8200 Emergency

8100 Security

8056 EHS Officer

8014 Campus Clinic

LABSAFETY

Improving Health & Safety

The Essentials

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lab director message 1Risk management 2Loss causation and incident control 3Identifying hazards, assessing and evaluating risk 4Types of hazards 6

Biological 6Chemical 7Physical Radiation 10Mechanical 13Electrical 16Slip trips and Falls 18

Risk control and emergency planning 19Health and safety signs 21Safe code of conduct 23Control measures 24

PPCE 24Safety devices 25

Waste management 26Hazardous 26Non hazardous 27

Working alone and working after hours in laboratories 28Campus services 29Summary 31Quiz 32

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WELCOME MESSAGE

RISK MANAGEMENTWelcome to our lab safety guide, in this booklet you will be provided with important information and precautions in order to work safely inside the lab, also to control any risk and deal with any emergency case in the most appropriate way.

This booklet will be your guide in the lab, so study it well and use it as a reference to help you deal with any case that you may face in the lab.

The EHS section and laboratory department wish all a useful and safe laboratory experience.

Risk management:Is the cornerstone of modern EHS law. Risk management decisions can avoid or reduce any adverse impact upon an organisation.

Risk : Is the likelihood that the harm from one or more particular hazards is realised.

Hazard: Is something with the potential to cause harm; hazard can be physical, chemical, biological, ergonomics, mechanical or psychological in nature.

The principle of risk management are:The identification, measurement and/ or evaluation and economic control of risks that threaten the assets or earnings of a university.

In many countries: specific legal requirements exist, but legal standards such as “adequate”, “suitable and sufficient” and “so far as is reasonably practicable” require active management rather than passive minimal compliance.Dr. Saif Al Husaini

Director of university Laboratories

Mr. Belal IrshaidEHS Manager

« Enjoy the booklet and good luck »

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IDENTIFYING HAZARDS, ASSESSING AND EVALUATING RISK

LOSS CAUSATION AND INCIDENT CONTROL

ACCIDENT TRIANGLE

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

It would be helpful to categorize hazards to make identification easier. Hazards in laboratories may be either:

Physical:Machinery, electricity, heat, noise, gravity, vibration and radiation.

Chemical:Water, acid, alkali, oils.

Biological:HIV Virus, Legionella, hepatitis virus (usually a disease causing agent)

Ergonomic:Physical stress, wrongly sited control and indications (LCD, screen, repetitive).

Psychological:Workload, pressure, hours of work and trauma.

Accident:Is an unplanned, unwanted event which results in loss.

Incident:Is an unplanned, unwanted event that has the potential to result in loss

- The relation between accidents and incidents.These are illustrated by accident triangle.

- The incidents are the foundation of major injuries, major accidents can be avoided and the severity of injury can be reduced through reporting and investigating near misses.

Fatality

Minoc Injury

Property Damage

Near Miss

Report near misses, hazards and incidents:If incidents are left uncontrolled they may well develop into major accidents.A Ancestry D Accident B Fault of the person E InjuryC unsafe action or condition

To report any hazard you can use the online form available at: http://www.kustar.ac.ae/pages/environment-health-and-safety-for-ku-students

HAZARDS

BIOLOGICAL

Occupational exposure limitsIs the maximum concentration of an airborne substance averaged over a reference period to which an employee may be exposed by inhalation.

High risk substances Are carcinogenic substances example arsenic, coal tar and hard wood dust.

The level of exposure to these substances should never be exceeded and should be reduced as far as possible.

In case of high risk occupational exposure

Risk assessment involves five steps:

Look for and identify the hazard.

Decide who might be harmed and in

what circumstances.

Evaluate the risks arising from hazard

and decide whether the existing

precautions are adequate or more

should be done.

Record the significant findings.

Review the assessment if there is a

significant change.

