Vosm
Q Block Laboratory Health and Safety
Laboratory Health and Safety guidelines and rules for students using the undergraduate teaching laboratories in Q Block, Gardens Point Student H&S Induction, version 1, 17/02/2016
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Contents 1. 2.
Welcome .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Personal Health and Safety .......................................................................................................... 4 2.1.1 Personal electronic devices .............................................................................................. 4 2.2 Medical Radiation Science Laboratory ......................................................................................... 4 2.3 Anatomical specimens .................................................................................................................. 5 2.3.1 Practical classes using Cadaveric material ....................................................................... 5 2.3.2 Faculty of Health Anatomical Specimen Collection.......................................................... 5 3. Emergency procedures ......................................................................................................................... 5 3.1 Emergency contact numbers ........................................................................................................ 5 3.2 General emergency procedures ................................................................................................... 5 3.3 Fire Emergency ............................................................................................................................. 6 3.4 First Aid ......................................................................................................................................... 7 3.4.1 First Aid for splashes/spills on the body ........................................................................... 7 4. General laboratory rules ...................................................................................................................... 8 5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) .................................................................................................. 8 5.1 General ......................................................................................................................................... 9 5.2 Laboratory coats or gowns ........................................................................................................... 9 5.2.1 Disposable laboratory coats ............................................................................................. 9 5.3 Footwear .................................................................................................................................... 10 5.4 Safety Glasses ............................................................................................................................. 11 5.5 Gloves ....................................................................................................................................... 11 6. Laboratory Hazards ............................................................................................................................ 11 6.1 Chemical Hazards ....................................................................................................................... 11 6.1.1 Chemical Spills ................................................................................................................ 12 6.2 Biological Hazards ....................................................................................................................... 13 6.2.1 Biological Spills ............................................................................................................... 13 6.3 Gas Hazards and alarms ............................................................................................................. 13 6.3.1 Gas Alarms ...................................................................................................................... 14 6.4 Sharps Hazards ........................................................................................................................... 14 6.4.1 Equipment Hazards ........................................................................................................ 14 7. Disability services ............................................................................................................................... 15 8. Laboratory Waste ............................................................................................................................... 15 8.1 Disposal of waste ........................................................................................................................ 15 8.1.1 Waste disposal containers .............................................................................................. 16 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................................. 17 Appendix B: GHS Pictograms ...................................................................................................................... 18
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1.
Welcome
Welcome to the Faculty of Health Undergraduate Teaching laboratories of Q Block. These laboratories host practical classes over a broad range of disciplines, including the following:
Physics on Q3 Medical and Radiation Science on Q3 Basic and Introductory Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Pharmacy on Q4 Cytology, Haematology, Histology, Immunology and Physiology on Q7 Cell and Molecular and Plant Biotechnology on Q8
Laboratories on levels 4, 7 and 8 are PC2 compliant, and have strict conditions of entry and rules. This document focuses mainly on the PC2 laboratories in terms of Health and Safety, but sections on activities in the Q3 Medical Radiation Sciences and Physics are also included. As a condition of entry into the Faculty of Health undergraduate teaching laboratories in Q Block, students are required to complete an on‐line Health and Safety Quiz annually. For reference, in order to successfully complete the on‐line H&S quiz: Medical Radiation science students need to be familiar with sections 1‐3 and 5.3 Medical Radiation science students need to be familiar with sections 1, 2.1, 3 and 5.3 Students participating in practical classes on levels 4, 7 and 8 need to be familiar with all sections excluding 2.2
2.
Introduction
Your personal health and safety is important to QUT and this booklet provides information on rules and regulations designed for your personal safety before, during and after performing experiments or participating in practical classes in the Gardens Point, Q block laboratories on levels 3, 4, 7 & 8. The laboratory environment is potentially hazardous as you will be working with a range of microorganisms, human and animal products; and specialised equipment and chemicals. The purpose of these rules is to minimise your exposure to any potential risk factors, and will form the basis of Workplace Health and Safety policies and procedures that will be enforced in your future workplaces. The rules comply with the Queensland Government legislation enacted in the Work Health and Safety Act (2011). A breach of this Act may be punishable by personal fine or imprisonment. The penalties are dependent upon the nature or category of the breach/offence. Failure to follow the rules set out in this document could lead to your exclusion from the laboratory and serious breaches may have more serious consequences. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Section 29, a student is classified as “other person at a workplace” and must comply with the duties of the other persons in the workplace as defined by the Act: A person at a workplace, whether or not the person has another duty under this part, must— (a) take reasonable care for his or her own health and safety; and Student H&S Induction, version 1, 17/02/2016
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(b) take reasonable care that his or her acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons; and (c) comply, so far as is reasonably practicable, with any reasonable instruction that is given by the person conducting the business or undertaking to allow the person conducting the business or undertaking to comply with this Act.
