1. 1 An Introduction for Engineering, Science and Medicine staff to safe laboratory practice Presented by Lance Islip Laboratory Safety Awareness

2. 2

3. 3 Course Outcomes At the end of this course you will be able to: Participate in safe laboratory conduct Access safety literature including Australian Standards Identify, assess and control risks for plant, equipment and chemicals Develop good housekeeping practices Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

4. OHS in your area What do you know about the OHS systems for: Access to your lab facilities (or other restricted zones) Emergencies (evacuation, spills, contamination, fire) Chemicals Waste Protective clothing and equipment Managing hazards and risks Plant and Equipment Training Purchasing of laboratory supplies or new equipment What documentation exists for these (Government, UNSW, School, lab, etc that you know of) OHS729 Laboratory Review formLaboratory Review form 4

5. OHS in your area What OHS documents should be in a laboratory or workshop: Register of RA’s and SWP’s Emergency procedures Chemicals register MSDS’s Plant and Equipment register Maintenance schedule Equipment log books for use and maintenance Training records Equipment manuals 5

6. 6 1.Always wear appropriate clothing as well as PPE 2.Never adopt a casual attitude 3.Do not store or consume food or drink 4.Keep the laboratory locked 5.Maintain good housekeeping practices, including cleaning up spills and disposing of wastes correctly 6.Look after your visitors Safe Conduct

7. 7 Selection, use and storage for: Protective footwear Protective clothing Eye protection Gloves Respiratory protection Hearing protection Supporting UNSW Documentation: OHS659 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) GuidelinePersonal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guideline Personal Protective Equipment

8. 8 The least effective control measure – the hazard still exists. Protection in the laboratory for: Eyes Limb and body Hearing Respiratory PPCE needs to be: Suitable, properly maintained, meet standards Provided with training Personal Protective Equipment

9. 9 Workers who rely on PPE must understand the functioning, proper use, and limitations of the PPE used. Protects only the wearer, and does not protect anyone else. Must be assessed on a case by case basis. Wearing PPCE outside the lab? Hazard present? Public exposed – not protected Contamination issues Fear in others Personal Protective Equipment

10. 10 Protective Footwear How could this happen in a lab/workshop?

11. 11 Step 1: Identify workplace hazards, eg chemicals, slippery floors, falling objects, flying objects, sharp materials, oily surfaces, hot surfaces. Step 2: Use Australian Standard 2210 Part 1 to select the footwear type select the preferred upper and sole material and sole design Step 3: Factors to look at include: chemical resistance slip resistance penetration resistance electrical conductivity properties anti-static properties heat resistance Protective Footwear - Selection

12. 12 Protective Footwear - Types

13. 13 Lab coats are appropriate for minor chemical splashes and spills Plastic or rubber aprons are best for corrosive or irritating liquids. When cleaning and decontamination of reusable clothing is difficult, disposable outer garments may be useful Not to be stored on workbenches, backs of chairs etc Protective Clothing

14. 14 Personal Protective Equipment

15. 15 Eye Protection Safety Glasses lenses are impact resistant and frames are far stronger should have side shields and should be worn whenever there is the possibility of objects striking the eye. not appropriate for dusts, powders or liquids Chemical Splash Goggles worn when there is potential for splash from a hazardous material chemical splash goggles should have indirect ventilation some may be worn over prescription glasses

16. 16 Face Shields Use when working with cryogens or large volumes of hazardous materials, for protection from splash to face or flying particles Face shields can be used in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles Contact Lenses Contact lenses may be worn in the laboratory They do not offer any protection from chemical contact If contaminated with a hazardous chemical, rinse the eyes using an eyewash and remove the lens immediately Storage Safety glasses, goggles and Shields should be stored in a drawer/cupboard (i.e. not on bench) to avoid contamination Eye Protection

17. 17 Asian nose bridge Vs Caucasian bridge Eye Protection

18. 18 Eye Protection

19. 19 Gloves

20. 20 Gloves should be worn if there is a physical, chemical or temperature hazard For Chemical Hazards consider the following: degradation rating breakthrough time permeation rate Compatibility information For Physical and Temp hazards: Leather Fabric Insulation Loop pile Gloves

21. 21 Dexterity – Grip – Size – Length Consider double gloving, replace outer glove if splashed Wear tight-fitting glove over loose glove to increase dexterity Ribbing, granular finish, felt Too tight causes fatigue Inspection – Use – Care – Storage Inspect before each use, test for pinholes Wash before removing Change disposables as soon as contamination occurs Do not touch other surfaces whilst wearing Do not store open glove containers near chemicals Ensure gloves are not stored on top of chemical containers Gloves

