Laboratory Safety AwarenessFor Staff in Engineering, Science and Medicine

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Participate in safe laboratory conduct

• Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Identify , assess and control risks for plant, equipment and chemicals

• Develop good housekeeping practices

• Access safety literature including Australian Standards

• http://www.resources.labsafetyinstitute.org/23.html - accidents in labs

HS in your area

What do you know about the HS systems for:• Access to your lab facilities (or other restricted zones)• Emergencies (evacuation, spills, contamination, fire)• Chemicals• Waste• Protective clothing and equipment• Managing hazards and risks• Plant and Equipment• Training• Purchasing of laboratory supplies or new equipment• What documentation exists for these (Government, UNSW,

School, lab, etc. that you know of)HS729 Laboratory Review form

HS in your area

What HS documents should be in a laboratory or workshop:• Register of RA’s and SWP’s• Emergency procedures• Chemicals register• SDS’s• Plant and Equipment register (no longer mandatory)• Inspection, Testing and Maintenance schedule• Equipment log books for use and maintenance• Training records• Equipment manuals

Safe Conduct

1. Always wear appropriate clothing as well as Personal Protective Equipment

2. Never adopt a casual attitude

3. Do not store or consume food or drink

4. Keep the laboratory locked

5. Maintain good housekeeping practices, including cleaning up spills and disposing of wastes correctly

6. Look after your visitors

Personal Protective Equipment

Selection, use and storage for:

• Protective footwear

• Protective clothing

• Eye protection

• Gloves

• Respiratory protection

• Hearing protection

• Supporting UNSW Documentation:• HS659 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guideline

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJRXyJ9eZnM• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-GEltJlgXw

Personal Protective Equipment

Group Exercise

• Discuss what you think are the essential pieces of PPCE for your

lab.

• What do you consider to be the minimum PPCE to walk in your lab.

• Report back in 5 minutes

Personal Protective Equipment

• The least effective control measure – the hazard still exists.

• Protection in the laboratory for:

• Eyes

• Limb and body

• Hearing

• Respiratory

– PPCE needs to be:

• Suitable, properly maintained, meet standards

• Provided with training

Personal Protective Equipment

•Workers who rely on PPE must understand the functioning, proper use, and limitations of the PPE used.

•Protects only the wearer, and does not protect anyone else.

•Must be assessed on a case by case basis.

Wearing PPCE outside the lab?

• Hazard present?

• Public exposed – not protected

• Contamination issues

• Fear in others

Protective Footwear

• How could this happen in a lab/workshop?

Protective Footwear - Selection

Step 1: Identify workplace hazards, eg chemicals, slippery floors, falling objects, flying objects, sharp materials, oily surfaces, hot surfaces.

Step 2: Use Australian Standard 2210 Part 1 to select the footwear typeselect the preferred upper and sole material and sole design

Step 3: Factors to look at include:chemical resistanceslip resistancepenetration resistanceelectrical conductivity propertiesanti-static propertiesheat resistance

Protective Footwear - Types

Protective Clothing

• Lab coats are appropriate for minor chemical splashes and spills• Plastic or rubber aprons are best for corrosive or irritating liquids. • When cleaning and decontamination of reusable clothing is difficult,

disposable outer garments may be useful • Not to be stored on workbenches, backs of chairs etc.

Protective Clothing

Eye Protection

Safety Glasses

• lenses are impact resistant and frames are far stronger

• should have side shields and should be worn whenever there is the possibility of objects striking the eye.

