SBS Safety Induction

1
SBS Safety Induction

• Presentation to Postgraduate Students and Honours
  Project Students
• September/October 2009
• Given by Dr Celia Goodhew
• (SBS Safety Advisor)

2
Students and post-docs
Safety is YOUR responsibility too!
3
Registering Attendance

• Sign the attendance sheet.
• Records that you have attended.

4
Contents

• Emergency Procedures.
• Why Health and Safety?
• Safety Organisation in SBS.
• Universitys responsibilities for safety.
• Your responsibilities.
• Sources of Safety Information.

5
Contents

• Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work.
• Lone Working.
• Medical Conditions.
• Allergy and Meningitis advice.
• Pandemic Arrangements.
• Who to contact for advice.

6
Contents

• Emergency Procedures.
• Why Health and Safety?
• Safety Organisation in SBS.
• Universitys responsibilities for safety.
• Your responsibilities.
• Sources of Safety Information.

7
Emergency procedures

• On hearing the FIRE ALARM
• Evacuate the building via nearest escape route.
  (Where is the nearest escape route?)
• Look for white-on green
• running man signs.
• Follow the direction indicated by the arrows
  towards the nearest exit.
• Do not use the lifts in the event of a fire.
• Assemble outside, clear of the building.
• Do not re-enter until told safe to do so.

8
Emergency procedures

• If the escape route is obstructed
• If nearest exit route is blocked or inaccessible
  due to the fire.
• Turn away from obstruction and look for nearest
  alternative escape route.
• Follow the direction indicated by the arrows
  towards the nearest available exit.

9
Emergency procedures

• If you discover a fire
• Activate a red fire alarm call point.
• Shout to persons in vicinity to alert them.
• Inform the emergency services by dialling 2222
  from any extension or 0131 651 3999 from mobile
  phone.
• Give your name, building address, location and
  nature of the emergency.

10
Emergency procedures

• Make it a priority after this session to
• Locate the Fire Alarm Call points near to where
  you work.
• Read a Fire Action Notice (Blue/White).
• Determine the Fire Escape Routes and Fire Exits
  (including alternative routes) from the area
  where you work.

11
Fire Alarm Tests

• Alarms are tested each week as follows
• Darwin, Swann, Rutherford, Waddington every
  Tuesday at 10am.
• Ashworth Buildings 12 every Tuesday at 4pm
  (Ashworth Building 3 at 3.30pm).
• Roger Land every Thursday at 9.30am.
• There is no need to evacuate the building during
  the test unless the alarm continues to sound
  for more than 30 seconds.

12
Emergency procedures

• If you need Medical assistance
• Send for nearest available First Aider (names
  listed on safety notice boards), who will take
  charge of situation.
• If no First Aiders available call ambulance.
• Call the emergency services by dialling 2222
  from any extension or 0131 651 3999 from mobile
  phone.
• Give your name, building address, location and
  nature of the emergency.

13
Reporting Accidents/Incidents

• Report all Accidents or Incidents
• Accidents Injury occurred.
• Incidents near miss.
• No accident is too small to report.
• Report both on line to the University
• http//www.safety.ed.ac.uk/IncidentReporting/Incid
  entDetails.cfm
• Ensure inform SBS safety office by filling in
  section B2 with e-mail address of safety office
  sbsafety_at_ed.ac.uk

14
Contents

• Emergency Procedures.
• Why Health and Safety?
• Safety Organisation in SBS.
• Universitys responsibilities for safety.
• Your responsibilities.
• Sources of Safety Information.

15
Why Health and Safety?

• Minimise potential for injuries to
• Yourself.
• Your colleagues.
• To comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act
  1974 and related regulations.
• University Policy to provide Duty of Care.
• Minimise potential for civil litigation.

16
Health and Safety Law

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Employers duty is to ensure, so far as is
  reasonably practicable, the health, safety and
  welfare of all employees while at work.

