1. Introduction to laboratory safety and chemical risks in work environments Presenter: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy at the University of Gothenburg

2. Content of presentation What does the work environemnt legislation (Arbetsmiljölagen, Arbetsmiljöverket) say about chemical work environmental risks (AFS 2011:19) What are risks at laboratories, examples How can the laboratory working environment be improved and risks reduced? Some advices Discussion

3. The work environment legislation AFS of the Council of Work Environment AFS 2011:19 Chemical risks in work environments AFS 2011:18 Hygienic exposure limits AFS 2001:1 Systematic work environment AFS 2005:1 Microbiological work environment risks AFS 2009:2 Design of the working place AFS 2001:3 Use of protection outfits AFS 1998:1 Ergonomi load AFS 2007:5 Pregnant or breest-feeding employes AFS 1999:07 First aid and crisis

4. The council of work environment AFS 2011:19 Chemical risks in work environments, examples The employer has the responsibility of the work environment and is liable that the employee has the competence to conduct the work in a safe way The employee has the responsibility to find out the risks, work in a way so risks are minimized and follow rules and instructions A written risk assessment should be performed The work should be planned so it can be performed in a safe way The employee should be satisfactory informed about risks and protection measures Plans for accidents or emergency situations There should be a list over chemicals; harmful for humans or environment, flamable or explosives at the working place. The list should include name, use, consumption risk symbols and risk phrases

5. AFS, continuation Should include present information of all hazardic chemicals. Additional safety information. Packings, emballages or pipes should be marked according the rules Chemicals should be stored in a proper way so risks for health- or accidents will be avoided. Wast treatment

6. What are risks at laboratories, example Chemicals with health risk properties Flamable or explosive chemicals Warm objects Cold objects Fire Electricity Noise Glass/glass equipments Tools Radiation Gases and pressurized devices Wast Ergonomi, working position Psycology; fear and attitudes

7. Chemicals with health risks The health risk depends on the chemical’s inherent properties, toxicity and the exposure Chemicals may have acute and chronical impact on health Acute Life threatening damages Damaging vital organs Corroding damages Inhibit fertilization (Presentation Day 4 ”Pregnancy and chemical work”) Skin irritating Chronical Cancerogenic Mutagenic Inhibit fertilization (Presentation Day 4 ”Pregnancy and chemical work”) Allergens, astma (Presentation Day 4 ” Astma, allergi and laboratory work”) Environmental risks Persistent Accumulative (bio available) Toxic

8. Chemicals with high health risks Chemicals with poisoning properties Cyanids Hydro fluoride, hydro chloride, sulphur dioxide, nitric gases (NO 2 and N 2 O 4 ) Carbon monoxide, hydro sulphur Mercury Organic solvents; benzene, hexane, toluene, chlorinated hydrocarbons etc Heavy metals; arsenic, barium, lead, organic mercury compounds

9. Flamable and explosive chemicals Presentation Day 2”Flamable and explosive chemicals” Organic solvents; ether, petroleum ether, acetone, benzene, ethanol Hydrogen Carbon rich gas mixtures; acetylene, ”gasol” Sodium, potassium Strong oxidation agents; chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates, peroxides

10. Corrosive chemicals Alkali; Ammoniac, sodium and potassium hydroxide Acids; hydro fluoride, hydro chloride, brom Fire and warm objects Some chemicals; white phosphorus Freezes (-80C) Carbon ice Warm objects Cold objects

11. Fire Presentation Day 2”Flamable and explosive chemicals” Chemicals may be flamable Equipment may be flamable Things or objects may be electrically live The type of injury is difficult to predict High noise level in instrument rooms Electricity Noise

12. Glass/glass equipments Tools The most commonly used material in some laboratories Cut wounds among the most common injuries at some laboratories Advices: Throw broken glassware Train new colleagues Scalpel, knife, scissors Radioactive materials X-ray UV-radiation Radiation (Presentation Day 2 ”Radiation sources in laboratories)

13. Waste (Presentation day 3 ”Wast storage and wast handling”) Legislation (AFS) unclear how to sort, treat and handle etc Chemical waste Glass waste ”Risk” wast Exists in most laboratories Pressurized air Instruments and equipments Gases and pressurized devices Presentation day 3

14. Microbiological risks (presentation day 2 ”Microbiological risks”) Infections Toxins Static work Strange working positions Have respect Don’t be afraid Follow rules Ergonomi, working positions (presentation day 4 ”Ergonomi”) Psycology; fear and attitudes (presentation day 2” )

15. How can the working environment be improved and risks be reduced? The employer has the responsibility of the work environment and is liable that the employee has the competence to conduct the work in a safe way The employee has the responsibility to find out the risks, work in a way so risks are minimized and follow rules and instructions Choose the less hazardous chemical Choose methods that will reduce exposure Use protective ventilation (fume hoods, ventilated benches etc) (presentation day 3”Protective ventilations”) Use protective equipment when needed (glasses, gloves, lab coat, etc) (presentation day 3 ) Emergency and eye showers Be ready for the day if/when something happens (Presentation day 4)

16. How can the working environment be improved and risks be reduced? (Continued) The employer has the responsibility of the work environment and is liable that the employee has the competence to conduct the work in a safe way The employee has the responsibility to find out the risks, work in a way so risks are minimized and follow rules and instructions Keep order on lab benches and fume hoods Clear tags Clean up spillage

17. Some tip and advices The employer has the responsibility of the work environment and is liable that the employee has the competence to conduct the work in a safe way The employee has the responsibility to find out the risks, work in a way so risks are minimized and follow rules and instructions Continously discuss routines, PMs, riskassessments and instructions etc Use protective ventilations in a good manner Create dress codes (may include clothing, glasses, gloves, lab coat etc) Silent zones (no talking or telephones) Consider psycology; fear and attitudes

18. Discussion