Introduction to Safe Working for Scientific Research Workers and Post Graduate Students Sarah Watson Assistant Safety Officer University Safety Officer. Ext Complete the attendance sheets that will circulate PRINT NAME SIGN SCHOOL & 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? University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk Legal Duty Moral Duty ££££££££ Reputation

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 n Section 2 & 3 - Duties towards employees & others n Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, health, safety and welfare at work University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

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…… n General n First aid n Fire n Noise n Lead n Asbestos n Highly flammable liq n Ionising Radiations n COSHH n Genetic modification n Electricity n Pressure systems n Work equipment n PPE n Manual Handling n (DSE) Computers University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

University Organisation University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Responsibilities n PIs / Academic Supervisors Identify hazards & risks Written procedures Ensure effective supervision & training to full competency n Demonstrators (employees - paid!) –Understand the practical –Know the hazards/precautions –Be ready to intervene –Action in case of accidents University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Responsibilities INDIVIDUALS – whether staff or student so that includes YOU - Work safely - Follow instructions & rules - Dont endanger others - Dont misuse safety equipment - Report problems /unsafe situations /incidents University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

£££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG! University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Chemistry, UoN - Incompatible Chemicals in Waste Solvent

Accidents cost money COST OF ACCIDENTS & WORK RELATED Ill HEALTH IN EDUCATION SECTOR ILL HEALTH £ M] INJURY £50M]total £ M Non Injury Accidents £ M] University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Postgraduates Incidents n Typically accidents reported each year n 50% handling sharps n Others –chemical exposure –slips and knocks –hot/cold contact –animals –manual handling University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

General Lab / Workshop Safety n Risk Assessment n Training Needs / Competency n Specific Hazards n Miscellaneous –Glassware Safety –Housekeeping –Late Working –Unattended Experiments –Emergency Procedures University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Risk Assessment Legal Requirement Carried out before work starts n Identify hazards n Look at controls in place n Evaluate the risk (likelihood) n What improvements are needed? Incorporate precautions in SOPs See School Procedures University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk Hi, Im David and Im invincible

Risk Assessment University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk n HAZARD –the potential of something to cause harm n 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

Training vs Competence n Attending training is one thing, being competent to carry out an activity is another. n 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 n Report all incidents whether injuries or ill- health (to your line manager/safety officer) n Know how to call a first aider n Know how to call for an ambulance –8888 or n 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 University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Fire Procedure If you discover a fire –Raise the alarm –Dial 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 University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Fire Procedure On hearing alarm - leave building by nearest exit - closing doors/widows - go to assembly n Notify if known false alarm – 8888 n (Mobile ) University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Fire Extinguishers University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk Water – all red Dry Powder – blue band Foam – cream band CO 2 black band

Video n Practicing Safe Science University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Typical Hazards in the Research Environment n substances –toxic/ carcinogens –flammable –biological material –allergens n noise n vibration n radiation n electricity n machinery n pressure systems n display screen equip n manual handling n mech. handling n transport n falls, falling objects n slips, trips n fire n Lasers n nanoparticles University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk 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

Substances related hazards n Chemicals n Flammables n Carcinogens n Nanoparticles n Poisons University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Hazardous Substances n Chemicals n Biological Agents n Dusts n Gases n COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

COSHH Regulations n 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 University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Routes of exposure n Exposure Routes - how can harm be caused –Inhalation –Ingestion –Skin Contact/penetration- Absorption, Sharps Defective skin barrier University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Hazardous propertyExample Irritant, Harmful,Ammonia, SensitisingGlutaraldehyde, isocyanates, animal allergens, latex Toxic/carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Teratogenic Acrylamide, MNU, EthBr, cytotoxic drugs CorrosiveString acids & bases InfectiousBacteria, virus FlammableAlcohol, acetone ExplosiveHexane, hydrogen Oxidising Potassium permanganate, Hydrogen peroxide Ecotoxic Mercury University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Workplace Exposure Limits University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk 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

Examples of Substances with WELs [mg/m 3 ] [mg/m 3 ] 8hr 15mins Formaldehyde Acrylamide0.3 - Benzene1.0 - Bromine Methanol Toluene Xylene Acetone If substance does not have WEL it does not mean it is safe - check MSDS/seek advice University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