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2

3

4

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RISK ASSESSMENT

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1 stop the process.2 remove the employees from the area.3 Make the area safe.4 Investigate the reason.5 Assess existing controls.6 Monitor procedures.7 Assess ill health to workers.8 Record the incident.

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CHEMICAL

Using chemicals or hazardous substances at work can putemployees and students health at risk.

It is good practice to undertake risk assessments whereverworkers are exposed to hazardous Substances in order to control the risk of ill- health as a result of the exposure.

The following are some examples of a widely used hazardous substances:

HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

Preventing the exposure of students and employees to substances hazardous to heath or adequate control.

Substitution is the preferred option for compliance with the duty of prevention.

Where prevention is not possible, appropriate health protection measures should be applied:

A systems of engineering control e.g. fume hoods.B adequate ventilation system.C suitable personnel protective equipment.

CHEMICALINFORMATION

LABELLING

Package of outer layers of packaging must be Clearly labelled. The label must contain the name of the substance, indication of danger, risk phrases and safety phrases.

SAFETY DATA SHEETS: SDS

The SDS provide comprehensive information about a chemical substance or mixture of use in workplace chemical control regulatory framework.The SDS is available online.

ROUTE OF ENTRY

Inhalation or breathing: is the principal route of entry for contaminants whereby large amounts may potentially pass straight into the blood stream.

Ingestion: result from eating or drinking airborne materials into the mouth and absorbed through the gut.

Skin: absorbed through the skin even healthy intact skin.

Eyes: through the mucous membrane of the eyes.

HAZARDS

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Substance Main toxic effects

Chemical asphyxiate

Skin and respiratory sensitizer, irritant to mucous membranes

Chronic nervous system disorder

eye damage and central nervous system depression

Carbon dioxide

Formaldehyde

Mercury

Ethanol

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PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CHEMICALS

RADIATION

HAZARDS HAZARDS

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DO DON`TBefore opening a chemicals, read the safety and risk phrases.

Label clearly all reagents with their name, date of preparation, expiry date and hazardous symbol if indicated.

Store each chemical and reagent correctly.

Ensure the caps of containers are tightly closed.

When opening a corrosive chemical or one with irritating vapor, use a cloth over the cap and neck of the container.

Keep the lab well ventilated when using hazardous chemicals particularly those flammable and toxic.

When preparing reagents, always wear protective equipment.

Always wash the hands immediately after handling chemicals.

Ensure the head shower and eye wash station properly working.

Allow chemicals to over heat or to sunlight.

Use rubber liners in the caps of bottles containing Xylene, iodine, ether or other chemicals attacks rubber.

Use ground glass stoppers in bottles containing KOH or NaOH.

Mouth pipette, taste or inhale a chemical or reagent.

Is the emission of energy from matter. There are two types of radiationnon-ionizing and ionizing radiation.

Ionizing Non-Ionizing

Example:Visible light, ultra-violet light, infra red light, radio waves or microwaves, may deposit thermal energy in the body or have no effect at all.

Example:Alpha, beta, gamma, neutron and x-ray radiation, has sufficient energy to cause chemical changes to biological molecules, which can lead to ill-health effects. Source of ionizing radiation are radioactive materials and x-ray machines.

STABLE OR UNSTABLE

RADIOACTIVE DECAY

EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION

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MONITORING EXPOSURE

PRECAUTIONS

HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

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At present there are 112 known elementsAmong which are approximately 270 stable isotopes and more than 2000 unstable or radioactive isotopes or radioisotopes.

Film badges:Which will be warn by a radiation worker and will offer a period of time (usually month) on development give a measure of how much radiation that person has received. ( Thermo luminescent dosimeter TLD )

Should be commensurate with the nature and the extent of risks:Is the set of various process in which the nuclei of unstable atoms

emit radiation as they seek stability, their nuclei break up into smaller parts causing:

Fission fragments example bismuth 210- atom.Emitted ionizing radiations example alpha, beta and gamma.

