Chemical &
Biological
Engineering.
Safety Handbook
2013–2014.
CONTENTS
DEPARTMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT
3
PERSONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
5
SAFETY
5
SICKNESS AND/OR ABSENCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY
6
WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT OR SERIOUS ILLNESS
7
DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY COMMITTEE
8
DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY PROCEDURES
9
ETHICAL REVIEW
15
HARPUR HILL RESEARCH STATION BUXTON
21
KROTO BUILDING
22
GAS CYLINDER SAFETY
22
DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES
23
LOCAL RULES FOR MECHANICAL WORKSHOPS
25
PROTOCOL FOR THE DELIVERY OF SECOND-HAND EQUIPMENT
28
PROTOCOL FOR THE DELIVERY OF SAMPLES
31
GUIDANCE NOTES
37
EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITY SAFETY FORM
37
GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENTS
37
COSHH ASSESSMENT FORMS
38
ELECTRICAL TESTING
39
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
40
PRESSURE TESTING
40
LASER REGISTRATION
40
GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENT
53
GUIDANCE NOTES
55
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i
OPERATING PROCEDURES
57
EMERGENCY SHUT-DOWN PROCEDURE
58
GUIDANCE NOTES
61
WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING FOR?
61
EMERGENCY SHUT-DOWN PROCEDURE
61
START-UP/ NORMAL SHUT-DOWN PROCEDURE
61
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ii
DEPARTMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering has a strong commitment
to health and safety and, as Head of Department, the well-being of everyone on its
premises is my paramount concern. No work is so important that it will be allowed
to proceed if it causes an unacceptable risk to the safety or long term health of
staff, students or visitors to the Department.
Whereas the ultimate responsibility for Health and Safety rests with the Head of
Department, it is the legal responsibility of every member of the Department to
work in a safe, tidy and considerate manner. Awareness of, and compliance with,
the current legislation is explicitly required of everybody. Supervisors of research
students have a particular responsibility to ensure the safe working of their students.
As Head of Department, I am advised by the Safety Committee which is chaired by
Professor Styring and comprises the following ex officio members:
Departmental
Safety Officer, Departmental Laser Supervisor and the Departmental Biological
Safety Officer. Additional members include a member of technical staff, a member
of secretarial staff and a member representative of each Research Group.
The Safety Committee is responsible for recommending policy and for monitoring
adherence to departmental and University Codes of Practice. It is also responsible
for identifying future health and safety needs and requesting that adequate
provision is made from the departmental grants.
The
Departmental
Safety
Officer,
Departmental
Laser
Supervisor
and
the
Departmental Biological Safety Officer are available for advice and to liaise with
Safety Services.
Anyone with any doubt that they fully understand the safety
implications of their work is required to consult these members of staff.
The Safety Committee meets three times a year, its meetings are minuted and these
are available for inspection by members of the Department.
This policy statement is reviewed annually during summer.
Professor Phillip Wright
Head of Department
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3
Staff Handbook
4
PERSONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
SAFETY
This Health and Safety Code of Practice contains information which relates to safe
working practices within the Department. It must be read in conjunction with the
University Code of Practice, which gives details of the University’s requirements
regarding working practices and the legislation relating to these working practices:
All members of the Department, have a legal responsibility to follow the guidance
and procedures in the Code and ensure that they work in a safe and responsible
manner so that their working practices do not put themselves, other members of
the Department, visitors or contractors at risk. It is the duty of all personnel, before
undertaking any potentially dangerous task, to familiarise themselves with the
relevant safety procedures relating to the task and the area where it is being
undertaken.
Matters concerning safety are monitored by the Safety Committee, which reports to
the Head of Department, via Professor Styring and the Executive.
The Safety
Committee is responsible for advising Executive on COSHH, General Risk
Assessments, Manual Handling, Display Screen Assessments, Portable Appliance
Testing, Biotechnology, Radiation and Laser Hazards and all other safety-related
matters. The Departmental Safety Officer (Mr Richard Stacey) is the first point of
call for advice on safety matters.
He also organises appropriate safety training
within the Department, organises regular departmental safety inspections, initiates
the procedures for risk assessments of the Department’s activities and ensures that
any remedial action relating to these inspections and assessments is carried out.
Also worth reading is the Leading Health & Safety at Work for Universities and
Colleges
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg417.pdf
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SICKNESS AND/OR ABSENCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY
If you are absent from work or cannot attend lectures for any reason you must
inform the Departmental Office on telephone number 0114 222 7500 or email
chemeng@sheffield.ac.uk. You can leave a telephone message on this number as
voicemail operates 24 hours per day.
Staff will then note this in your file and
inform your line manager.
If you need to be away from term-time lectures for a short period of time, you need
permission from the Head of Department.
If you require a longer Leave of Absence from the University (for example a
temporary withdrawal, as opposed to absence through illness etc), you need to fill
in a Change of Status form.
If you need any further explanation of these
procedures, you can talk to your Supervisor or the Director of Student Support.
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WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT OR SERIOUS ILLNESS
All accidents or near misses should be reported to Safety Services using the online
reporting system found http://www.shef.ac.uk/hs.
Health & Safety Services MUST BE TELEPHONED IMMEDIATELY if an injured person
requires Hospital treatment as a result of this incident (Tel 222 7466). IN ALL CASES
the online form MUST be completed within 24 hours of the incident.
The names, location, internal telephone numbers of members of staff who are
qualified “First Aiders” and who undergo First Aid training every three years are:
Name
Room
Telephone Number
Number
Dr Rachel Elder
G52
27574
Mr Mark Jones
F67
27531
Mr Adrian Lumby
CBE Yard
27641
Mr Mark McIntosh
CBE Yard
27530
Mr Andy Patrick
CBE Yard
27533
Mr Keith Penny
F67
27531
Professor Peter Styring
G57
27571
Mr Dave Wengraf
D52
27586
For minor incidents, first aid boxes can be found at the following locations:-
Staff Handbook
A-Floor
A3 A60
B-Floor
B56 B65 B68b Workshop
C-Floor
Teaching Lab C60
D-Floor
D73 D76a
7
E-Floor
E53 E54 E55 E57 E59 E62
F-Floor
F65
G-Floor
G21 G61
DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY COMMITTEE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Departmental Safety Committee, chaired by either the Director of Research or
the Head of Departments nominee, is responsible to the Head of Department
through Executive for monitoring Departmental safety procedures and for ensuring
that legislation relating to safety is applied within the Department.
It is also
responsible for identifying future health and safety needs and requesting that
adequate provision is made within the departmental budget.
Membership of the Committee is:Professor Peter Styring - Chairman
Mr R Stacey - Laboratory Superintendent, Departmental Safety Officer, , COSHH
Assessment Representative
Dr M Dickman - Departmental Biological Safety Officer
Mr M McIntosh - Display Screen Assessor
Mr K Penny - Departmental Laser Supervisor
Mr M O’Meara - Site Technician (Harpur Hill Research Station) attends safety
meetings when requested by the Safety Committee
Mr S Richard - Workshop Supervisor
Mr D Wengraf- Radiation Officer
Dr M Zandi - Combustion and Incineration Group representative
Dr K Pitt - Particle Products Group representative
Dr J Lozano Parada Kroto Liaison
Dr D Kuvshinov - Process Fluidics Group representative
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DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY PROCEDURES
Working Hours
The University's Health and Safety Code or Practise states in part:
Anyone working out-of-hours must have the written permission of the Head
of Department.
Normal working hours in the Department are 08.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs, Monday to
Friday, excluding days when the Department is closed. Members of the Department
seeking to work out-of-hours may obtain permission using the procedure set out in
the following Table.
For those categories of members required to make an
application, separate forms for experimental and non-experimental work can be
found on the CBE wiki web site.
In all cases permission will be granted only to
those members of the Department who have completed the appropriate University
out-of-hours online training.
Procedure
Category of
Member