17
Health and Safety Law

• Specific employers duties include
• Safe plant and Safe Systems of Work.
• Safe use, handling, transport and storage of
  substances and articles.
• Provide Information, Instruction, Training and
  Supervision.
• Maintain safe place of work, access and egress
• Provide safe working environment and adequate
  welfare facilities.

18
Contents

• Emergency Procedures.
• Why Health and Safety?
• Safety Organisation in SBS.
• Universitys responsibilities for safety.
• Your responsibilities.
• Sources of Safety Information.

19
Safety organisation in SBS
University Court Health and Safety Department
Institutes
Support Services
20
Contents

• Emergency Procedures.
• Why Health and Safety?
• Safety Organisation in SBS.
• Universitys responsibilities for safety.
• Your responsibilities.
• Sources of Safety Information.

21
SBSs Responsibility

• To introduce the University HS policy.
• To give an Induction into the School and
  laboratory.
• To provide local safety policies and practices.
• To show Risk Assessments for work.
• To provide sufficient training, information and
  supervision to work safely.

22
Contents

• Emergency Procedures.
• Why Health and Safety?
• Safety Organisation in SBS.
• Universitys responsibilities for safety.
• Your responsibilities.
• Sources of Safety Information.

23
Your Responsibility

• Comply with School and laboratory safety rules.
• Obey safety notices.
• Follow instructions from Supervisors.
• Read and comply with Risk Assessments.
• Observe Safe Systems of Work.
• Wear your lab coat when in laboratory.
• No eating or drinking in the laboratory.

24
Your Responsibility

• Attend relevant training courses.
• Report any unsafe conditions as soon as possible.
• Plan every experiment with safety in mind.
• Contribute to Risk Assessments.
• Practice good housekeeping.

25
Contents

• Emergency Procedures.
• Why Health and Safety?
• Safety Organisation in SBS.
• Universitys responsibilities for safety.
• Your responsibilities.
• Sources of Safety Information.

26
Sources of Information

• Fire and First Aid Notices.
• Door and Laboratory notices.
• Fellow workers.
• HS notice boards.
• Web sites University and SBS.
• Health and Safety office room 106 Darwin
  building.

27
Signs and Information

• Blue signs indicate something compulsory.
• Example wash hands.
• Applies when leaving
• Containment level
• 2 or 3 laboratory.

28
Signs and Information

• Hazard warnings on containers black graphics on
  orange background.
• Means beware of contents.
• Example Corrosive.

29
Signs and Information

• Hazard warning on doors or equipment
  black-edged triangles with black symbols on
  yellow.
• Means beware of adjacent hazard.
• Example Biological Hazard.
• Containment Level
• Should be specified
• e.g. CL2

CL2
30
Signs and Information

• FIRE precaution notices.
• Red with white symbol.
• Example Fire Alarm Call Point.
• Example Fire Extinguisher Location.

31
Signs and Information

• Emergency Information.
• Green square/rectangle with white graphics.
• Indicate emergency escape routes or first aid
  facilities.
• Example Emergency escape to the right.

32
Signs and Information

• Prohibition notices.
• Red circle and diagonal over a graphical symbol.
• Highlights that something is prohibited.
• Example No unauthorised access.

33
Contents

• Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work.
• Lone Working.
• Medical Conditions.
• Allergy and Meningitis advice.
• Pandemic Arrangements.
• Who to contact for advice.

34
Risk Assessments

• Hazards and Risks - Definition
• A hazard is anything with the potential to cause
  harm.
• A risk is the likelihood of potential harm from
  that hazard being realised.
• Your Supervisor is responsible for ensuring risk
  assessments are completed- before starting work.
• Even computer-based projects should be risk
  assessed - e.g. DSE.
• All risk assessment forms can be found at
• http//safety.biology.ed.ac.uk/risk/

35
Risk Assessment

• 5 steps to Risk Assessment
• Look for hazards.
• Decide who might be harmed and how.
• Evaluate the risks then eliminate, reduce or
  control.
• Record the findings.
• Review annually or when work changes.