• not appropriate for dusts, powders or liquids

Chemical Splash Goggles• worn when there is potential for splash from a hazardous

material• chemical splash goggles should have indirect ventilation• some may be worn over prescription glasses

Eye Protection

Face Shields

• Use when working with cryogens or large volumes of hazardous materials, for protection from splash to face or flying particles

• Face shields should be used in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles

Contact Lenses

• Contact lenses may be worn in the laboratory

• They do not offer any protection from chemical contact

• If contaminated with a hazardous chemical, rinse the eyes using an eyewash and remove the lens immediately

Storage

• Safety glasses, goggles and Shields should be stored in a drawer/cupboard (i.e. not on bench) to avoid contamination

Eye Protection

Asian nose bridge Vs Caucasian bridge

Eye Protection

Gloves

Gloves

Gloves should be worn if there is a physical, chemical or temperature hazard

For Chemical Hazards consider the following: • degradation rating • breakthrough time • permeation rate • Compatibility information

For Physical and Temp hazards:• Leather• Fabric• Insulation• Loop pile

Gloves

Dexterity – Grip – Size – Length

• Consider double gloving, replace outer glove if splashed

• Wear tight-fitting glove over loose glove to increase dexterity

• Ribbing, granular finish, felt

• Too tight causes fatigue

Inspection – Use – Care – Storage

• Inspect before each use, test for pinholes

• Wash before removing

• Change disposables as soon as contamination occurs

• Do not touch other surfaces whilst wearing

• Do not store open glove containers near chemicals

• Ensure gloves are not stored on top of chemical containers

Respiratory Protection

Initial Hazard Assessment • This may involve measuring exposure levels.

Respirator Selection • half-face or full-face air purifying respirator, • powered air purifying respirator, supplied air respirator or SCBA• appropriate type of filter or chemical cartridge is selected

Training and Fit-Testing • Qualitative fit-testing using irritant smoke• Positive and negative pressure checks • HS Unit has the tools to undertake fit testing

Respiratory Protection

Class P1

• Filters particles from inhaled air.

• Must have a correct fit/seal on face.

• Beard/stubble make these ineffective.

Surgical masks

• Filters particles from exhaled air

• Fluid resistant to infectious material splash or spatter

• Protects others from your microbes

• No protection from inhaled dusts unless also rated to P1.

Respiratory Protection

Hearing Protection

Workers exposed to loud or excessive noise must be provided with hearing protection

Should be:

• compatible with the job

• hygienic

• comfortable

• able to provide audibility of warning noises

• HS708 Noise Management Procedure

Risk Management Form

When do you need to complete a risk management form?

Who needs to write and approve the document?

Things to remember when completing a risk management form:• Specify type of PPE• Refer to SDS and Manufacturers Manuals• Consider hazard types• Emergency Procedures• Are all steps of the Activity addressed?• Additional Controls if needed• Review timeframes• Review effectiveness of controlsHS329 Risk Management Procedure

HS017 Risk Management Form

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrcoo-jDF14 – assessing risks of toxic chemicals

Safe Work Procedures

The SWP is a control measure identified in the risk assessment and includes:

• Step by step instructions for undertaking the task safely

• Specific precautions required

• PPCE to be provided and worn

• Emergency shutdown

• Waste disposal

• Authorisation, training and review

• HS027 Safe Work Procedure Guideline

• HS026 Safe Work Procedure Form

• HS701 Personal Protective Equipment signs

Display them near the equipment. Some people even have a photo of the custodian on it.

Safe Work Procedures

• http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/ohswebsci.nsf

• http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/ohsweb.nsf

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Safe Work Procedures

Plant Safety

• General Guidelines

• Control measures

• Electrical safety

• Gas Cylinders

• Fume Cupboards

Plant Safety

Plant includes all machinery and equipment, both stationary and mobile,

tools and implements used in the laboratory eg:

• Computers, manual handling equipment, microscopes, freezers, gas

cylinders, ladders, drying ovens, autoclaves

Injuries that result from unsafe plant range from minor burns and cuts to

traumatic injuries such as broken bones, amputations and death eg:

• hit by moving plant,

• caught or crushed in plant,

• Cuts and bruises from hand tools,

• Strain and overuse injuries from poor posture and operating positions

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqAsXMSs27s

• Pipetting ergonomics

Plant Guidelines

• Only use plant for which you have been trained

• Always use safety devices provided

• Wear appropriate clothing

• Wear the PPE provided

• Read the Safe Working Procedure provided

• Lock out/tag out procedure

• Consider safety as a priority in plant design

• Purchase plant with safety devices installed

• Budget for training of staff and students

• Assess competency of staff

• Ensure that maintenance can be done safely

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Plant Safety

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Plant Safety

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Plant Safety

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Plant Safety

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Plant Safety

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Plant Safety

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• Guarding – prevents contact with hazardous parts or items ejected from the equipment.