COSHH Assessment Decide 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 University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Nanoparticles One or more external dimensions in the order of 100 nm or less ie: < 0.1 micrometre / micron University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk MSDS for micron-sized particles of a substance does not necessarily apply to nanoparticles – we MUST take the precautionary approach and avoid exposure

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): Fume Cupboards University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

THE GOOD University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

THE BAD University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

THE UGLY

Is this good practice??? University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

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 Protectionon hazard Respiratory - half masks, full masks, powered Protectionhoods - fit critical to protection Foot- no open toe/canvas shoes in Protectionlabs/risk areas. Safety footwear depending on hazards University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Regulated Chemicals/Substances n Schedule One Poisons –Very Toxic/carcinogens –Locked cabinet and restricted access n Chemical/Biological Warfare Materials –Sarin, Soman, Tabun, VX –Sulphur & Nitrogen Mustards –Lewisites –Saxitoxin, Ricin, –Schedule 5 pathogens [ e.g Vibrio Cholera] –Toxins e.g. Botox, Tetrodotoxin, Verotoxin, Staphlococcal Toxins, Conotoxin University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Flammable Liquids n Flashpoint - temp. to form a flammable atmosphere –FlammableFP < 55C –Highly FlammableFP < 32 C –Extremely FlammableFP < 21 C n Flammability range - 1 to 15 % in air University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

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 University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Cryogenic Liquids n HAZARD: Asphyxiation – 143ml LN/m 3 : 1:700) –confined spaces, DO NOT TRAVEL IN LIFT n 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 n Ice Plug formation n Oxygen enrichment n Exploding vials n Transport - NOT BY ROAD - very hazardous –Use cardice University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Equipment Hazards n Electricity n Pressure Systems n Lasers n Ionising Radiation n Ultra-violet University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Electricity n HAZARD: Electrocution - 50V AC can KILL; Fire n Need to consider: –design, construction, maintenance –earthing, fusing, isolation, insulation –live working [special precautions] n Periodic inspection/testing - usually annual - sticker n User visual checks (plugs, cable & socket, evidence of overheating, casing) n Report all defects n Repairs only by authorised persons University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Work Equipment n HAZARD: entanglement, entrapment, being struck by, electrocution, hot/cold contact n Fit for purpose n Maintained n Dangerous parts guarded n CE marked n Certificates of conformity n Design in-house subject to approval University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Pressure Systems compressed gases, autoclaves n HAZARD: Explosion as a result of sudden, uncontrolled release of stored energy n Consider sources of stored energy –Steam (at any pressure) –Gas or vapours > 0.5 bar Boilers, autoclaves, air receivers, reactors n Requirements –Design/construction –Safe operating limits –Written scheme for examinations (externally carried out) –Written operating instructions –Annual inspection against written scheme University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Lasers & Ionising Radiation HAZARD: Radiation exposure; Lasers: eye or skin damage resulting from exposure to Class 3B or 4 laser beam n Separate Training n Local rules for safe use n Medical/Health questionnaire University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Noise n HAZARD: Permanent hearing loss n Control Levels –<85 dB(A) - negligible risk – dB(A) - small risk inform of risk & HP available on request –>90 dB(A) - high risk control at source compulsory hearing protection audiometry University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

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 University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Latex Allergy HAZARD: can cause skin/respiratory sensitisation. n 1% of population may react. n Likely to affect those with history of asthma, dermatitis, eczema, hayfever n Seek advice from Occ Health if skin/resp symptoms n Use latex alternatives & powder free gloves University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Explosion in a Microwave Oven n Heating 300 ml media in 1 litre Duran bottle. n Cap swelled and sealed bottle which then exploded. n Debris hurled 3m across lab - unoccupied!!! n Use foam or Kim Wipe neck inserts. University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Miscellaneous HAZARD: Falls, Cuts, Slips, Trips n Working at height n Glassware Safety n Housekeeping n Lone working n Late Working / Out of hours Working n Unattended Experiments n Lifting Equipment University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Computers n HAZARD: Muscular skeletal problems - back, neck, shoulders; Repetitive Strain Injury – wrists, hands, fingers n Workstation setup – adjust chair to suit, keep keyboard and mouse close n Work routine – plan for regular breaks in computer work n Ask for assessment University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

Summary n Risk Assess your work n Check University standards that apply n Ensure your supervisor knows what your work involves n Avoid lone working for all but low risk tasks n Take the appropriate precautions n Question anything you are uncertain about University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk