OHS026
Safe Work Procedure
Faculty/Division
Biomedical Imaging Facility (BMIF)
School/ Divisional Unit
Analytical Centre: DVC Research
Document number
Initial Issue date
Current version
SWP06.14
18/05/2010
1
Current Version
Issue date
18/05/2010
Next review date
May 2012
The Writing Safe Work Procedures Guideline (OHS027) should be consulted to assist in the completion of this form.
Safe Work Procedure Title and basic description
Title: Picoquant MT200 microscope safe work procedure
Description: Safe work procedure for Picoquant MT200 microscope
Associated risk assessment title and location: Confocal Microscopy Risk assessment
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Page 1 of 4
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 1.2, 15/08/2007
Describe the activity or process
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Page 2 of 4
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 1.2, 15/08/2007
Before work commences:
Users must have received authorised trained and the training documented (Training is available through Henry Haeberle ext.
51726 and Astrid Magenau ext. 51304). You must have read and understood this SWP, the associated Risk Assessment
(Document #) and the user notes (operation guide) for this equipment. Samples brought into the imaging facility must be clean,
dry, safe and enclosed (e.g. mounted slide). Live cells must be transported correctly. Where applicable, OGTR regulations must
be complied with and the specimens suitably contained. The microscopy facility is a PC1 only facility, no PC2 level specimens
may be transported into the facility. The contact person must be consulted before bringing any chemicals into this facility.
(Copies of all relevant documents are located by each microscope in Room LG 22 and LG24)
USE OF THE MICROSCOPE
Note: This document does not constitute a manual or training guide. Users of this equipment must receive authorised training
and use this Safe Operating procedure in conjunction with the user notes for this equipment and the risk assessment for this
equipment.
Follow the respective confocal microscope user notes for operation of the computers, microscopes, scanner and lasers.
Do not activate laser light through the objectives unnecessarily.
Never look directly into the laser light coming through the objective lens.
With the laser shutter closed and the lasers not activated, select and add a small drop of water to the objective lens.
With the shutters closed, the lasers not activated and the objective turret lowered, put your sample on the microscope stage.
With either Brightfield or fluorescence (LED) light, adjust the stage/objective height to bring your specimen into focus, by
viewing through the eyepieces. Take particular care not push the objective lens onto the slide beyond the focal point.
Ensure the shutters are closed and lower objective turret before adding or removing a specimen on the microscope stage.
Assure that there are no spills of immersion media or cell culture media. Clean the objective lens and the stage after use. This is
also therefore how the microscope should be left when you have finished.
Acquire images as desired using scanner, lasers and computer.
ADDITIONAL SOP REQUIREMENTS FOR USE
Maintain
correct
posture
whilst
working
at
the
microscope
and
computer
(refer
to
http://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/ohswc/workerscomp/wc_workstation.html ).
Do not work at the confocal microscope / computer for more than 2 hours without taking a break.
Live cells must be transported correctly. Where applicable, OGTR regulations must be complied with and the specimens suitably
contained.
Chemicals are not to be brought into the fluorescence microscopy facility without prior consent from facility management.
Microscope slides are to be carried in an appropriate container, and broken slides or coverslips are to be disposed of
immediately in the sharps containers provided.
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Page 3 of 4
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 1.2, 15/08/2007
List all resources required including plant, chemicals,
personal protective clothing and equipment, etc
Lab coats and gloves if working with chemicals or GMOs.
List potential hazards and risk controls including specific
precautions required
Postural damage- Users shall be informed of OH&S posture regulations and shall work a most 2hours.
Eye damage from UV light – Users shall not look directly into objectives, and minimize light emission from objectives, and keep
plastic UV shields around objectives when possible.
Eye damage from lasers (UV and visible lasers) - Users shall not look directly into objectives, and minimize laser light emission
from objectives.
Cuts from broken glass (slides / coverslips)- users shall know location of first aid.
List emergency
shutdown instructions

Go to the Sepia software tab and TURN OFF ALL LASERS

Close the software (click the [X] in the top right corner)

Shut down computer (by clicking Start  Shutdown)

Turn off all equipment at the wall socket
List clean up and waste disposal requirements
All GMOs must be transported in appropriate containers. DO NOT USE SOLVENTS ON THE OBJECTIVES. Only use ethanol on
objective glass. Clean up any spills on stage with an Ethanol soaked tissue. Do not clean up spills on the microscope. Turn off
power and contact BMIF personal.
Cover microscopes when not in use to minimize build up of dust.
List legislation, standards and codes of practice used in the
development of the SWP
2243.3, 2243.1
Supervisory approval, training, and review
Supervisor: Chris Marjo
Signature:
Plant custodian:
Signature
List competency required – qualifications, certificates, licensing, training - eg course or instruction:
SWP review date:
Responsibility for SWP review:
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Page 4 of 4
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 1.2, 15/08/2007