Non-experimental Work
Experimental Work
Automatic1
Automatic1
Automatic1
Application
Other Staff
Application
Application
Postgraduate
Application
Application
Academic Staff
(supervisory)
Academic Staff
(contract)
students
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9
Undergraduate
Application
Not normally available
students
1
Requires completion of out-of-hours training every three years and fire training
annually.
Anyone working out of hours, with permission to do so, MUST sign in and out at
the Hadfield Porters Lodge
Note Staff and students working outside normal working hours in the Kroto
Building or Garden Street must also sign at the designated points in this Building.
Fire and Emergency Procedures
If the Ambulance Services, Fire Services or Police are required, telephone 4444
(University Emergency Control Centre). Staff there will alert the appropriate services,
so it is essential to give clear and concise information regarding the site and the
nature of the emergency.
This number should also be used for other life-
threatening emergencies.
Details of emergency procedures are displayed prominently within the Department
and all personnel should be familiar with them.
Fire Regulations and Evacuation Procedures
If you discover a fire, telephone 4444 and report the exact location of the fire,
whether there are any special hazards and whether there are any casualties and if so
how many and their nature. Only if it is safe to do so should the fire be tackled
with an appropriate portable extinguisher. Human safety must come first. If the fire
is to be left, all doors should be closed to prevent its spread.
The fire alarm is a continuously sounding bell or electric siren and on hearing this,
you must vacate the building immediately by the nearest possible exit and assemble
in St. George’s Churchyard.
You must not congregate at the entrance to the
building or on the pavements in Newcastle Street or Mappin Street as such action
can jeopardise the effectiveness of the Emergency Services and put lives at risk. All
users of the Department's buildings should:
a)
Familiarise themselves with the sound of the alarms
b)
Commit to memory the emergency procedures
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c)
Know the location of the various escape routes - LIFTS MUST NOT BE
USED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY
d)
Ascertain the whereabouts of the telephone nearest to their work area
to summon assistance
e)
Know the location of the nearest appropriate fire extinguisher
To ensure that all personnel are familiar with the evacuation procedures, a full fire
drill is held annually early in the first semester.
The Fire Alarm is also tested every Monday around 14.00 in the Hadfield Building
Special measures are taken during an evacuation to assist disabled personnel.
Maintenance of Fire Fighting Equipment
Fire fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers is maintained by contractors
appointed & employed by the University of Sheffield. Should such equipment be
used or appear to require attention, this should be raised with the Departmental
Superintendent Mr Richard Stacey in the same way as other maintenance issues.
Fire extinguishers etc should not be tampered with, or be used inappropriately.
Non-Smoking Policy
The University operates a policy of no smoking on its premises.
There are no
exceptions in any academic department building. If you must smoke, do so well
outside the building. Do not smoke next to an entrance to a building as you may
set off the smoke detectors.
Food and Drink
Food and drink must be consumed only in designated rooms, i.e. the Lounge on EFloor and the St. George's Cafeteria. Hygiene regulations forbid food and drink
from being taken into lecture theatres, computing suites or laboratories.
Safety Training
All Staff and Postgraduate Research students are required to complete, annually, a
online fire training course and if they wish to work out of hours, another online
'out-of-hours' training course every three years.
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11
Both website links are available from Safety Services website
https://hs.shef.ac.uk/
Login is by your University username and password
A record of the date when personnel attended these courses is kept by by Safety
Services and accessed by the Departmental Safety Officer Mr Richard Stacey
Working Practices
All members of the Department are required to work in a safe and responsible
manner, to adhere to the departmental safety regulations in their place of work, to
wear the relevant protective clothing and equipment deemed necessary by risk
assessment. Members of the Department must be aware of safety legislation
relating to any duties which they undertake and adhere to the departmental
procedures which ensure compliance with this legislation. Specific safety legislation
and departmental safety requirements are displayed as appropriate in laboratories
and workshops.
Protective clothing and equipment are available to all staff and students such as
Protective shoes or boots should be worn when regularly handling heavy objects
which could injure the feet.
Suitable hearing protection, such as ear defenders or disposable ear plugs should
be worn near sources of loud/prolonged noise, particularly if it is over 85dBA.
Where the noise level is over 90dBA and in designated ear protection areas, the
wearing of such equipment is mandatory.
Other types of personal protective equipment, such as bump hats, chemical resistant
clothing, are available to all for use in appropriate areas. Protective coats of an
appropriate type should always be worn in laboratories. All are available on request
from the Departmental Safety Officer.
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12
Local Laboratory Rules
All Staff and Students working in any A Floor laboratories, must sign in and out of
the areas on the notice board outside near the B floor entrance.
The Quarrel Lab areas normal working hours are weekdays between 8.30 am and
4.30pm any work in this area outside of the these hours must be arranged with
members of the technical staff at least 24 hours beforehand.
It is also advised that all combustion testing should normally be underway by 11.00
am at the latest.
Lift Malfunctions
Users should report issues with the functioning of the lift to the Laboratory
Superintendent Richard Stacey immediately. If the lift appears to have paused for a
long period & the alarm is audible, report this via the lift Alarm system.
If the lift malfunctions or the fire alarm sounds during a journey:
Remain calm: if the fire alarm sounds, the lift will return to the ground floor using
emergency back-up power, the doors will then open to enable you to exit the
building as usual.
Press the button for your desired destination once.
If nothing happens, press the button with the yellow bell for 5 seconds & then
release.
This should then trigger a dialling sound & connect you directly via a
dedicated line to the Emergency Control Room.
Calmly, slowly & loudly state passengers name(s), location & situation. Security will
send an operative immediately to get passengers out of the lift & will inform both
Departments Reception & Estates that the lift requires an engineer.
Departmental Safety Inspections
Departmental safety inspections are undertaken three times a year by members of
the Safety Committee.
A report on the safety inspection and any appropriate
action, which must be taken resulting from the safety inspection, is made to the
Safety Committee, and member of staff responsible for the work area through the
Departmental Safety Officer who monitors the effective implementation of any
remedial action which is required.
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13
Risk Assessments
Written risk assessment of all departmental working practices, functions and
equipment must be undertaken annually. Each experimental rig must have a risk
assessment form completed before commissioning is begun.
This form must be
renewed annually. The form should be displayed by the rig. Details of these risk
assessments are reported to the Safety Committee which sets deadlines for the
completion of any remedial action resulting from these assessments.
Risk
assessment forms are held by the Departmental Safety Officer within the
Department and are available on request to any member of the Department.
Chemical Hazards
All chemicals should be treated as dangerous unless there is evidence to the
contrary.
To comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Regulations, COSHH, a suitable and sufficient assessment of the proposed
procedure must be undertaken before work commences. This assessment must be
undertaken in conjunction with a properly trained member of staff in the
Department.
Display Screen Assessment
All personnel within the Department who use VDUs are assessed by a trained
member of staff to determine whether they are a designated user of the equipment.
Members of the Department who are judged to be designated users will be given
advice and training to ensure that they adopt the correct working practices.
Laser Hazards
All laser and laser systems, except low power class 1 lasers, must be registered with
Safety Services. All personnel who are proposing to undertake any new tasks using
laser equipment must seek advice from a properly trained member of staff in the
Department.
Manual Handling Assessment
All manual handling tasks, which offer some risk to those involved, should be
assessed by a suitably competent person before undertaking the task and advice
will be given regarding the correct procedures
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14
