1. Introduction to Safe Working for Scientific Research Workers and Post Graduate Students Sarah Watson Assistant Safety Officer University Safety Officer. Ext 13301 http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/safety/docs/SB-PG-Safety.ppt Complete the attendance sheets that will circulate PRINT NAME SIGN SCHOOL & DIVISION University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

2. Programme • Safety - Why bother ? • General Precautions • Specific Hazards • Emergency Procedures University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

3. Safety – why bother? • Legal Duty • Moral Duty • ££££££££ • Reputation University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

4. Legal Duties upon the University Duties towards employees AND people affected by undertaking (students/visitors): • Workplace – access, egress, circulation • Equipment, tools, substances • Procedures • Training and supervision • Welfare - toilets, washing facilities So far as is reasonably practicable University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

5. A lot of legislation applies to research at the University – just a few examples…… • General • First aid • Fire • Noise • Lead • Asbestos • Highly flammable liq • Ionising Radiations • COSHH • Genetic modification • Electricity • Pressure systems • Work equipment • PPE • Manual Handling • (DSE) Computers University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

6. University Organisation University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

7. Responsibilities • PIs / Academic Supervisors Identify hazards & risks Written procedures Ensure effective supervision & training to full competency • Demonstrators (employees - paid!) • Understand the practical • Know the hazards/precautions • Be ready to intervene • Action in case of accidents University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

8. Responsibilities INDIVIDUALS– whether staff or student so that includes YOU - Work safely - Follow instructions & rules - Don’t endanger others - Don’t misuse safety equipment - Report problems /unsafe situations /incidents University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

9. ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG! University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

10. University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

11. University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

12. Chemistry, UoN - Incompatible Chemicals in Waste Solvent University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

13. Postgraduates Incidents • Typically 30 - 40 accidents reported each year • 50% handling sharps • Others • chemical exposure • slips and knocks • hot/cold contact • animals • manual handling University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

14. General Lab / Workshop Safety • Risk Assessment • Training Needs / Competency • Specific Hazards • Miscellaneous • Glassware Safety • Housekeeping • Late Working • Unattended Experiments • Emergency Procedures University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

15. Risk Assessment Legal Requirement Carried out before work starts • Identify hazards • Look at controls in place • Evaluate the risk (likelihood) • What improvements are needed? Incorporate precautions in SOPs See School Procedures “Hi, I’m David and I’m invincible” University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

16. Risk Assessment • HAZARD • the potential of something to cause harm • RISK • the likelihood of an event occurring which will allow the hazard to occur Think of an activity outside of the University • List the hazards • List the control measures that reduce the risk University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

17. Training vs Competence • Attending training is one thing, being competent to carry out an activity is another. • You should have evidence of both training and achieving competence • Some schools use postgraduate supervisory requirements form (PSRF) -personal to you and confirms what supervision you require • Keep a record of all • External courses • University courses • Lab-specific training (procedures and/or equipment) • Records should show who has trained you and when University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

18. Accidents and First Aid • Report all incidents whether injuries or ill-health (to your line manager/safety officer) • Know how to call a first aider • Know how to call for an ambulance • 8888 or 0115 9518888 • It may be you, it may be a friend, it may be nothing to do with the work – know how to help University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

19. Fire Safety – What you should know • Evacuation Procedure • Call point location • Escape route(s) • Assembly point University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

20. Fire Procedure If you discover a fire • Raise the alarm • Dial 8888 (0115 951 8888) • Leave the building by nearest exit • Close doors and windows behind you • Report to assembly point • Only use extinguisher if: • Small, contained fire • Confident • Clear exit route University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

21. Fire Procedure On hearing alarm - leave building by nearest exit - closing doors/widows - go to assembly • Notify if known false alarm – 8888 • (Mobile 0115 9518888) University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

22. Fire Extinguishers Water – all red Foam – cream band Dry Powder – blue band CO 2 black band University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

23. Typical Hazards in the Research Environment • substances • toxic/ carcinogens • flammable • biological material • allergens • noise • vibration • radiation • electricity • machinery • pressure systems • display screen equip • manual handling • mech. handling • transport • falls, falling objects • slips, trips • fire • Lasers • nanoparticles The following slides give a summary of the key precautions expected to be in place. Further detail, specific to your research, must be obtained locally University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

24. Substances related hazards • Chemicals • Flammables • Carcinogens • Nanoparticles • Poisons University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

25. Hazardous Substances • Chemicals • Biological Agents • Dusts • Gases • COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

26. COSHH Regulations • Look at the nature of hazard - harm that can be caused • Properties[toxicity, flammability] • Quantity to be used • Form (solid, liquid, gas) • Duration and frequency of use University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

27. Routes of exposure • Exposure Routes - how can harm be caused • Inhalation • Ingestion • Skin Contact/penetration- • Absorption, • Sharps • Defective skin barrier University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

28. University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

29. University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

30. Workplace Exposure Limits • Set for some hazardous substances • Must not be exceeded • Limits given in ppm and mg/m3 • Time averaged concentration in air • Long term (8 hours) • Short term (15 minutes) - STEL University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

31. Examples of Substances with WELs [mg/m3] [mg/m3] 8hr 15mins Formaldehyde 2.5 2.5 Acrylamide 0.3 - Benzene 1.0 - Bromine 0.66 2 Methanol 266 333 Toluene 191 574 Xylene 220 441 Acetone 1210 3620 If substance does not have WEL it does not mean it is safe - check MSDS/seek advice University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

