S TEP UP P ROGRAMME 2011 H EALTH AND S AFETY A PPROACH TO WORK

W HY B OTHER WITH S AFETY ? Moral and ethical reasons Economic reasons Legislative reasons

I MPORTANT D EFINITIONS Hazard something with the potential to cause harm Harm Includes physical injury, and mental ill health Risk likelihood of potential harm being realised Risk Assessment examining what could cause harm to people and weighing up whether enough is being done to prevent harm

H AZARD G ROUPS : Hazards generally fall into four main groups ErgonomicChemical BiologicalPhysical

P HYSICAL H AZARDS : Cause damage to the body, e.g.: Working with tools and machinery Working at height Electrical work Exposure to noise or vibration

C HEMICAL H AZARDS : Able to produce health effects, e.g. Dusts and fibres Fumes and gases Corrosives, poisons

B IOLOGICAL H AZARDS : Causes ill health through contact with: Micro-organisms (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi) Insects (mites, parasites) Human, animal waste Sharps (needles, scalpels)

E RGONOMIC H AZARDS : Harm caused by: Poor working posture Poor workstation layout Confined space work Unsuitable equipment

E RGONOMIC H AZARDS : Harm caused by static postures

T HINKING OF THOSE AT RISK Why does the Law take special interest in YOU?

W HAT ARE C ONTROL M EASURES ? Things to keep to you safe

S O -- TO KEEP YOURSELF AND YOUR COLLEAGUES SAFE, K EEP Y OUR L AB S AFE

BE ALERT FOR HAZARDS AND CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL CARE

WEAR YOUR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WHEN NEEDED

USE LAB EQUIPMENT PROPERLY

HANDLE L AB MATERIALS CAREFULLY