SCHOOL OF PHYSICS
SAFETY INDUCTION
Developed By : Jay Jay Jegathesan & John Moore - Updated
26th
Feb 2008
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Today’s Aims
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Demonstrate UWA’s commitment to safety
Impart safety awareness & knowledge to
you
Introduce OSH personnel in the School of
Physics
Ensure your time at UWA is a safe productive and an enjoyable experience
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Topics To Be Covered Today
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General safety
information
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UWA safety policy
Some specific policies
Employee Assistance
Program
Safety notes
Emergency procedures
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Safety Personnel
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Head of School
Building wardens
First aid officers
Safety & Health Reps &
Officers
Specific workplace
procedures and
requirements
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Occupational Safety and Health
Policy
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Commitment
Objectives
Responsibilities
Application
UWA’s commitment to the policy can be
found at:
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/occupational_safety_a
nd_health
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Policies, Procedures and
Guidelines
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Management
Incidents & emergencies
Waste management
Hazard management
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Chemical
Radiation
Biological
Physical
Ergonomic
Full details at following website:
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies#management
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Safety and Health: Issue Resolution Process
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Hazard Report Forms
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If properly investigated and followed-up presents
an official means of documenting a hazard
Helps to prevent possible incident or injury
resulting from the hazard
Can be filled in by anyone - staff - student or
visitor
Forms available on ‘Safety & Health’ section of
School of Physics Website
http://www.physics.uwa.edu.au/information_for/intranet/safety
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Incident / Injury Report Forms
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Incident report forms are to be completed when an
incident of any description has occurred. An injury does
not have to have happened.
The first page MUST be filled in and sent to Safety and
Health office within 24 hours of the incident.
Part 2 is to be completed by the supervisor or School
Safety Officer (SSO) or School Safety and Health Rep or
a combination. This then has to be forwarded to the UWA
Safety and Health as soon as completed.
Forms available on ‘Safety & Health’ section of School of
Physics Website
http://www.physics.uwa.edu.au/information_for/intranet/safety
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Workers Compensation
A policy outlining workers compensation is
available on the UWA Safety and Health
website:
www.safety.uwa.edu.au
 We hope you will never need this policy.
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Employees Assistance Program
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Counselling is available from OSA for staff members and
immediate family members including those in a close
relationship to staff members
OSA ph. 1300 361 008 (24 hrs)
OSA www.osagroup.com.au
Counselling also available from Student services
2nd floor Guild building Ph. 6488 2423
www.counselling.uwa.edu.au
An unhappy worker is not a safe worker
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PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
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Please ensure your PPE is maintained and USED
PPE includes:
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Gloves Safety glasses
Fully enclosed footwear
Lab coats
Ear protection
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Electrical Safety
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All electrical equipment
used in the School, regardless
of origin, must have a current
test label attached to it, indicating
that it has passed the AS3760 test. Please
report untested or out of date equipment to
your supervisor or demonstrator.
Bar heaters are not permitted due to the fire
risks.
All heaters must have “1” hour timers fitted
by Facilities Management.
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Electrical Safety
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In Western Australia, the Electricity
(Licensing) Regulations 1991 provide that
electrical work may only be carried out by
persons with the appropriate electrical
worker's licence. Electrical work can be
defined as work on any appliance or
equipment which is supplied by a voltage
exceeding 50V AC or 115V DC. Work of
this nature can be done by the Electronics
Workshop.
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Just covered:
Resolving Safety Issues
Hazard Reporting
Incident Reporting
Workers Assistance
Workers Compensation
PPE
Electrical safety
QUESTIONS
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UWA Emergency Phone Number
2222
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Smoking Policy
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All workplaces within the university are non-smoking
areas. These include:
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All enclosed rooms, lobbies, foyers and corridors
All offices, laboratories and workshops
Common rooms, tea rooms and staff rooms
Substantially enclosed courtyards (e.g. Social Sciences & Arts)
Within 10 metres of access points to buildings (doors, windows,
air-conditioning vents, ducts)
All University owned vehicles, boats, etc
Exceptions
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NONE
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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
What would you do in an
emergency situation?
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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
When should you attempt to
put out a fire?
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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
What do you do if you have seen
something that would require the
evacuation of the building but the
alarms haven’t gone off?
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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
What do YOU do if YOU trigger
the fire alarm?
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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
What do you do if the building
wardens are telling you to leave
but the alarms are not sounding?
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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
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Make sure you know the quickest way out of the
building.
Then find the next quickest way.
The first path might be the path into danger.