Portable Appliance Testing
All portable electrical equipment must be tested annually to ensure that it is
operating safely. Equipment brought new within the Department should be tested
before use by a qualified member of the Department's technical staff.
Radiation Hazards
The use of radioactive materials, X-ray equipment and any other intentional or
unintentional source of ionising radiation is regulated by the Radioactive Substances
Act (1983) and associated Codes of Practice and Guidance Notes. Any member of
the Department using radioactive materials/X-ray equipment in other Departments
should inform Mr R V Stacey and Mr D Wengraf.
Contacts
The following are useful contacts for advice regarding work with radioisotopes:
University Radiation Protection Advisor
Trevor Moseley (Tel: Ext. 26190; email: t.j.moseley@sheffield.ac.uk).
Biological Hazards
The use of biological substances within the department is strictly controlled. Work
cannot proceed without first completing the necessary Experimental Activity form,
Risk and COSHH Assessment forms. All personnel undertaking experimental work
must seek advice from the Biological Safety Officer to ensure that they are fully
aware of the correct working practices and procedures.
ETHICAL REVIEW
Ethics approval is now required for all research which involves human participants,
and includes all their data or tissue, that is carried out by University staff or
students, either within or outside of University premises, and/or by individuals who
are not members of the University but who are carrying out the research on
University premises.
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15
The Department has an Ethics Review Panel, designed to act as a forum in which
ethical issues can be raised and discussed and which reviews contentious research
ethics applications.
The members are:
Prof David James
Mr David Wengraf
Mr Richard Stacey
The above should be contacted in the first instance.
The Use of Cryogenic Fluids
While maintenance of the cryostat located in the ground near the lift is the
responsibility of the Departments Technical Staff. Users are responsible for the
correct use and timely maintenance of their own stores of cryogenic fluids, which
should be available for viewing by CBE Management upon request. The following
section represents a distillation of material on the Safety Services website which
must be consulted in full by users before commencing work involving cryogenic
liquids.
General Risks & Precautions:
The cryogenic fluids most commonly used in biological research are Carbon Dioxide
(solid dry ice) and liquid Nitrogen, both of which present the following hazards:
Cold Burns occur when tissue is touched or splashed by cryogenic liquids due to
careless handling and can cause worse damage than a scald with boiling water. Cold
Burns can be avoided by taking basic precautions:
Wear suitable protective clothing; thick protective gloves, lab coats and goggles or a
face shield.
Do not attempt to lift, carry or pour from too heavy a container. Use a trolley when
necessary. Refer to manual handling guidelines on the Safety Services website.
Staff Handbook
16
When pouring into narrow necked openings such as cryostats or cold traps, use a
funnel to reduce spillages and pour only small amounts slowly into the funnel.
Never drop objects into the liquid.
Although our communal cryostat is a low pressure Dewar with safety valves that
minimise splashing, you must wear protective gloves and eye protection when
handling the cold transfer hose and phase separator.
Use suitable materials for transfer; tubes and funnels (see Safety Services website,
www.sheffield.ac.uk/safety).
Asphyxiation can be caused when cryogenic fluids are spilt or allowed to evaporate
to atmosphere in small or enclosed spaces.
Users should use oxygen monitors in labs where cryogenic liquids are regularly
used. Safety Services can advise on the selection of oxygen deficiency monitors.
Never be tempted to store a Dewar in a cupboard or small room with inadequate
ventilation. Remember, effectively 100% nitrogen asphyxiates without discomfort or
pre-warning.
Ice blockages can occur if the top cap or gas vent valve of a cryogenic vessel is left
open. Air sucked into the neck of a Dewar contains moisture that will freeze inside
the neck.
The build up of such soft snow ice can block the neck creating a potential explosive
as continued warming of liquid in the Dewar produces increased pressure.
Cryogenic vessels should not be left open to atmosphere.
Small non-pressure, free-venting Dewars should be fitted with their proper loose
fitting cap which minimises the ingress of air.
Clearing ice-blockages is a specialist job and should normally be tackled only by
appropriately trained personnel. Special precautions should be taken to avoid
accidents when the blockage is cleared and the pressure released. Nitrogen Dewars
Staff Handbook
17
are more likely to be blocked with hard-packed snow that can often be broken
through using a length of copper tube. Hard blockages may require the use of a
heated copper tube to melt the ice.
Trapped Volumes are cold liquids trapped between two valves in a transfer tube
system, the warming of which can create pressures sufficient to burst pipes. Lines
carrying liquid gases are valved at both ends and must have a pressure relief device
incorporated.
Spring-loaded valves are preferred and a relief valve plus a manual blow-down valve
is better. A manual valve alone is not sufficient.
Transporting Cryogenic Fluids:
Before moving cryogenic liquids a risk assessment must be undertaken. This should
include plans to cover any emergency situation: small volumes of liquid evaporate
into large volumes of gas and must be allowed to vent safely.
Large cryogenic liquid tanks must always be moved using the correct trolley.
If you are in doubt or are untrained in cryogenic liquid procedures, ALWAYS seek
the advice of a competent person.
Imagine cryogenic liquids carry risks of superheated water and take extreme care at
all times.
Never leave a Dewar open to the atmosphere.
Never accompany cryogenic liquid vessels in lifts.
ALWAYS wear at least the minimum recommended protection: gloves and face visor
or safety glasses and use the correct siphon and fittings.
Always inspect the Dewar for blockages: high pressure will be indicated on the
pressure gauge.
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18
NEVER tackle ice plugs unless trained to do so. Users must ensure that at least one
member of their staff knows how to deal with ice blocks.
If sending samples on dry ice via the post: ensure that the package may vent build
up of pressure, has the correct documentation and is correctly labelled.
Emergency procedure:
As part of their initial risk assessments, users must have written emergency
procedures for dealing with ice blockages and other potential risks before starting
work with cryogenic fluids. They must also ensure that staff know these procedures:
If you discover a Dewar with a suspected blockage and are trained to deal with it,
do so immediately and then report the incident as a dangerous incident (see
Section 7.1).
If you have not been trained to deal with ice blockages:
1. Clear the lab of all personnel.
2. Inform your immediate supervisor or Safety Officer.
3. Call 4444 & inform the Emergency Control Centre.
The Disposal of Biological Material and Disposable Laboratory
Equipment
All biological material and disposable laboratory equipment, including plastic petri
dishes, plastic pipette tips, disposable gloves and any other associated equipment
(cling film, aluminium foil, cotton wool etc.) is disposed of by collection in a sealed
Bio Bin. The Bio Bin is clearly labelled as a Biological Hazard, the laboratory where
it was used, the date it was sealed, and once full the sealed Bio Bin is removed by
Estates Services who are licensed to remove such waste materials and take
responsibility throughout the University for ensuring that such waste is subjected to
deep landfill, autoclaving or clinical incineration as required by the waste stream.
The Disposal of Liquid Waste
Any liquid waste that may have been in contact with biological material is sterilised
by the addition of 5% bleach. This not only sterilises the fluid, but also reduces any
odours.In accordance with the University of Sheffield’s Department of Safety
Services, this waste is then deposited down the sink with excess fresh water and
finally 5% bleach in order to clean the sink and associated pipe work.
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The Disposal of Sharps
Sharps are disposed by collection in a Cin Bin.The Cin Bin is sealed and sharps are
inserted through a small opening in the top of the bin. Once full the Cin Bin is
collected by Portering Services and taken for clinical incineration.
The Disposal of Non-Hazardous Waste
Non-hazardous waste includes waste paper or other disposable material which has
not been in contact with biological equipment or preparations.
The material is
deposited in a clearly labelled bin and this bin is emptied on a daily basis by the
cleaner. The cleaner is aware that this is the only bin that should be emptied in the
laboratory. Any broken glassware that has not come into contact with biological
material is disposed of in the Broken Glass Bin which is clearly labelled and is only
used as a repository for broken glass.
Small fragments of broken glass may be
placed in the Cin Bin.
The Cleaning of Laboratory Equipment
Laboratory glassware is cleaned following contact with biological material by
sterilisation in an autoclave. This is followed by soaking in a 5% solution of bleach,
