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Safety Management Experience

Dickson LAU Departmental Safety Representative

LABORATORY ANIMAL UNIT(LAU)

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Topics

1. Introducing the LAU

2. Safety organization & management system

3. Potential hazards and exposures

4. Safety training for LAU users

5. Safety training for LAU staff

6. DSR: Difficulties

7. DSR: Satisfaction

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Mission of the LAU

The LAU is committed to the provision of

quality laboratory animalswell-equipped experimental animal holding facilities professional services

to support the leading role of the University in researchand teaching

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LAU Services1. Supply:

animals, diets, bedding, drugs, etc.

2. Provide:

centralised animal holding & surgery facilities

advisory / veterinary service

disease diagnostic services

training

3. Others:

animal importation / exportation

bedding / cage autoclaving service

cage washing / disinfection service, ………

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7Minimal Disease Experimental Holding Area (MDA)Specific Pathogen Free Breeding Area (SPFBA)

GeneralOffice

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Conventional Experimental Holding Area (CA)

Service Area (SA) Operation Room

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Conventional Animal Holding Area

Unit Laboratory

Conventional Animal Holding Area

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Safety Management System

SPECIFIC HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES of the LAU:

Provision of safe facilities for researchers to use(Safety Office Website: Code of Practice for the implementation

of the Safety and Health Policy)

Risk assessment of the taskHazard identificationIdentification of safety measuresImplementing the systemMonitoring the system

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Safety Organization and Arrangements

Departmental Safety Committee

Chairman: Dr. K.S. Lo (Head of Unit)

Members: Mr. Dickson Lau (DSR)

Dr. W.K. Tse (DDSR/MDA Area Head)

Mr. P.H. Yeung (DDSR/CASA Area Head)

Mr. M.S. Cheuk (SPFBA Area Head)

Mr. K.M. Lam (Lab Area Head)

Ms. Shirley Yeung (GO Area Head)

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Departmental First Aiders, Fire Wardens & Safety Representatives

Area First Aider Fire Warden Safety Representative

A B A B A B

SPFBA Ms. C. Lau Ms. A. Leung Mr. R. Cheuk(Area Head)

Ms. C. Lau Mr. R. Cheuk(Area Head)

Ms. C. Lau

MDA Dr. W.K. Tse(Area Head)

Ms. A. Lam Dr. W.K. Tse(Area Head)

Ms. A. Lam Dr. W.K. Tse(Area Head)

Ms. A. Lam

CA-LAU Bldg Mr. D. Lau(DSR)

Mr. P.H. Yeung(Area Head)

Mr. D. Lau(DSR)

Mr. H. So Mr. D. Lau(DSR)

Mr. H. So

CA- LAU Ext Mr. K.S. Cheung Ms. M.Q. Pan Mr. K.S. Cheung Ms. M.Q. Pan Mr. D. Lau(DSR)

Mr. K.S. Cheung

CA-FMB Mr. W.S. Hui Ms. W.Y. Yung Mr. W.S. Hui Ms. W.Y. Yung Mr. D. Lau(DSR)

Mr. W.S. Hui

Laboratory Mr. K.M. Lam(Area Head)

Mr. S. Law Mr. K.M. Lam Mr. S. Law Mr. K.M. Lam(Area Head)

Mr. S. Law

General Office Ms. K.M. Bow Ms. S. Yeung(Area Head)

Ms. S. Yeung(Area Head)

Ms. E. Yuen Ms. S. Yeung(Area Head)

Ms. E. Yuen

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Potential hazards and exposures when working with animals1. Animal Bites & Sharps (needle stick injury)

2. Wet Floor (slipping)

3. X-Ray & Anaesthetic Machines4. Drugs & Chemicals5. Carcinogens & Infectious Agents (Biological Safety Level I & II)

6. Autoclave, Cage Washer, Rack Washer7. Manual Handling Operation8. Animal & Laboratory Wastes9. Allergy to Laboratory Animals (ALA)10. Others (workshop equipment, paper shredders, electrical

safety, compressed gases, fire safety, lone workers….…)

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Animal Bites; Sharps & Injection WoundsIdentify ferocious animals & “biters”

Provide training on animal handling/restraint; use restrainers & protective gloves; vaccination (rabies; tetanus…)

Use sharp box, dispose of needles without recapping

Report the incident to DSR

Seek medical advice and treatment from University Health Service (UHS)

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Slipping on Wet Floor

colored-belthandrails

Install colored-belt barriers to restrict access to wet areas

Remove floor wax

Install handrails along corridors

Floor wax

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Operation Room

Anaesthetic Machine

X-Ray Machine

Surgical Table

Surgical Lamp

Lead-shielded wall/floor

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Operation Room Radiation Equipment (X-Ray machine)

License for radiation equipment (under the Radiation Ordinance, Cap. 303)

Placard & controlled access to “radiation area”

