FACULTY OF

School of

MEDICINE, HEALTH & MOLECULAR SCIENCES

Medicine & Dentistry

Anatomy Laboratory Safety Manual 2013

Contents
Townsville Staff ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 3 Human Bequest Program ...................................................................................................................... 3 Anatomy Laboratory Safety Rules ........................................................................................................ 4 Anatomy Laboratory General Policies ................................................................................................. 6 Health and Safety .................................................................................................................................... 6 First Aid .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Waste Disposal ........................................................................................................................................ 7 Evacuation Procedure ............................................................................................................................ 8 Misconduct............................................................................................................................................... 9 Further Questions ................................................................................................................................... 9 Induction Form ...................................................................................................................................... 10

Townsville Staff
Phone ext.

Academic
Dr Helen Anscomb Head of Discipline of Anatomy and Coordinator of the Human Bequest Program helen.anscomb@jcu.edu.au Dr Kate Domett Senior Lecturer kate.domett@jcu.edu.au Dr Monika Zimanyi Senior Lecturer monika.zimanyi@jcu.edu.au Dr Alexandra Trollope Anatomy Lecturer Assoc Prof Shashidhar Venkatesh Associate Professor (Pathology) shashidhar.venkatesh@jcu.edu.au

16159

15608

15855

14566

Technical
Ms Candi Lee Administration Assistant, Anatomy & Pathology candi.lee@jcu.edu.au Dr Katharine Terry Senior Technical Officer katharine.terry@jcu.edu.au Dr Tess Aceret Technical Officer (Pathology) teresita.aceret@jcu.edu.au Mr Peter Morrison-Conway Technical Officer peter.morrisonconway@jcu.edu.au Mr Scott Le Rossignol Technical Officer scott.lerossignol@jcu.edu.au

15626

13466

13465

13459

13459

Introduction
The Anatomy Laboratory is a resource area for students. The Discipline of Anatomy at James Cook University is licensed to conduct the practice of anatomy under the guidelines of the Transplantation and Anatomy Act and the Human Tissue Act. Students and staff must be aware of certain legal and moral obligations associated with the use of human bodies for anatomical examination within the Anatomy Laboratory. Students need to be aware that using such material may cause distress to some and/or raise issues of grief.

Human Bequest Program

The university abides by strict legal and ethical obligations. It is subject to the Transplantation and Anatomy Act and the Human Tissue Act. This legislation governs the body donor program. The Head of the Discipline of Anatomy is the Coordinator of the Program. Donors live in North Queensland and generally sign up within their lifetime. The university retains the bodies for a maximum of eight years or indefinitely (as requested by donor). The university arranges and pays for cremation at the end of this time. Ashes can be returned to relatives or scattered anonymously, depending on the donors wishes. Donated bodies are embalmed to preserve them for this period. Donors benefit in the knowledge that even after their death they can still contribute to the community by providing tissue for anatomical study. Society benefits through having well-trained health professionals working within the local community. The School of Medicine and Dentistry conducts a Thanksgiving Ceremony every three years to commemorate the donors and their families. Student participation is a major part of this ceremony. The Discipline of Anatomy at the School of Medicine and Dentistry recognises and appreciates the valuable contributions that are made by those who donate their bodies for medical research and scientific purposes and we are committed to caring for human bodies and remains with respect and professionalism.

Anatomy Laboratory Safety Rules

The Discipline of Anatomy has strict rules which MUST BE FOLLOWED, as outlined below: No person is permitted to work in a laboratory until a safety induction for that laboratory has been undertaken. All instructions issued by the technician/lecturer/demonstrator in charge must be followed. Bags and clothing should be placed in the bag storage area or left in home rooms. It is compulsory that students wear laboratory coats and enclosed shoes at all times whilst in the laboratory. Students will only be permitted entry to the laboratory if wearing enclosed shoes and laboratory coats.

Nitrile gloves must be worn all times while handing the prosections. No other object should be touched while wearing gloves including books, door handles, taps etc. Do not put gloves into the waste paper bin. Gloves are to be disposed of in the yellow biohazard bins provided. Long hair must be tied back. Eating (including chewing gum, cough lollies and lollipops), drinking or smoking are not permitted in the laboratory. The use of mobile phones, cameras or video cameras in the laboratory is strictly forbidden. No visitors are allowed in the laboratory at any time. All accidents, including cut fingers, should be reported to a demonstrator immediately. The appropriate recording and reporting procedure will be undertaken by staff. At no time can any skeletons, anatomical models, books, texts, CD-ROMS or cadaveric material be removed from the Anatomy Laboratory (note, the anatomy lab is under 24 hour surveillance). These resources must be kept clean and returned to exactly where they came from. The lab should be left clean and tidy at the end of each class.

