1. © Imperial College LondonPage 1 Safety in the Laboratory Dr. Ann Maconnachie Departmental Safety Officer Chemical Engineering

2. © Imperial College LondonPage 2 Safety in the Laboratory Behaviour in the laboratories C.O.S.H.H. risk assessments (Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations 2002) Protective Clothing Handling Chemicals

3. © Imperial College LondonPage 3 Safety in the Laboratory Electrical Safety Fume cupboards Handling Hot or cold items Accidents and near misses

4. © Imperial College LondonPage 4 Safety in the Laboratory BEHAVIOUR IN THE LABORATORIES A tidy lab is essential for a safe working environment. Keep all work areas free from clutter. Do not block passageways with bags etc. Eating and drinking in the labs is forbidden. Do not put on make-up or use phones or MP3 players. Students are only allowed in the labs from 2-5pm.

5. © Imperial College LondonPage 5 Safety in the Laboratory C.O.S.H.H. RISK ASSESSMENTS Risk assessments must be carried out on all hazardous substances. Hazardous substances are those classified as: Toxic, Harmful, Irritant, or Corrosive Any substance with a Workplace Exposure Limit Dust and bacteria of any kind, or Anything else which may be hazardous to health

6. © Imperial College LondonPage 6 Safety in the Laboratory A risk assessment identifies the hazards inherent in the substance and estimates the likelihood that it will cause harm. RISK = HAZARD x LIKELIHOOD OF EXPOSURE A COSHH assessment has been made on all the chemicals that you will use Make sure that you understand the hazards and any control measures that are necessary and follow them

7. © Imperial College LondonPage 7 Safety in the Laboratory PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Protective clothing is provided for you to wear Make sure that you follow the instructions ALWAYS wear your lab coat and eye protection when working in the labs or the pilot plant. ALWAYS wear a hard hat in the pilot plant laboratory You will be given instructions about when to wear gloves or ear-defenders.

8. © Imperial College LondonPage 8 Safety in the Laboratory HANDLING CHEMICALS Wear appropriate protective clothing. Label all bottles and containers clearly. Do not carry bottles by the neck. If you spill or drop chemicals inform the technician. NEVER put waste chemicals down the sink. ALWAYS put them in the appropriate waste container. If in doubt ask the technician or demonstrator.

9. © Imperial College LondonPage 9 Safety in the Laboratory ELECTRICAL SAFETY All equipment in the labs is tested regularly to ensure that it is safe for you to use. If any equipment is faulty or ceases to work inform the technician in charge of the lab straightaway DO NOT use faulty equipment

10. © Imperial College LondonPage 10 Safety in the Laboratory FUME CUPBOARDS Some experiments are carried out in fume cupboards Make sure that you keep the sash down when the experiment is running. Avoid putting your head inside the fume-cupboard if at all possible. Try to work with only your hands inside the cupboard. Before you start work make sure that the fume cupboard is working If in doubt ask the technician.

11. © Imperial College LondonPage 11 Safety in the Laboratory HANDLING HOT OR COLD ITEMS Remember that cold materials e.g. dry ice or liquid nitrogen can burn your skin as much as heat. Ensure that you protect your hands and face from splashes Wear appropriate gloves and face protection Do not touch the heating surface of a hot-plate or heater unless you are sure that it is cold. ALWAYS keep flammable materials or solvents away from ignition sources e.g. heaters or electric motors.

12. © Imperial College LondonPage 12 Safety in the Laboratory ACCIDENTS and NEAR-MISSES Accidents cause injury Near-misses might have caused injury ALL accidents and near-misses MUST be reported Inform the technician or demonstrator immediately. Lists of first–aiders can be found opposite the lifts.