Routine maintenance for equipment

Proper personnel protective equipment

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Operation Room Anaesthetic Machine & Drugs

Use of inhalational anesthetic agents in well-ventilated areas with a scavenging system

Routine maintenance for equipment

Anaesthetic & analgesic drugs kept under lock & key with proper inventory record (under the Dangerous Drug Ordinance, Cap. 134)

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Carcinogen Suite

Cyto-toxic Safety Cabinet Individually Ventilated Cage (IVC) System

• Proper equipment

• Proper PPE

• Equipment maintenance

• Medical surveillance

• Training of researchers &staff

• Standard Operating Procedures

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Autoclave (Sterilization Equipment) Pressurized Steam Vessel

Sterilization is the use of physical or chemical processes to destroy all microbial life (including bacterial spores)Registered equipment (under the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Ordinance, Cap. 56)

Equipment operated by licensed personsRoutine equipment maintenanceStandard Operating Procedures

Licence &SOP

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Lifting and Handling Heavy Loads Diets; Bedding & Cage Equipment

Maximum allowable stacking height

Proper lifting / handling techniques

Training on Manual Handling Operation (courses provided by Safety Office [SO])

Setting a maximum allowable height for stacked items

SOP for using ladders

Bedding Store

Diet Store

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Animal Waste (Soiled Bedding)

Conventional Method

Provision of suitable PPE(Powered Air Purifying Respirator)

Routine equipment maintenance

Compliance with SOP

>500 cages handled each day

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Automatic Vacuum-assisted Soiled-Bedding Disposal System (BDS)Funding: University Development Fund (University Central); Medical Faculty Matching Fund & LAU Top-up Fund Effective reduction in exposure to Laboratory Animal AllergensReduction of manual handling of soiled bedding (ergonomic problem)Reduction of offensive smells Streamlining of operation & increase in efficiency

Downward DraftDownward Draft

Bedding Disposal Bedding Disposal

StationStation

First of its kind in Hong Kong.

Installed in 2009 Filter Units

CollectionBin

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Allergy to Laboratory Animals Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE)

Powered Air Purifying Respiratorfor Service Area staff

PPE for Animal Room Workers

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Occupational Health & Safety Training & Surveillance

Training for ResearchersLAU Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Induction LAU Annual Orientation Lecture / Practical Sessions for New Animal Users (with participation from SO & UHS on OHS topics)

LAU web-based training (being developed)

Surveillance for Researchers & LAU StaffUHS Pre-employment & Annual Medical Examination for animal users handling carcinogens & infectious agents UHS Annual Laboratory Animal Allergy Questionnaire for animal usersLAU Annual updating of animal users list for UHS Register

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OHS Induction (SO Form)

Discussions on safety matters in Departmental Meetings (2-monthly) & Area Mini-Meetings (quarterly)

Inspections by SO2007 & 2009

Cross-Area Inspections by Area Heads & DSRIn-house training:

5S Good Housekeeping for Laboratory Works for sub-technical staff & technical/office staff(By Occupational Safety and Health Council, HK)

Departmental internal training

Safety related activities in the LAU

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DSR (LAU) -

My difficulties

Safety culture (>60 staff, hundreds of users, outsiders)

Resources to implement safety policySpace (e.g. clearance of fire-escape route; blockage of sprinkler heads)Manpower, equipment, funding…

Diversity in animal experiments Restriction in movement to different Areas (disease control reason)

Inter-personal/communication & problem-solving skills

Authority: users & colleaguesInter-Area co-operation

Time to carry out DSR duties

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DSR DutiesDepartmental Safety Representatives (http://www.hku.hk/safety/policy.html)

(a) informing the Head of Department and the Director of Safety of any special hazards in,or new hazards about to be introduced into, the department/unit;(b) ensuring that new members of the department, including students, are informed of theUniversity's health and safety policy, as well as departmental safety and health policy,standards and procedures;(c) identifying training needs and conducting activities to stimulate and maintain interest insafety and health amongst personnel in the department;(d) ensuring that means exist for all machinery and equipment to be maintained and used ina safe condition;(e) ensuring with the assistance of the Director of Safety that first aid, personal protectiveequipment and safety facilities are provided and properly maintained;(f) consulting with the Director of Safety, to promote, plan, and direct a regularprogramme of safety inspections, and participating in such inspections;(g) ensuring that accidents are reported promptly in accordance with University proceduresand reporting any case of non-compliance to the Head;(h) maintaining liaison with the Director of Safety and the Director of University HealthService; and(i) investigating accidents and incidents and recommending accident prevention measuresto the Head as and when necessary.

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DSR (LAU) -

My Satisfaction

Active support and commitmentHead of LAU

Safety Office

University Health Service

Better and safer working environment

Training opportunities

Team-ship & support of fellow colleagues

Meeting international (AAALAC) accreditation standard (LAU: AAALAC-accredited since 2005; the only AAALAC-accredited university animal facility in Hong Kong at present)

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Thank You