32. COSHH Assessment Decide on control measures • Eliminate or substitute, justify use. • Engineering - contain, extract (FCs/MSCs) • Personal protection • Training, supervision • Health surveillance/screening/vaccination Other considerations - Storage - Transport - Disposal - Emergencies – leaks, spills - Nanoparticles University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

33. NanoparticlesOne or more external dimensions in the order of 100 nm or less ie: < 0.1 micrometre / micron MSDS for micron-sized particles of a substance does not necessarily apply to nanoparticles – we MUST take the precautionary approach and avoid exposure University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

34. Fume Cupboards • A means of containing or extracting hazardous fumes/vapours/aerosols away from the operator, to be safely discharged to the atmosphere. • SAFE WORKING • Check it is working • Position of Equipment • Safe working area • Control air movement /external forces • Avoid heat sources • Minimise sash opening • Unattended experiments – leave information • Clean after use! • Animated demonstration (3 minutes): • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4AHxLnByts University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

35. THE GOOD University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

36. THE BAD University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

37. THE UGLY University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

38. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Last resort not first line of defense Lab Coats - must be worn in lab, remove before entering offices/clean areas Hand - gloves - correct type for the work Protection Eye/ face - glasses, goggles, visors – depending Protection on hazard Respiratory - half masks, full masks, powered Protection hoods - fit critical to protection Foot - no open toe/canvas shoes in Protection labs/risk areas. Safety footwear depending on hazards University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

39. Flammable Liquids Flash Point – temp to form a flammable atmosphere Precautions • avoid vapour release • never store with acids/oxidising agent • stoppered labelled containers • minimum quantities on bench < 500ml • store in solvent cupboard [50l max per room] • enclosed carriers for Winchesters • spark-proof fridges • beware of - static build up on large scale decanting - flammable atmospheres /heavy vapours • know spillage procedure - clear up immediately University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

40. Cryogenic Liquids • HAZARD: Asphyxiation • <18% O2 (spills > 143ml LN/m3 : 1:700) • confined spaces, DO NOT TRAVEL IN LIFT • HAZARD: Cold Burns • eye protection - goggles/visors/specs • hands - non absorbent insulated gloves eg leather. Sleeves over ends/securely banded. • Feet - closed shoes, trousers over • tongs/forceps • Ice Plug formation • Oxygen enrichment • Exploding vials • Transport- NOT BY ROAD - very hazardous • Use cardice University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

41. Electricity • HAZARD: Electrocution - 50V AC can KILL; Fire • Need to consider: • design, construction, maintenance • earthing, fusing, isolation, insulation • live working [special precautions] • Periodic inspection/testing - usually annual - sticker • User visual checks (plugs, cable & socket, evidence of overheating, casing) • Report all defects • Repairs only by authorised persons University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

42. Work Equipment • HAZARD: entanglement, entrapment, being struck by, electrocution, hot/cold contact • Fit for purpose • Maintained • Dangerous parts guarded • CE marked • Certificates of conformity • Design in-house subject to approval University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

43. Pressure Systems compressed gases, autoclaves • HAZARD: Explosion as a result of sudden, uncontrolled release of stored energy • Consider sources of stored energy • Steam (at any pressure) • Gas or vapours > 0.5 bar • Boilers, autoclaves, air receivers, reactors • Requirements • Design/construction • Safe operating limits • Written scheme for examinations (externally carried out) • Written operating instructions • Annual inspection against written scheme University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

44. Lasers & Ionising Radiation HAZARD: Radiation exposure; Lasers: eye or skin damage resulting from exposure to Class 3B or 4 laser beam • Separate Training • Local rules for safe use • Medical/Health questionnaire University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

45. Noise • HAZARD: Permanent hearing loss • Control Levels • <85 dB(A) - negligible risk • 85 - 90 dB(A) - small risk • inform of risk & HP available on request • >90 dB(A) - high risk • control at source • compulsory hearing protection • audiometry University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

46. Ultra-Violet Sources [280nm - 400nm] • Examples: Transilluminators, gel docs, hand held lamps • Biocidal lamps, Mercury vapour lamps [uv spec] • HAZARD: Sunburn, cancer, eye damage • Safety precautions • Interlocks/enclosure • UV opaque shielding • UV opaque visor • Cover exposed skin • Restrict access to area University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

47. Latex Allergy HAZARD: can cause skin/respiratory sensitisation. • 1% of population may react. • Likely to affect those with history of asthma, dermatitis, eczema, hayfever • Seek advice from Occ Health if skin/resp symptoms • Use latex alternatives & powder free gloves University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

48. Explosion in a Microwave Oven • Heating 300 ml media in 1 litre Duran bottle. • Cap swelled and sealed bottle which then exploded. • Debris hurled 3m across lab - unoccupied!!! • Use foam or Kim Wipe neck inserts. University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

49. Miscellaneous HAZARD: Falls, Cuts, Slips, Trips • Working at height • Glassware Safety • Housekeeping • Lone working • Late Working / Out of hours Working • Unattended Experiments • Lifting Equipment University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk

50. Computers • HAZARD: Muscular skeletal problems - back, neck, shoulders; “Repetitive Strain Injury” – wrists, hands, fingers • Workstation setup – adjust chair to suit, keep keyboard and mouse close • Work routine – plan for regular breaks in computer work • Ask for assessment University Safety Office - New Researchers Talk