• Operational controls – clear and functioning

• Emergency stops and warning devices - test regularly

• Mandatory design standards

• Operator competencies – SWP, certificates, licences

• Registration requirements – design, operational.

• Maintenance and repair

• Dismantling, storage and disposal

• HS327 Plant and Equipment Procedure

• HS728 Design and Modification Guideline

• AS 2243.6 – Safety in Laboratories Plant and equipment aspects

Control Measures for Plant

Working at heights

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Management and Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that:

• Use of ladders should only be considered if other safer alternatives, such as scaffolding or elevating work platforms, are not reasonably practicable

• Risk Assessments are carried out for activities involving working at heights

• Safe Work Procedures or guidelines are developed specifically for these activities

• All identified Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (PPCE) is available and in good order before work commences

HS707 Working from Heights Guideline

Plant Safety

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• Never transport in a lift with people

• Only keep cylinders “in use” in labs

• Check appropriateness of regulator to the cylinder

• Perform leak testing

• Don’t store or transport incompatible cylinders together

• Ensure valve shut

Gas Cylinders

• Open valve fully then back off 2 turns

• Remove regulator to transport

• Use trolley for transport and push trolley in front of you

• Wear PPE to transport

• No oil or grease on oxygen regulators

• Do not drop, roll or drag cylinders

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Working safely with electricity

• Check that laboratory electrical equipment has been tagged (12 monthly min in labs).

• Do not use double adaptors – poorly designed with no overload protection

• Use RCDs on powerboards and extension leads

• Powerboards must be correctly mounted and checked to avoid overloading.

• Use extension cords as a temporary measure only

• Do not bring untested electrical equipment into the workplace

Electrical Safety

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Working safely with electricity

• Near potential water leaks or sprays, ensure the GPO is designed to avoid water ingress. (near distillation or rotary evaporators)

• Perform regular visual inspections for damage or discoloration.

• Ensure adequate ventilation around powerboards to prevent overheating.

• Lock out tag out systems, permit to work systems

• Management and treatment of electric shock

Electrical Safety

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Emergency Shut off and isolation buttons (what do they do):

Electrical Safety

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Safely disposing of equipment:

• Remove hazardous materials such as radiation sources, harmful fluids or laser diodes.

• Dispose of asbestos containing materials through proper channels.

• Decontaminate and cut the cords at the plug end AND at the equipment end and remove tags (update register).

Electrical Safety

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Receiving or passing on of second hand equipment:

Examples of things to be checked are marking of rated voltage, rated frequency, all controls marked and functioning.

confirm that the item is validated for use in Australia and where relevant it is fitted with a plug complying with AS/NZS 3112

Electrical Safety

Ignition Sources

• A source of energy sufficient to ignite combustible dusts, flammable vapours or gases etc. Examples include:

• (a) a naked flame,

• (b) exposed incandescent material,

• (c) hot surfaces,

• (d) radiant heat,

• (e) a spark from mechanical friction,

• (f) a spark from static electricity,

• (g) an electrical arc,

• (h) any electrical, electronic, mechanical or other equipment.

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• Glassware

• Under pressure or vacuum

• Storage

• Portable power tools

• Centrifuges

• Location, vibration, competence

• Heating equipment

• Heat guns, ovens, hot plates

Other plant topics to discuss

• Pressure vessels

• Autoclaves, pressure cookers

• Vacuum apparatus

• Safety screens, cloth tape or cloth mesh, face protection

• Liquid traps, venting of exhausts, hazard zones

• UV sources (UV meter)

• Refrigerators (hazard zones)

• Ultrasonic baths (fingers!)

