17/05/20151 Chemical and Biological Hazards Department of Cell Physiology And Pharmacology Tim Walton Departmental Safety Officer

17/05/20152 Introduction Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations 2002 Risk Assessments Safety Data Sheets Control measures Fume Cupboards & Safety Cabinets

17/05/20153 CHEMICAL HAZARDS COSHH: Risk assessments mandatory “Substances Hazardous to Health” are VERY TOXIC, TOXIC, HARMFUL, CORROSIVE, IRRITATING, SENSITISING, CARCINOGENIC, MUTAGENIC, TERATOGENIC, (toxic for reproduction), EXPLOSIVE, FLAMMABLE.

17/05/20154 Exposure Routes Ingestion (contaminated fingers) Injection (use of sharps) Inhalation (gases, powders, aerosols) Skin contact (e.g. corrosives, irritants etc.) Absorption through the skin (acrylamide phenol)

17/05/20155 Risk Assessments COSHH form is only part of a risk assessment The information gathered should be USED! Know your control measures - and use them Always write your lab protocol with regard to the risk assessment

17/05/20156 Hierarchy of Controls Elimination or if not possible, substitution Enclosure of process & handling Partial enclosure with local exhaust ventilation (LEV) LEV / Adequate general ventilation Systems of work to reduce generation of hazard Reducing periods of work, cleaning etc. Use of personal protective equipment – last resort

17/05/20157 Hazardous Biological Agents Covered by COSHH – principals of risk assessment and identification of control measures are the same Authorisation needed to handle biohazards – form from Safety Services Hazard groups: 1-4

17/05/20158 Human and animal blood, other human tissues and cell cultures are classified as Hazard Group 2 Hazard Group 3 – special facilities & training needed – at Leicester this is restricted to two locations Containment – the minimum level for laboratory safety Be aware of the risks from adventitious agents in cell cultures e.g. viruses Always write experimental protocols with regard to identified risks

17/05/ Manipulations should be carried out in uncluttered areas 2. Suitable disinfectants should be available 3. Minor cuts and abrasions should be covered by waterproof plasters 4. Hands should be washed frequently and thoroughly, and when you leave the laboratory 5. Sharp implements such as needles, scalpels and scissors should be handled with care, [the use of these should be minimised as far as possible] 6. Cultures should be handled so as to minimise the generation of aerosols 7. A safety cabinet MUST be used if there is a risk of aerosol generation

17/05/ Safe working in the lab Remember your responsibility is for the safety of yourself and others Use PPE provided – lab coats, eye protection etc. Report accidents and near misses Lone working – no high-risk work; tell someone you are working alone Incorporate findings of risk assessments into lab protocols Label and store everything properly

17/05/ Safe working in the lab Keep your work space tidy and clear up after yourself Safety is not an add-on but an integral part of your work Take care with waste disposal - think about other people who will have to handle the waste (technical staff, cleaners, porters, contractors, etc.) - think about the environment (where will the waste end up? Can this chemical be put down the sink?)

17/05/ Safe working in the lab Know the limitations of fume cupboards and microbiological safety cabinets. They don’t work properly when full of equipment and chemical bottles A horizontal laminar flow cabinet is NOT a containment device – it is for “product protection” Ask for advice from supervisors, lab safety supervisors, lab managers, technicians, departmental safety officer or Safety Services

17/05/ Genetic modification The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 Risk assessments Genetic modification projects – approval and notification

17/05/ The regulations require Assessment of risk to human health and the environment Notification of some activities to the Health and Safety Executive Containment facilities (“contained use”) Inactivation of waste containing viable organisms Training of workers Local rules, BSO, GM safety committee etc.

17/05/ What is covered by these Regulations Recombinant DNA techniques involving the formation of new combinations of genetic material Includes micro-organisms, cells in culture, plants and animals Covers construction, storage, use, transportation, destruction or disposal Includes non-harmful as well as harmful organisms Self cloning is exempt – but containment must be used. Any harmful organism NOT exempt

17/05/ Definitions “Genetic Modification” in relation to an organism means the altering of the genetic material in that organism by a way that does not occur naturally by mating, natural recombination or both “Micro-organism” means a microbiological entity, cellular or non- cellular, capable of replication or of transferring genetic material, and includes a virus, a viroid and an animal or plant cell in culture “Organism” means a biological entity capable of reproduction or of transferring genetic material and includes micro-organisms, but does not include a human or a human embryo “Contained use” means any activity in which organisms are genetically modified or in which GMO’s are cultured, stored, used, transported, destroyed or disposed of and where barriers are used to limit contact of the GMO with humans and the environment

17/05/ Activity Classes Classes 1 – 4 - Activity levels in line with pathogen containment Class 1: can start work as soon as GM sub- committee approves Class 2 and higher – have to be notified to HSE Projects notified to HSE go on a public register (but no personal data are available to the public) (a fee of £400 is payable)