22. 22 Respiratory Protection Initial Hazard Assessment This may involve measuring exposure levels. Respirator Selection half-face or full-face air purifying respirator, powered air purifying respirator, supplied air respirator or SCBA appropriate type of filter or chemical cartridge is selected Training and Fit-Testing Qualitative fit-testing using irritant smoke Positive and negative pressure checks

23. 23 Class P1 Filters particles from inhaled air. Must have a correct fit/seal on face. Beard/stubble make these ineffective. Surgical masks Filters particles from exhaled air Fluid resistant to infectious material splash or spatter Protects others from your microbes No protection from inhaled dusts unless also rated to P1. Respiratory Protection

24. 24 Respiratory Protection

25. 25 Workers exposed to loud or excessive noise must be provided with hearing protection Should be: compatible with the job hygienic comfortable able to provide audibility of warning noises OHS708 Noise Management ProcedureNoise Management Procedure Hearing Protection

26. Risk Assessment When do you need to do a risk assessment? Who needs to write and approve the risk assessment? Things to remember when writing a risk assessment: Specify type of PPE Refer to MSDS and Manufacturers Manuals Consider hazard types Emergency Procedures Are all steps of the Activity addressed? Additional Controls Review timeframes Review effectiveness of controls OHS329 Risk Assessment and Control ProcedureRisk Assessment and Control Procedure OHS017 Risk Assessment and Control FormRisk Assessment and Control Form OHS643 Hierarchy of Chemical Risk ControlsHierarchy of Chemical Risk Controls 26

27. 27 The SWP is a control measure identified in the risk assessment and includes: Step by step instructions for undertaking the task safely Specific precautions required PPCE to be provided and worn Emergency shutdown Waste disposal Authorisation, training and review OHS027 Safe Work Procedure GuidelineSafe Work Procedure Guideline OHS026 Safe Work Procedure FormSafe Work Procedure Form OHS701 Personal Protective Equipment signsPersonal Protective Equipment signs Safe Work Procedures Display them near the equipment. Some people even have a photo of the custodian on it.

28. 28 Safe Work Procedures

29. 29 Plant safety Electrical safety Safe Working Procedures Gas Cylinders Fume Cupboards Plant Safety

30. 30 Plant includes all machinery and equipment, both stationary and mobile, tools and implements used in the laboratory eg: Computers, manual handling equipment, microscopes, freezers, gas cylinders, ladders, drying ovens, autoclaves Injuries that result from unsafe plant range from minor burns and cuts to traumatic injuries such as broken bones, amputations and death eg: hit by moving plant, caught or crushed in plant, Cuts and bruises from hand tools, Strain and overuse injuries from poor posture and operating positions Plant Safety

31. 31 Plant Safety Activity

32. 32 Plant Safety

33. 33 Only use plant for which you have been trained Always use safety devices provided Wear appropriate clothing Wear the PPE provided Read the Safe Working Procedure provided Lock out/tag out procedure Consider safety as a priority in plant design Purchase plant with safety devices installed Budget for training of staff and students Assess competency of staff Ensure that maintenance can be done safely Plant Guidelines

34. 34 Guarding Operational controls Emergency stops and warning devices Mandatory design standards Operator competencies Registration requirements Maintenance and repair Dismantling, storage and disposal OHS327 Plant and Equipment ProcedurePlant and Equipment Procedure OHS728 Plant design GuidelinePlant design Guideline AS 2243.6 – Safety in Laboratories Plant and equipment aspects Control Measures for Plant

35. 35 Plant Safety

36. 36 Plant Safety

37. 37 Plant Safety

38. 38 Plant Safety

39. 39 Plant Safety

40. Working at heights 40 Management and Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that: Use of ladders should only be considered if other safer alternatives, such as scaffolding or elevating work platforms, are not reasonably practicable Risk Assessments are carried out for activities involving working at heights Safe Work Procedures or guidelines are developed specifically for these activities All identified Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (PPCE) is available and in good order before work commences OHS707 Working from Heights GuidelineWorking from Heights Guideline

