HEALTH AND ANATOMY LABORATORY SAFETY OPERATING PROCEDURES

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Contents 1. General Laboratory Rules 2. Roles & Responsibility 2.1

Lecturers

2.2

Principal Investigator / Supervisors

2.3

Laboratory technician & students 2.3.1 Daily Operation Checks

3. Risk Management 3.1

Risk Assessment (RA)

3.2

Emergency Procedures

3.3

Other Emergency Numbers

3.4

Emergency Equipment

3.5

Accident / Incident Report Form

3.6

Department First Aiders

3.7

Working Alone Policy

4. Anatomy Laboratory 4.1

Safety Precautions 4.1.1 Skeletal Models 4.1.2 Muscular Models 4.1.3 Labelling of cupboards

5. Fire Safety 5.1

Fire Fighting 5.5.1 Small Fires 5.5.2 Fires due to Explosion 5.5.3 Fire Extinguishers 5.5.4 Evacuation Procedures 5.5.4.1

Sounding of Alarm

5.5.4.2

Evacuation Areas

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Annexes A

Daily Operational Check List

B

Risk Assessment Forms

C

Accident / Incident Report Form

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1. General Laboratory Rules These rules aim to provide a general understanding of laboratory safety. The rules will familiarise Individuals to work safely in a laboratory environment and as a preventive measure for accidents or incidents. Students and researchers need to be acquainted with the rules before embarking on any laboratory procedures. More rules may be added to the existing ones. Before embarking on a laboratory project or research, the knowledge of laboratory safety procedures should be utilised by students and researchers at all time. Rules must be strictly adhered to in the laboratory testing areas.



No food or drinks allowed



Do not operate any machine without proper training and sufficient practice



Keep laboratory testing area clean, neat and uncluttered



Report all accidents, incidents to the research or laboratory project supervisor and laboratory technician in charge



Be familiar with emergency procedures and numbers



Be familiar with locations of safety items



Be properly attired

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2. Roles & Responsibilities To build up a culture of personal responsibility and safety, a co-operative role between staff, students and researchers is crucial in its implementation and maintenance of these regulations. It is recommended that these guidelines be followed:

2.1

Lecturers

 Brief students on laboratory safety general regulations during the first laboratory lesson in the year;  Ensure students have clearly read and understood the laboratory safety regulations and signed on the relevant indemnity forms  Demonstrate good safety practices at all times in the laboratory;  Give explicit instructions, highlighting certain safety precautions to be exercised by students where appropriate, before students begin their laboratory work The laboratory technician will able to assist in the safety procedures;  Record and report all incidents/accidents that occur in the laboratory. The laboratory technician will able to assist in the safety procedures;  All lecturers in PESS are basic first aid and CPR trained. In addition knowledge of basic fire prevention and control measures; and procedures for handling spills and proper disposal of materials may be helpful in accidents/incidents. The laboratory technician will assist in these safety procedures.

2.2

Principal Investigator / Supervisors

 All new staff and students will be briefed on general lab safety rules by the Principal Investigators/supervisors and will learn the operation of machines and equipments from the laboratory technician in charge.  Proper handling of equipment with the help of the laboratory technician.

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2.3

Laboratory Technician in Charge

 Maintaining equipment in functional conditions  Ensuring anatomical parts are placed correctly back into model  Check that safety devices and fire extinguishers are working  Replenishing consumables if necessary  Initiating necessary repair or maintenance work  Keeping the Laboratory clean and tidy  Taking up the role of being a fire warden if a fire breaks out or during a fire drill

2.3.1 Daily Operational Checks The laboratory technician will also perform daily checks to ensure all is in accordance with laboratory safety procedures in the mornings and before leaving the laboratory at the end of the office hour. A check list is provided for to ensure all key areas are properly checked and assessed to deem the laboratory safe for routine activities. The check list is provided under Annex A

3

Risk Management All individuals prior to commencing of laboratory tests must be familiar with the Risk Assessment Forms (RAs) and be aware of potential hazards and the prevention steps for such hazards. Individuals working in the laboratory must be aware of emergency procedures and location of safety equipment. Clear signage showing emergency routes and telephone numbers must be displayed in unobstructed view. 3.1

Risk Assessment (RA)

Risk assessment encompasses activities within that particular laboratory. Applying a scoring matrix to the hazards and risks identified, the accumulated points determine the degree of danger that is posed by the activity to the user. The assessment includes prevention guidelines and methods to control and minimize that degree of danger. RAs must be available within laboratory premises. See Annex B

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3.2

Emergency Medical Procedures

The term emergency in this context refers to life threatening or severe situations that do not require the immediate evacuation of laboratory premises. Conditions here apply, but are not limited, to sudden cardiac arrests, unconsciousness, fractures, severe pain resulting in immobility, excessive bleeding. Immediate notification is necessary to any staff in charge in such emergency occurs. In the event that assistance from staff is not available, execute the following procedures and provide first aid / CPR / AED if possible:

TELEPHONE 6790 3999 READ SLOWLY AND CLEARLY

This is the Anatomy Laboratory at NIE Block 5, Level 2 Room 4. We have an emergency and need medical assistance immediately. Someone will be at the front door of the laboratory to meet you. 3.3

Other Emergency Numbers

Agency

Tel No:

Police

999

Ambulance

995

National University Hospital

6772 5000

NIE Campus Security (24 hrs)

6790 3999

NIE Campus Facilities Reporting Centre (24 hrs)

6790 3000

NTU Medical Clinic (Gethin-Jones Medical Practice Pte Ltd)

6793 6828

6790 3020

6793 6974

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3.4

Emergency Equipment

It is important for laboratory personnel to be notified of the provision and location of emergency kits items. Item

Rooms

Automated external defibrillator

Exercise Physiology Laboratory Beside main entrance door (05-02-02)

Fire extinguishers

Psychomotor room (05-02-01) Exercise Physiology Laboratory (05-02-02) Health and Anatomy Room (05-02-04) Exercise Physiology Laboratory (05-02-02) Exercise Physiology Laboratory (05-02-02) Biochemistry Laboratory (05-02-03) Biochemistry Laboratory (05-02-03)

First aid kit Eye wash bottles

Ice packs

Item location

Beside main entrance doors

Beside sink (with mercury spillage kit) Above sink area On the main entrance door In the 4oC glass door fridge

Water in the bottles is changed weekly with Type II de-ionized clean water. 3.5

Accident / Incident Report Form

In the event of an accident or incident, a report in the format of a standardized form must be filled up within and submitted to Head/PESS and Deputy Head/PESS. This form will be available in both soft and hard copies. This report serves as a means to rectify and improve safety areas that need to be addressed in current risk assessments to prevent such a situation from occurring again. See Annex C for detailed reporting schedule.

3.6

Department First Aiders

PESS equips all staff with first aid training as well as knowledge in operating the AED. Certification last for 2 years and staff are encouraged to apply for re-certification once it expires. Current resident first aider: Mr Rhys Reutens Contact number 6790 3710 / 6790 3728

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3.7

Working Alone Policy

Undergraduate students are not allowed to work past laboratory hours, unless accompanied by supervisor or a trained PhD or research student. Supervisors are not to leave the students alone to work unless accompanied by a trained PhD or research student. All students, supervisors and laboratory staff must be familiar with the risks and safety procedures prior to commencement of any experiment. Research or Phd students trained in laboratory procedures are allowed to conduct research after laboratory hours with a partner. Application must be made to the supervisor for consideration. On the discretion of the supervisor, the research student may or may not be allowed to work alone with the partner depending on the ability, the type of work, experience and knowledge of the student. On approval, laboratory technician must be informed so as to extend provision of air conditioning. Laboratories will have air conditioning from 7.30am till 10pm for seven days a week to protect and prevent machine breakdowns which may lead to accidents or incidents All work must cease by 2230 hours.

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4.

Anatomy Laboratory The anatomy room is located at 05-02-04. Current seating capacity is at 60 students. The room houses the muscular and skeletal models of whole or selected parts of the human body such as models of arms, legs, and torso as well as ligament models of ankles, knees and elbows. These models assist in illustrating the movements of muscles, bone, ligaments and tissue. 4.1

Safety precautions 4.1.1 Skeletal Models Skeletal models are hung from a moveable base of wheels. Each model has its own considerable weight and is unstable, thus there is a tendency to topple over if moved too forcefully. Care must be taken when transporting the skeletal models around the room. Permission has to be granted if models has to be taken outside the Anatomy Laboratory. In addition, warning signs will be near the vicinity of the skeletal models to warn users of the instability and to take adequate precaution. 4.1.2 Muscular Models Muscular models are made up of parts that can be removed to reveal internal anatomy. These parts are held in by slots that readily drop off if held improperly. It would be advisable that these models are left on a stable surface like a flat table while working with it. Signs will be used to warn users not to lift the models too high while demonstrating since the models may drop and hurt individuals who are watching and standing close. 4.1.3 Labelling of cupboards All cupboards, with glass doors or metal doors or other types, will be labelled to assist in identification of its contents.

