Brief Overview : Norine Cruse
Laboratory Best Practices: (OH&S and the Environment)
A University Perspective
Water
Whilst water is a significant expense for the University it is also a very limited resource in Australia. Using water
unnecessarily in laboratories is not only a waste, it reflects poorly on University staff and is a bad example for students. Use
of water in water aspirators and for cooling (water used once and run to waste) should be discontinued.
Policies and practices for immediate clean up of water spills should be implemented.
“Wet areas” should be clearly identified and avoided as a practice wherever possible. Permanent wet areas should be well
bundied.
Risk Management:
 documented system for spills and ‘wet areas’
 no water aspirators used for suction
 no cooling water run to waste
 general minimisation practiced
Electrical Power
A regime of electrical maintenance, repair and tagging in line with OH&S guidelines for safe use is an important code of
practice for a University to demonstrate compliance.
Policies and practices for safe handling of electrical equipment should be readily available to laboratory users, especially
when the equipment involves the use of water.
Coal-generated electricity is a limited resource. Greenhouse gases (1.3 tonne/MWh in Victoria) are an undesirable byproduct. Wasting electricity is a missed opportunity for giving a good example to students.
Risk Management:
 documented system for maintenance, repair ,tagging and general use
 appliances switched off when no in use
 fume cupboards turned off when not needed
 sashes lowered on fume cupboards where possible
Natural and LPG gasses
Policies and practices for safe working systems should be in place when gas is used in a laboratory.
Wherever LPG containers are used, procedures should be in place for their maintenance and safe storage.
Natural gas and LPG usage is used mainly for heating in buildings and in laboratories to a lesser extent. It’s use should be
minimised.
Risk Management:
 documented system for safe working systems when using gasses and for the handling and storage of LPG containers
 minimal heat wastage and fuel consumption
Chemicals, gases, biological agents and radioactive isotopes
System in place to inform users of the potential hazards and dangers of substances is a necessity.
The provision of clear and accurate labelling a of substances is necessary.
Safe storage , including appropriate bunding, is necessary.
MSDS’s for all hazardous substances need to be available and kept current.
Accurate and appropriate signage, meeting the OH&S Code of Practice should be reviewed.
Compliance with the Hazardous Substances Regulation and the Dangerous Goods Act is important. This will include a
chemicals/substances manifest being available. All decisions and outcomes relating to compliance matters should be
documented.
Universities traditionally spend large amounts on chemicals and associated materials.
Laboratory Best Practice
05/03/99
page 1 of 6
Brief Overview : Norine Cruse
Significant amounts of chemicals are never used and are eventually disposed of usually at some cost to the University and the
environment. Sharing bottles of reagents and proper training to minimise the risk of contamination of reagent stock is a
necessary consideration.
Risk Management:
 documented system for general use of hazardous / dangerous substances eg decanting, labelling, storage, spills, bunding,
and purchasing.
 minimal chemicals stored
 MSDS visible to all user
 labelling meets Aust. code of Practice
 manifests in place and up to date
 safe packaging and storage
 effective bunding
 chemicals sourced from excess stock within the University
 less toxic substances used where possible
Laboratory-ware
Policies and practices for consideration when purchasing and using laboratory ware need to be established, implemented, and
monitored to gauge effectiveness. Safe work procedures in the assembly and general use of apparatus is important.
Use of disposable laboratory-ware is an expensive option and not in the best interests of the environment. Re-useable
laboratory ware is generally cheaper in the long-term and generates less waste.
Risk Management:
 documented system for general laboratory standards of purchasing controls (quantity and type)
 non-disposable laboratory ware used where possible
Waste minimisation
Use of minimum quantities of materials, reuse/recycling if possible, and collection for appropriate disposal methods
introduced into the laboratory environment will assist in an effective environment management system.
A waste risk assessment should be undertaken. Processes which generate waste should be assessed to seek waste reduction
opportunities.
Risk Management:
 documented waste management plan established
 processes to be assessed and redesigning processes to use minimisation strategies (process re-engineering)
Risk Assessment of laboratory methods
A risk assessment should be undertaken prior to the start of each semester to determine likely risks to health and the
environment. These should be evaluated in terms of likely severity of outcome. Those that could to prove hazardous in the
extreme should be managed under a system of risk control.