followed by washing in a detergent. The glassware is then cleaned in a dishwasher,
soaked in a solution of non-ionic detergent, rinsed in distilled water and dried in an
oven.
This cleaning procedure has been found to remove all traces of
microbiological material.
All work benches, sinks and other flat surfaces are wiped and cleaned with a 5%
solution of bleach on a regular basis. This is carried out as routine procedure both
before and after carrying out any biological work. Equipment that has been used in
the biotechnology laboratory is never removed from the laboratory.
Action Following a Biological or Chemical Spill
The laboratory has visible notices regarding the appropriate course of action
following a biological or chemical spillage.
Adsorption granules are used for
adsorbing excess spills. The surface which has been exposed to a biological spillage
is always wiped with a 5% solution of bleach following removal of the spillage.
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20
HARPUR HILL RESEARCH STATION Buxton
General Safety Procedures
Working Hours
The site's normal working hours are from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. weekdays.
Fire and Emergency Procedures
If emergency services are required, telephone 999.
The Health & Safety
Laboratories’ Gate-house should also be informed on telephone 28003.
Please
remember to give clear and concise information regarding the site and nature of
the emergency. The site's fire point and emergency assembly point is the car park.
Accidents
All accidents or near misses requiring should be reported to Mr Mike O’Meara or
Mr David Palmer, the site's appointed First Aiders, and also reported to Safety
Services using the online reporting system found http://www.shef.ac.uk/hs.
Working Practices
All members of staff and students visiting the site must sign in and then out before
leaving the site. A sign-in book is kept in the workshop. Staff and students should
inform technical staff of their whereabouts and movements around the site at all
times.
No experimental work is to be carried out unless there is adequate
supervision. A minimum of two departmental staff members, including at least one
technician, are required to be present on site.
Risk Assessments/Chemical Hazards
COSHH and Risk Assessments must be completed before starting experimental
procedures. COSHH and Risk Assessment forms are kept in the Workshop.
Rig Operating Procedures
A document describing operating start-up, shut-down and all experimental
procedures should be prepared before any experiment takes place.
Staff Handbook
These must
21
describe any necessary safety precautions and be approved by the academic
supervisor of the work.
Experiments can be conducted on approval of this
document by the Departmental Safety Officer or his deputy.
Please also see HSE SiteHarpur Hill Research Site appendix on page 44
KROTO BUILDING
All postgraduate students who require office space in the Kroto Building should see
Richard Stacey (D56A) on phone 27529. All staff or students who want to carry out
experimental work or use equipment must liaise with Andy Patrick (27533) before
commencing work and must fill in the appropriate Departmental safety forms.
Garden Street Laboratories
All postgraduate students who require office space in the Garden Street Building
should see Richard Stacey (D56A) on phone 27529. All staff or students who want
to carry out experimental work or use equipment must liaise with Andy Patrick
(27533) before commencing work and must fill in the appropriate Departmental
safety forms
GAS CYLINDER SAFETY
1.
Staff handling Gas cylinders should attend a Gas Cylinder Management
course (see Richard Stacey D56A 27529 for details)
2.
Before obtaining a gas cylinder, it is essential that completed Risk Assessment
and COSHH forms for the gas concerned and associated experiments are in place or
on hand.
3.
Gas cylinders are heavy and must only be transported with the use of a
suitable cylinder trolley available from the technical staff in MECHANICAL
WORKSHOP in Sheffield and from Mike O'Meara if you are working in Buxton. Do
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22
not attempt to manhandle cylinders physically.
Use trolleys and the lift, not the
stairs.
4.
Cylinders must not be transported in the back of Departmental vehicles.
5.
Cylinders must be secured upright in the working area by either a bench
clamp, chains or cylinder stand.
6.
A suitable pressure regulator must be chosen for the gas involved (cylinders
must not be connected directly to the pipelines without a regulator).
7.
Before fitting the pressure regulator, remove the plastic cover cap from the
cylinder. Before fitting, check the threads on the cylinder and regulator are clear of
any grit.
8.
Once the regulator is fitted, check for leaks. If a leak is not easily fixed by
further tightening, seek help and advice from a member of technical staff.
9.
When the cylinder is empty, ensure that the cylinder valve is turned off.
Remove the pressure regulator and transport the cylinder back to the cylinder store
and store it in the empty cylinder rack (if you want a fresh replacement cylinder,
order it in the usual way). If a cylinder has not been emptied and is not required for
further work this too should be returned to the cylinder store but replaced in the
full cylinder rack and marked with the appropriate volume of gas still in the bottle.
10.
Decanting gas from one cylinder to another is strictly prohibited
Note - Advice on COSHH, Risk Assessment from the Laboratory Superintendent
Richard Stacey D56A 27529 and any further handling or gas gauge problems can be
obtained from Adrian Lumby in the Technical Services Workshop telephone ext
27641 or other members of the technical staff.
A regularly updated list of gas cylinders stored in each lab is kept at the Porters
Lodge and also in the Kroto Building so that hazards can be identified to firefighters entering the building. A minimum of half yearly updates are required.
DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES
The following members of staff within the Department are responsible for ensuring
that safety procedures are followed and that the legislation relating to them is
Staff Handbook
23
applied. Advice and guidance relating to the safety procedures for which they are
responsible can be obtained from them.
Title
Name
Departmental Safety Officer
Mr R V Stacey
Departmental Laser Supervisor
Mr K Penny
COSHH and Risk Assessments
Mr R V Stacey
M K Penny
Mr D Wengraf
Mr Mark Jones
Manual Handling Assessments
Mr A Lumby
Mr M S O’Meara
Mr S Richards
Mr R V Stacey
Mr A Patrick
Mr S Blackbourn
Portable Appliance Testing
Mr H McFarlane
Mr M McIntosh
Mr U Younis
Display Screen Equipment Assessment & Training Mr M McIntosh
Biological Safety Officer
Dr M Dickman
Harpur Hill Research Station Technician
Mr M S O’Meara
Staff Handbook
24
LOCAL RULES FOR MECHANICAL WORKSHOPS
Procedure for Workshop Requests
Students are not allowed to use any workshop equipment without proper training
and authorisation of the Workshop Supervisor. (Staff and students typically may be
able to use hand tools and drills only but after authorisation by the Workshop
Supervisor)
Staff and students requesting work to be carried out by technical staff must
complete a 'Technical Work Request Form'.
However, before the request is
accepted it is important that the originator can answer various questions about the
work required.
Things to consider before requesting work are to understand what the item is
required to do and what the basic dimensions or minimum size should be.
Other considerations are what operating parameters e.g. temperature, pressure, flow
rates, the item or items will be expected to operate under or measure. Thought
should also be given to both operational safety and future use of the equipment.
The 'Technical Work Request Form'(available via muse) should then be completed,
usually in consultation with a member of the technical staff. Full details should be
given and include, in most cases, schematic drawings of the item required, name,
phone number, email address, a signature from a budget holder, an account code
Staff Handbook
25
and budget or budget limit and an agreed realistic appraisal of the timescale by
which the work is required.
When the form has been agreed and completed it should be lodged with the
Workshop Supervisor or the Electronics technician who will nominate a technician to
undertake the work.
A copy of the form will be passed to the Departmental Administration Manager who
will treat it as authorisation from the budget holder for the technician to spend up
to the indicated sum without further authorisation.
The technician will be
responsible for keeping an account of funds spent.
Staff Handbook
26
Chemical and
Biological
Engineering.
Technical Work Request Form
Project Title
Names & Contacts
Name:
Budget Holder’s
Account No.:
Name:
Contact No.:
Budget
Contact No.:
Project Details:
Job description:
Holder’s
Signature:
Project Expense limit:
Date In:
Note:
Drawing must be
Date Required:
provided on a
separate sheet If
required
Technical staff
section
Technician’s Name:
Staff Handbook
Date completed:
27
Notes:
PROTOCOL FOR THE DELIVERY OF SECOND-HAND EQUIPMENT
Any second-hand equipment loaned, donated to or purchased by members of the
Department must be supplied with a guarantee from the supplier. This guarantee
should state that the equipment has not been in contact with hazardous material
prior to delivery to the Department or, if it has, that it has been cleaned by means
appropriate to the hazard (biological, chemical, radioactive, irritant) so that no