The type of radiation.The absorbed dose.The rate at which the dose was absorbed.The sensitivity of the tissues involved.

Time

Distance Shielding

1 Restriction of exposure.2 Enclosure.3 Engineering control and design features.4 Safe system of work.5 PPE.

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MECHANICAL

CONTROL MEASURES

1 Entanglement

1 Fixed guards

2 Interlocked guards

3 Adjustable guards

4 Automatic sweep guards

2 Traps

3 Impact

4 Contact

5 Ejection

Involves hair, clothing rings and limbs. Becoming entangled in revolving shaft drills.

Creates a physical barrier.Requires a tool to remove it.No moving parts. Easy to inspect.

Convenient for access.Give flexibility of the design.A time delay can be built in

Mainly in tool rooms, machine steps and wood working shops.

Designed to physically remove from danger any part of a person exposed to that danger.

Involves hair, clothing rings and limbs. Becoming entangled in revolving shaft drills.

Being struck by the movement of a machine part. E.g. robot arm.

Means part of the body coming in contact with the machine. E.g. laceration from sharp edges.

being struck by particles ejected from the material or part of the machine. E.g. abrasive wheel.

HAZARDS

HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY

ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY

Never carry a tool by the cord or hose

Never pull the cord or the hose to disconnect it

Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges

Disconnect tools when not in use, for servicing, and repair Keep all observers at a safe distance away from the work area

Secure work with clamps, freeing both hands to operate the tool

Remove damaged portable electric tools from use

Maintain tools in good working order

Regularly inspect tools and report defects

Avoid accidental starting

Wear appropriate PPE

Be SAFE:

BurnsShockArcingFiresExplosions

Electrical emergencies must be dealt with by removing the power first.

Each workshop and laboratory is fitted with an Emergency Isolation switch in the form of a big red button, usually located close to room exit, close to the equipment or attached to working table Use it whenever you have any sense of an electrical danger.

HAZARDS ELECTRICAL

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ELECTRICAL SLIP TRIPS AND FALLS

DO

DO NOT

Disconnect the power first.

Use proper plugs & connections (fused /earthed).

Turn off non-essential electrical equipment at the end of the day.

Always ensure that all equipment and electrical cables are inspected.

Keep liquid away from all electrical equipment.

Poor working conditions.

Poor housekeeping.

Poor design of premises.

Running electrical cables through conduits or route where people won’t trip over them

Cleaning up spills immediately

Wearing recommended footwear

Not running

Keep access ways and exits free from obstruction

Reporting damaged flooring, stairs, ladders & equipment

Don`t leave cabinet doors / drawers in open position

Don’t insert fingers / metal objects to clear jams in photocopiers /shredders

Never attempt electrical repairs

Never overload sockets

Don’t use faulty or damaged equipment.

Avoid the use of multi- boxes, extension cords and trailing cables.

If a plug sockets gets hot don’t useit-report it.

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REASONS

PREVENTION

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RISK CONTROL AND EMERGENCY PLANNING

Wear the appropriate emergency protective equipment, including respiratory protective equipment (RPE), gloves and overalls.

Remain upwind and avoid breathing vapors from the spill/ leak..

Confine the spill/ leak to a small area.

Use appropriate kit to neutralize and absorbs the spill/ leak.

For specific chemicals, use appropriate kits, dry san or others based on the MSDS of the chemical.

Collect residue, place in a container and dispose as chemical waste as per KU procedures.

Clean spill area appropriately.

Write an incident report and submit as per KU procedures.

Carry out an investigation into the cause of the spill/ leak.

Alert people in the immediate area of the spill/ leak.

Isolate the supply or leak.

Inform the emergency response team.

Attend to injured or contaminated persons and remove them from exposure.

Alert people in the affected area to evacuate.

Inform the appropriate authorities.

Close doors leading to the affected area..

