Safety in Laboratories

POLICY

Policy Statement

The University recognises its responsibilities to protect the safety and health of staff and students while using University laboratories.

Policy Objectives

To provide, as far as is practicable, safe laboratories for staff and students working and studying at the University.

Definitions

"Laboratory" means any building or portion of a building used, or intended to be used, for any practical scientific work which may be hazardous, including research or the teaching of sciences. Such work may involve the use of chemicals, flammable liquids, pathogens, other harmful substances, harmful radiation, or processes including electrical or mechanical work which would be hazardous unless carried out in a specifically designed area. The laboratory area includes support areas such as instrument and preparation areas, laboratory offices, and laboratory stores (AS2243.1-1990).

"Visitor" means any person whose normal business does not include access to a specific laboratory.

Related Regulations and Policies

I. GUIDELINES

The University will adopt the Australian Standard on Safety in Laboratories, AS2243, parts 1 – 10 as the policy for laboratory safety. General guidelines for safe laboratory conduct are described in Attachment 1 to this policy.

The Director, Workplace Relations is the responsible officer for the implementation of the University's policy on Safety in Laboratories.

This policy came into effect immediately upon being approved by Council, being 21 October 1998.

The policy on Safety in Laboratories will be included in the Occupational Safety and Health Policy and Procedures manual, to be published on the World Wide Web.

The General Manager, Student and Staff Services is the responsible officer for the monitoring of the implementation of the University's policy on Safety in Laboratories.

E. Endorsement of Proposed Amendments by the Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee

Any proposed amendments to this policy should be endorsed by the Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee with consultation and agreement from the Safety and Health Representatives committees prior to presentation to the Academic Senate for approval.

The policy on Safety in Laboratories shall be reviewed every two years by the Director, Workplace Relations and the Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee.

ADMININSTRATIVE PROCEDURES

It is the responsibility of all Heads of Schools (HOS) or their nominees to ensure that the Australian Standard AS2243, parts 1-10, Safety in Laboratories is adhered to and available on request. The names of the HOS nominees will be forwarded to the Director, Workplace Relations in writing.

A copy of the 'Guidelines on Safety in Laboratories' (adapted from AS 2243 – 1: 6) will be given to all persons working in laboratories (see Attachment 1).

It is the responsibility of all Heads of Schools (HOS) or their nominees to ensure that the level of supervision in laboratories is appropriate for the tasks to be undertaken. The HOS or nominee must also ensure supervisory staff are adequately trained and/or experienced for the tasks to be undertaken.

The HOS or nominee shall ensure that where first aid equipment and boxes are installed in or near a laboratory, first aid supplies are maintained and kept up to date.

Where first aid supplies may be necessary, the HOS or nominee will obtain advice from Health Services on first aid equipment required in the laboratory.

The installation of safety equipment such as safety showers and eyewash stations where deemed necessary, shall be funded centrally through the Occupational Safety and Health Minor New Works program administered by the Work Environment Unit.

No visitors will be permitted into any laboratory without supervision or written permission of the relevant Head of School or nominee.

The HOS or nominee shall ensure that laboratory areas are secured from visitors at all times.

The Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee is the authority for approving amendments to the administrative procedures of the University's policy on Safety in Laboratories.

The Academic Senate is the authority for approving amendments to the University's policy and guidelines on Safety in Laboratories.

Approved - C 125/98 (21/10/98) – Document URB 92/98.
21/12/00 – titles updated.
1/1/01 – approval authority updated [URB 95/00 (5/12/00, effective 1/1/01)].
j:\Policies\Old Format\Safety in Laboratories\Current Version\2001 – Safety in Laboratories – 1 January 2001

ATTACHMENT 1

Policy: Safety in Laboratories

1. Guidelines for safe conduct (from AS 2243.1 – 1990: 6):

The following lists of recommendations apply to all personnel working within a laboratory:

2. Guidelines/Administrative Procedures

Where the HOS or nominee has conducted an assessment of the laboratory area and deemed that the work or processes conducted in the area does not present a risk of eye injury to the persons, then eyewear protection is optional in that particular area. The HOS or nominee shall keep a record of the assessment.