hazardous trace remains. Thought must also be given to any asbestos possibly
contained inside the equipments insulation or gaskets.
Any device which is to be or can be connected to the mains electricity supply must
be electrically tested before use by a qualified University Electrical Compliance
Tester. All interlocks, protection devices, controls, and all other safety-related
features must be tested to ensure they work correctly. If the equipment has a
pressure vessel, then the pressure vessel must be integrity tested prior to delivery
and a certificate of such a test having been successfully completed should be
included.
If possible, an instruction manual should be supplied with all second-
hand equipment.
Where an item is on loan, any repairs or alterations for safety reasons should be
agreed with the owner, who will normally be expected to pay for them.
arrangements for the return of the item should be agreed in advance.
The
This is
particularly important for large items.
The date and time of delivery of large items must be negotiated in advance so that
safe arrangements can be made for off-loading and installation. A Risk Assessment
will be required for any particularly large or complex delivery. Similar arrangements
Staff Handbook
28
must be made for the removal of items at the end of the research where loaned or
not required.
Appropriate COSHH and Rig Risk Assessment forms must be completed and
submitted to the Departmental Safety Officer prior to use of the equipment.
Staff Handbook
29
Chemical and
Biological
Engineering.
Record of Second-Hand Equipment Delivered to the Department
Name of Student:…………………………………………………….………...........................
Supervisor:……………………………………………………….….........................................
Location in Department:…………………………………..…………………...........................
Details of the second-hand equipment:………………………………………........................
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Supplier of Equipment:…………………………………………………………………………..
Potential hazards identified:…………………......................................................................
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Electrical testing completed (where appropriate):……………………………......................
Pressure testing completed (where appropriate):…………………………….......................
Interlocks testing completed (where appropriate). …………………………........................
Is the equipment clean and safe to use?……………………………………….....................
COSHH form completed:……………………………………………………...........................
Rig Risk Assessment completed:…………………………………………….........................
Signature of student:
Staff Handbook
Date:
30
Signature of Supervisor:
Date:
Once completed this form should be submitted to the Departmental Safety Officer
PROTOCOL FOR THE DELIVERY OF SAMPLES
Sample material is defined as that which does not originate from a recognised
commercial source.
This may include samples of waste materials, slurries, ash,
effluent and other materials purchased by or donated to the Department.
Any sample material donated to or purchased by members of staff in this
Department must be clearly labelled and its contents identified for potential hazards
prior to delivery. The sample material must be delivered in sealed packaging such
that the contents cannot leak during transit.
The quantity should be not much
more than is required to carry out the work.
Substances which are the subject of licensing or legal restrictions may require
special arrangements, even if donated or supplied as samples for testing.
These
include ethanol, petroleum spirit, mercury, clinical waste, pharmaceuticals, certain
poisons, some agricultural chemicals, compressed gases, radioactive materials. The
Departmental Safety Officer must be consulted before any such material can be
brought in.
Special arrangements must be made for materials (even if not hazardous) which are
in large quantities, dusty or have an offensive odour.
The member of staff responsible for the sample material must ensure that
somebody is available to receive the samples upon delivery and that adequate and
appropriate storage facilities (for example, freezer, solvent cabinet, laboratory space)
are available.
Hazard sheets must be provided by the supplier with any sample
material delivered to this Department.
The exact method of disposal must be
specified by the member of staff (taking appropriate advice) prior to delivery. Note
Staff Handbook
31
that in many cases, the excess of materials sent for testing can be returned to the
supplier.
Staff Handbook
32
Chemical and
Biological
Engineering.
Record of Sample Material Delivered to the Department
Name of Student:…………………………………………………………………………………
Supervisor:………………………………………………………………………………………..
Location in Department:…………………………………………………………………………
Details of the sample material:………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…..
Potential hazards identified:……………………………………………………
Storage requirements:…………………………………………………………..
Disposal requirements:………………………………………………………….
COSHH form completed:……………………………………………………….
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33
Signature of student:…………………………………………………………….
Signature of Supervisor:…………………………………………………………
*Once completed this form should be submitted to the Departmental Safety Officer
Chemical and
Biological
Engineering.
EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITY SAFETY ASSESSMENT FORM
NUMBER ……………….(Given when form complete)
NAME OF APPLICANT......………………………………………………………….
TITLE OF EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITY
…………………………………………………………............................................................
Details of experimental activity to be carried out:
.................................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................................
.........................
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34
Location of Activity in the Department …………………………
Have the Following Been Carried Out ?
(Answer Yes, No or N/A)
General Risk
General Risk Assessment
Assessment
Rating Low Medium or High
COSHH Assessment
Operational Procedure
Electrical Testing
Pressure Testing
Laser User Registration
Biological Hazard Involved?
POTENTIAL HAZARDS IDENTIFIED
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Will the procedure involve any out-of-hours working ? Yes / No
_____________________________________________________________________
Signature of Applicant
Date:
(Supervisor’s consent if required)
Authorisation
Supervisor Signature:...........................................................
Date……………..
By CBE Safety Officer …………………………………………..
Date:………….…
By CBE Director Of Research ……………………................... Date……………..
ALL EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITY SAFETY ASSESSMENT FORMS ARE T0 BE
REASSESSED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND UPDATED INBETWEEN TIMES.
RE-ASSESSMENT DATE
Supervisor Signature:…………………………………………….. Date……………..
Authorisation
By CBE Safety Officer ……………………………………………
Date:………….….
By CBE Director of Research (If required) ……………………………..……………. Date……………..
Staff Handbook
35
THIS EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM COVERS THE FOLLOWING CPE
DEPARTMENTAL COSHH REFERENCE NUMBERS
COSHH REFERENCE NUMBER
TITLE
DATE LAST ASSESSED
Staff Handbook
36
GUIDANCE NOTES
EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITY SAFETY FORM
An
Experimental
Activity Safety Assessment Form must
be
filled in
and
countersigned before any experimental work using rigs or apparatus is undertaken.
The Applicant signs to illustrate that they have followed the departmental safety
procedures and completed the necessary safety forms for their experimental activity.
The Supervisor Signs to confirm that they have approved the activity to take place
in the Department and are confident that the applicant and others named can carry
out the work safely
The Departmental Safety Officer signs to confirm that s/he concurs that all the
necessary safety procedures and training (if required) have been followed, and that
the activity in their opinion is safe to be carried out in the Department by the
applicant and others named on the form.
The Head of Research signs to grant authorisation.
Once your academic supervisor has approved and signed the form.
Hand the form to the Departmental Safety Officer Mr R V Stacey in D56A. He will
obtain the signature of the Head of Research. It will be returned to your pigeonhole or can be picked up from D56a.
GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENTS
General Risk Assessment forms are legal documents.
A General Risk Assessment must be carried out for all activities before they are
carried out.
The form requires countersigning by your supervisor or equivalent
Staff Handbook
37
Completed forms should be copied and given to the Departmental Safety Officer,
personnel involved, and a neatly written/typed copy displayed near the rig or stored
in the laboratory.
NOTE
Any procedure rated with a HIGH risk rating in any category must not continue
without professional advice and specific authorisation by the Head Of Department.
COSHH ASSESSMENT FORMS
A COSHH assessment form should be completed before ordering or bringing in any
chemical or chemicals into the Department.
The Department currently uses 2 types of COSHH Assessment: Form A and Form B.
COSHH Form A is designed for use largely for undergraduate experiments and for
non-hazardous routine procedures of quotable methods.
If in any doubt, it is
recommended that you carry out a FULL major assessment using COSHH Form B.
The results of the assessment should include at least details of:

