnel prepare for storms, to stay safe and to stay updated via emergency and other announcements.  Advanced planning and good communication will help VIMS safeguard equipment, resources, and personnel.

VIMS Security

Quick link: VIMS Security

Contact VIMS Security: (804) 694-7300 (after 5 pm and on weekends) or (804) 684-7300, x7300 during work hours (8 am - 5 pm weekdays)

The Institute provides security coverage from 4:00 pm to 7:00 am weekdays and 24-hour coverage on weekends, holidays, and other non-routine closings. 

Security may be reached at x7300 or by calling (804) 684-7300 from off campus. This extension is monitored 24 hours, 7 days a week. After hours, officers can be reached via cell phone at 804-694-7300. Assistance will be provided for services such as walking you to your car, (un)locking buildings and rooms for special events, and investigating incidents (theft, property damage, etc.).

Visit VIMS Security for additional information, including how to report an incident of loss of property, or other concerns.   

W&M Emergency Response Guide

Quick link: W&M Emergency Response Guide

This guide is to assist the university campus community in responding to emergency situations.  When the information provided is specific to the Williamsburg campus, additional information for the VIMS campus is provided on this page.

Workers' Compensation

Quick link: Workers' Compensation (W&M)

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All employees at William & Mary and VIMS are eligible to receive benefits under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act for an injury and/or illness which is incurred in the course of official work-related duties. This includes faculty, full-time staff, part-time staff, student workers, and hourly employees.  

In case of a workplace accident emergency, call 911.  For other treatment, Virginia Workers' Compensation Act (VA WCA) Section 65.2-603 requires that an employer must offer an injured employee a panel of three physicians to choose from.  Physician lists are provided for Gloucester County (pdf), Virginia's Eastern Shore and other locations.  If the accident does not require emergency treatment, the employee will select a physician from the approve list.  

1. Employees should report ALL accidents, no matter how small, to their supervisor immediately providing specific details regarding the injury. Details should include the body part injured and the exact location where the injury occurred.

1. Select a physician, even if not seeking treatment. Sign the Physician Panel and, if treatment is necessary, visit the panel physician first or ER in an emergency. Ensure doctor appointments are scheduled before/after work hours. Once a physician is selected, the physician cannot change unless you are referred to a specialist. Use leave until claim is approved.

1. Report ALL accidents, no matter how small, to your supervisor immediately providing specific details regarding your injury. Details should include the body part injured and the exact location where the injury occurred.

supervisor should:

1. Ensure employee has emergency medical treatment if necessary. 
2. Investigate all workplace accidents working with Environmental, Health & Safety. Take witness statements with contact numbers and document facts. Take pictures of the scene where the injury occurred on the same day. The Accident Investigation Job Aid Form is found on the Environmental, Health & Safety webpage. Be specific as to what happened. Note if there are any defects with the area of injury.