Spill preparedness and response

All laboratories must have:• Procedures for potential emergencies• Spill kits• Training sessions/drills to ensure all lab users know how to respond to an

emergency

UNSW Documentation:• HS421 Chemical Spills Guideline• HS301 PCB Spill Response and Disposal Procedure• HS305 Spills Procedure – Mercury• Science Faculty HS site http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/ohswebsci.nsf• Medicine Faculty HS site http://ohs.med.unsw.edu.au/ohsweb.nsf

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Spill preparedness and response

• Contain the spill

• Absorb the spill

• Dispose of used materials

• Report the spill

• Restock spill kit

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Incident response

Group activity:• Discuss how you would deal with the following:

– A spill of 200mL of acetone inside a fume cupboard with electrical equipment operating.

– A spill of sodium hydroxide pellets on the floor.

– A spill of 500mL of strong acid on the bench and a splash of some of it onto the worker.

– Report back in 5 minutes.

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• Domestic• Broken glass• Sharps• Chemical• Biological• Cytotoxic

• Animal carcasses• Radioactive• Schedule 8• Human tissue• Co-mingled• General laboratory waste

Waste Segregation and Disposal

All waste needs to be segregated into its waste stream according to the UNSW Hazardous Waste Procedure.

Documentation:• HS014 Waste Disposal Form - Chemical – UNSW• HS321 Laboratory Hazardous Waste Disposal Guideline

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Waste Disposal

Chemical waste treatment and disposal

• Store the waste correctly – appropriate containers, bunding

• Label the waste accurately (contact name, date, inventory)

• Segregate the waste – do not mix incompatible chemicals

• Submit a chemical waste inventory form to Facilities Mgt via email

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Options for biological waste treatment and disposal

• Bio-waste to go into a labelled bio-waste bag and put it into the yellow

bins (these are collected by the contractor and autoclaved), or

• Autoclave the labelled bio-waste and put it into the yellow bins, or

• Autoclave the waste AND VALIDATE THE LOAD, then de-identify the

waste by putting it into a robust black plastic bag which goes into the

domestic waste

Note: Chemically decontaminated liquid bio-waste is now chemical waste and must only be collected by the chemical contractor.

Waste Disposal

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Fume Cupboards

It’s all about the air flow

• Understanding how this equipment works is knowing where the air goes and how it is treated.

• Is it filtered, ducted, recirculated, cleaned?• Which way does it go• Turbulence and obstructions

– Cabinet Choice needs to be risk based

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Pp3wge2j8

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Bench Type Ducted Fume HoodUsed for decanting & mixing:• Volatile solvents• Corrosive liquids• Toxics if inhalation risk exists• Control of Noxious odours• It captures, dilutes and exhausts

fumes to external atm.

Use of fume cupboards

• Max allowable volumes should be known– E.g. max flammables 7.5L/m2 of base

• Pre use checks to be made– Clean and free of contamination– Enough space to work safely?– Extinguisher handy?– Chemicals not required are removed

• During use – Minimum possible chemicals present– Reduced reaction rates

o Sash position is important Use PPE to perform the work After use requirements too.

Sash position is critical

Traffic is an issue too

Recirculating fume cabinets

• Rely on filtration or absorption• Discharge directly into the lab• Suitable for light to moderate

use with a limited range of substances

Recirculating fume cabinets

Recirculating fume cabinets

• Do Not Use:– Where more than 50mL of corrosive liquids are involved in a rxn that generates fumes– Where acid digestions are carried out– For perchloric acid digestions– For infectious organism handling– For carcinogenic material (Cat 1 & 2) except where chemisorbed onto the filter– For radioactive materials exceeding 10x Annual Limit of Intake for inhalation – Where temp and humidity may affect filter operation

Recirculating fume cabinets

• Ensure substances used are compatible with filters used• Do not use for storage• Do not use after major spills – replace filters

– Treat spills in RFC’s as if they were on the bench!• Determine filter saturation monthly if not fitted with auto monitors• Avoid Bunsen use. Keep away from sides (15cm) and the filter

(30cm).• Keep a logbook of:

o Filter change, substances used, volumes used, hours of operation, spill records.