Follow the directions of wardens
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Emergency Assembly Points
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Assemble in an orderly fashion on the lawn
of the Reid Library in front of Physics
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Fire Extinguishers
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DO NOT use unless you are very confident that
you’re not going to hurt yourself in the process.
Use caution when operating the carbon dioxide
extinguishers - you’re hand could freeze to the
nozzle.
Always point at the base of the fire.
Practical training in the use of fire extinguishers
is periodically offered by the UWA Safety and
Health.
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Types of Fire Extinguishers
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Three types available;
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Carbon dioxide to be used on flammable
liquids and electrical fires
Water to be used on paper, wood, textile
and fabric fires - not involving electricity!!!
Dry chemical powder to be used on
flammable liquids - flammable gases and
electrical hazards
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Fire Extinguisher Use
The use of the wrong type of
extinguisher can be VERY
dangerous. Please do not use them
unless you are VERY sure of what
to do.
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First Aid Room & First Aid Kits
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The First Aid Room is Room B11, on the
Basement Floor beside the lifts
Apart from this, First aid kits at the
following locations in the Physics building:
3rd floor passage near Room 3.50
Room 1.74 CMM (optical microscope room)
Room G.58 CMM (chemistry lab)
1st floor passage near Room 1.2
1st floor passage near Room 1.39
(there is also a stretcher at this site)
Basement passage in MWS near Room B.10b
Basement passage in FSM area near Room B.31
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Physics Safety Personnel, 2008
Head of School:
A/Prof Ian McArthur (2737)
Safety Committee Chair:
Jay Jay Jegathesan (2740)
School Safety Officer:
Jo Colletti (95025)
Safety & Health Rep:
John Moore (2005)
Safety & Health Rep (Gingin):
Steve Pople (9575 7591)
Building Fire Warden:
Gary Light (2753)
Laser Safety Officer:
A/Prof Andre Luiten (2728, 7028)
Laser Safety Officer (Gingin):
Dr Chunnong Zhao (1771)
Biological Safety Officer:
A/Prof Tim St Pierre (2747)
Radiation Safety Officer:
Dr Robert Woodward (2751)
Industry (Rio) Safety Rep:
Dr Frank van Kann (2689, 2730)
First Aid Officer:
Lance Maschmedt (2752, 95024)
First Aid Officer (Gingin):
Steve Pople (9575 7591)
Floor Wardens:
Various – Refer Website
Student Safety Rep:
Paul Guagliardo
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Screen Based Equipment
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Ensure your computer is set up in the
best possible way
Rest breaks are recommended
5 minutes for every 30 minutes of
work or 10 minutes every hour
It is preferable to have a variety of
tasks in order to get a change in
posture
Stretch regularly
Avoid glare by having the monitor 90
degrees to light source
Free ergonomic assessment
If you are experiencing discomfort
report this early and contact UWA
Safety & Health
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Extra Info – Screen Based Equipment
The Following website has a computer &
workstation checklist which assists in constructing
an ergonomic environment:
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/forms/computer_workstati
on_and_office_safety_checklist
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Also available is a brochure on screen based
equipment which recommends some exercises that
can be performed in the office:
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/31264/Worki
ng_Comfortably_with_Computers_32792.pdf
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Basic workstation ergonomic guidelines can be
found at:
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/computer_workst
ation_ergonomics
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Just covered
Emergency Procedures
Evacuation Assembly Point
Fire Extinguishers
First Aid
Safety Personnel
Screen Based Equipment
QUESTIONS
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Specific Work Place Hazards
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Each work area will have it’s own specific
hazards. These SHOULD be discussed with you
by your supervisor.
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Labs and Hazardous Substances
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Comprehensive Lab Safety covered by
compulsory UWA one day course.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Safety and Risk Phrases
Chemical labelling
Chemical spillage
Waste disposal
Radiation (Laser Safety)
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Chem-Alert & Chemical Storage
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Chem-Alert is a centralized web based tracking and
monitoring system that has been put in place to monitor
all chemicals purchased and stored at UWA
All involved in the purchase of chemicals should attend
the course
Various classes of chemicals cannot be stored in close
proximity to each other (Toxic, Flammable, Oxidizing,
Explosive, Corrosive)
A Segregation Table of Dangerous Goods is available
with the UWA Chemical Safety Officer. Please consult
him/her when uncertain
Physics Chem-Alert is co-coordinated by John Moore
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Chemical Labels
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Full information on chemical labels is required by WorkSafe WA.
Required for decanted chemicals.