It is mandatory for you to read and familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety rules of the laboratory and also complete the on‐line health and safety quiz, available on QUT Virtual, before beginning your practicals. Students will not be permitted to work in these areas until they have completed and passed this quiz and this will be monitored and enforced by your Academics and demonstrators.
2.1
2.1.1
Personal Health and Safety If you have an underlying medical condition or are pregnant, please notify your academic, who will treat this disclosure in line with the Privacy Act and in confidence. This information may require QUT to make reasonable adjustments (alternative arrangements) to your learning program to ensure the Health & Safety of you and your unborn child, including support for you to achieve your learning outcomes If you are feeling unwell or consider yourself medically or physically unfit on the day or during your practical class, it is your duty to inform the academic in charge or demonstrator of such a situation DO NOT sit or run in the corridors as this creates a hazard for others commuting within the building Students attending classes at QUT must not be under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol There is a no smoking policy within all QUT buildings and smoking is not allowed within ten metres of any building entry Personal electronic devices The use of mobile phones in the laboratory is NOT permitted Mobile phones must be stored with your personal belongings in lockers (on silent)
during practical classes With approval and instruction from the Academic in Charge, iPads or other tablet devices, may be allowed, provided they are enclosed in a sealed snaplock (Ziploc) bag – the bag must be disposed of at the end of the practical class
2.2
Medical Radiation Science Laboratory Students participating in practical classes in the level 3 Medical Radiations laboratories will undertake extensive OH&S inductions as part of their course, and are also required to read the RSPP (Radiation Safety Protection Plan) prior to being allowed entry into these laboratories.
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2.3
Anatomical specimens
2.3.1
Practical classes using Cadaveric material
Practical activities involving anatomical specimens take place in both Q and W blocks at Gardens Point. Students undertaking practical classes involving cadaveric material in W Block will undergo a detailed and specific induction into the use of these materials. 2.3.2
Faculty of Health Anatomical Specimen Collection
Access to anatomical specimens is strictly controlled, and there are legislative and ethical requirements that all students using these materials must be aware of. Students undertaking practical classes involving anatomical specimens in Q Block will undergo specific inductions into the use of these materials.
3.
Emergency procedures In Case of Emergency Medical emergency 000
All other QUT emergencies
(Then call +61 7 3138 8888)
+61 7 3138 8888
QUT Security +61 7 3138 5585 / 1800 065 585 (free call)
3.1
Emergency contact numbers
Relevant emergency contact numbers are displayed in the elevator foyers next to the elevators. This includes a list of Fire Wardens, trained First Aiders and key emergency contact numbers. There is also a map of the emergency evacuation route to follow in the case of an evacuation.
3.2
General emergency procedures Make sure you familiarise yourself with the evacuation route and assembly points of the building Evacuation routes are displayed next to the elevators In an emergency, proceed quickly and calmly from the laboratory or teaching space to the external or internal stairwell as instructed by your Academic, demonstrator, tutor or relevant technician. The Floor/Building Warden, QUT Security or Emergency Personnel authority supersedes all of the above, and their directions must be followed
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Figure 1. Example of an Evacuation diagram showing evacuation routes (left) and Assembly area (right)
3.3
Fire Emergency in the event of a fire alarm, cease all activities in the laboratory where possible: o o
cap any open bottles and containers, including any flammable liquids switch off any fuel or power sources, including mobile gas canisters and Bunsen burners
follow the evacuation route for the building DO NOT use the elevators during an evacuation DO NOT retrieve personal belonging from lockers follow all instructions from the following personnel: o Chief Fire Wardens (White hat) o Floor Wardens (Red Hats) o Security Officers o Emergency services
Do not re‐enter the building until instructed by the Chief/Floor fire wardens or emergency services
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3.4
First Aid
First Aid kits are identified by signage throughout the laboratories. If an incident occurs where you require First Aid, notify the Academic in charge, demonstrator or technical staff immediately. 3.4.1
First Aid for splashes/spills on the body
Depending on the severity of the splash/spill and/or the chemical substance, there are two ways to deal with spills/splashes on the body.