36
Risk Assessment Types

• Generic Risk Assessment (RA1 form).
• Chemicals COSHH DSEAR.
• Biological COSHH GM.
• Radioactivity Generic RAs Schemes of Work.
• Manual Handling.
• Lone working.
• Fieldwork.
• Display Screen Equipment.
• Other types of Risk Assessments are available.

37
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

• COSHH Includes Chemicals and Biological.
• Consider less hazardous alternatives.
• Obtain safety data sheets.
• Assess risks associated with storage, use and
  disposal.
• Use control measures as required.
• Produce a Safe System of Work.
• Plan in advance for dealing with accidents.

38
COSHH

• First principle Substitute a less hazardous
  alternative.
• Example Ethidium Bromide
• Harmful if swallowed/inhaled.
• Mutagen.
• Substitute with safer alternatives if practicable
  e.g. Gel Red or SYBR Safe.

39
COSHH

• How do I know if something is hazardous?
• Ask supervisor.
• Check the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
  provided by manufacturer.
• Look it up on Web e.g. Google formaldehyde
  MSDS

40
Material Safety Data Sheet
41
Biological Safety

• COSHH BA1 risk assessment required if organism
  has potential to cause harm.
• Genetic Modification A GM risk assessment must
  be approved by GM safety committee before work
  starts.
• See part 6 of University Safety Policy
• http//www.safety.ed.ac.uk/policy/part6/part6.shtm
  
• See SBS web site http//safety.biology.ed.ac.uk/b
  iolsafety/

42
Biological Safety

• Good Microbiological Practice used to keep
  micro-organisms in the test tube without
  contamination from other organisms.
• GMP relies on
• Aseptic technique.
• Minimizing Aerosols.
• Good Housekeeping.
• Organisation clean/dirty areas.

43
Containment

• Applies to design of facilities and to working
  practices.
• Aim To prevent escape from Lab.
• Aim To protect workers from harm caused by
  infection.
• Containment levels from CL1 to CL3 in SBS.
• Most likely to be CL1 (Unlikely to cause human
  disease).
• Or CL2 (Can cause human disease).

44
ACDP definitions
ACDP Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
45
Containment Lab Rules

• Restrict Access to those authorised.
• Lab coats to be worn while in the lab.
• Lab coats to be left in lab on exit.
• Block infection routes
• E.g. Ingestion, inhalation, percutaneous.
• Disinfect after work and after spills.
• Accidents report all accidents/incidents.
• Waste disposal according to local rules.

46
Sharps
14 of the 42 Accidents were cuts/needlestick
47
Sharps

• The most common accidents in SBS in 2008 were
  Cuts and Needlesticks.
• Guidance available from Biosafety Unit.
• Blades, needles, pipettes are sharps.
• NEVER re-sheath needles.
• Dispose immediately after use.
• Avoid using sharps if possible.
• Take care when transporting.

48
Radiation Safety

• School RPS Dr Celia Goodhew
• RPS Assistant Ms Pam Beattie
• Inform RPS if plan to use radioactivity.
• Submit a Proposed Scheme of Work.
• Attend radiation training or be closely
  supervised.
• Abide by local rules (available from RPS).

49
Contents

• Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work.
• Lone Working.
• Medical Conditions.
• Allergy and Meningitis advice.
• Pandemic Arrangements.
• Who to contact for advice.

50
Lone Out of Hours Working

• Undergraduates can only work under supervision
  no lone working.
• Postgraduates Specific risk assessment required
  for lone and out of hours work.
• Log in (and out) with Security.
• Avoid high risk activities e.g. using flammable
  solvents, confined spaces
• Know how to get help if things go wrong
• EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER 2222

51
Contents

• Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work.
• Lone Working.
• Medical Conditions.
• Allergy and Meningitis advice.
• Pandemic Arrangements.
• Who to contact for advice.

