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Northwestern Environmental Health and Safety

Spotlight on Safety

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1 | JANUARY 2026

Safety Equipment

The Northwestern campus is equipped with safety tools located throughout buildings and outdoor areas to help protect employees, community members, and campus property during emergencies. Knowing where this equipment is located, and what it is used for, can make a critical difference when every second counts.

These devices are intended for use by employees and other community members in emergency situations and are designed to be simple to operate, even without formal training or prior experience. Taking a few minutes to recognize the safety equipment in your work area and understand when it may be used can support a quicker, safer response, especially in the moments before emergency responders, such as the local fire department, arrive.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

An AED is a life-saving device used to help someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. More than 130 AEDs are located in accessible areas across the Northwestern Chicago and Evanston campuses. Taking a moment to know where the nearest AED is in your work area can make a critical difference in an emergency. If you encounter a suspected cardiac emergency:

  1. Call emergency services immediately (e.g., 911).
  2. Retrieve the nearest AED.
  3. If it is safe to do so, use the AED. The device provides clear, step-by-step voice instructions and is designed to be used even without prior training. Early defibrillation greatly increases survival.
  4. Assist emergency responders by providing information and support when they arrive.

Review the Northwestern AED Program to learn more, including device locations on campus.

Fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers can be an important first line of defense against small, contained fires and may help prevent them from becoming larger emergencies. Take time to know where fire extinguishers are located in your work area and ensure they are always accessible and not blocked. If you discover a fire:

  • Activate the nearest fire alarm or call 911 immediately, regardless of the fire's size.
  • Only attempt to use a fire extinguisher if you have been trained and it is safe to do so.
  • If using an extinguisher, remember the PASS technique:
    1. Pull the pin
    2. Aim at the base of the fire
    3. Squeeze the handle
    4. Sweep side to side until the fire is out

If the fire is large, spreading, or becomes unsafe, evacuate immediately and wait for emergency responders.

If required by your school or unit, ensure you are up to date on your annual Portable Fire Extinguisher training in myHR Learn. 

Other essential safety equipment

In many work areas such as laboratories, shops, and workshops, additional safety equipment is available to help protect against specific hazards. Take a moment to become familiar with the equipment located near your work area, including:

  • First aid kits for immediate care of minor injuries
  • Eyewash and safety showers for chemical splashes and particle exposures (e.g., dust)
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection, and hearing protection, which help prevent injuries at the source

If required by your school or unit, ensure you are current on your biennial Basic First Aid and PPE training in myHR Learn.

Safety is a shared responsibility

While safety equipment is routinely inspected and maintained to ensure operational readiness, everyone plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. Please follow these safety reminders:

  • Promptly report unsafe conditions and missing, expired, or damaged safety equipment to your supervisor or ehs@northwestern.edu.
  • Do not use damaged, altered, or expired safety equipment; tag it out of service when possible.
  • Follow all posted safety procedures and wear required PPE.
  • Only perform tasks or operate equipment for which you are properly trained and authorized.
  • If you are unsure about a safety requirement, stop work and consult your supervisor.

Do you want to learn more?

Report all incidents here >

Northwestern University

We want your feedback! Please complete this brief anonymous survey. Do you have a safety story you'd like to share? If so, please contact ehs@northwestern.edu.