Serious Chemical Splashes Involving corrosive or toxic substances and/or large skin areas For chemical splashes to the eye
For chemical splashes to the skin
FLOOD the EYES with water from the emergency eye wash Continue with running water for 20 minutes then seek medical attention
FLOOD the SKIN with water from the emergency shower Continue with running water for 20 minutes then seek medical attention
Notify the academic in charge or demonstrator Delegate people to obtain the SDS Follow the first aid instructions on SD Give a hard copy of SDS to the ambulance
Chemical Splashes Involving noncorrosive, nontoxic substances and/or small skin areas For chemical splashes to the eye
For chemical splashes to the skin
FLOOD the EYES with water from the emergency eye wash Continue with running water for 20 minutes then seek medical attention
Irrigate the skin with running water for 20 minutes then seek medical attention
Notify the academic in charge or demonstrator Delegate people to obtain the SDS Follow the first aid instructions on SDS Give a hard copy of SDS to the medical staff
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4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
5.
General laboratory rules You MUST complete the on‐line safety quiz before you will be allowed entry into any laboratory Unsupervised access to laboratories by undergraduate students is not permitted Reckless or irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated NO FOOD or DRINK is allowed in the laboratory (including water bottles) It is prohibited to eat, drink, smoke or apply cosmetics in the laboratory PPE must be worn at all times in the laboratory DO NOT put your lab coat on until you are in the laboratory REMOVE your gloves BEFORE your lab coat and discard them into contaminated waste Lab coats must be removed BEFORE leaving the laboratory and BEFORE washing your hands Do not place pens, pencils or hands in or around the mouth while in the laboratory Shoulder length and long hair must be securely tied back. Clip back or secure long fringes. Hats or peaked caps are not permitted. Cultural attire is permitted, providing it does not pose a health and safety hazard or risk. If you have any concerns or uncertainties regarding this, contact the Academic in charge or demonstrator Use of mobile phones in the laboratory is not permitted. Mobile phones are to be turned off and stored away while in the laboratory All substances must be regarded as potentially hazardous Pipetting by mouth of any substance is NOT PERMITTED Sharps must be disposed of into sharps containers NEVER recap needles. NEVER remove a used scalpel blade by hand. Use the Qlick Smart Scalpel removal system No equipment or materials are to be removed from the laboratory unless instructed otherwise by academic in charge or demonstrator Do not interfere with or change the operating conditions of equipment without appropriate approval and training Immediately report all accidents, hazards, incidents or injuries to the academic in charge or demonstrator (including spills or breakages) Wipe down your workspace BEFORE and AFTER your practical session Clear away used consumables and leave your workspace clean and tidy Dispose of waste only AS DIRECTED Hands must be thoroughly washed before leaving the laboratory, at the completion of a task, or if contamination is suspected.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE is required to be worn by all undergraduate students undertaking practical classes in the laboratories on level 4, 7 and 8 of Q Block. Only PPE that comply with Australian Standards are to be worn in the laboratory. The type of PPE will be determined by the nature of the work being conducted and the Laboratory Risk Assessment. The minimum PPE that must be worn are the following:
Laboratory coat or gown Enclosed footwear
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Safety glasses Gloves
5.1
General DO NOT put your laboratory coat on before entering the laboratory Remove your gloves first before you remove your laboratory coat Remove your laboratory coat BEFORE you leave the lab, and place it in a plastic bag with your safety glasses
5.2
Laboratory coats or gowns No Lab coat = No entry to the lab lab coats must be properly fastened and protect the arms and body from 2016, Faculty of Health Students are required to wear a back‐closing laboratory gown Try it on to check that it sufficiently protects you and does not expose your lap/upper legs when seated Make sure the sleeves reach your wrist, and fit snugly Front‐fastening laboratory coat
Back‐fastening laboratory gown
Figure 2 Examples of suitable laboratory coats/gowns 5.2.1
Disposable laboratory coats An appropriate disposable lab coat will be provided by QUT for practical classes
that require their use These lab coats are single‐use only Make sure you dispose of these lab coats in clinical waste
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5.3
Footwear you will NOT be allowed entry into the laboratory without the correct footwear shoes must be non‐slip, closed‐in shoes that cover the toes, upper surface of the foot and the heel thongs, sandals, sling backs, high‐heels and shoes with open sections or bare feet are not permitted avoid footwear with permeable sections if you know that you will be using hazardous and high volumes of chemicals
Inappropriate Laboratory Footwear
These shoes do not cover the toe, top of the foot or heel and are not suitable for the laboratory
Appropriate Laboratory Footwear
These shoes provide adequate cover and are considered fully enclosed. Leather shoes are idea as they are impermeable Figure 3 Footwear summary table
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5.4
Safety Glasses safety glasses must be worn for all practical activities unless risk assessment indicates otherwise Over‐glasses must be worn with prescription glasses contact lenses or prescription glasses are NOT a suitable substitute for normal safety glasses
Standard safety glasses
Safety over‐glasses (worn over prescription glasses)
Figure 4 Examples of safety glasses and overglasses
5.5
Gloves appropriate gloves will be provided for practical classes for most activities in the laboratory, nitrile gloves provide adequate protection if other types of gloves are required, these will be provided if you suspect that you might have an allergic reaction to the gloves, inform the academic in charge or demonstrators
6.