In the event of an emergency such as fire or explosion, act strictly in accordance with the instructions of the staff member in charge. 4

Anatomy Laboratory General Policies

It is not compulsory to wear safety glasses in the laboratory, however we recommend that you wear safety glasses while handling prosections. Should prosection material or liquid contact your eyes, use the eye wash stations to rinse it out immediately. Please wash your hands immediately before leaving the laboratory (please note: the soap is concentrated and only a small amount in the palm of your hand in required). Although we encourage active participation and enthusiasm, appropriate behaviour and respect for donors should be demonstrated at all times. Please inform staff if you have known someone who may have donated their body to the University.

Health and Safety

Workplace Health & Safety Students and visitors have the right to work in a safe and healthy environment and the obligation to comply with instructions given according to the Workplace Health & Safety Act 2011. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Students must wear laboratory coats and fully enclosed shoes when entering the School of Medicine & Dentistry James Cook University laboratory. Immunisation All students undertaking practical classes in the Anatomy laboratory should be fully vaccinated as they may be exposed to human blood, faeces and blood products. Students are strongly advised to have the following vaccines: tetanus, hepatitis A/B (under Infectious Diseases Policy Faculty of Medicine, Health & Molecular Sciences at James Cook University and Queensland Health legislation). Pregnancy Students who are pregnant may be at higher risk from exposure to certain chemicals and hazards. Any student who knows they are pregnant or are trying to fall pregnant should notify the course coordinator or technical staff. This will ensure that suitable arrangements or modifications can be made to minimise the students exposure, as appropriate.

First Aid
All accidents including minor cuts and bruises must be reported to the technical staff or subject coordinator. If you are feeling unwell and/or dizzy, notify staff and sit down outside the laboratory. It is not unusual for students to experience these symptoms on first encountering cadaveric specimens. Before your first practical class using prosected specimens it is recommended that you are fully hydrated and have had something to eat before your class. Water coolers are located outside the entry to the laboratory. All technical staff are trained to apply First Aid and should be contacted immediately in the event of accident, injury or illness.

The First Aid Officer for the Discipline of Anatomy is Mr Peter Morrison-Conway of the Anatomy Teaching Laboratory ext. 13459. First Aid Kits are located in the Anatomy Teaching Laboratory and Anatomy Preparation Area. Eye wash stations and safety showers are also located in the Anatomy Teaching Laboratory (2) and Anatomy Preparation Area. In the case of chemical spills or splashes, notify technical staff immediately for assistance. Safety showers are available for large spills. Eye injuries, whether caused by chemicals, mechanical injury or splashes are always potentially serious. Eyes will require immediate and prolonged flushing with water (20 minutes minimum) at the eye wash station. Medical advice should be obtained for an eye injury. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) can be consulted to determine appropriate first aid and subsequent treatment.

Waste Disposal
Sharps Scalpel blades, needles and broken glass should be disposed of in the yellow containers labelled Sharps. In the case of sharps injuries, please notify staff immediately. Biological Waste Nitrile gloves and other items that may have contacted bodily fluids must be disposed of in the yellow Biohazard bins provided. Other Disposal Only paper towels are to be placed in the black bins provided outside the teaching laboratory. Food and drinks are not permitted in these areas.

Evacuation Procedure
In the event of an Emergency such as fire or explosion: Students should NOT attempt to fight a fire. Staff should be notified immediately and all instructions followed. Evacuate the building through the nearest fire exit. DO NOT USE THE LIFT. Assemble at the evacuation assembly point in the main car park outside Building 46 (Anatomy & Clinical skills).

Alarms In an emergency there is a progression of alarms. Alert Tone a beep-beep-beep sound. This means you should stop work and prepare to evacuate. Evacuate Tone a whoop-whoop sound. You should evacuate the building immediately. Move quickly but do not run. Follow any instructions given to you.

Misconduct
Misconduct in the Anatomy Laboratory (staff or students) is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Misconduct includes: Accessing the Anatomy Laboratory without permission or authorisation or bringing in unauthorised visitors. Photographing or video recording cadaveric specimens. Damage to cadaveric specimens and property. Removal of any items from the Anatomy laboratory (specimens, models, books etc.). Inappropriate and/or careless handling of cadaveric specimens. Making disrespectful remarks, gestures or jokes relating to cadaveric specimens.

Behaviour at all times should be respectful to the donors, conducive to learning and cooperative for the benefit of all users of the anatomy laboratory.

Further Questions
Any further questions or comments regarding this manual can be directed to: Dr Helen Anscomb Head of Discipline of Anatomy Phone: 07 4781 6159 Email: helen.anscomb@jcu.edu.au or Dr Katharine Terry Senior Technical Officer Phone: 07 4781 3466 Email: katharine.terry@jcu.edu.au

Induction Form
After reading this manual carefully, students should print out the Student Safety Induction Form and the Media Release Form (LearnJCU). These forms should be filled out and signed and will be collected at the first Anatomy practical class. Students will not be allowed to attend practical classes until these forms are submitted.

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