University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
Introduction to Safe Working for
Scientific Research Workers and
Post Graduate Students
Sarah Watson
Assistant Safety Officer
University Safety Officer. Ext 13301
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/safety/docs/SB-PG-Safety.ppt
Complete the attendance sheets that will circulatePRINT NAMESIGNSCHOOL & DIVISION
University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
Programme
1. Safety - Why bother ?
2. General Precautions
3. Specific Hazards
4. Emergency Procedures
University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
Safety – why bother?
•Legal Duty
•Moral Duty
•££££££££
•Reputation
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Legal Duties upon the University
Duties towards employees AND people affected by undertaking (students/visitors):
– Workplace – access, egress, circulation– Equipment, tools, substances– Procedures– Training and supervision– Welfare - toilets, washing facilities
So far as is reasonably practicable
University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
A lot of legislation applies to research at the University – just a few examples…… General First aid Fire Noise Lead Asbestos Highly flammable liq Ionising Radiations
COSHH Genetic modification Electricity Pressure systems Work equipment PPE Manual Handling (DSE) Computers
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University Organisation
School/Section Safety Officers
Section Leaders
Chief Financ- ial Officer
Vice Chancellor
Council
Head Of School/Admin
Section
Head of Division
University Safety Officer
Individuals
Responsibility
Advice
Information
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Responsibilities PIs / Academic Supervisors
Identify hazards & risks
Written procedures
Ensure effective supervision & training to full competency
Demonstrators (employees - paid!)– Understand the practical – Know the hazards/precautions– Be ready to intervene– Action in case of accidents
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ResponsibilitiesINDIVIDUALS – whether staff or student so that
includes YOU- Work safely
- Follow instructions & rules
- Don’t endanger others
- Don’t misuse safety equipment
- Report problems /unsafe situations /incidents
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£££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££
WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG!
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University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
Chemistry, UoN - Incompatible Chemicals in Waste Solvent
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Postgraduates Incidents
Typically 30 - 40 accidents reported each year
50% handling sharps Others
– chemical exposure – slips and knocks– hot/cold contact – animals– manual handling
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General Lab / Workshop Safety
Risk Assessment Training Needs / Competency Specific Hazards Miscellaneous
– Glassware Safety– Housekeeping– Late Working– Unattended Experiments– Emergency Procedures
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Risk Assessment
Legal Requirement
Carried out before work starts Identify hazards Look at controls in place Evaluate the risk (likelihood) What improvements are needed?
Incorporate precautions in SOPs
See School Procedures
“Hi, I’m David and I’m invincible”
University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
Risk Assessment HAZARD
– the potential of something to cause harm
RISK– the likelihood of an event occurring which
will allow the hazard to occur
Think of an activity outside of the University
1. List the hazards
2. List the control measures that reduce the risk
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Training vs Competence
Attending training is one thing, being competent to carry out an activity is another.
You should have evidence of both training and achieving competence– Some schools use postgraduate supervisory requirements form (PSRF) -
personal to you and confirms what supervision you require– Keep a record of all
• External courses• University courses• Lab-specific training (procedures and/or equipment)
– Records should show who has trained you and when
University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
Accidents and First Aid
Report all incidents whether injuries or ill-health (to your line manager/safety officer)
Know how to call a first aider Know how to call for an ambulance
– 8888 or 0115 9518888
It may be you, it may be a friend, it may be nothing to do with the work – know how to help
University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
Fire Safety – What you should know
• Evacuation Procedure
• Call point location
• Escape route(s)
• Assembly point
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Fire Procedure
If you discover a fire– Raise the alarm– Dial 8888 (0115 951 8888)– Leave the building by nearest exit
• Close doors and windows behind you• Report to assembly point
– Only use extinguisher if:• Small, contained fire• Confident• Clear exit route
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Fire Procedure
On hearing alarm - leave building by nearest exit - closing doors/widows - go to assembly
Notify if known false alarm – 8888 (Mobile 0115 9518888)
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Fire Extinguishers
Water – all red
Dry Powder – blue band
Foam – cream band
CO 2 black band
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Typical Hazards in the Research Environment substances
– toxic/ carcinogens– flammable– biological material– allergens
noise vibration radiation electricity machinery
pressure systems display screen equip manual handling mech. handling transport falls, falling objects slips, trips fire Lasers nanoparticles
The following slides give a summary of the key precautions expected to be in place. Further detail, specific to your research, must be obtained locally
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Substances related hazards
Chemicals Flammables Carcinogens Nanoparticles Poisons
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Hazardous Substances
Chemicals Biological Agents Dusts Gases
COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
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COSHH Regulations
Look at the nature of hazard - harm that can be caused
• Properties [toxicity, flammability]• Quantity to be used• Form (solid, liquid, gas)• Duration and frequency of use
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Routes of exposure
Exposure Routes - how can harm be caused
– Inhalation– Ingestion– Skin Contact/penetration-
• Absorption, • Sharps• Defective skin barrier
Hazardous property Example
Irritant, Harmful, Ammonia,
Sensitising Glutaraldehyde, isocyanates, animal allergens, latex
Toxic/carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Teratogenic
Acrylamide, MNU, EthBr, cytotoxic drugs
Corrosive String acids & bases
Infectious Bacteria, virus
Flammable Alcohol, acetone
Explosive Hexane, hydrogen
Oxidising Potassium permanganate, Hydrogen peroxide
Ecotoxic Mercury
University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
Workplace Exposure Limits
• Set for some hazardous substances
• Must not be exceeded
• Limits given in ppm and mg/m3
• Time averaged concentration in air• Long term (8 hours)• Short term (15 minutes) - STEL
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Examples of Substances with WELs [mg/m3] [mg/m3]
8hr 15mins
Formaldehyde 2.5 2.5Acrylamide 0.3 -Benzene 1.0 -Bromine 0.66 2
Methanol 266 333Toluene 191 574Xylene 220 441
Acetone 1210 3620
If substance does not have WEL it does not mean it is safe - check MSDS/seek advice
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COSHH AssessmentDecide on control measures
– Eliminate or substitute, justify use.– Engineering - contain, extract (FCs/MSCs)– Personal protection– Training, supervision– Health surveillance/screening/vaccination
Other considerations - Storage- Transport- Disposal- Emergencies – leaks, spills- Nanoparticles
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NanoparticlesOne or more external dimensions in the order of 100 nm or less ie: < 0.1 micrometre / micron
MSDS for micron-sized particles of a substance does not necessarily apply to nanoparticles – we MUST take the precautionary approach and avoid exposure
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A means of containing or extracting hazardous fumes/vapours/aerosols away from the operator, to be safely discharged to the atmosphere.