Risk Management:
 risk assessment of laboratory undertaken
 formal prioritisation according to risk
 control measures identified, agreed and established
 monitoring by period risk review
Waste disposal - general
Where practicable, hazardous wastes should be collected, treated to reduce hazards if appropriate (eg. acids neutralised), and
disposed of in a way that minimises environmental impacts. These practices should be documented.
Hazardous wastes should not be tipped down the sink or allowed to evaporate.
Laboratory Best Practice
05/03/99
page 2 of 6
Brief Overview : Norine Cruse
Hazardous materials should be removed from obsolete equipment before disposal.
Consumables containing heavy metals (eg. fluorescent tubes and Nicad batteries) should be segregated and disposed of
appropriately.
Risk Management:
 waste management plan developed
 acids and alkalis collected and neutralised/run to trade waste or removed by contractors
 no disposal of heavy metal to trade waste
Disposal of hazardous substances down sinks
The EPA/CWW impose strict limits on the concentrations of a range of hazardous substances in water run down sinks and
floor drains
In essence, no waste (except washwater) should be run down sinks and drains. Where toxic substances are involved, even
contaminated washwater may need to be collected and disposed by contractors (eg. washwater containing cyanide).
Where contamination is present, personal protective equipment suitable to the type of contaminant should be available and
used at all times.
Risk Management:
 provision of PPE as required by MSDS
 acids and alkalis collected and neutralised/run to trade waste or removed by contractors
 negotiation with EPA / CWW to ensure compliance
Fume cupboard emissions
Protocols for the use of and maintenance of fume cupboards should be developed, disseminated and monitored.
Fume cupboard emissions exhaust directly to atmosphere and so should be minimised. The possibility of suck-back of fume
cupboard exhaust gases into building air intakes, open windows or the breathing zone of people working on the roof or in
other buildings should be investigated.
Modifications such as closed-cycle water scrubbers or extension of exhaust ducts should be considered where necessary to
minimise health or environmental risks.
Fume cupboards are a compliance issue in terms of risk management both to the environment and as an OH&S issue.
Therefore decisions relating to the management and changes in the use of fume cupboards should be documented and records
should be kept.
Risk Management:
 work toward compliance with AS 2243
 greenhouse emission minimised
 minimal vapour/gases emitted into cupboards; use cold traps if possible
Laboratory air quality
The quality of laboratory air should be monitored considering chemical gases and vapour contamination, as well as noise,
vibration, dusts etc.
Work which may potentially contaminate laboratory air should be moved to fume cupboards.
Unused gas cylinders should be removed from laboratories.
Risk Management:
 eliminate mercury use where possible, otherwise test for mercury vapour
 all necessary work conducted in fume cupboards
 dispose of all unused cylinders of toxic gas
 oil mist filters on vacuum pumps
CFC and HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) use
Any non-essential use of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances in the laboratory should be discontinued.
HCFCs (also ozone-depleting) should be phased out where substitutes exist.
Laboratory Best Practice
05/03/99
page 3 of 6
Brief Overview : Norine Cruse
Risk Management:
 review use of CFC’s and eliminate where possible
 review use of HCFC and eliminate where possible
Hazardous vapours drawn into trade waste by water aspirators
Water aspirators that draw toxic vapours into water flowing down the sink may lead to noncompliance with trade waste
regulations. Such vapours should be trapped (and reused if possible). The use of water aspirators for more than short periods
of time should also be avoided (waste of water).
Risk Management:
 work toward elimination of all water aspirators
Risk of unintended discharges to trade waste
All risks of unintended discharge to trade waste (eg. chemical spills) should be assessed. Significant risks should be
addressed by establishing operation controls (eg, spill trays) to minimise the likelihood and magnitude of such discharges, by
drawing up contingency plans, and by having equipment such as spill kits available.
Risk Management:
 review and document processes to minimise risk of unintended discharges to trade waste
 block off floor drains where practicable
 bunding and containment of storage areas
pH Control of trade waste
Trade waste regulations require all discharges to trade waste to be between pH 6 – 10. Concentrated acid, diluted one million
to one with water, may still be below pH 6. Acid waste can cause long-term damage to sewers and can generate gases harmful
to maintenance workers in the sewers. All waste acid and alkali should be collected and neutralised (and can be tipped down
the sink only if there are no hazardous substances present).
Risk Management:
 eliminate all disposal of acids and alkalis to trade waste
Licenses and permits - toxic chemicals or biological substances
Laboratory personnel should be aware of and maintain all licences and permits held by the Department/University which
apply to chemical or biological substances they are using.