The nature, hazard and extent of potential exposure

Any workers who may be particularly at risk, including the possible risk to
pregnant women

Whether substitution by a less hazardous substance is reasonably practicable

The control measures to be applied

Operating procedures to ensure minimum exposure

Procedures for maintenance and emergencies

Use of personal protective equipment

Monitoring procedures (if appropriate)

Health surveillance (if appropriate)

Arrangements for information and training
The completed forms with any available hazard information attached should be
countersigned by your supervisor or another suitable member of academic staff.
Note: COSHH Form B also requires authorisation by the Departmental Safety
Officer and should already be countersigned as above before submitting.
Staff Handbook
38
What are you signing?
COSHH forms are legal documents
The Assessor signature confirms that they have identified all the potential chemical
hazards involved in the process or procedure and reduced them to acceptable levels
for the task to be considered safe enough to be carried out within the Department.
The Supervisor signature confirms that they agree with that all the potential risks
have been identified and systems are in place for safe operation.
The supervisor
must also be satisfied that the use of the chemical or chemicals is essential, that the
proposed scale of the work is justified, that adequate facilities exist for use, storage
and disposal, and that the investigator and other named individuals are competent
to work with the chemicals and that therefore the procedure or process is safe to
be carried out in within the Department.
The Departmental Safety Officer to grant authorisation once all required
signatures are in place.
The form and attachments should be photocopied with
copies going to following:

Departmental Safety Officer: original and one copy.

All personnel involved in the procedure including supervisor: one copy each.

Another copy should be kept in the Laboratory where the procedure is to be
carried out.
Completed forms should be reviewed annually and either rewritten/amended
accordingly if procedures have changed or the original copy counter-signed and
dated if unchanged and the procedure is still in use.
ELECTRICAL TESTING
All portable electrical equipment used within the Department must be tested to
ensure that it is operating safely. The testing is valid for a minimum of 12 months.
The user of electrical equipment has a responsibility to ensure the integrity of the
cable and its plug head before any appliance is used and that its test date has not
been exceeded.
Staff Handbook
39
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
Required for rigs or experimental equipment to ensure safe start-up, operation and
shut-down in normal operation of the experimental equipment and an emergency
shut-down procedure.
PRESSURE TESTING
The use of high pressure equipment requires specialised knowledge and expertise.
Special insurance considerations apply and procedures must be followed for the
regular formal expert examination of pressure vessels are required by law.
No pressure vessel without a current Safety Certificate may be used!
LASER REGISTRATION
All lasers and laser systems, except low-power Class 1 lasers, must be registered
with Safety Services.
All personnel using Class 3A lasers and above must be
registered with Safety Services.
Copies of all registration forms are available from Mr Richard Stacey
and on the CBE wiki website.
Staff Handbook
40
Chemical &
Biological
Engineering.
Lab Access Validation Form
Student name:
Ucard number:
University contact email:
Project:
Responsible supervisor(s):
Location:
Project start/end dates (estimated):
Please ensure that the following health & safety and training procedures have been
completed and signed off by the appropriate responsible member of staff prior to
commencing any experimental work.
Validation Procedures
Officer Signature
Experimental Activity Safety Assessment1
General Risk Assessment1
COSHH (Form A or B, as appropriate)1
Lab Introduction2
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41
Instrument training2 (if applicable)
Waste management system training
Use of Genetically modified Material (if applicable)
1
To be signed off by the departmental Health & Safety Officer.
2
To be signed off by staff/lab manager conducting your training.
I confirm that I have read and understood the relevant Heath & Safety information
applicable to my research project including the “University of Sheffield H&S Guide”
and CBE’s PGR/PGT student hand book.
Student Signature:
_________________________________
Verified by CBE Safety Officer:
_______________________________________
You will not be authorised to access any CBE laboratory facilities,
commence experimental work or receive laboratory keys until this
form is completed and submitted to the CBE Safety Officer.
*NB: there is a £10 returnable deposit charge for lab keys*
Equipment Authorised for use
Equipment
Alone/supervised by
COSHH no.
Authorised
(academic
supervisor)
Staff Handbook
42
Staff Handbook
43
Guidance Notes
Working hours Doors open at 8.30 am and close at 5.30pm, and local lab rules will apply
in certain areas.
Avoid working alone if at all possible- certainly you shouldn’t carry out anything
hazardous. MSc students are not permitted in the building out of normal hours.
Security. Keep valuables with you and keep the lab door shut (this is a personal security
and fire reg.). Lock up laptops.
Fire alarm leave by the nearest exit, assemble on the pedestrian area between St George’s
church and the Computer Science department.
Fire training If you have not attended a fire lecture, you must do so. If you have attended,
you can update your knowledge and do the assessment yearly on the web. Lecture dates
and online training is available at http://www.shef.ac.uk/firetraining/welcome.do
Emergency phone- 4444. This is staffed 24/7, and should be called in any emergency
requiring fire, police or ambulance.
Safety Rules.
No eating and drinking in the lab
No food, drink, coats or bags in the lab
Always wear lab coats whenever you are in the lab (buttoned up!).
Read the GLP (Good Lab Practice) guidelines.
Treat all chemicals as a potential/unknown hazard.
Lab coats/gloves should not be worn in all office/office areas
Gloves should not be worn in the corridor, or to open doors, answer the ‘phone etc.
Transluminators can easily cause burns (UV light). Wear a face mask, keep the cover over
the light, and make sure your gloves and cuffs meet!
Staff Handbook
44
Liquid nitrogen read and sign the COSHH forms, use gloves, masks and no open shoes.
Safety handbooks are available on MUSE.
Cryo-gloves for the -80.
Training is available from Safety Services at http://www.shef.ac.uk/safety/
Equipment/training
You may only use the equipment listed on page 1 of this form – if you find you need
another piece of equipment after completing this, make sure it’s updated.
Equipment to be listed would be: Gel tank & Transilluminator, RTPCR, PCR, Benchtop
Centrifuge, High capacity centrifuge, Vacuum concentrator, Infors incubator, Sanyo
incubator, Tecan, FTIR, Sonicator, Zetapals, Spectrophotometer, Ion Chromatograph, Liquid
chromatograph, Gas chromatograph, Mass spectrometer, AKTA, Kuhner, Nephelostar,
Flouroskan, Flow cytometer, Vi-cell, Flow hood, gas analyser, workshop machine tools
Read and Sign all relevant COSHH forms before you start work. If there is no COSHH form
for the technique you wish to use, you must perform a risk assessment and create one
before you start.
University Induction website-http://www.shef.ac.uk/safety/induction/induction.html
Lab kit;
Lab coats Use Howie style coats (button across neck and elasticated cuffs) when available.
Take them home to clean them, you should do so every month.
Safety glasses should be worn in the lab.
Bench space there’s not enough space for everyone, so use space that’s available.
Sample boxes should be fully labelled (species, date, name) clearly visible from the outside.
Show all samples/primers as appropriate to Dave Wengraf/supervisor before leaving and
write up a complete guide – we may not be able to understand your notation. Long-term
storage of samples must be agreed (limited freezer space).
Staff Handbook
45
Labelling. Label all containers, including those that are in use or being prepared.
Anything unlabelled must be treated as hazardous, put it in the fumehood and seek help,
do not sniff it!
Lab responsibilities/duties. Clean up after yourselves and put things away after use, join in
with the regular lab tidy, or it will be noted!
Stocks/Solutions/Chemicals. Some solutions are communal - if you use the last bit make
up more. If any of the chemicals are low please tell someone so they can order a
replacement. Don’t assume that someone else will do it.
For most applications you will need to make up your own solutions. To keep any possible
contamination events localised don’t take other people’s solutions (at least without asking)
and only ever pour the stock out (never pipette out of a stock solution).
Glassware. Rinse all glassware after use and re-use as much as possible (e.g. for TBE), if it
needs washing ‘properly’ dishwashers are available in labs 5 and 9. Re-use glassware, don’t
just order new bottles!
Equipment Malfunction. If you discover lab equipment that doesn’t work, tell Dave
Wengraf (ext 27586). Do not assume that someone else has reported it.
Waste disposal.
Waste training is available online (https://www.waste.shef.ac.uk/), and is a requirement for
anyone doing lab work. In brief:

