SAFETY INDUCTION

Malcolm Strong

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Health & Safety at Work Act



This act of parliament makes it a criminal offence not to comply with the duties it imposes.

Failure to comply could lead to prosecution in the courts with heavy fines and/or imprisonment. Ignorance is no excuse.
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Health & Safety at Work Act

Duties of Employees (Staff and Students).


To take reasonable care of the Health & Safety of themselves & others affected by their acts or omissions.

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Health & Safety at Work Act



To take reasonable care of the Health & Safety of themselves & others affected by their acts or omissions.

To co-operate with the requirements and duties imposed on the employer to enable those requirements and duties to be complied with.

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Health & Safety at Work Act



To take reasonable care of the Health & Safety of themselves & others affected by their acts or omissions. To co-operate with the requirements and duties imposed on the employer to enable those requirements and duties to be complied with.

Duty not to interfere with or misuse.

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Safety Signs
Blue signs are compulsory. Failure to comply not only puts you at risk, but means you have broken the law.

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Safety Signs
Yellow signs are warnings. Failure to take notice not only puts you at risk, but means you could be breaking the law if you fail to take precautions.

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Safety Signs
Green signs are safety guidance. First aid , emergency exits

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Safety Signs
Red signs are prohibitive and Fire.
NO

and Fire call points, etc.

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Fire
If you discover a fire.


In all cases, set off the fire alarms via break glass panel. This will summon the rescue team and the fire service, and alert others to evacuate the building.

Go to the control point and inform them where the fire is. Or, if you think it is safe to tackle the fire, at no personal risk, inform someone you intend to do so and send someone to the control point. Test the fire extinguisher at a safe distance and approach the fire aiming at the base of the fire. Use one extinguisher and leave.
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Fire Extinguisher Types

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Protective Clothing
Safety

Glasses.

Must be worn in all chemistry laboratories. Must be worn in mechanical workshops

Must be worn when transferring cryogenic liquids.

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Protective Clothing

Lab coats.

Cotton laboratory coats must be worn when doing chemical work. If you spill or splash corrosive chemicals on Yourself, it is easier to take off a lab coat than taking off your clothes. (And are cheaper to replace.) Also protects you from flash burns. It is also recommended in Mechanical workshops to protect your clothes and you from oil.
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Protective Clothing

Shoes.
Sandals and open shoes are not allowed in chemical laboratories, Mechanical workshops or when transferring cryogenic liquids. If you spill corrosive chemicals they are most likely to get on your feet. Nylon socks make an awful mess with acids. Metal swarf can be very sharp. Frost bitten toes are hard to fix.
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Protective Clothing
Gloves.


When handling hazardous chemicals wear rubber disposable gloves. Remove and dispose of them before you leave the lab or answer the telephone. When handling cryogenic liquids wear loose fitting insulating gloves. When handling sharps wear appropriate gloves.
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Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are the most important and effective recent safety legislation. Before undertaking any task, always identify the hazards and assess the risks. Then implement the measures required to remove or minimise the risk before starting work. All practical work must have a risk assessment, check your lab safety folder and ask your supervisor.

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Lasers
Lasers in teaching laboratories are safe low power, but the research labs have high powered lasers. These labs are restricted areas for access by authorised persons only. Staff and students in these areas must see the laser Safety Video before commencing work. Research lasers are not always in the visible wavelengths so the beam is not obvious.

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Fume Cupboards
Always fully close the sash when access is not required. Always keep the sash to the lowest height needed to work. Not all fume cupboards are in operation 24hours, check before leaving reactions overnight. When contractors are working on the roof, by the stacks, the cupboards are locked closed, do not tamper with the locks.
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Chemicals


Keep quantities you are working with to the minimum required. Transport with care, in proper containers. Always label containers Always wash your hands after handling chemicals. Do not eat, drink or smoke in the labs. Always dispose waste of correctly.
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Cryogenic Liquids
Cryogenic liquids are used in Chemistry and Physics, teaching and research laboratories. Liquid Nitrogen is very cold, 196o C. Liquid Helium is even colder 268o C. If you touch any un-insulated container you will stick to it. Always wear loose fitting insulated gloves. Never travel in a lift with dewars of any cryogenic liquid. If it spills or the lift gets stuck it will boil off and suffocate you. Never wear sandals or open shoes when handling cryogenic liquid, if you spill it on your socks it will give you deep frost bite.
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Electrical Safety
There is always a risk when working with electricity, particularly supplies over 120volts.

Before using any electrical apparatus check that has been tested for safety. Special care should be taken when using portable tools, inspect the cables and plugs before use. When working on live circuits or equipment where authorised to do so, use supplies that are protected by RCCBs.
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Radiation
Some labs have radioactive materials or radiation generating equipment. Before you work in these areas you must obtain a University licence before you start work. Contact the Safety office to attend the course.

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Manual Handling
Most accidents on campus are caused by manual handling incidents.
   

Assess the weight before you move anything. Break it into smaller loads if possible. Get help if needed. Use lifting equipment provided.

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Gas cylinders
Always use the correct, three wheeled trolleys, for transporting cylinders and never move a cylinder with the regulator fitted. Never use PTFE tape, grease or oil when fitting regulators. Any oil based product in an oxygen regulator can cause an explosion. Always use the correct gas regulator on the cylinder. Never mix gas types the regulators are designed to work with the gas they are made for. Always support the cylinder with chains or clamps, never leave it free standing.
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Keep areas tidy.

Many accidents are caused by untidy labs and offices. Trailing leads, spills not cleaned up, cluttered benches. Always keep your work area tidy.
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Hours of work.
Because the rescue team and first aiders are volunteers from members of staff, they are not on campus out of normal working hours. No hazardous work should be undertaken outside of building opening hours. If you need to run equipment or experiments overnight you must have a permit to do so. If you need to run a chemical reaction overnight there is a special room for this ask your supervisor.
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Emergency number. 3333

For any Emergency call 3333 on any internal or emergency telephone. This number is staffed 24hours a day. Tell them which building, which room, your name and what kind of emergency, (e.g. fire, first aid or chemical spill). They will call for the required service you need via radio. Stay in the area until help arrives.
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Incident and accident reporting

Report all accidents and incidents to the School Safety Advisor even if no injury was caused. They will make inquiries and take action to prevent it happening to someone else.

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Where to Get More Information

The University web site gives access to copies of:
Safety Policy documents. Local Rules. Safety Guidance Notes. Before you do any work check these for relevant rules and policies, ignorance is no excuse

Lab scripts and lab safety folders contain information for the area of activity.

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