41. 41 Plant Safety

42. 42 Never transport in a lift with people Only keep cylinders “in use” in labs Check appropriateness of regulator to the cylinder Perform leak testing Don’t store or transport incompatible cylinders together Ensure valve shut Gas Cylinders Open valve fully then back off 2 turns Remove regulator to transport Use trolley for transport and push trolley in front of you Wear PPE to transport No oil or grease on oxygen regulators Do not drop, roll or drag cylinders

43. 43 Working safely with electricity Check that laboratory electrical equipment has been tagged Do not use double adaptors – poorly designed with no overload protection Use RCDs on powerboards and extension leads Powerboards must be correctly mounted Use extension cords as a temporary measure only Do not bring untested electrical equipment into the workplace Electrical Safety

44. A source of energy sufficient to ignite combustible dusts, flammable vapours or gases etc. Examples include: (a) a naked flame, (b) exposed incandescent material, (c) hot surfaces, (d) radiant heat, (e) a spark from mechanical friction, (f) a spark from static electricity, (g) an electrical arc, (h) any electrical, electronic, mechanical or other equipment. 44 Ignition Sources

45. Spill preparedness and response All laboratories must have: Procedures for potential emergencies Spill kits Training sessions/drills to ensure all lab users know how to respond to an emergency UNSW Documentation: OHS421 Chemical Spills GuidelineChemical Spills Guideline OHS301 PCB Spill Response and Disposal ProcedurePCB Spill Response and Disposal Procedure OHS305 Spills Procedure – MercurySpills Procedure – Mercury Science Faculty OHS site http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/ohswebsci.nsfhttp://www.med.unsw.edu.au/ohswebsci.nsf Medicine Faculty OHS site http://ohs.med.unsw.edu.au/ohsweb.nsfhttp://ohs.med.unsw.edu.au/ohsweb.nsf 45

46. Spill preparedness and response Contain the spill Absorb the spill Dispose of used materials Report the spill Restock spill kit 46

47. 47 Domestic Broken glass Sharps Chemical Biological Cytotoxic Animal carcasses Radioactive Schedule 8 Human tissue Co-mingled General laboratory waste Waste Segregation and Disposal All waste needs to be segregated into its waste stream according to the UNSW Hazardous Waste Procedure. Documentation: OHS014a Waste Disposal Form - Chemical – UNSWWaste Disposal Form - Chemical – UNSW OHS321 Laboratory Hazardous Waste Disposal GuidelineLaboratory Hazardous Waste Disposal Guideline

48. 48 Waste Disposal Chemical waste treatment and disposal Store the waste correctly – appropriate containers, bunding Label the waste accurately (contact name, date, inventory) Segregate the waste – do not mix incompatible chemicals Submit a chemical waste inventory form to Facilities Mgt fax x54532

49. 49 Options for biological waste treatment and disposal Bio-waste to go into a labelled bio-waste bag and put it into the yellow bins (these are collected by the contractor and autoclaved), or Autoclave the labelled bio-waste and put it into the yellow bins, or Autoclave the waste AND VALIDATE THE LOAD, then de-identify the waste by putting it into a robust black plastic bag which goes into the domestic waste Note: Chemically decontaminated liquid bio-waste is now chemical waste and must only be collected by the chemical contractor. WASTE DISPOSAL

50. 50 Fume Cupboards

51. It’s all about the air flow Understanding how this equipment works is knowing where the air goes and how it is treated. Is it filtered, ducted, recirculated, cleaned? Which way does it go Turbulence and obstructions –Cabinet Choice needs to be risk based 51

52. Bench Type Ducted Fume Hood Used for decanting & mixing: Volatile solvents Corrosive liquids Toxics if inhalation risk exists Control of Noxious odours It captures, dilutes and exhausts fumes to external atm.

53. Use of fume cupboards Max allowable volumes should be known –E.g. max flammables 7.5L/m 2 of base Pre use checks to be made –Clean and free of contamination –Enough space to work safely? –Extinguisher handy? –Chemicals not required are removed During use –Minimum possible chemicals present –Reduced reaction rates Sash position is important –Use PPE to perform the work –After use requirements too.