They should be aware of all conditions of these licences/permits and comply with them.
Risk Management:
 ensure compliance with legislation governing chemical and biological substances eg. Drugs, Poisons & Controlled
Substances Act ’81 (Vic)
Licensing of irradiating apparatus and radioactive sources
Laboratory personnel should be aware of and maintain all licences for irradiating apparatus and radioactive substances held
by the Department/University which apply to the work they are undertaking.
They should be aware of all conditions of these licences and comply with them.
Risk Management:
 ensure legislative compliance
Laboratory Best Practice
05/03/99
page 4 of 6
Brief Overview : Norine Cruse
Bunding - general
All containers of hazardous liquid (including wastes) should be bunded such that leakage of the full contents of the largest
container of liquid in the bund/tray will be contained.
Corrosive liquids should not be stored in metal trays.
Risk Management:
 risk assessment undertaken to establish the need for bunding
 the need for, and effectiveness of bunding review periodically
Transport
Adequate safety equipment should be available and used by personnel transporting hazardous substances.
All personnel using such equipment must be trained when and how to use it, and how to respond to a spill.
Risk Management:
 risk assessment undertaken to establish the need for personal protective equipment
 spill response procedure documented and communicated to personnel transporting hazardous substances
Spill kits
Spill kits must be suitable and adequate for any foreseeable spill in the laboratory.
The kits should be clearly labelled, in a location known to all personnel, and all personnel should be trained in their use.
Risk Management:
 spill kits provided in strategic positions
 induction into laboratory to include use of spill kits
Back-flow prevention eg., “town water” supply
Backflow is the contamination of “town-water” with trade waste. This could happen via plastic hoses hanging from taps into
a sink. eg, when water pressure is lost, contaminated water from a sink may siphon up and into the water mains ; or, the
migration (growth) of algae – which may be harmful to people – from the sink, into a cooling water hose lying in the sink.
Risk Management:
 work toward elimination all couplings between town water and wastewater
 educate laboratory staff on the need for back flow prevention
Standard of safety and environmental performance of contractors working in the laboratory
All contractors working in a laboratory should be briefed on appropriate University standards and procedures, and their work
monitored for compliance with those standards and procedures.
There should be a formal agreement to meet standards and codes of practice.
Risk Management:
 contractor obligations clearly stated in tenders, purchase orders etc
 performance of contractors monitored throughout the period of the contract
Any field work is carried out in accordance with University guidelines
The University shall prepare guidelines for field work.
Laboratory staff working in the field should be competent in the use of these guidelines and work in accordance with them.
Risk Management:
 guidelines in place
 guidelines included in induction process as necessary
Training
All laboratory personnel with laboratory responsibilities (ie all personnel) should be trained in the performance of their
responsibilities. The competence of personnel with key responsibilities (eg. transport of waste, leading emergency response)
should be tested to ensure training/experience is adequate. All personnel should be aware of environmental legal obligations
applicable to their work.
Laboratory Best Practice
05/03/99
page 5 of 6
Brief Overview : Norine Cruse
Risk Management:
 clear lines of authority and responsibility documented
 training provided and performance outcomes monitored
 documented systems in place for ongoing training needs identification and actioned
Communication, documentation and records
A formal system for reporting hazards and incidents should be in place, and all laboratory personnel should be familiar with it.
A process for investigating incidents, reporting findings and acting on them should be in place.
Systems for document control and records management should also be established.
Records should be available to all personnel who need to use them.
Risk Management:
 all processes requiring controls to be documented
 induction of staff and students undertaken as required
 records management system defined and implemented
Operational control & emergency response
There should be a formal process for the evacuation of the laboratory in an emergency situation.
This should include a mechanism for reporting the emergency to the wider University community and follow up to prevent
occurrence.
Foreseeable “loss-of-control” situations should be identified and assessed, and operation controls put in place to prevent lossof-control .
Risk Management:
 risk assessment undertaken
 laboratory emergency response plan developed in line with the University plan
Audit and review of laboratory management systems and their effectiveness
An audit/review program should be established and managed.
.A periodic departmental management review should review OH&S and environmental performance and the effectiveness of
the system as a provider of laboratory services to the University community.
Risk Management:
 audit schedule developed
 audits undertaken
 audits actioned appropriately
 outcomes periodically reviewed by stakeholders for systems monitoring purposes
Laboratory Best Practice
05/03/99
page 6 of 6