General waste, mostly packaging: black bin bags.

Offensive waste, including non-GM, non-infectious and low-level hazardous waste,
including gloves: yellow/black stripe bin bags.

GM waste, high-level hazardous waste: Yellow boxes.

Infectious waste: orange boxes.

Bacteria and Animal samples should be dealt with appropriately (i.e. bleached for at
least 20 minutes and placed in the appropriate bin.

Sharps should be disposed of in the hard sharps bins provided. Do not resheath
sharps.
Staff Handbook
46

Solvent waste should be stored as chlorinated or non-chlorinated. See Keith Penny.
Tidiness. A tidy lab is a safe lab, tidy up after yourself and put things away, have some
consideration for others!
Accidents any accidents must be reported to Dave Wengraf as soon as possible. Richard
Stacey (ext 27529) must be informed.
Before you leave;
Tidy up loose ends. If you leave a mess we won’t like you or let you come back!
Burn data onto CDs. Liaise with your supervisor what should and shouldn’t be left and
where to keep it. Don’t leave anything on hard drives it will get thrown out!
Clear out fridge/freezer.
Show whereabouts of all samples to supervisor/postdocs
If you’re unsure of any procedures or protocols, ask your supervisor or a member of
the technical staff responsible for the area you’re working in.
Staff Handbook
47
Chemical &
Biological
Engineering
COSHH FORM A
January 2011
This assessment form is ONLY for routine/standard procedures. It is recommended for
most undergraduate experiments and non-hazardous routine procedures. In case of any
doubt, a full major assessment must be performed. It will normally be completed by a
member of academic staff or senior technical staff.
COSHH Ref No.
Laboratory No.
Risk Rating (H= High, M= Medium, L= Low)
Location
Personnel Involved:
Approved Equipment Involved if any
iginal Copy must be printed on ORANGE paper
Brief Description of Procedure:
Substances (Including quantities)
HAZARDS IDENTIFIED
Precautions to be taken:
I/We have read and fully understand the hazard data information regarding the above
substances and will comply with all the relevant safety requirements for this procedure.
Name of Assessor:
*Countersigned by:
Status of Assessor:
Status:
Date:
Date:
Signed:
Signed:
*Should be countersigned by a member of staff if the assessor is a student. The contents of this
assessment must be converted in a suitable format to anyone involved in the procedure. In the case
of a student practical experiment, it must form part of the experimental procedure sheet.
Staff Handbook
49
Chemical &
Biological
Engineering.
COSHH FORM B
January 2011
MAJOR ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH RISK ASSOCIATED WITH PROPOSED EXPERIMENTS
COSHH Ref. No.
Laboratory No.
Risk Rating (H= High, M= Medium, L= Low)
Location
Title of Experiment/Procedure:
Personnel involved:
(incl. status)
Aim:
Original Copy must be printed on PINK paper
Substances (including quantities):
Information sources:
Is there a less hazardous substance?
If so, why not use it?
Control Measures to be adopted:
Hazards identified:
Required checks and their frequency, on the adequacy and maintenance of control
measures during the course of the experiment:
Is this procedure authorised to be done outside normal working hours:
Is this procedure authorised to be left unattended: Normal hours Y / N Out-of-hours Y /
N
Disposal procedures during and at end of experiment:
Estimated cost of
disposal £
Name of Assessor:
Name of Counter signatory:
Departmental Safety
Officer
Status of Assessor:
Date:
Date:
Date:
Signed:
Signed:
Signed:
Emergency Procedures
If any of the substances or procedure identified overleaf is likely to pose a special hazard
in an emergency, then identify below the action to be taken:
Spillage/uncontrolled release:
Fire:
Staff Handbook
51
If personnel are affected (fume, contamination etc.) treatment to be adopted:
Note:
1.
A copy of this assessment must be sent to Safety Services if a hazard exists which
could have implications for the Emergency Services.
2.
If any person or department is referred to in this assessment (e.g. Building Services,
Safety Services, another member of staff) they MUST be sent a copy.
Anyone other than the assessor involved in a project to which this assessment relates
should sign the statement below:
I have read this document and understand it and have approval to use the equipment
listed.
Equipment to be used:
Name of equipment:
Signed
………………………………
Date
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
Techniques/Procedure used in experiment:
Staff Handbook
52
GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENT
Name:
TASK OR ACTIVITY:
LOCATION:
Expected duration of work
PERSONS AT RISK Staff (
)
Postgraduates (
)
Undergraduates (
)
Other (
)
List Persons:
Maximum number Staff/Students/Others at risk
HAZARD
Risk of Injury & Details
IDENTIFIED
What Could Go Wrong!
Control Measure &
Procedures
To Reduce Risk of Injury
Final Risk
Rating
Biological
Chemical
Dust
Electrical
Explosion
Fire
Compressed
Gas
Laser, UV, or
Radiation
Mechanical
Noise
Physical
Pressure
Slip,
Trip
&
Falls
Staff Handbook
53
Other
please specify!
Activity description:
Required personal protection equipment identified:
Could the procedure be made any safer? Yes/No
If Yes, how ?
Any special accident requirements Yes/No
If Yes, what ?
Further comments
Staff Handbook
54
Name
Signed
Date
Name of Supervisor.........................................
Counter-signed by Supervisor..........................
Date..............................
GUIDANCE NOTES
General Risk Assessment
A General Risk Assessment MUST be undertaken on all operations or processes,
which may be hazardous to staff/students or other visitors to the Department.
Generic risk assessments for common activities, tasks or processes are acceptable.
Copies of these should be available in each location ideally displayed on or near
experimental apparatus.
Final Risk Rating
To be assessed after safety procedures if required for the procedure any are in place
High = Extremely probable that injury
Low = slight risk of injury
will occur
O = No risk of injury or only in
Medium = Injury may occur
extreme/ unforeseen circumstances
Risk and details
Use this column to identify the risks involved.
Staff Handbook
55
Control measures & detail
Measures taken to reduce the overall risk of injury by the hazard or hazards
identified.
Emergency Procedures
The procedures for dealing with all foreseeable emergencies should be determined
before a procedure commences.
Spillages must be cleared up immediately by a
safe procedure with priority being given to splashes to the body. Data sheets on
the substances being used should be readily available to accompany a casualty to
hospital if required.
Sufficient quantities of a suitable material for soaking up
spillages must be available on site to deal with any foreseeable accidents.
Ancillary Staff and Visitors to the Department
Cleaners and others unfamiliar with scientific procedures whose work takes them
into specialist areas may come into contact with dangerous substances. Laboratory
staff must ensure that the laboratory is safe for cleaners to enter in accordance with
a pre-arranged timetable. Cleaners are instructed not to deal with spillages unless
informed by a competent person that it is safe to do so.
Children under 16 must not be allowed into laboratories unless specific permission
has been obtained from the Head of Department and a risk assessment has been
performed (e.g. for a supervised school visit). Even then, they must be kept under
the immediate and direct supervision of a member of staff.
A useful book on Good Laboratory Practice relating to chemical work is published
by the IChemE: Safety in Chemical Engineering Research and Development.
(H) High (M) Medium (L) Low (O) No Risk
Staff Handbook
56
OPERATING PROCEDURES
RESEARCH TITLE……………………………………………………………………………...
SUPERVISOR……………………………………………………………………………………
OPERATORS…………………………………………………………………………………….
COULD THE APPARATUS BE LEFT RUNNING UNATTENDED? YES/NO
HOW MANY PERSONNEL ARE REQUIRED FOR NORMAL START-UP AND SHUTDOWN?… ………………………………………………………………………………………
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS……………………………………………………………
Staff Handbook
57
EMERGENCY SHUT-DOWN PROCEDURE
APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR
………………………………………………………………………………….........................
AUTHORISATION OF DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
…………………………………………………………........................................................
OR
DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY OFFICER
………………………………………………………………………………............................
POSITION ……………………………………………………………………………...............................
DATE……………………………….................................................................................
Staff Handbook
58
START-UP PROCEDURE
Staff Handbook
59
NORMAL OPERATIONAL SHUT-DOWN
PROCEDURE
Staff Handbook
60
GUIDANCE NOTES
This form is to be completed for any experimental rig/apparatus set-up, which
could pose a substantial hazard in unusual circumstances.
WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING FOR?