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratories contain a number of potential hazards which may be harmful to the health or safety of a person or the environment. These include hazards such as equipment, chemical, biological and sharps.
6.1
Chemical Hazards
Take care when handling ANY chemicals Follow instructions and wear PPE DO NOT OPEN bottles of flammable liquids near open flames, heating blocks or hot‐plates
Chemical hazards include:
carcinogenic
corrosive
oxidizing
toxic
flammable
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Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide critical information for the safe handling of chemicals, including: chemical and physical properties, health hazard information, emergency procedures safe storage, use, handling and disposal Chemical Spills
6.1.1
Chemical spills include flammable, corrosive, toxic and carcinogenic substances Any spills is potentially hazardous, and must be DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY. Only deal with spills when instructed to do so and under supervision of the academic in charge or demonstrator
Figure 5 Hazardous Chemical Spill kit
What to do Notify the academic in charge or demonstrator of the spill Locate and retrieve the nearest spill kit if instructed to do so contain the spill by surrounding it with a non‐combustible material e.g. sand
or fabric barriers from the spill kit contain the spill by surrounding it with a non‐combustible material e.g. sand refer to the instructions in the spill kit for further steps depending on the type of chemical: Acid
Only use DRY products with acid spills ONLY do this if you are certain of the properties of the chemical Check the SDS for full details NO WATER on concentrated acids neutralize with lime, soda ash, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate OR limestone
Alkali
ONLY do this if you are certain of the properties of the chemical Check the SDS for full details neutralize with dilute solution of hydrochloric OR acetic acid
6.2
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6.3
Biological Hazards Treat ALL biological cultures and samples as potentially infectious
Aerosols of infectious materials may be formed when:
opening tubes after vortexing samples accidental spillage of solutions, during pipetting during use of inoculation loops
Minimise risk of infection by using prescribed PPE and good laboratory techniques
Ingestion may occur by hand‐to‐mouth contact resulting from failure to wash hands thoroughly Skin penetration may occur through small scratches on the skin, paper cuts on fingers, or broken cuticles, and through penetration by needle sticks or other sharps injuries.
6.3.1
Biological Spills
Biological spills must be DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY to minimise the risk of infection and contamination. Treat all cultures and samples as potentially infectious. Only deal with spills when instructed to do so and under supervision of the academic in charge or demonstrator
What to do Notify the academic in charge or demonstrator of the spill Locate and retrieve the nearest spill kit only if instructed to do so use PPE when cleaning up the spill confine and contain the spill DO NOT heighten risks by generating aerosols during the clean‐up, i.e.
don’t be too vigorous DO NOT use an aerosol disinfectant or sodium hypochlorite solutions (bleach) Disinfectant reagents will be available in the lab – check with the academic in charge or demonstrator if you are unsure what to use
6.4
Gas Hazards and alarms Various gases are used throughout the laboratories. These include natural gas, CO2, Helium, Nitrogen and Carbogen. If you are unsure about working with Bunsen burners, portable gas burners or other instruments using gas, notify the academic in charge or demonstrator. Refer to the relevant SOPs provided in your practical unit for the correct use of Bunsen and/or portable gas burners.
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6.4.1
Gas Alarms
Laboratories are fitted with various alarms to monitor the laboratories. In the event of a gas leak, alarms will be triggered.