52
Medical Conditions

• Is in your interests to inform your supervisor
• If you have any medical conditions
• (e.g. diabetes, epilepsy, allergies, pregnancy).
• If you have any mobility difficulties (which
  could impair evacuation from building in the
  event of a fire).
• This information will be kept in confidence while
  allowing for suitable measures to be put into
  place for your safety.

53
Contents

• Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work.
• Lone Working.
• Medical Conditions.
• Allergy and Meningitis advice.
• Pandemic Arrangements.
• Who to contact for advice.

54
Allergy Advice

• Latex allergy is major and potentially life
  threatening occupational hazard.
• Alternatives to latex gloves should be used
  whenever possible. (e.g. nitrile gloves)
• If latex gloves are required (e.g. for handling
  blood-borne viruses, cytotoxic drugs) then
• Only non-powdered latex gloves permitted.
• Powder free gloves must have low leachable
  protein content (lt50mg/g)

55
Allergy Advice

• If concerned about possible allergic, skin or
  respiratory problems
• Contact Occupational Health Unit
• Occupational.Health_at_ed.ac.uk or 50-8192
• In the rare event of anaphylactic shock
• (impaired breathing, puffy eyes, swelling of
  tongue, blotchy skin)
• Call ambulance immediately (dial 2222) and summon
  the nearest First Aider

56
Meningitis Awareness

• Health Authorities recommend that young people be
  vaccinated against meningitis.
• The risk of meningitis remains low.
• However, all young people should have been
  offered the vaccine.
• Information on signs and symptoms can be found
  at
• http//www.healthmatters.ed.ac.uk/topic.cfm?id67
  cat126.

57
Contents

• Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work.
• Lone Working.
• Medical Conditions.
• Allergy and Meningitis advice.
• Pandemic Arrangements.
• Who to contact for advice.

58
Pandemic Advice

• University Health and Safety Department has up to
  date advice
• http//www.safety.ed.ac.uk/resources/General/pande
  mic.shtm
• FAQs for Students and Parents
• http//www.safety.ed.ac.uk/resources/General/pande
  mic_students.shtm
• Advice also available via MyEd channel

59
Contents

• Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work.
• Lone Working.
• Medical Conditions.
• Allergy and Meningitis advice.
• Pandemic Arrangements.
• Who to contact for advice.

60
Sources of Information

• SBS Safety Website
• http//safety.biology.ed.ac.uk/
• University Health and Safety Website
• http//www.safety.ed.ac.uk/
• Local HS codes of practice
• Supervisor/Group Leader
• School Safety Advisor
• Institute Superintendents
• Biological Safety Officers
• Safety notice boards

61
Safety Contacts

• School Safety Advisor Celia Goodhew 50 7746
• HS Assistant Millie Lloyd 50 5985
• E-mail sbsafety_at_ed.ac.uk
• Institute Superintendents
• Darwin/Swann/Rutherford George McMillan 505438
• Ashworth David Brown 505453
• Biology Teaching Organisation Brendan
  McGrory 507196
• Stem Cell Research Charles Green 505842

62
Safety Contacts

• Local Biological Safety Officers
• Darwin Chris French 507098
• Swann Greg Anderson 507125
• Ashworth David Cavanagh 505459
• Ashworth Sarah Reece 505547
• Roger Land Andrew Smith 517244
• Rutherford Sophie Haupt 513316

63
Any Questions?

• If you want to ask now fine.
• If you want to ask later also fine
• I can be found in Darwin Building, Room 106
• Tel 50 7746 E-mail sbsafety_at_ed.ac.uk
• REMEMBER TO SIGN THE REGISTER
• This presentation will be available on the SBS
  Web site http//safety.biology.ed.ac.uk/
• in the training section.

64

• Thank you for listening.
• Enjoy your Research Projects.