2. HSE & Edinburgh University working together to manage Biological Safety Dr Matthew Penrose HSE Biological Agents Unit

3. Aims Overview of Biological Agents Unit Proposed new ways of working What a BAU inspection likely to mean for you

4. Changes in HSE 2004 Strategy has 4 key messages: sensible health and safety is a cornerstone of a civilised society sensible health and safety is about managing risks, not eliminating them the people best placed to make workplaces safer are the staff and managers who work in them. They do this best by working together; and HSE is committed to being a good partner – working with others to improve health and safety

5. What this means for HSEs Biological Agents Unit Promote high standards of safety in work activities involving biological agents Provide assurance to the public, government and others that appropriate controls are in place Underpin the application and development of the biological sciences for the benefit of society

6. In practice Focus resources where we can have the most impact Focus on achieving high H&S standards Risk based –High hazard organisms –Lower hazard organisms which could be better controlled

7. Designated Biological Agents Inspector Allocated to larger centres Maintains overview of all BA issues throughout centre Range of techniques to influence H&S Interaction with range of staff Help in the delivery of sensible H&S management

8. What we dont want… Probe after Scots students smallpox accident The Sunday Post 17th December 2000 SARS spreads in China: Investigation launched into lab safety. 27 April 2004 Nature Science Update

9. BAU Inspections: what they mean for you Powerful tool to influence H&S standards Assurance that risks are being sensibly managed - snapshot Evidence for effectiveness of wider H&S management system Feed into future intervention programmes

10. Inspection Programme Developed in consultation – improve transparency Initial benchmark inspections - provide evidence base Future visits - focus on improvements –Agree programme of improvements –Check at subsequent inspections Reduce inspections where risks are well managed and standards are high

11. OBSERVATION DOCUMENTS INTERVIEWING Inspection scrutinising workplace controls for compliance with safety legislation

12. OBSERVATION DOCUMENTS INTERVIEWING Audit effectiveness of all aspects of H&S management system

13. Safety Management Policy Organisation Planning & Implementing Measuring Performance Auditing Reviewing

14. Documents Notifications Risk Assessments Publications & Internet Local inspection reports Local safety committee minutes Local rules

15. Interviewing Risk Assessment - when, how, who, why, review Notifications - work still within scope? Training & Competency - knowledge of hazards, risks & key safety features Living codes of practice - what would you do if?……….

16. Observations Control Hazard Acceptable risk 1 2 3 4 sensible health and safety is about managing risks, not eliminating them What happens in practice……

17. Controls Physical –engineering controls through to PPE Chemical –waste inactivation, spills treatment Procedural –Training, culture, adherence to SOPs, human factors the people best placed to make workplaces safer are the staff and managers who work in them.

18. Physical Controls

21. Chemical Controls

22. Procedural Controls

24. Inspections Summary Inspections not just about physical containment Provide evidence of effectiveness of local safety management Risk assessment, adherence to local rules, safety culture of equal importance There is nothing that we do as HSE inspectors that you cannot do yourselves

25. Safety Committees Lead Scientists Safety Advisers Risk Assessment, Local Rules, Monitoring HSE is committed to being a good partner – working with others to improve health and safety Managing Biological Safety at Edinburgh

26. Next Steps Undertake number of benchmark inspections over coming months Use evidence to develop inspection programme to cover next 3 years Focus on areas where we can have the most impact Move away from areas that are well managed Work with others to try and tackle potential areas of conflict

27. Feedback and Questions