Laboratory Safety Tutorial
For newcomers, the laboratory may at first seem like a maze with a myriad of things to learn, safety procedures to follow, rules to be obeyed, hazards to contend with, new safety equipment to use, etc, etc ..
The Laboratory Safety Tutorial is designed to help you understand some of these issues and ultimately to help prevent accidents. Of course it is not the whole story and you are encouraged to follow the various links to other sites and use other reference material where appropriate. You should work through at your own pace and remember you can return at any time to follow up on more information. Please visit the case studies below which are taken from actual incidents involving people from this Faculty. We can learn from mistakes and experience. This is one reason why it is important to report all incidents and near misses.
PLEASE NOTE: your supervisor or immediate demonstrator should always be contacted for advice should you have any queries or problems whilst in the laboratory.
The Tutorial is presented in two modules with module 1 being compulsory for all commencing students in the Faculty. Students are required to submit their SID number together with answers to a quiz before commencing laboratory practicals. Module 2 is intended for 4th year students, postgraduate students and laboratory staff working in the FAFNR (Faculty of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources). It includes more advanced procedures together with new developments such as changes to legislation affecting laboratory workers.
By the time you have completed this tutorial, followed the various links and submitted your quiz answers you should have a basic overview of what's involved in laboratory safety and at least some idea on where to go to get more information. Hopefully you will develop a better understanding of OH&S (Occupational Health & Safety) and have some appreciation of why the FAFNR treats OHS so seriously. Skills learned in this area include generic skills for life and quite literally may prove one day to be life-saving.
Safety Induction
Chemistry laboratories are potentially hazardous environments and accidents unfortunately can occur. However, by being aware of possible hazards and adopting a sensible approach to the work at hand, risks can be considerably reduced. Induction involves learning about safety procedures and being prepared for emergencies.
There are three distinct levels of induction training appropriate to all staff and students in the University context. These are the general "corporate (University) level"; the local School or Faculty level; and finally, the more specific "hands-on" workgroup which includes all practical classes and specialised activities.
Corporate Level Safety Induction
At the corporate level, the University has commitments under its Occupational Health and Safety Policy Statement and through the Risk Management Office (RMO) has issued numerous guidelines and policies relevant to laboratory safety. The RMO is a useful reference point for on-line information and includes a convenient search tool dedicated to OHS issues. See Occupational Health & Safety Manual To illustrate how useful this particular site can be, try searching under "G" to find the latest policy for disposing broken glassware in the laboratory. Related sites take you to clinical and other waste disposal procedures. Try visiting other topics to find similarly current information.
Under NSW Government legislation and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the University has a statutory obligation to provide a safe working environment for staff and students. Recent amendments to these regulations have been introduced which now require greater consultation together with a "systematic" approach to managing OHS risks. Your Supervisor is responsible for pointing out hazards and advising on appropriate safety measures to be taken, particularly when performing hazardous procedures or handling hazardous substances. Always consult your demonstrator or the supervisor in charge if you are uncertain about any procedure. Ultimately, however, your safety is largely dependent on your attitude and the use of proper laboratory techniques. Under the current legislation, students (and staff) also have responsibilities under the Act, in particular, under section 19 they must take care for the health and safety of others at work and must co-operate with the University on matters of health and safety.
Faculty Level Safety Induction
Faculty or itermediate level induction is concerned with how commencing staff and students are introduced and advised on procedures relating to safety at the local level. All students in FAFNR must complete this Laboratory Safety Tutorial for example, before commencing any lab work. The Faculty has appointed SOs (Safety Officers) to coordinate matters relating to safety and all staff and students can call on them to provide assistance or find information such as MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets). The Faculty has also appointed EEOs (Emergency Evacuation Officers) for each building and all buildings are fitted with emergency warnings evacuation systems. (Please see last page for names and contact details of Faculty personel)
Each laboratory has Laboratory rules (for example) which are to be strictly observed at all times. All staff and fellow students are expected to enforce these rules and the Dean will deny access to the laboratory for persistent offenders. It should be pointed out that every laboratory is different, therfore some rules may vary, particularly evacuation routes and assembly points. You should familarize yourself with the accident and emergency procedures applicable to your laboratory. Know the location of emergency exits, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, emergency showers, and nearest first aid facilities
For a general introduction to laboratory safety and a good overview of the subject see the Guidelines on Laboratory Safety
Workgroup Level Safety Induction
Induction at the local workgroup level refers to specific activities done by particular groups. For undergraduate students this usually relates to the practical class being undertaken at the time. Scheduled practical class experiments have been assessed and reviewed for safety implications. All classes are preceded by a pre-lab discussion where specific procedures and hazards are highlghted. All instructions relating to safety in the laboratory manual must be stricly adhered to. Where hazardous substances are involved, MSDSs (Material Safety Data Sheets) will be provided and students must follow strict instructions and use appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as face shields, goggles etc.