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5.

Fire Safety PESS laboratories do not deal with naked flames. However, there are considerable amount of electrical appliances that could pose as a hazard if ever a malfunction. All laboratories are equipped with dry powder fire extinguishers that are suitable for flammable liquids, gases and electrical fires. Custodian and maintenance of these fire extinguishers lies with DED.

5.1

Fire Fighting 5.5.1. Small Fires In the event that a small fire breaks out due to mechanical malfunction and is contained and localised within that equipment space, locate and use the fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire out. If fire cannot be contained, vacate immediately and break the fire glass alarm.

5.5.2 Fires due to Explosion Vacate the area immediately and break the nearest fire alarm glass. If possible locate the nearest safe emergency phone and notify of fire emergency. 5.5.3 Fire Extinguishers * To use the fire extinguishers, apply P.A.S.S

P -Pull out the safety device of the fire extinguisher.

A - Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.

S -Squeeze the top lever of the fire extinguisher.

S -Sweep the discharge over the entire area of the fire * adapted from NSSE’s Safety Operating Procedures (Version: Draft 7) Section 6.4

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5.5.4 Evacuation Procedures * 5.5.4.1

Sounding of Alarm

When the 1st stage alarm is activated      

Remain calm and alert Wait for further instructions through the Public Address System (PA System) If it is a false alarm, there will be a message via the PA system to inform occupants that it is a false alarm If there is an outbreak of fire, the 2nd stage alarm, a continuous ringing, will sound in the affected building(s), Listen to the announcement via the PA system for all floors to commence evacuation All students are to follow the instructions of Fire Evacuation Wardens and leave by staircases in an orderly manner to the assembly area

5.5.4.2

Evacuation Areas

The assembly area of PE block is at carpark 5. Picture below shows the Fire Escape Staircases to the assembly area

*adapted from NIE CRISIS RESPONSE PLAN FOR STUDENT TEACHERS http://teachers.nie.edu.sg/portal/page/portal/TeacherPortal/ContentDetails?paramMainTab=6&p aramNodes=648

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ANNEX A

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Annex A Health Anatomy Laboratory PHYSICAL EDUCATIONS & SPORTS SCIENCE INSPECTION CHECKLIST FOR LABORATORIES Laboratory technicians must do daily inspection for labs/sports facilities. Monthly inspection checklist is to be signed and filed. Periodic inspection (once every 3 months by Deputy Head/PESS and respective supervisors) will be carried out under PESS Workplace Health and Safety Charter.

Status during Inspection:

□ occupied

□ unoccupied

General Postings and Policies Essential info on safety poster and signs visible Emergency phone numbers posted Ensure signages are all visible and still readable General Emergency/Safety Equipment Fire extinguishers present, inspected AED and First Aid box, checked Emergency door exits clear and not blocked Floors are clear and aisles, hallways and exits are not blocked Emergency doors are unlocked during office hours and during night time usage Emergency evacuation plans are posted at all premises Proper attire in lab Electrical Safety and Equipment Check Extension cords as permanent wiring in good condition Electrical cords in good condition Outlets/ plugs tested/ acceptable Cables not laid across walking path-ways Equipment and machines are clean and working properly SOPs pasted and updated for machines in labs All power sockets are switched off for all machines unless necessary General Safety and Housekeeping Labs/facilities are clear and free from clutter at all times Food, drinks (except water & isotonic drinks) and cosmetics not permitted in labs/facilities Removal of hazard items on working area in labs Consumables replenished Doors locked after office hours Windows are closed Emergency Exit is clear Lights off after office hours Prevention of trespasses via checks of student or staff ID

□ Yes □ No □ N.A. □ Yes □ No □ N.A.

□ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes

□ No □ No □ No □ No □ No

□ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A □ N.A

□ Yes □ No □ N.A. □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes

□ No □ No □ No □ No □ No □ No □ No

□ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A.

□ Yes □ No □ N.A. □ Yes □ No □ N.A. □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes

□ No □ No □ No □ No □ No □ No □ No

□ N.A □ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A. □ N.A

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Checklist Daily checklist done (at beginning and end of day) Monthly check list to be signed and kept in files

□ Yes □ No □ N.A. □ Yes □ No □ N.A.