54. Sash position is critical

55. Traffic is an issue too

56. Recirculating fume cabinets Rely on filtration or absorption Discharge directly into the lab Suitable for light to moderate use with a limited range of substances

57. Recirculating fume cabinets

58. Do Not Use: –Where more than 50mL of corrosive liquids are involved in a rxn that generates fumes –Where acid digestions are carried out –For perchloric acid digestions –For infectious organism handling –For carcinogenic material (Cat 1 & 2) except where chemisorbed onto the filter –For radioactive materials exceeding 10x Annual Limit of Intake for inhalation –Where temp and humidity may affect filter operation

59. Recirculating fume cabinets Ensure substances used are compatible with filters used Do not use for storage Do not use after major spills – replace filters –Treat spills in RFC’s as if they were on the bench! Determine filter saturation monthly if not fitted with auto monitors Avoid Bunsen use. Keep away from sides (15cm) and the filter (30cm). Keep a logbook of: Filter change, substances used, volumes used, hours of operation, spill records. Periodic monitoring of the exhaust Check filter efficiency test certificate sticker date (also for BSC’s)

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61. Recirculating fume cabinets This is NOT a fume cabinet Do not get them confused

62. Biological safety cabinets These DO NOT filter or absorb any hazardous fumes, vapours or gases. They recirculate 70% HEPA filtered air –This also recirculates the vapours leading to hazardous atmospheres –Also not spark proof, so can ignite the vapours 30% HEPA air is returned to the lab 62

63. Cytotoxic drug safety cabinet Intended specifically for handling injectable cytotoxic drugs, but may have wider application in the handling of other hazardous drugs and materials. These applications may require additional precautions.

64. Cytotoxic drug safety cabinet

65. 65 Chemical Labelling

66. 66 Information about chemicals - Labelling

67. 67 Chemical Safety - Labelling Activity: Let’s make a label!

68. You must label the following if they contain Hazardous Substances (except if they are used and cleaned immediately): Decanted substances Mixtures/formulations/preparations Research/laboratory samples and finished products Reaction intermediates and waste-products Substances in enclosed systems e.g. pipes and vessels containing hazardous substances OHS429 Labelling of Hazardous Substances GuidelineLabelling of Hazardous Substances Guideline Labelling

69. 69 Chemical Safety - Labelling

70. 70 Chemical Safety - Labelling

71. 71 Labelling Manufacturer Signal words and/or DG Class– HAZARDOUS, WARNING, POISON, FLAMMABLE, TOXIC Chemical and trade names in full Risk & Safety phrases, UN # Emergency – spills, fire, leaks, equipment types to use First aid Dates?

72. 72 Signal words and/or DG Class, UN # – HAZARDOUS, WARNING, POISON, FLAMMABLE, TOXIC Chemical and trade names in full Risk & Safety phrases Emergency – spills, fire, leaks, equipment types to use First aid Dates? Labelling decanted containers

73. 73 Must be accessible – hard copy or electronic Must be no more than 5 years old Must be used during risk assessment Helps decide on airborne contamination monitoring Check for adequacy of emergency and spill procedures Can be used as the risk assessment if used as directed Should go with an injured person to the doctor or hospital Need more information? Use other sources such as... Chemical Safety - MSDS

74. 74 www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

75. 75 www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

76. 76 www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

77. 77 www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

78. 78 www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

79. 79 www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

80. 80 http://hsis.ascc.gov.au/ Chemical Safety - HSIS

81. 81 http://hsis.ascc.gov.au/SearchHS.aspx Chemical Safety - HSIS

82. 82 Chemical Safety - HSIS

83. 83 Chemical Safety - ADG Code

84. 84 Chemical Safety - ADG Code

85. 85 Chemical Safety - ADG Code

86. 86 Safety in the Laboratory Operational aspects: Audits Inspections Staff/students leaving the laboratory OHS734 Chemical Audit ChecklistChemical Audit Checklist OHS614 Chemical Substances - auditing checklistChemical Substances - auditing checklist OHS048aWorkplace OHS Inspection Checklist -Offices, General Labs & WorkshopsWorkplace OHS Inspection Checklist -Offices, General Labs & Workshops OHS704 Laboratory Decommissioning ChecklistLaboratory Decommissioning Checklist

87. 87 Safety Literature UNSW OHS website www.ohs.unsw.edu.au Australian Standards Available through OHS websiteOHS website WorkCover NSW website www.workcover.nsw.gov.au Safe Work Australia http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/ Safety sign maker http://www.stclaire.com/safety_sign_builder/ssb-panel.php Safety equipment websites www.seton.net.au www.ansell.com.au/specware/search.asp

88. 88 Other OHS Training OHS Awareness online Hazardous Substances Bio - Safety and Infection Control Working Safely with HF (theory!) Radiation Safety Training Gene Technology for Researchers

89. Evaluation Form Attendance Register Questions? 89