• Periodic monitoring of the exhaust• Check filter efficiency test certificate sticker date (also for BSC’s)

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Recirculating fume cabinets

This is NOT a fume cabinet

Do not get them confused

Biological safety cabinets

• These DO NOT filter or absorb any hazardous fumes, vapours or gases.

• They recirculate 70% HEPA filtered air– This also recirculates the vapours leading to hazardous

atmospheres– Also not spark proof, so can ignite the vapours

• 30% HEPA air is returned to the lab

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Cytotoxic drug safety cabinet

• Intended specifically for handling injectable cytotoxic drugs, but may have wider application in the handling of other hazardous drugs and materials.

• These applications may require additional precautions.

Cytotoxic drug safety cabinet

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Chemical Labelling

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Information about chemicals - Labelling

You must label the following if they contain Hazardous Substances (except if they are used and cleaned immediately):

• Decanted substances• Mixtures/formulations/preparations • Research/laboratory samples and finished products • Reaction intermediates and waste-products • Substances in enclosed systems e.g. pipes and vessels

containing hazardous substances

• HS429 Labelling of Hazardous Substances Guideline

Labelling

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Chemical Safety - Labelling

Group Activity:A) Discuss what you regard as the minimum amount of

information that should be on a container of decanted chemical:1. 500mL bottle2. 5mL vial

B) How often would you consider it necessary to check and possibly repack or relabel a stored chemical

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Chemical Safety - Labelling

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Chemical Safety - Labelling

Labelling

• Manufacturer

• Signal words and/or DG Class–

HAZARDOUS, WARNING, POISON,

FLAMMABLE, TOXIC

• Chemical and trade names in full

• Risk & Safety phrases, UN #

• Emergency – spills, fire, leaks, equipment

types to use

• First aid

• Dates?

Labelling decanted containers

• Signal words and/or DG Class, UN # – HAZARDOUS, WARNING, POISON, FLAMMABLE, TOXIC

• Chemical name (IUPAC or CAS) or technical names in full

• Risk & Safety phrases

• Emergency – spills, fire, leaks, equipment types to use

• First aid

• Dates?

• GHS?

Safety Data Sheets

• Must be accessible – hard copy or electronic

• Must be no more than 5 years old

• Must be used during risk assessment

• Helps decide on airborne contamination monitoring

• Check for adequacy of emergency and spill procedures

• Can be used as the risk assessment if used as directed

• Should go with an injured person to the doctor or hospital

• Need more information? Use other sources such as...

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www.chemalert.unsw.edu.au

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www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

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www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

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www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

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www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

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www.CHEMALERT.unsw.edu.au

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safeworkaustralia

Chemical Safety - HSIS

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http://www.hsis.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/SearchHS.aspx

Chemical Safety - HSIS

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Chemical Safety - HSIS

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Safety Literature

UNSW OHS website

• www.ohs.unsw.edu.au

Australian Standards

• Available through OHS website

WorkCover NSW website

• www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

Safe Work Australia

• http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/

Safety sign maker

• http://www.stclaire.com/safety_sign_builder/ssb-panel.php

Safety equipment websites

• www.seton.net.au

• http://www.ansellasiapacific.com/home

Safety in the Laboratory

• Operational aspects:• Audits• Inspections• Staff/students leaving the laboratory

• HS098 Chemical Safety System Checklist• HS048aWorkplace OHS Inspection Checklist -Offices, General Labs & Workshops• HS704 Laboratory Decommissioning Checklist

Other HS Training

• HS Awareness online• Hazardous Substances • Bio - Safety and Infection Control• Working Safely with HF (theory!)• Radiation Safety Training• Gene Technology for Researchers

• Evaluation Form• Attendance Register• Questions?

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