Have persons knowledgeable of incident met and assist emergency personnel.

EMERGENCY FOR MINOR SPILLS/LEAKSEMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS

EMERGENCY CARD

EMERGENCY FOR MINOR SPILLS/LEAKS

EMERGENCY

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HEALTH AND SAFETY SIGNS

A warning sign is posted at the entrance of each lab to provide indication of:

The possible hazards in the laboratory.

The appropriate personal protective equipment required.

A list of emergency contact persons.

LAB DOOR SIGNS

SAFETY SIGNS

LABELING AND MARKING SYSTEMS

RED

Prohibition Mandatory Information Warining

BLUE GREEN YELLOW

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SAFE CODE OF CONDUCT CONTROL MEASURES

A warning sign is posted at the entrance of each lab to provide indication of:

Safety glasses – Protection from flying particles

Face shield or goggles – Protection from flying object and

spray of hazardous liquid, if chance of splashing or shattering.

Gloves – Protection from sharp objects and chemicals

Ear plugs – Protection against hearing loss

Laboratory coat/Coverall – Protection from contamination of biological and chemicals.

Enclosed Shoes – Protection from falling objects and spills/splatters.

1 LAB DOOR SIGNS

2 ERICPD

Eliminate

Reduce

Isolate

Control

PPE

Discipline

Sate Place

Safe Person

Best

Least Effective

Hierarchy of control

SAFEMANAGEMNTSYSTEM

Remember, only trained personnel should use breathing apparatus.

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2 SAFETY DEVICES

Ensure that you are aware of the locations of the safety devices such as :

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Determine the type of the waste.

Make a Hazardous Waste Determination: A chemical waste is a “hazardous waste” if it exhibits any of the following characteristics:

Ignitability – flash point < 140 degrees FCorrosivity – PH is < 2.1 or > 12.5Reactivity – reacts with water, can form potentially toxic gases, is unstable or explosive.Toxicity – is on EPA’s list of “toxic” chemicals, and is present in waste at a concentration greater than the EPA threshold.

Satellite Accumulation

ContainerCompatible and in good conditionHas “tight-fitting” closure

Labels:Word “hazardous waste” - Name of the wasteContact details - Date of generation.Secondary Container: Must segregate incompatibles

Calling to schedule Pick-up.

HAZARDOUS: BIOLOGICAL- CHEMICAL

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WORKING ALONE AND WORKING AFTER HOURS IN LABORATORIES

TRAINING OF STUDENTS

Segregate from other wastes.

Place in rigid plastic boxes

with tightfitting lids.

Write date and location.

Fill container only 4/3 full.

Non Broken Glass: Bottles

waste don›t put in medical

lab waste boxes. Non broken

glass shall be removed by

custodians.

Broken Glass: if clean, should

be disposed of in a “Broken

Glass” box.

Sharps Glass

BOOKS

E- LEARNING COURSES

Working alone and after working hours poses a potential risk to those carrying out the activity, especially when issues such as emergencies, loss of communication and unexpected changes in circumstances take place.

Work Approval should be completed, approved by their University officials and posted on the door of the laboratory concerned.

COSHH - Display Screen Equipment - Lab Safety Lone Working - Office Safety - Stress ManagementElectrical Safety - Slips, Trips and Falls

NON-HAZARDOUS:

DISPOSAL FORM:

Decontaminate your workbench with disinfectant.

Leave all equipment, samples and reagents in the lab.

Leave laboratory coats in the laboratory.

Return unused equipment, apparatus.

Wash your hands with antiseptic soap and water.

Wear appropriate PPE.

Tie long hair neatly at the back of the neck.

Remove jewelry.

Covering any wounds.

Handle unknowns as if they were hazardous.

Use only mechanical pipetting devices.

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BEFORE LAB WORK: (GET TO KNOW)

Reporting any unsafe practice, equipment or facilities to your supervisor or online.

