HAZARD MAP OF XAVIER UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS

Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction

Mini Task 2

Submitted to:
Ms. Nicole Adelle Tacandong
DRRR Teacher

Submitted by:
Group 5
Izzabella Marie C. Alamban
Maria Rafaela Julliana Q. Dalagan
Roland Laurence B. Jardiolin
Jeffrey James C. Portrey
Louise Andrea B. Wong

XI- De Acosta

February 23, 2018

Hazards Identified in Xavier University

Hazards are defined as the potentials for damage to man and his environment

that may result from the occurrence of natural events such as volcanic eruptions,

earthquakes, floods and storm surges. Hazards are classified as geologic, hydrologic,

atmospheric, biologic and man-made. There are several hazards present in Xavier

University, and in this study, we have identified several man-made hazards in the

school specifically in laboratories, the construction area in Faber Hall and from the

German Doctors Hospital. Man-made hazards are the hazards caused by humans and

usually they occur near to human communities and their impact can be totally

devastating. Examples of man-made hazards include accidental release of toxic

chemicals and biologic materials, collapse of public buildings, transport accidents,

industrial explosions and fires and the like.

Xavier University has numerous numbers of laboratories and these can be found

in the Science Center building and in the Engineering building. Biology laboratories are

in the 2nd floor and 3rd floor while Chemistry laboratories are found in the 4th and 5th

floors respectively. Located in the Engineering building are the Physics laboratories in

the 5th floor. Firstly, looking at the hazards in the biology labs, accidental release of

biologic materials may occur as experiments using such materials are performed there.

Biologic materials include blood, urine and human tissue. When these are released

accidentally, it can lead to health risks which are very dangerous under the influence of

exposure such as HIV and Influenza as one instance of transmission is by being stuck

with an HIV-contaminated needle or other sharp object. With this being said, Xavier

University is no to exemption to man-made hazards such as the accidental release of

biologic materials. Moreover, chemicals can also be accidentally released during

experiments in Chemistry laboratories. There are number of chemicals that are

detrimental when they are touched by bare hands. One instance of this hazard turning

into a disaster happened in Manila Science High School (MSHS) wherein a case of

exposure to Mercury affected a number of students according to Inquirer.net. Mercury is

classified by the World Health Organization as one of the top 10 chemicals of major

public concern. Inhalation of mercury vapor has harmful effects on the nervous,

digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal. This incident is
not the first time that it happened in the Philippines. Thus, accidental release of

chemicals can possibly happen in Xavier University due to the fact that experiments are

always performed for academic requirements and accidents can happen at any time.

Additionally, in Xavier University Physics lab, their machines can impose a threat to

students due to the physical hazards that can occur with their equipment. For instance,

when students use electrical machines, there is a tendency that it might overheat due to

the prolonged usage and intensity of energy used. According to Mr. Edmond

Salomsom, one of the Physics teachers in XUSHS, there were already previous

accidents from the past wherein the student failed to turn off a linear air-track apparatus

which resulted the machine to overheat and explode. Hence, man-made hazards

namely industrial explosions and fires due to overheating are more likely to occur

because of this mentioned instance.

Moreover, in the German Doctors Hospital, located in Mortola Avenue at the

back of Xavier University Campus, it is potentially dangerous for biologic materials to be

released. In comparison from the Biology laboratories, these materials can impose

health risks due to the presence of allergens, experimental agents, microbes, blood,

and the like. For instance, contact with blood can be harmful because it can put you at

risk of infectious diseases due to the blood-borne pathogens. There are times when

employees fail to transport, store, and dispose these harmful biological wastes properly.

Their failure to do so can impose health threats to those people within the area.

Moreover, German Doctors Hospital treats patients with common colds to skin disease

and tuberculosis. Knowing that Tuberculosis (TB) patients are present in German

Doctors Hospital, there is also a chance of having biologic hazards since TB is said to

be a communicable disease. It spreads when a person who has active TB breathes out

air that is contaminated with TB bacteria and then another person breathes in the

bacteria from the air. Overall, German Doctors Hospital has a man-made hazard when

dangerous wastes are thrown inappropriately, and has a potential of having a biological

hazard when TB spreads as the hospital is in proximity of the University premises.

Furthermore, in Xavier University campus, specifically in Faber Hall, there are a

number of construction work ongoing. Since Senior High students have subjects which

require them to go to the computer laboratories situated in Faber building, they are
prone to the dust, bad odor emitted from the ongoing construction. It can damage their

respiratory system due to the strong odor. Additionally, there might be collapse of

scaffolds in the construction site in Faber building. This implies a risk to students and

employees passing by the area. Construction areas can have accidents that can lead to

serious injuries like what happened in Manila Construction site as it collapses. Xavier

University is not excluded with the possibility of building collapses especially in the

construction occurring in the Faber building.

Interpretation and Discussion

With the knowledge of having hazards present in Xavier University, there are

also mitigations presented to students to avoid accidents. These existing measures

already present in the University will keep the safety of each individual thus having

knowledge of the topic is of great importance.

With this, the university has implemented existing measures which can mitigate

the possible effects of the identified hazards. One of these is the laboratory orientation

conducted before lab activities. This is done to warn the students of the possible

dangers and to inform them of the required measures and the proper protective

equipment while performing the experiments. These protective equipment may include

safety goggles, gloves, mask, and lab apron so that whenever a student encounters

harmful chemicals and electrical machines, direct contact of the potential hazard can be

avoided. Students are also informed about proper disposal of wastes from the

experiments. For instance, toxic chemicals should be disposed in a separated garbage

can to ensure that people would not be exposed to it. Aside from this, proper storage of

chemicals should be imposed by the lab. This is to avoid leakage and release of harmful

chemicals to the community.

Also, in the construction, area ongoing in the Faber Hall there are huge tarpaulin

covers placed so that students who will pass by are less likely to inhale the dust from

the construction. In addition, there are signs placed as a warning for students that there

is a construction happening. Consequently, classes are also not held in places near the

ongoing construction and this is a good move as to keep the safety of the students from

the possible hazards.

 German Doctors Hospital has also the basic Do’s and Don'ts in their hospital like

hygiene, isolation precautions and respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. These

safety precautions are meant to reduce the risk of transmission of bloodborne and other

pathogens from both recognized and unrecognized sources. Personal Protective

Equipment are of great value since they also keep the doctors safe in the hospital.

Knowing that this hospital has lasted for almost 20 years, they are really following these

basic yet important precautions to avoid any spread of diseases.

References:

1. http://communityemergency.org/man-made-hazards-information/

2. https://www.premedlife.com/online-exclusives/5-common-hazards-found-in-

hospital-environments-3372/

3. http://opinion.inquirer.net/102750/toxic-2

4. https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/01/06/over-9000-hiv-cases-recorded-from-january-

to-october-2017/

5. http://www.aftermath.com/content/5-examples-biological-materials

6. http://www.xu.edu.ph/german-doctors

7. https://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/tuberculosis-tb-topic-overview#1

8. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/854249/3-construction-workers-injured-as-platform-in-

manila-site-collapses

9. http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/EPR_AM2_E7.pdf

10. http://professionals.site.apic.org/protect-your-patients/follow-the-rules-for-

isolation-precautions/

11. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/how-is-hiv-

transmitted