Where persons are required to work in isolation in a laboratory because of the time, location or nature of the work being conducted, then the HOS or nominee shall ensure that –

3. Working with Highly Toxic, Volatile or Odoriferous Chemicals

Where it is uncertain if a substance is highly toxic, volatile or odiferous, the HOS or nominee shall obtain information on the substance and relevant laboratory process to determine safe working procedures before using the substance.

EduSafe Policies and Procedures @ Curtin

SAFETY IN LABORATORIES


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	EduSafe Policies and Procedures @ Curtin SAFETY IN LABORATORIES POLICY Policy Statement The University recognises its responsibilities to protect the safety and health of staff and students while using University laboratories. Policy Objectives To provide, as far as is practicable, safe laboratories for staff and students working and studying at the University. Definitions In this policy statement: "Laboratory" means any building or portion of a building used, or intended to be used, for any practical scientific work which may be hazardous, including research or the teaching of sciences. Such work may involve the use of chemicals, flammable liquids, pathogens, other harmful substances, harmful radiation, or processes including electrical or mechanical work which would be hazardous unless carried out in a specifically designed area. The laboratory area includes support areas such as instrument and preparation areas, laboratory offices, and laboratory stores (AS2243.1-1990). "Visitor" means any person whose normal business does not include access to a specific laboratory. Related Regulations and Policies Occupational Safety and Health Policy and Procedures manual (to be published). To meet the University's obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, the Curtin University of Technology Academic Staff (Conditions of Employment) Award 1999, the Australian Universities Academic Staff (Contract of Employment and Other Matters) Interim Award 1988, the Australian Universities Academic Staff (Conditions of Employment) Award 1988, and the Curtin University of Technology General Staff Enterprise Agreement 1997, and as amended from time to time. I. GUIDELINES A. General Rules The University will adopt the Australian Standard on Safety in Laboratories, AS2243, parts 1 – 10 as the policy for laboratory safety. General guidelines for safe laboratory conduct are described in Attachment 1 to this policy. B. Implementation and Responsibility The Director, Workplace Relations is the responsible officer for the implementation of the University's policy on Safety in Laboratories. C. Promulgation of the Policy Statement This policy came into effect immediately upon being approved by Council, being 21 October 1998. The policy on Safety in Laboratories will be included in the Occupational Safety and Health Policy and Procedures manual, to be published on the World Wide Web. D. Responsible Officer The General Manager, Student and Staff Services is the responsible officer for the monitoring of the implementation of the University's policy on Safety in Laboratories. E. Endorsement of Proposed Amendments by the Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee Any proposed amendments to this policy should be endorsed by the Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee with consultation and agreement from the Safety and Health Representatives committees prior to presentation to the Academic Senate for approval. F. Review of Policy The policy on Safety in Laboratories shall be reviewed every two years by the Director, Workplace Relations and the Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee. ADMININSTRATIVE PROCEDURES A. Responsibility of Staff It is the responsibility of all Heads of Schools (HOS) or their nominees to ensure that the Australian Standard AS2243, parts 1-10, Safety in Laboratories is adhered to and available on request. The names of the HOS nominees will be forwarded to the Director, Workplace Relations in writing. A copy of the 'Guidelines on Safety in Laboratories' (adapted from AS 2243 – 1: 6) will be given to all persons working in laboratories (see Attachment 1). B. Supervision in Laboratories It is the responsibility of all Heads of Schools (HOS) or their nominees to ensure that the level of supervision in laboratories is appropriate for the tasks to be undertaken. The HOS or nominee must also ensure supervisory staff are adequately trained and/or experienced for the tasks to be undertaken. C. Laboratory First Aid Equipment and Boxes The HOS or nominee shall ensure that where first aid equipment and boxes are installed in or near a laboratory, first aid supplies are maintained and kept up to date. Where first aid supplies may be necessary, the HOS or nominee will obtain advice from Health Services on first aid equipment required in the laboratory. D. Laboratory Safety Equipment The installation of safety equipment such as safety showers and eyewash stations where deemed necessary, shall be funded centrally through the Occupational Safety and Health Minor New Works program administered by the Work Environment Unit. E. Visitors No visitors will be permitted into any laboratory without supervision or written permission of the relevant Head of School or nominee. F. Access to Laboratory Areas The HOS or nominee shall ensure that laboratory areas are secured from visitors at all times. G. Authority for Approving Amendments to the Administrative Procedures The Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee is the authority for approving amendments to the administrative procedures of the University's policy on Safety in Laboratories. H. Authority for Approving Amendments to the Policy and Guidelines The Academic Senate is the authority for approving amendments to the University's policy and guidelines on Safety in Laboratories. Approved - C 125/98 (21/10/98) – Document URB 92/98. 