The Applicant signature is to confirm the procedure written is a true
description of the procedure and the procedure described is safe

The Supervisor signature is required to ensure that the supervisor is familiar
with the design set-up, and then the safe running of the rig should be
ensured if the start-up and shut-down procedures are followed.

The Head of Research/Safety Officer signature on the form confirms that in
their opinion the operating procedures are safe for work to be carried out
within the Department.
EMERGENCY SHUT-DOWN PROCEDURE

Should include the minimum number of clear and concise instructions to
make the experimental rig/apparatus or set-up safe.

A person who may be unfamiliar with the equipment involved should be
able to follow the procedure.

Completed emergency shut-down instructions should be displayed on or
around the area of work!
START-UP/ NORMAL SHUT-DOWN PROCEDURE
A complete set of detailed instructions including diagram numbered valves and or
switches to ensure a safe start-up and shut-down of the procedure.
Staff Handbook
61
Harpur Hill Research Site appendix
HSL Buxton - Site Rules
Access
Vehicles enter the site via two barriers.

The first barrier is at the entry/exit roundabout and the second is located next to
the Security Gatehouse. Users should present their access card to both barrier card
readers and should not tailgate other vehicles. If the barrier is already in the raised
position, users should still present their access card to the readers. HSL will not be
held responsible if the barrier lowers down on to the vehicle of a user who has not
presented their card to the readers.

You must also display your car park user permit in your vehicle at all times. Vehicle
permits can be obtained from EEMU.

Staff should be ready to show their pass to security guards on request.

Passengers who are not staff, including children of any age who are accompanying
staff, must sign in or be signed in at the Gatehouse before entering the site (children
in this context are people under 16 years of age).
Staff Handbook
62

Vehicles may be searched before being allowed access to the site.

Visitors must check in at the Gatehouse before entering the site.

Those entering the site by routes other than the main approach road must alert the
Gatehouse staff to their arrival on site and show their pass.
Health Safety and Environment

Appropriate health, safety and environmental risk assessments must be undertaken
in advance for all work activities that entail such risks.

The site has three particular risks:
-
Energetic tests are frequently carried out. Red flags fly at all entrances to the
site on days when such tests are occurring.
Imminent tests are signalled by
a siren and sentries enforce the exclusion zone. Instructions given by sentries
must be obeyed.
-
As the site was previously used for munitions testing, there is a risk of
unexploded devices being present. Extra caution should be taken when
undertaking any activity that might disturb buried/hidden explosive devices.
-
The site sits above an important aquifer and the drainage from the site goes
to local water courses, so it is extremely important that no releases of
pollutants to ground or water are allowed to happen.

Hi-visibility clothing must be worn at all times when outdoors on the wider estate
beyond
the ring road.

All accidents and near misses must be reported.

The emergency phone number is ‘8888’ and is manned 24 hours a day.
Staff Handbook
63
Driving on site
The ring road is one way, clockwise.

The speed limit is 20 mph in all areas.

The traffic lights on the embankment must be obeyed, other than drivers going to
the Fire Section from the eastern side of the embankment.

Drivers should exercise extra caution on the embankment, which is also a public
right of
way liable to pedestrian and cycle traffic, including children.
Children

Staff may occasionally bring their children to site for short periods when they are
not working, e.g. to visit work colleagues after having a new baby, or in exceptional
circumstances to pick something up from work. It is not acceptable for any member
of staff to bring a child with them while they are working as the building is not
designed to be safe for children, and it is not possible to work and look after
children.
Smoking at work

Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes is prohibited throughout the HSL
site and it`s workplaces.

The only permitted smoking area is within the smoking shelter located on the
eastern side of the building adjacent to the engineering block and the Street.

For the purposes of this policy the workplace means buildings, car parks, grounds
etc. leased or owned by HSL, and includes private and official cars parked in the car
parks.

For further guidance on smoking please see HSE`s Smoking Policy on the Intranet
Security

Security passes must be worn so that both lanyard and pass are clearly visible at all
times.
Staff Handbook
64

Visitors and contractors who have not been security cleared must be escorted by
their
Host at all times in (see HS-OP-46, Control of Visitors and HS-OP-10,
Control of
Contractors):
-
the main building other than in the public areas.
-
the wider site beyond the ring road.
Dogs

No dogs, except guide dogs, are allowed in any HSL building.
Dogs must be kept
on a
leash.
Document Revision Details
Revision
Date
Revision Details
Review Date
0
15.11.11
Document Issued (Issue 1)
15.11.12
1
22.11.12
No Change
22.11.13
2
20.12.12
Para 1 on access to site
20.12.12
3
08.03.13
Change to Para on Smoking brought
08.03.14
in-line with HSE Policy.
4
20.03.13
Change regarding lanyard and pass to
20.03.14
be clearly visible
5
22.08.13
Add in rules for bringing children on to
22.08.14
site
Staff Handbook
65
HSE Site Guidelines For Visiting Buxton
Staff Handbook
66
Staff Handbook
67
Staff Handbook
68