1. Department of Physics
Laboratory Safety
Oct 2014

2. Your Health and Safety Responsibilities
You are responsible for your own safety, and also for the safety of those around you.
You must take reasonable care for the health and safety of anydo one who may be affected by what you or fail to do

3. SENSE General Precautions
Most health and safety involves applying COMMON
SENSE
Do not take shortcuts
Plan your task
Make sure you understand the Hazards and Risks
Know what to do if it all goes wrong
Department of Physics

4. Bridge Project Safety Seminar
Common hazards
Hazardous materials – toxic, corrosive, flammable
Electricity – especially in contact with water
Heat- hot solutions, plates, elements, mantles
Cuts and Punctures- needles, breakages
Trip and falls - wet floors, objects on floor, trailing cables
Department of Physics
Bridge Project Safety Seminar

5. Postgraduate Safety Seminar
Risk Assessments
Required by the University to ensure good, safe working practice and satisfy legal requirements
These must be carried out by ALL postgraduates and project students
They should be updated when the work changes
Department of Physics
Postgraduate Safety Seminar

6. Risk Assessment. What Is It ?
1. Identification of hazards
2. Determining the likelihood that these
hazards will cause harm.
3. Prioritising prevention and control
measures.
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Risk Assessment

7. 5 Steps to Risk Assessment
1. Identify and list the hazards
2. Decide who might be harmed and how
3. Evaluate the risks arising from the hazard and develop a plan to control them
Reduce the risks to the lowest
reasonable practicable level
4. Record the findings
5. Review assessment when necessary
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8. Risk Assessment Form
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Risk Assessment

9. Risk Control Eliminate the hazard Avoid the hazard
Substitute for a lower risk hazard
Prevent access to the hazard
Use safe working procedures
Provide training, instruction and supervision
Provide personal protective equipment i.e. Safety glasses, lab coat, gloves
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10. What level of control is enough
ALARP - As Low As Reasonably Practicable
“reasonably practicable”; this involves weighing a risk against the trouble, time and money needed to control it.
The decision is weighted in favour of health and safety
To spend £1m to prevent five staff suffering bruised knees is obviously grossly disproportionate; but
To spend £1m to prevent a major explosion capable of killing 150 people is obviously proportionate.
Department of Physics
Risk Assessment

11. C.O.S.H.H.
If you use any hazardous substances at all in your work you must record this in your risk assessment
To assist you in this a C.O.S.H.H. risk assessment form will be available via the departmental web-site
The form helps identify how hazardous the chemical is to you and the environment
It also identifies the level of precautions you are required to take in its use and what to do in case of an accident
Department of Physics

12. MSDS Available for all hazardous substances ( from supplier websites)
Contains all the information you need to complete a COSHH form
It supplies information on Hazard categories , emergency procedures, the personal protective equipment required and any restrictions on use
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13. Dispensing Wear the Personal protective equipment identified in your
COSHH assessment
Only use suitable containers
Only dispense the amount you need
Ensure that you have the correct material
Do not under any circumstances return material to the stock bottle/container as you can potentially contaminate it
Clear up spillages immediately !
Department of Physics

14. Label It Clearly label ALL vessels which contain chemicals with:
(i) the name of the chemical
(ii) your name and group
(iii) date
(iv) hazard - explosive, toxic, flammable, corrosive, oxidising, radioactive or harmful.
Department of Physics

15. Storage Chemicals must be stored appropriately at all times
They should not be stored in the working space of a fume cupboard
They should be returned to the appropriate storage after use .
Acids should be stored separately from strong alkalis and flammable solvents
Department of Physics

16. Hygiene
Always wash your hands after working in the laboratory. It is important to wash your hands both before and after going to the toilet after working in a laboratory
Avoid touching your face when
wearing gloves as you may transfer
contamination
Do not wear gloves outside the laboratory
Remove gloves carefully without
allowing the outer surface to come in
contact with your skin
Department of Physics

17. Spillages Deal with minor spillages immediately Seek technical help if
necessary.
If the spillage presents a significant hazard
Evacuate the area and obtain technical help immediately .
Follow the procedures identified in your COSHH assessment
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18. Waste
Waste solvents should be poured into the appropriate bottles provided, not down the sink. Chlorinated solvents must not be mixed with other solvents.
Waste material, solid or paper and gloves, should be placed in the bags provided.
For any object which could cause a puncture or cut use the yellow plastic bins
( broken glass, used sample bottle, syringes)
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19. Postgraduate Safety Seminar
Safety Signs
Green signs are safety guidance
Blue signs
are Compulsory
Yellow signs are warnings.
Department of Physics
Postgraduate Safety Seminar

20. Good Lab Practice Do not over fill waste bags
When waste bags and bottles are full..
When you run out of stuff….
‘Borrowing’ gloves, solvents equipment…..
Keep your work place tidy- clean up your mess!
Be a good Citizen- abide by local rules.
When you finish your project, put things back,
return borrowed equipment,
dispose of unwanted samples
Department of Physics

21. Personal protective equipment
Safety equipment such
as eyewear, gloves, masks etc.
If it is identified in the risk assessment as required you must use it
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22. Fume cupboards Check Airflow indicator is showing sufficient flow
( needle in green zone)
Check Sash height alarms
are working
Working area – kept clean and tidy
Do not leave loose paper as it can be drawn up into fan
Return solvents and substances to correct storage after use
Department of Physics

23. Dealing with Emergencies
Dial 9999 This will put you through to the emergency services call centre.
Give clear details of emergency and location.
You MUST then dial to advise University security staff who will liaise with the emergency services
Department of Physics

24. Fire
Fire Alarms: Situated throughout the building. Break the glass this sends a message to the Fire Brigade & sounds the alarms.
If fire alarm activates you must leave the building immediately by nearest exit.
Fire Notices: In each laboratory and at fire activation points
Fire Extinguishers: Different types located all over the building.
Practice Evacuations occur at least once a year
Fire alarms are tested before 9:00 on Monday morning
Department of Physics

25. Working Out of Hours
ANYONE working in the Department before 7.00 a.m. and after 7.00 p.m. Monday - Friday, or any time Saturdays or Sundays MUST sign the book kept at either the entrance to the Rochester building or Ogden centre. Further to this requirement ANYONE working in the Department after p.m. MUST have the written permission of his/her supervisor.
Forms for gaining the appropriate authorisation are obtainable from the Departmental Superintendent (Ph 7) or online on the Physics web page in the ‘For current Students and Staff’ section
Research students should not undertake experimental work outside normal working hours unless authorised by their Supervisor.
Department of Physics

26. Safety policy and manual
An up to date version of the departmental safety policy and safety manual is available on the department web site
An up to date version of the University safety policy and safety manual is available on the Health and Safety Service web site
Department of Physics

27. In conclusion You are ultimately responsible for your own safety
The University has a duty to comply with Health and Safety law, and provide you with a safe working environment
Follow a common sense approach to keep yourself and your workplace safe
Department of Physics