General Comments: (Make note of particular safety issues. Unique hazards may require special precautions. Also to indicate time frame for implementation of corrective actions)

Checked by:

A/P Govindasamy Balasekaran Deputy Head, PESS PESS Safety Officer Dated:

Asst Prof Chow Jia Yi Assistant Head, PESS Dated:

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ANNEX B

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ANNEX B RISK MATRIX

5

4

3

2

1

Workplace Safety

Workplace Health

Environment

Fire Damage

Downtime Incurred

Fatality, single or multiple

Acute Poisoning, Failure of Major Bodily Functions

Spills to Outside Campus

More Than $10 million damages

More than 1 year for full reinstatement

Permanent Body Injury or Loss of Use

Infection with No Known Cure

Infection outside confines of Campus

Injury requiring 30 days of hospitalization and/or medical leave

Moderate exposure, Reversible injury to Bodily Functions on prolong recovery

Spills to Outside Building

More Than $1 million damages

More than 3 months for full re-instatement

Temporary Body Injury or Loss of Use

Infection with Known Cure but extensive treatment

Infection outside confines of Building affecting neighboring buildings but within Campus

Injury requiring 10 days of hospitalization and/or medical leave

Mild exposure, Reversible injury to Bodily Functions with less than 1 month recovery

Spills to Outside Laboratory/Room

More Than $100k damages

More than 1 month for full re-instatement

Temporary Body Injury or Loss of Use

Infection with Known Cure but extensive treatment

Infection outside confines of workplace but within laboratory only

Injury requiring maximum of 3 days of medical leave only

Very Mild exposure, Reversible injury to Bodily Functions with less than 3 days recovery

Spills to Outside Workplace but within laboratory

More Than $10k damages

More than 5 days for full reinstatement

Temporary Body Injury or Loss of Use

Infection with Known Cure but treatment needed

Infection outside confines of Laboratory but within building only

First aid treatment only

Very Mild exposure, Reversible injury to Bodily Functions with less than 3 days recovery

Spills within Workplace only

Less than $10k damages

No significant downtime

No or superficial injury

No Exposure

No Infection or infection with no effects

Critical

Very Serious

Serious

Marginal

Negligible

Severity Table

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Likelihood of Occurrence/Exposure Criteria Frequent (5)

Likely to occur many times per year

Moderate (4)

Likely to occur once per year

Occasional (3)

Might occur once in three years

Remote (2)

Might occur once in five years

Unlikely (1)

Might occur once in ten years

Likelihood Table

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE INVENTORY OF ACTIVITIES

No.

Process/Location:

Work Activities

Common undergraduate modules:      1

Health Anatomy Lab 05-02-04

Year 1: ABA104, APA102, SS1001, SS1003 Year 2: SS2002 Year 3: APA334, SS3401, SS3601, SS3602, IPE3005, Year 4: APA402 SS9002

Activities:  Skeletal and muscular models presentation  Handling of equipment

Laboratory activities are extended to research students, final year projects, in-service courses and any short courses when necessary.

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ACTIVITY-BASED RISK ASSESSMENT FORM Process/Location: Health Anatomy Lab 05-02-04

Conducted by: (Names, designations, date)

Darren Lim

Approved by: (Names, designations, date)

Last Review Date:

August 2011

Next Review Date:

1. Hazard Identification 1a.

No.

1b.

Work Activity

Asst Prof Chow Jia Yi

August 2014

2. Risk Evaluation

3. Risk Control

1c.

1d.

2a.

2b.

2c.

2d.

3a.

Hazard

Possible Accident / Ill Health & Persons-at-Risk

Existing Risk Control (if any)

Seve -rity

Likelihood

Risk Level

Additional Risk Control

3b. Follow up by (name, designation & date)

2

Caution & reminder to all users by lecturers or lab staff.

Principal Investigator/ Instructor/ Lab technician

2

Caution & reminder to all users by lecturers or lab staff.

Principal Investigator/ Instructor/ Lab technician

Handling of:

1

2

Handling of skeletal models

Handling of muscular models

Models are on castor wheel base

Toppling of models Signage to warn users of rough handling Injury to eye

Pointed skeletal fingers

Removable parts

1

2

Models are put back in place after use Tripping over wheels Dropping of parts onto self and individuals

Signage to warn users of parts

1

2

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1. Hazard Identification 1a.

No.

1b.

Work Activity

2. Risk Evaluation

3. Risk Control

1c.

1d.

2a.

2b.

2c.

2d.

3a.

Hazard

Possible Accident / Ill Health & Persons-at-Risk

Existing Risk Control (if any)

Seve -rity

Likelihood

Risk Level

Additional Risk Control

3b. Follow up by (name, designation & date)

2

Caution & reminder to all users by lecturers or lab staff.