All contractors must fill in health and safety assessment form/ PTW for their project prior to work commencing.

Lab/ workshop users must ensure that they are competent to use the items of equipment they need.

Hazards of materials and their prescribed safety procedures.

Emergency spill procedures, use of adsorbents and disinfectants.

Designated escape route .

Location of fire extinguishers, eyewash and shower station, fire blankets, first aid, and spill kits.

Emergency numbers.

CAMPUS SERVICES

During lab work: Before leaving lab:

NOT PERMITTED

PPE

EatingDrinkingSmokingHandling Contact LensesStoring Food and DrinksShowing Gum Applying CosmeticsInserting Fingers, Pens or other articles in the Mouth Pipetting by Mouth

Safety glasses Face shield or gogglesGlovesEar plugs Laboratory coat/CoverallEnclosed Shoes

NEVER use rubber liners in the caps of bottles containing Xylene, iodine, ether or other chemicals attacks rubber.NEVER use ground glass stoppers in bottles containing KOH or NaOH.NEVER carry a tool by the cord or hoseNEVER pull the cord or the hose to disconnect itNEVER leave cabinet doors / drawers in open position

Before opening a chemicals, read the safety and risk phrases.Label clearly all reagents Store each chemical and reagent correctly.Ensure the caps of containers are tightly closed.Remove damaged portable electric tools from use Turn off non-essential electrical equipment at the end of the day.

SUMMARY

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LAB SAFETY QUIZ

TICK ON THE CORRECT ANSWER:

Name:

Date:

Employee signature:

Supervisor signature:

Date: / /

Quiz time: 20 minutes

1. MSDS›s should be consulted: A. In case of fire or explosion B. Before working with a chemical C. In the event of a spill

2. (Multiple Answer) Why should contact lenses not be worn in lab? A. It is difficult to remove lenses after a chemical splashB. the lens is permeable to vapors, which cause irritationC. chemicals trapped under lens will cause severe damageD. that boy or girl you are tying to get to see you cannot tell the color of your eyes

3. The correct procedure for combining acid and water: A. add acid to large amounts of waterB. add water to large amounts of acidC. always add acid to water, cool and swirlD. always add water to acid, cool and swirlE. just dump them both together into beaker

4. (Multiple Choice) which of the following is not a correct match between type of fire (and fire extinguisher) and the material that would be burning in that type fire: A. Type A - large structures like a houseB. Type B - oil, grease, paint thinnersC. Type C - electrical equipmentD. Type D - combustible metals

5. After completing an experiment, all chemical wastes should beA. left at your lab station for the next classB. disposed of according to your instructor’s directionsC. dumped in the sinkD. taken home

6. Personal eyeglasses provide as much protection asA. a face shieldB. safety glasses

7. Long hair in the laboratory must beA. cut short.B. held away from the experiment with one handC. always neatly groomedD. tied back or kept entirely out of the way with a hair band, hairpins, or other confining device.

8. What safety device should be used if a lab technician pours acid into a beaker and it splashes into their eyes?A. Fume Hood B. Fire Extinguisher

9. (True/False) all accidents and/or injuries must be reported to the supervisor/safety representative immediately A. TrueB. False

10. In a laboratory, the following should not be worn.A. loose clothingB. dangling jewellery

11. If an acid is splashed on your skin, wash at once withA. soapB. oil

12. What is the correct procedure for staff/workers to follow if a significant chemical is spilled:

A. stand back and advise the safety officer of the spillB. run madly about the roomC. splash large amounts of water onto the spillD. immediately ask to go to the restroom

13. The following footwear is best in the laboratory.A. sandalsB. open-toed shoes

D. To prepare risk assessmentsE. All of the above C. Eye Wash Station

D. Fire Blanket

C. sandalsD. all of the above

C. weak baseD. plenty of water

C. closed-toed shoesD. shoes appropriate for the weather

C. splash proof chemical gogglesD. none of the above

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