One of the secrets for success in the laboratory lies in proper planning. Work can be carried out far more effiiently after considering all the processes involved, for example preforming procedures whilst reactions are going to completion. Similarly, during the planning phase access possible hazards in handling unfamiliar chemicals or unfamiliar apparatus before carrying out the procedure. It is much better to know how to deal with a chemical spill before it happens rather than after the event.
Work orderly and methodically. Do not rush an experiment but see your supervisor if you are unable to complete a practical in the allocated time.
Hazards in the Laboratory
There are of course numerous hazards likely to be encounted in the laboratory but for systematic purposes these may be grouped into 5 main categories
- Chemical
- Biological
- Radiation (ionizing and non-ionizing)
- Mechanical
- Electrical
Each category is covered - together with sections on fume cupboards/cabinets and chemical storage - under Australian Standard 2243 - Safety in laboratories. Part 1-7.
This standard should be adopted wherever appropriate and may be used as the preferred reference for obtaining information on safety issues in the Faculty.
Further safety advice including interpretation of AS2243 together with current information on safety legislation is covered in the CCH Laboratory Safety Manual. Both these volumes are available from Colin Bailey, Room 323, Building AO3). See also References.
The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) also provides general information on safety such as brochures and journal articles and often holds conferences to discuss safety topics.
Working with Hazardous Substances
Chemicals can produce a wide range of adverse effects, from mild and reversible irritation of the respiratory tract to disabling injury and death. MSDS are of particular value in assessing risks and describe the appropriate protection measures necessary.
The RMO now has a Hazardous Substances Implementation Course. Click on this and complete the quiz.
Please write your name & SID on a piece of paper with the answers and submit to the supervisor.
Non-Laboratory Safety
There are other activities within the Faculty outside the laboratory where safety and OHS issues are of paramount importance. Fieldwork is a crucial component of many degree programs and attention to safety is critical. All students must follow the guidelines at Fieldwork Safety Guidelines Once again, forward planning is essential, including assessment of all possible risks in the field. Driving to and from sites, particularly when long distances are involved, must be included in such assessments.
Office ergonomics is another area demanding attention, especially where long hours in front of a computer screen are involved. Staff and students are referred to Office Ergonomic Guide for more information. Proper habits learned early in your degree will be rewarded later, such as when writing up your thesis.
Trips and falls are the most common injury on campus. Should you notice an unsafe situation such as damaged floor coverings, slippery surface, dangerous cords, etc please report to your supervisor, Safety Officer or other (academic or general) staff member.
Emergency contact numbers
NOTE: All the Department laboratories now have pictograms listing hazards and emergency contact details posted on the respective entrance doorway. In addition to these details, the following telephone numbers and contact persons may be useful:
Fire ? ambulance ? police (notify security first): 0 - 0000
In emergency, dial University Security Service: 13333 or 13487 (24 hour)
Safety Officers & Laboratory Managers: 12033 Colin Bailey (Ross St Building), 12525 Ivan Desailly (Woolley Building)
EEO building wardens: 12033 Colin Bailey (Ross St Building), Prue Winkler (McMillan), Dr Willem Vervoort (Watt), English Dept (Woolley Building)
University Health Service: 14095 or 13484
Risk Management Office: 14335 or 14176
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The University of Sydney and members of the Faculty of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in the Laboratory Safety Tutorial. No person should rely on the contents of the Safety Tutorial without first obtaining expert advice. Please send comments or corrections to c.bailey@acss.usyd.edu.au
Case studies
Case study 1:
Undergraduate student working in Lab A lacerated hand whilst inserting pipette into rubber bulb filler. Too much force was applied and the pipette snapped at the stem, which then extensively lacerated left hand holding the pipette filler.
COMMENTS: Unfortunately this type of accident is all too common in the laboratory. Never use force when handling glassware. The pipette fillers supplied in the kits have a universal fitting, which accommodates all pipette sizes and provides a good seal without the need for force. Always take care when inserting glass tubing into laboratory equipment (including rubber stoppers & rubber bulb pipette fillers) Hold the tubing close to the rubber and do not use too much force. Never use chipped or broken glassware.
Case study 2:
Postgraduate student working in a research laboratory splashed 1M NaOH solution into her eye from syringe. The sodium hydroxide was being injected into a pump assisted chromatography column when some obstruction (?) was encountered resulting in the solution being sprayed backwards into the users eye.
The student irrigated her eye under the nearest tap (end sink) whilst a mobile eyewash was obtained and used for a further 15 minutes. The student was then taken to the University Health Service and received further treatment. Fortunately, her quick action (i.e. immediate and continuous flushing for 15 min) prevented any permanent injury.
COMMENTS: This accident highlights the need for wearing safety spectacles when handling corrosive chemicals, even when chemicals appear to be further "contained" (within a syringe for example).
Where there is a possibility of eye injury by chemical splashing, irritant gas, particles, or by radiation, eye protection must be worn. In the case of chemical contact (eye or skin) immediate flushing with water is essential. NB. Water flushing should be maintained whilst an assistant obtains help.
All injuries to the eye must receive medical attention.