Department of Physics Laboratory Safety Oct 2014

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

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

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

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

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. Department of Physics Risk Assessment

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 Department of Physics

Risk Assessment Form Department of Physics Risk Assessment

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 Department of Physics

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

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

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 Department of Physics

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

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

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

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

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 Department of Physics

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) Department of Physics

Postgraduate Safety Seminar Safety Signs Green signs are safety guidance Blue signs are Compulsory Yellow signs are warnings. Department of Physics Postgraduate Safety Seminar

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

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 Department of Physics

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

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 43333 to advise University security staff who will liaise with the emergency services Department of Physics

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

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 10.00 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

Safety policy and manual An up to date version of the departmental safety policy and safety manual is available on the department web site http://www.dur.ac.uk/physics/internal/safety/ An up to date version of the University safety policy and safety manual is available on the Health and Safety Service web site http://www.dur.ac.uk/healthandsafety/manual/ Department of Physics

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