© Imperial College London 1 Requirements and Regulations & Safety in the Laboratory Dr. Ann Maconnachie Departmental Safety Officer

Requirements and Regulations REGULATIONS: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2005 (C.O.S.H.H.) Pressure Systems Safety 2000 Electricity at Work 1989 Noise at Work 1989 Manual Handling 1992 Display Screen Equipment 1992

Requirements and Regulations How does the Department try to ensure compliance? Risk assessments are carried out on all experiments and activities in the workshops Risk assessments on all chemicals used are carried out before the work begins Lasers are registered and all users approved by the Head of Department Work with ionising radiation is registered All work involving biological material is registered Electrical testing is carried out annually, or at appropriate intervals, on all equipment

Requirements and Regulations How do we monitor whether or not we are compliant? Annual safety inspections are carried out in all areas Spot inspections are carried out weekly during term-time Safety audits

Good laboratory practice How to have a safe environment to work in Always leave the door unlocked Keep benches tidy and gangways clear; good housekeeping is essential for a safe environment Secure all cylinders to a rigid support Any high pressure lines must be constructed by a competent person Check fume-cupboards each time they are used Flush eye wash showers regularly Report all defects either directly on ext or via Pim Amrit

Good laboratory practice What should you wear in the laboratory? Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Eye protection MUST be worn at all times PPE should NOT be worn in public places, leave it in the laboratory When working with liquid nitrogen wear a face shield and gloves

Good laboratory practice Working with chemicals Do not stores acids and solvents together; all flammable substances should be stored apart from oxidising agents Containers should be used when transporting chemicals and samples around the department Chemical spillages, other than minor ones, including all mercury spillages, should be dealt with by a technician

Good laboratory practice How to deal with waste There are separate waste streams for: Solvents – chlorinated and non-chlorinated Solid waste Glassware – clean broken glassware and clean reagent bottles ‘Sharps’ – ie needles, blades, syringes Biological material – includes latex gloves Chemicals must not be poured down the drains or placed in the rubbish bins

Good laboratory practice Working out of hours Any experiments or equipment running overnight must be registered with the DSO and emergency shut-down instructions posted near the equipment Anyone carrying out hazardous work outside normal hours must have someone within call

Good laboratory practice Things you MUST do: All incidents, accidents or near misses, MUST be reported to the D.S.O. Learn how to find a first aider – see notices on each corridor Blood spillages MUST be dealt with by a first aider Things you are MUST NOT do: Eating and drinking are forbidden in all labs and workshops Smoking is prohibited in ALL College buildings Do not drink water from any tap UNLESS it is marked ‘Drinking Water’

Good laboratory practice Finally, If you have any question about safety ASK either your supervisor, or me