Labels can be obtained from Chem-Alert
Chemical labels should have:
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Solution
User’s name
Date the solution was made
Room it will be kept in
Users extension number
Description of use
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Recipe
HAZCHEM number
UN number
DG Class
Packaging group number
Risk phrase
Health hazards
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Chemical Spillages
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Important steps in cleaning up a chemical spill
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Ensure your own safety and that of the other people
around you
Contain the spill (use quartz sand or vermiculite)
Only attempt to neutralize if you are confident you know
what to use
Contact Safety Personnel for advice or assistance
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Waste Disposal
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Waste chemicals are not to be
disposed of down the sink. They
should be labeled fully and stored in an
appropriate place to await disposal.
The waste manifest can be obtained
from Safety Personnel
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies#
Waste
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Waste Chemical Manifest
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Chemical name
Type of waste (solid, liquid or gas)
Condition of container
Description of waste (explosive, flammable)
Approximate percentages of all the
components in the waste
Container size - volume of waste and
number of containers to be disposed of
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Machinery and Equipment
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No matter what
you are asked to
use in the course of
your study or
work, please
ensure you are
given full
instructions for
their use.
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Security
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The buildings of the School of Physics are
locked outside the hours of 7.00 am to 6.00 pm
Monday to Friday.
Please ensure you keep the doors locked if you
are here outside these hours.
Personal items are not covered by UWA
insurance for theft from offices
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Staff ID Cards
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If you are here outside of
business hours, please carry
staff ID card. Security can ask
for this at any time on their rounds.
Staff or student cards are also the swipe
card you need to get into or out of certain
buildings
It is also your library card
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Manual Handling
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Assess the load you are about to lift
Get help, or a trolley, if you need it
Bend your knees and lift with your legs
Keep your back in a neutral position
Keep the load close to your body
Don’t twist while holding a heavy load
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Certificates and Qualifications
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Do you need any specific training?
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Manual handling (on demand, free)
First aid (cost associated)
Lab safety – compulsory for experimental
research
(For staff and students , $40pp, School to fund)
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Radiation
Fire Extinguisher / Fire Warden training
(available upon request)
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Anything else you can think of ?
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Health
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A healthy body is less prone to injury.
Some suggestions to help you on your way.
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Walk or ride a bike on campus
Use the stairs, not the lift
Join the gym
Have you even been for a
stroll along the river in your
lunch break? Why not???
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Final Thoughts
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“DUTY OF CARE”
Think about what you are about to do
Develop good housekeeping habits
Observe and be aware
In all areas at all times take notice of and obey all signs
and directives – they are there for your safety
When unsure please ask
Safety is a TWO way street, and the OSH policy places
responsibility on both the employer and employee to
contribute to the construction and maintenance of a safe
workplace
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The End Presentation
Print out the following pages
only, and fill in the
questionnaire for
confirmation by Supervisor
and lodgment with School
Manager
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SAFETY INDUCTION CHECKLIST
Employee Name
Position
Supervisor
Group/Location
Supervisor: These actions should be completed during the first week or as soon as practicable after the employee commences. Tick off each action and sign
when all actions have been completed. Please retain this checklist and provide a photocopy to the employee and to the General Office within two weeks of
commencement date.
Employee: You should sign the form where indicated when you are satisfied that the items have been completed.
General safety information provided and discussed:
UWA Occupational Safety and Health Policy
UWA occupational safety and health policies and procedures – refer to a
copy of the current index and discuss parts including:
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smoking policy
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resolving occupational safety and health issues
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hazard reporting – show a copy of the hazard report form
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accident, injury and incident reporting – show a copy of the report form
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workers’ compensation and rehabilitation
Employee assistance program – advise
School occupational safety and health manual – provide link
http://www.physics.uwa.edu.au/information_for/intranet/safety?f=113079
Safety Personnel in School/Section. Introduce and discuss, where
applicable, the safety roles and responsibilities
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Emergency Procedures:
Explain the Emergency Procedures for fire, evacuation, bomb threats and
other events
Show locations and discuss use of fire extinguishers
Show means of escape from building and assembly locations
Show location and use of other emergency equipment
Show location of First Aid box – advise of nearest First Aid Officer
Specific workplace procedures and requirements:
Discuss specific workplace hazards and procedures to be followed, including:
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screen based equipment
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laboratories and workshops – inc. hazardous substances requirements
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machinery and equipment – discuss/demonstrate safe working
procedures
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waste disposal procedures
Provide and discuss proper use and care of personal protective equipment
Inform how to go about or who might assist in obtaining any necessary
certificates, permits, licenses or other qualifications as required
Supervisor’s Signature
Date
Employee’s Signature
Date
Comments
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