Class Cancelled Today

My AutoCAD class was cancelled today, why you ask? Well here's the answer:


October 21, 2005

Lethbridge Police Service, Fire Department and U of L Occupational Health and Safety Office officials are asking for the co-operation of U of L staff and students.

Effective at 3:00 p.m on Friday, October 21 they will close the east end of Valley Road, close Section E of University Hall from level 6 to level 8 and restrict access to the Level 6 entrance to University Hall as safety precautions to facilitate the removal of a small quantity of chemicals found to be out of date in a storage facility on the 8th floor.

Classes in this section of University Hall have been moved.

Vehicle and pedestrian traffic access will not be allowed on Valley Road below the North lot beginning at 3:00 p.m. until approximately 6:00 p.m.

At 3:00 p.m. in University Hall, the E block elevator and staircase will be restricted, and offices on either side of the staircase entrance on Level 7 and 8 will be closed until 6:00 p.m.

Also in University Hall beginning at 3:00 p.m. Level 6 access will be closed from the D staircase to the north end of U Hall.

Transit buses will not be operating at the Level 6 stop. Please use the Aperture Drive stop.

The Lethbridge Regional Police Service will assign members to control Valley Road and the walking paths.

The Lethbridge Fire Department will also be standing by. U of L Security Services will control all internal access points and again asks for co-operation from the University community to follow posted signs, and any direction given by police or security officers relating to the restricted access to this section of University Hall.

Background information:

An internal audit of the chemical storage by a U of L Academic Assistant, in conjunction with a U of L OHS officer, revealed four bottles of picric acid -- approximately 100 grams -- that require disposal.

At least one of the bottles is in a current state that may be explosive if disposed of improperly. All bottles are being destroyed as a routine precaution. Picric acid is used on the U of L campus for research purposes.

It is important to understand that the picric acid has always been stored in a secure storage area with limited access. There has never been any risk to the University community.

Contacts:

Carolin Cattoi-Demkiw, Occupational Health and Safety Office (403) 329-2350 Randy Joseph, University Security (403) 329-2603