21/12/00 – titles updated. 1/1/01 – approval authority updated [URB 95/00 (5/12/00, effective 1/1/01)]. j:\Policies\Old Format\Safety in Laboratories\Current Version\2001 – Safety in Laboratories – 1 January 2001 ATTACHMENT 1 Policy: Safety in Laboratories 1. Guidelines for safe conduct (from AS 2243.1 – 1990: 6): The following lists of recommendations apply to all personnel working within a laboratory: Never adopt a casual attitude in the laboratory and always be conscious of the potential hazards. Ensure that personal clothing is suitable to laboratory conditions, e.g. non-slip, closed in footwear. Do not wear open-toed shoes in the laboratory. Always wear eye protection when in the laboratory area (see Guidelines' Administrative Procedure 1). Use protective clothing and devices appropriate to the type of operation being carried out giving due consideration to the work being carried out in the vicinity. Never run in the laboratory or along corridors. Never indulge in reckless behaviour in the laboratory. Always exercise care when opening and closing doors and entering or leaving the laboratory. Do not work in isolation in a laboratory; ensure that at least a second person is within call (see Guidelines' Administrative Procedure 2). Do not handle or consume food or drink in the laboratory. Do not smoke within the laboratory area. Regard all substances as hazardous unless there is definite information to the contrary. Never undertake any work unless the potential hazards of the operation are known as precisely as possible, and the appropriate safety precautions are adopted. Always use safety carriers for transporting chemicals in glass or plastic containers with a capacity of 2 L or greater. Never carry containers of mutually reactive substances at the same time. Take additional care when carrying any potentially hazardous substance. Never store mutually reactive substances in the same area. (See relevant state authority guidelines). Maintain the minimum required quantities of hazardous substances in the laboratory work area. Always use a fume cupboard, fume cabinet or glove box when working with highly toxic, volatile or odoriferous substances (see Guidelines' Administrative Procedure 3). Wash skin areas which come into contact with chemicals, irrespective of concentration. Keep all fire-escape routes completely clear at all times. Prepare and practice fire drill instructions at least annually and display them in the laboratory. Label all safety equipment and maintain it in good operating condition. Check and inspect safety equipment for correct operation in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and report, in writing, any requirement for maintenance. Ensure that all safety equipment remains accessible to the laboratory personnel at all times. Keep safety information and emergency procedures prominently displayed at all times in each laboratory. Include in the safety information, the telephone numbers of - Fire Brigade (dial '5') Ambulance (dial '5' Hospital (dial '5') Police (dial '5') For general Occupational Safety and Health enquiries please contact the relevant laboratory supervisor in the area or the Occupational Safety and Health Officer (ext.3915). Clean up spills immediately. Dispose of specialised wastes (e.g. broken glassware, biological and radioactive substances) in containers reserved for the particular type of waste. 2. Guidelines/Administrative Procedures 1. Eye Protection in Laboratory Area Where the HOS or nominee has conducted an assessment of the laboratory area and deemed that the work or processes conducted in the area does not present a risk of eye injury to the persons, then eyewear protection is optional in that particular area. The HOS or nominee shall keep a record of the assessment. 2. Procedure for Ensuring People do not Work in Isolation Where persons are required to work in isolation in a laboratory because of the time, location or nature of the work being conducted, then the HOS or nominee shall ensure that – there is a means of communication available which will enable the person to call for help in the event of an emergency; and there is a procedure for regular contact to be made; and that the persons are trained in the procedures. 3. Working with Highly Toxic, Volatile or Odoriferous Chemicals Where it is uncertain if a substance is highly toxic, volatile or odiferous, the HOS or nominee shall obtain information on the substance and relevant laboratory process to determine safe working procedures before using the substance.
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