SAFE WORKING• Check it is working• Position of Equipment• Safe working area• Control air movement /external forces• Avoid heat sources• Minimise sash opening• Unattended experiments – leave information• Clean after use!
• Animated demonstration (3 minutes):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4AHxLnByts
Fume Cupboards
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THE GOOD
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THE BAD
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THE UGLY
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Last resort not first line of defense
Lab Coats - must be worn in lab, remove before entering offices/clean areas
Hand - gloves - correct type for the work Protection
Eye/ face - glasses, goggles, visors – depending Protection on hazard
Respiratory - half masks, full masks, powered Protection hoods
- fit critical to protection
Foot - no open toe/canvas shoes in Protection labs/risk areas. Safety footwear
depending on hazards
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Flammable Liquids
Flash Point – temp to form a flammable atmosphere
Precautions– avoid vapour release– never store with acids/oxidising agent– stoppered labelled containers– minimum quantities on bench < 500ml– store in solvent cupboard [50l max per room]– enclosed carriers for Winchesters– spark-proof fridges– beware of - static build up on large scale decanting
- flammable atmospheres /heavy vapours
– know spillage procedure - clear up immediately
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Cryogenic Liquids HAZARD: Asphyxiation
– <18% O2 (spills > 143ml LN/m3 : 1:700)
– confined spaces, DO NOT TRAVEL IN LIFT HAZARD: Cold Burns
– eye protection - goggles/visors/specs– hands - non absorbent insulated gloves eg leather. Sleeves
over ends/securely banded.– Feet - closed shoes, trousers over– tongs/forceps
Ice Plug formation Oxygen enrichment Exploding vials Transport - NOT BY ROAD - very hazardous
– Use cardice
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Electricity
HAZARD: Electrocution - 50V AC can KILL;
Fire
Need to consider:– design, construction, maintenance– earthing, fusing, isolation, insulation– live working [special precautions]
Periodic inspection/testing - usually annual - sticker
User visual checks (plugs, cable & socket, evidence of
overheating, casing)
Report all defects
Repairs only by authorised persons
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Work Equipment
HAZARD: entanglement, entrapment, being struck by, electrocution, hot/cold contact
Fit for purpose Maintained Dangerous parts guarded CE marked Certificates of conformity Design in-house subject to approval
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Pressure Systems compressed gases, autoclaves
HAZARD: Explosion as a result of sudden, uncontrolled release of stored energy
Consider sources of stored energy– Steam (at any pressure)– Gas or vapours > 0.5 bar
• Boilers, autoclaves, air receivers, reactors Requirements
– Design/construction– Safe operating limits– Written scheme for examinations (externally carried out)– Written operating instructions– Annual inspection against written scheme
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Lasers & Ionising Radiation
HAZARD: Radiation exposure; Lasers: eye or skin damage resulting from exposure to Class 3B or 4 laser beam
Separate Training Local rules for safe use Medical/Health
questionnaire
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Noise
HAZARD: Permanent hearing loss
Control Levels– <85 dB(A) - negligible risk
– 85 - 90 dB(A) - small risk • inform of risk & HP available on request
– >90 dB(A) - high risk • control at source • compulsory hearing protection• audiometry
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Ultra-Violet Sources [280nm - 400nm]
Examples: Transilluminators, gel docs, hand held lamps
Biocidal lamps, Mercury vapour lamps [uv spec]
HAZARD: Sunburn, cancer, eye damage
Safety precautions
• Interlocks/enclosure
• UV opaque shielding
• UV opaque visor
• Cover exposed skin
• Restrict access to area
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Latex Allergy
HAZARD: can cause skin/respiratory sensitisation.
1% of population may react. Likely to affect those with history of asthma, dermatitis,
eczema, hayfever Seek advice from Occ Health if skin/resp symptoms Use latex alternatives & powder free gloves
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Explosion in a Microwave Oven
Heating 300 ml media in 1 litre Duran bottle.
Cap swelled and sealed bottle which then exploded.
Debris hurled 3m across lab - unoccupied!!!
Use foam or Kim Wipe neck
inserts.
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Miscellaneous
HAZARD: Falls, Cuts, Slips, Trips Working at height Glassware Safety Housekeeping Lone working Late Working / Out of hours
Working Unattended Experiments Lifting Equipment
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Computers
HAZARD: Muscular skeletal problems - back, neck, shoulders; “Repetitive Strain Injury” – wrists, hands, fingers
Workstation setup – adjust chair to suit, keep keyboard and mouse close
Work routine – plan for regular breaks in computer work
Ask for assessment
University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk
Summary
Risk Assess your work Check University standards that apply Ensure your supervisor knows what your work
involves Avoid lone working for all but low risk tasks Take the appropriate precautions Question anything you are uncertain about