Principal Investigator/ Instructor/ Lab technician

Handling of:

3

Taking out anatomical models

Glass panels

Glass panels hitting individuals when opening the cabinet doors

Signage to warn users of swing and to close doors when items are taken out

2

1

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ANNEX C

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Annex C INCIDENT REPORTING SOP FOR PESS 1

This SOP is to ensure that all staff know the protocol for reporting workplace accidents and carry out appropriate investigations to reduce any potential workplace risks.

2

Incident is to be reported and investigated by using the procedure stated below:-

Scenario Minor injury which does not require the attention of medical practitioner.

Serious injury which requires the attention of medical practitioner during office hours.

Serious injury which requires the attention of medical practitioner after officer hours

When an Accident occurs… What to Do Further Actions  Informs PESS first aiders  Person at scene to who will render first aid submit Incident assistance (if necessary) Reporting Form to Head/PESS and Deputy Head/PESS within 24 hours  Copy of incident reporting form to be submitted to Rehana for filing.  Whoever is at the workplace notifies NIE Security for assistance and to call ambulance if necessary or send the injured to any clinics or hospitals if necessary.  Concurrently informs PESS first aiders who will render first aid assistance (if necessary)  Informs Safety Officer (Deputy Head, PESS) ASAP  Whoever is at the workplace notifies NIE Security for assistance and to call ambulance or send the injured to any clinics or hospitals.  Informs Safety Officer (Deputy Head, PESS) ASAP

 Person at scene to submit Incident Reporting Form to Head/PESS and Deputy Head/PESS within 24 hours.  Copy of incident reporting form to be submitted to Rehana for filing and she will report to further authorities.

 Person at scene to submit Incident Reporting Form to Head/PESS and Deputy Head/PESS by next working day.  Copy of incident reporting form to be submitted to Rehana for filing and she will report to further authorities.

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Scenario Injured is unconscious during office hours

Injured is unconscious after office hours

When an Accident occurs… What to Do Further Actions  Whoever is at the  Head/PESS to inform workplace notifies NIE Director, NIE, Security for assistance immediately and to call ambulance.  Person at scene to  Concurrently informs submit Incident PESS first aiders who will Reporting Form to render first aid assistance Head/PESS and Deputy (if necessary) Head/PESS within 24 hours  Informs Head/PESS & Safety Officer (Deputy  Copy of incident Head, PESS) reporting form to be immediately submitted to Rehana for filing and she will report to further authorities.  Whoever is at the workplace notifies NIE Security immediately for assistance and to call for ambulance  Informs Head/PESS & Safety Officer (Deputy Head, PESS) immediately

 Head/PESS to inform Director, NIE, ASAP  Person at scene to submit Incident Reporting Form to Head/PESS and Deputy Head/PESS by next working day.  Copy of incident reporting form to be submitted to Rehana for filing and she will report to further authorities.

NIE Security – 6790 3999 IMPORTANT NOTE The following accidents will require submission of the incident reporting form to OFA. An Investigation Report also needs to be submitted within a week from submission of the incident report. MOM requires these accidents to be reported to them under the WSH Act:  The injured is granted > 3 days of medical leave  The injured is admitted to hospital for at least 24 hours  Any work related fatality  Dangerous occurrences (near misses where no bodily harm resulted)  Occupational disease Please refer to Investigation Report Operation Chart on details of who to fill up the investigation report.

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PESS Incident Report Form Annex C Date: ___________________ Reporter’s Particular

Name & Staff/Student Card No. Designation & Dept/AG Contact Number Email Signature of Reporter

Injured’s Particulars

Name & Staff/Student Card No. Designation & Dept/AG Contact Number Email

Details of incident: Date of occurrence: _______________ Time: _______________ (Before / During / After Class / Training Session / Recreation)* Location: ________________________

Description of incident: _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Description of injury (if any): _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ * Please circle accordingly

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Immediate action or steps taken at time of incident: _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Assessment of Incident – state root cause of incident: _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Follow-up action or steps taken: _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Seen & Endorsed by:

A/P John Wang Head, PESS

A/P Govindasamy Balasekaran Deputy Head, PESS PESS Safety Officer

Date: Date:

Delivery of form: PESS staff to deliver the form immediately to OFA after Head & Deputy Head/PESS signatures.

Name & Signature of PESS staff handling over form (Indicate if Rehana, Ashley, Erny or David)

Name & Signature of OFA staff receiving form (Indicate name & designation of OFA staff)

Date:

Date:

Time

Time:

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