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Introduction to laboratory safety and chemical risks in work environments

Introduction to laboratory safety and chemical risks in work environments. Presenter: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy at the University of Gothenburg. Content of presentation.

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Introduction to laboratory safety and chemical risks in work environments

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  1. Introductiontolaboratorysafety and chemical risks in workenvironments • Presenter: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy at the University of Gothenburg

  2. Content of presentation • What does the work environemnt legislation (Arbetsmiljölagen, Arbetsmiljöverket) say about chemical work environmental risks (AFS 2011:19) • What are risks at laboratories, examples • How can the laboratory working environment be improved and risks reduced? • Some advices • Discussion

  3. The workenvironmentlegislationAFS of the Council ofWork Environment • AFS 2011:19 Chemical risks in work environments • AFS 2011:18 Hygienic exposure limits • AFS 2001:1 Systematic work environment • AFS 2005:1 Microbiological work environment risks • AFS 2009:2 Design of the working place • AFS 2001:3 Use of protection outfits • AFS 1998:1 Ergonomi load • AFS 2007:5 Pregnant or breest-feeding employes • AFS 1999:07 First aid and crisis

  4. The council of work environment AFS 2011:19 Chemical risks in work environments, examples The employer has the responsibilityof the workenvironment and is liablethat the employee has the competencetoconduct the work in a safeway The employee has the responsibilitytofindout the risks, work in a way so risks areminimized and followrules and instructions • A written risk assessmentshould be performed • The workshould be planned so it can be performed in a safeway • The employeeshould be satisfactoryinformedabout risks and protectionmeasures • Plans for accidents or emergency situations • Thereshould be a list over chemicals; harmful for humans or environment, flamable or explosives at the workingplace. The list shouldincludename, use, consumption risk symbols and risk phrases

  5. AFS, continuation • Should include present information of all hazardic chemicals. • Additional safety information. • Packings, emballages or pipes should be marked according the rules • Chemicals should be stored in a proper way so risks for health- or accidents will be avoided. • Wast treatment

  6. What are risks at laboratories, example • Chemicals with health risk properties • Flamable or explosive chemicals • Warm objects • Cold objects • Fire • Electricity • Noise • Glass/glass equipments • Tools • Radiation • Gases and pressurized devices • Wast • Ergonomi, working position • Psycology; fear and attitudes

  7. Chemicals with health risks The health risk depends on the chemical’s inherent properties, toxicity and the exposure Chemicals mayhaveacute and chronicalimpact on health Acute • Life threateningdamages • Damaging vital organs • Corrodingdamages • Inhibitfertilization (Presentation Day 4 ”Pregnancy and chemicalwork”) • Skin irritating Chronical • Cancerogenic • Mutagenic • Inhibitfertilization (Presentation Day 4 ”Pregnancy and chemicalwork”) • Allergens, astma (Presentation Day 4 ” Astma, allergi and laboratorywork”) Environmental risks • Persistent • Accumulative (bio available) • Toxic

  8. Chemicals with high health risks Chemicals withpoisoningproperties • Cyanids • Hydro fluoride, hydro chloride, sulphur dioxide, nitric gases (NO2 and N2O4) • Carbonmonoxide, hydro sulphur • Mercury • Organic solvents; benzene, hexane, toluene, chlorinatedhydrocarbonsetc • Heavy metals; arsenic, barium, lead, organic mercury compounds

  9. Flamable and explosive chemicalsPresentation Day 2”Flamable and explosive chemicals” • Organic solvents; ether, petroleum ether, acetone, benzene, ethanol • Hydrogen • Carbonrich gas mixtures; acetylene, ”gasol” • Sodium, potassium • Strong oxidation agents; chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates, peroxides

  10. Corrosive chemicals • Alkali; Ammoniac, sodium and potassium hydroxide • Acids; hydro fluoride, hydro chloride, brom • Fire and warm objects • Some chemicals; white phosphorus • Freezes (-80C) • Carbon ice Warm objects Cold objects

  11. FirePresentation Day 2”Flamable and explosive chemicals” • Chemicals may be flamable • Equipment may be flamable • Things or objects may be electrically live • The type of injury is difficult to predict • High noise level in instrument rooms Electricity Noise

  12. Glass/glass equipments • The mostcommonlyused material in somelaboratories • Cutwoundsamong the most common injuries at somelaboratories Advices: • Throw broken glassware • Train new colleagues • Scalpel, knife, scissors • Radioactive materials • X-ray • UV-radiation Tools Radiation(Presentation Day 2 ”Radiation sources in laboratories)

  13. Waste(Presentation day 3 ”Wast storage and wast handling”) Legislation (AFS) unclearhowto sort, treat and handleetc • Chemicalwaste • Glass waste • ”Risk” wast • Exists in mostlaboratories • Pressurized air • Instruments and equipments Gases and pressurized devices Presentation day 3

  14. Microbiological risks(presentation day 2 ”Microbiological risks”) • Infections • Toxins • Static work • Strange working positions • Have respect • Don’t be afraid • Follow rules Ergonomi, working positions(presentation day 4 ”Ergonomi”) Psycology; fear and attitudes(presentation day 2” )

  15. How can the working environment be improved and risks be reduced? The employer has the responsibilityof the workenvironment and is liablethat the employee has the competencetoconduct the work in a safeway The employee has the responsibilitytofindout the risks, work in a way so risks areminimized and followrules and instructions • Choose the less hazardouschemical • Choosemethodsthatwillreduce exposure • Useprotective ventilation (fumehoods, ventilatedbenchesetc) (presentation day 3”Protective ventilations”) • Useprotectiveequipmentwhenneeded (glasses, gloves, labcoat, etc) (presentation day 3 ) • Emergency and eye showers • Be ready for the dayif/whensomethinghappens (Presentation day 4)

  16. How can the working environment be improved and risks be reduced? (Continued) The employer has the responsibilityof the workenvironment and is liablethat the employee has the competencetoconduct the work in a safeway The employee has the responsibilitytofindout the risks, work in a way so risks areminimized and followrules and instructions • Keep order on labbenches and fumehoods • Clear tags • Clean upspillage

  17. Some tip and advices The employer has the responsibilityof the workenvironment and is liablethat the employee has the competencetoconduct the work in a safeway The employee has the responsibilitytofindout the risks, work in a way so risks areminimized and followrules and instructions • Continouslydiscussroutines, PMs, riskassessments and instructionsetc • Useprotective ventilations in a goodmanner • Create dress codes (mayincludeclothing, glasses, gloves, labcoatetc) • Silentzones (no talking or telephones) • Considerpsycology; fear and attitudes

  18. Discussion

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