HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY
INDUCTION PRESENTATION
SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES
BIOLOGY
RENDANI LUTHADA-RASWISWI & FAIZA PEER
Safety: Why does it matter?

The university has a legal obligation to protect
each student, all staff and the faculty
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Better understanding of laboratory safety

Working safely protects you, other laboratory
workers and ultimately the environment
The Law ?
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT
(No 85, 1993)
• To provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for
the health and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant
and machinery;
• the protection of persons other than persons at work against hazards
to health and safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of
persons at work;
• to establish an advisory council for occupational health and safety;
and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Rules and Regulations
• ALL SUBSTANCES IN THE LABORATORY ARE HAZARDOUS OR
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS
•
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE LABORATORY SAFETY
RULES AND REGULATIONS, UNDERSTAND AND
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE DONE SO
•
PRACTICAL MANUALS HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION ON
CORRECT HANDLING OF SPECIFIC CHEMICALS, EQUIPMENT
AND SOLVENTS
•
RULES ARE TO BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO, FAILURE OF
WHICH, WILL RESULT IN BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE
LABORATORY, OR DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Safety rules in Biological
Laboratories
•
NO SMOKING, EATING, DRINKING OR USE OF
COSMETICS IN THE LABORATORY
•
WHITE LABORATORY COATS AND CLOSED SHOES
TO BE WORN AT ALL TIMES (NO PUMPS)
•
GOGGLES IF NECESSARY
•
LONG HAIR TO BE NEATLY TIED BACK
What are the general hazards in a
laboratory
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Fire
Glass breakages
Sharps
Spillages
Pressure equipment and gas cylinders
Extremes of heat and cold
Chemical hazards
Biological hazards
Radiation
And many more!
Fire Safety
• Keep calm
• Know the location of fire
extinguishers
• Report ANY fires to
supervisor/management/technical
staff
• It is important to try and contain
the fire (extinguisher, close
windows and doors)
• Emergency exits?
Emergency Assembly point –
Next to John Bews Building
Exit routes are through the main doors, straight to assembly point opposite to the main gate
Exit through entrance closest to you
Glassware

Use correct techniques when working
with glassware (Temperature)

Never handle broken glass with your
bare hands

Dispose of any chipped or broken
glassware – it is a risk to you and others

Always dispose of broken glass into a
glass bin or sharps container. Never in
a general waste bin. Use a brush and
dustpan

All contaminated slides or glassware
are to be discarded into special
containers found in your pracs.
Biohazardous/Hazardous material
• Always wear gloves when working with
biohazardous material
• All consumables containing any
biological or biohazardous material
must be discarded into biohazardous
boxes or containers
• Some examples would be contaminated
needles, gloves, petri dishes,
inoculating loops, swabs
Spillages

Is it chemical or biological?

Chemical: uncontrolled release of a
hazardous chemical, either as a solid, liquid or a gas

Biological spillages fall within 2 types:
a) Infectious material which has been handled or
generated within a laboratory eg liquid cultures of microorganisms or Involving human or;
b) animal bodily fluids or materials such as blood, urine,
vomit or faeces either accidentally or maliciously spilled

Clear up spills promptly. If you are unsure, report to
staff immediately

Location of spill kit if in the event of chemical spill
Spill response procedure
Waste Materials/Chemicals
• You will be notified in advance of the type of chemicals that you are
working with
• Please DO NOT put any chemical waste down the drain or with
Normal waste unless you are authorized to do so.
• Bear in mind we have a commitment to those around us
and the environment
First Aid
• Location of First Aid kits (every lab is
equipped with one, front office)
 Chemical splashes in eye, wash with eye wash/
eye wash station, flushing the eye for 10 minutes
 Cuts/bleeding, control with direct pressure,
avoiding any foreign objects such as glass
• Report all accidents to staff on duty or
your TA/Demonstrator
• All accidents need to be reported and
recorded, regardless of severity.
General Tidiness
• Keep your workplace tidy
• Clear up waste, deal with washing up
and put things away as you finish with
them
• Work carefully and avoid spillage.
• After handling chemicals, always wash
your hands with soap and water.
• During lab work, keep your hands away
from your face.
• Used slides are to be put into slide
containers provided.
• Microscopes are to be neatly packed
away into their designated cupboards.
• Refrain from wearing loose clothing and
jewellery.
Protecting your health

If you have an allergy to
laboratory materials or suffer
from a medical condition
which may affect you in the
laboratory (eg asthma,
epilepsy, diabetes, high/low
blood pressure etc) please
ensure your TA knows
WHEN IN DOUBT- ASK!!!
 Do not conduct any experiments or unfamiliar
procedure until you fully understand the safety
precautions necessary for working safely
 DO NOT GUESS!
 Have FUN Learning and
BE SAFE!