6.5
DO NOT ENTER any laboratory or room if the gas alarm has been triggered If a practical class is in progress when the alarm is triggered, remain calm and follow instructions to evacuate the laboratory In the event that you suspect a gas leak, immediately notify the academic in charge or demonstrator
Sharps Hazards Handle all sharps with extreme care
includes syringes, needles, scalpels, microtome blades, dissecting equipment, broken glass Always remove scalpel blades from the handle using the supplied scalpel blade remover (QlickSmart) all sharps must be treated as contaminated/infectious NEVER re‐cap needles disposable needle/syringe sets All needles and syringes are discarded into sharps containers Figure 6 QlickSmart Scalpel removal system even ‘clean’ needles and syringes Broken glassware must be disposed of in sharps containers NO broken glass is to be disposed of into yellow clinical waste bags or clinical waste wheelie bins
Under no circumstances must the contents of sharps containers be emptied into general garbage bins or industrial waste bins, nor be emptied and re‐used 6.5.1
Equipment Hazards
Certain equipment used in the laboratory can cause serious harm if not used correctly. DO NOT use equipment until you have been instructed in its use by the Academic in charge, demonstrator, tutor or relevant technical staff. If you are unsure on how to operate any instrument or equipment, notify teaching or technical staff. DO NOT move or carry equipment in the laboratory unless instructed by the Academic in charge or demonstrators Equipment hazards include:
Electrical hazards Thermal hazards, e.g. heating blocks, Bunsen burners Gas hazards
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7.
Disability services
Disability Services offers support services to students who have a disability, injury or health condition – permanent, temporary, episodic or fluctuating. Appointments with Disability Services are free and confidential and information will not appear on your student record, or be made available to others without your prior consent, except where required by law (e.g. to preserve health or safety). Please contact Disability Services if you think that special or additional arrangement need to be made for your participation in practical classes, as they will register you with Disability Services and liaise with the Academic and laboratory Technical staff to assess and implement the measures that need to be put in place.
8.
Laboratory Waste
QUT has adopted waste management procedures to protect the health and safety of persons in control of, or exposed to hazardous waste in the workplace, and the community in general. These control measures aim to be environmentally responsible and comply with relevant Federal and State legislation and any other regulatory requirements.
8.1
Students are to dispose of laboratory practical materials into the appropriate discard containers, which include: o yellow clinical waste bags o yellow sharps containers o autoclavable biohazard bags o stainless steel containers o cardboard sharps containers
Disposal of waste NO liquids are to be directly decanted into any discard container, including sharps containers, stainless steel containers, waste bags or yellow wheelie bins DO NOT dispose of any liquid waste down sinks or drains unless instructed to do so DO NOT overfill waste containers –waste containers must NOT be filled more than two‐thirds unless instructed to do so, do not mix chemicals, including waste chemicals All gloves and disposable laboratory coats must be disposed of in yellow clinical waste bags under no circumstances are sharps containers to be emptied or reused
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8.1.1
Waste disposal containers Yellow Biohazard Discard Bags
Autoclavable Biohazard Bags
Yellow Sharps Containers
Cardboard Sharps Container
Stainless Steel Containers
Waste
Broken Glass
Contaminated non sharps e.g. Gloves, paper, paper towel used to wipe down benches, used Tuffies Graduated Disposable pipettes (Serological pipettes) Non‐contaminated materials e.g. hand wash paper towel, paper Plastic Transfer Pipettes, Swabs, Tongue Depressors, Spreaders Syringes, needles, pipette tips, microscope slides, coverslips, microfuge tubes, Glass Pasteur/transfer pipettes, scalpel blades* Transgenic material & contaminated plasticware e.g. Agar Plates, API strips, culture tubes, tissue culture flasks
*DO NOT remove scalpel blades from handles. Only use Click‐Smart devices to remove scalpel blades from scalpel handles. For disposable scalpels, discard the whole scalpel and handle unit in the sharps container
Used gloves and paper towels used to dry hands after washing must be disposed of into clinical waste/yellow Biohazard bags
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Appendix A Table 1 Requirements and restrictions for Q Block Undergraduate Teaching laboratories
Level 3
Level 4
Medical and Radiation Sciences
(Q440)
Enclosed footwear
Items
Physics
Q Lab
Level 7 Medical Sciences laboratories
Level 8 Cell and Molecular Biology
(Q703, 704 & 711)
(Q801 & 804)
Laboratory coat
n/a
n/a
TLD badge
Bags Food and drink (incl. water)
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Appendix B: GHS Pictograms
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Written by M Vos, Technical Services, Faculty of Health Version 1, 17 February 2016 Student H&S Induction, version 1, 17/02/2016
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