OHS026
Safe Work Procedure
Faculty/Division
Biomedical Imaging Facility (BMIF)
School/ Divisional Unit
Analytical Centre: DVC Research
Document number
Initial Issue date
Current version
SWP06.01
23/02/2010
2
Current Version
Issue date
22/03/2010
Next review date
March 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: Olympus microscope safe work procedure
Description: Safe work procedure for Olympus microscope
Associated risk assessment title and location: Risk assessment
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Page 1 of 5
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 1.2, 15/08/2007
Describe the activity or process
Before work commences:
Users must have received authorised trained and the training documented
(Training is available through Henry Haeberle ex 5-1726 and Astrid Magenau 5-1304 )
You must have read and understood this SWP, the associated Risk Assessment
(Document #) and the usernotes (operation guide) for this equipment
Samples brought into the imaging facility must be clean, dry, safe and enclosed
(eg 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 MERCURY LAMP
Before turning on, check that the accumulated time of use is less than 200 hours (according to the Mercury lamp). If the
accumulated time exceeds 200 hours do not use equipment but notify BMIF Microscopy staff who will replace the
lamp.
Before turning on, check that the lamp has been off for at least 30 minutes (according to the BMIF booking system). If it has
been turned off within the last 30 minutes you must wait until it has been off for 30 minutes before reigniting the lamp.
Before turning the Mercury Lamp off, check the booking calendar to see if someone is using it after you. If someone is using it
within up to 1 hour of you finishing, leave it on. Otherwise, turn it off so long as it has been on for at least 30 minutes (see
below).
Do not turn the Mercury Lamp off within 30 minutes of being switched on. If you finish your work within 30 minutes (and noone is booked to use it in the next hour), you must wait until it has been on for 30 minutes before turning it off.
If in the unlikely event a Mercury Lamp explodes (you will hear a very loud “bang”) turn the Mercury Lamp off and evacuate the
room immediately, closing the door behind you. Place the “no entry” sign across the door and notify Henry Haeberle, Astrid
Magenau, or Lin Chin immediately.
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 usernotes 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
Keep the shutter closed when the mercury lamp light source is not required.
Do not activate laser light through the objectives unnecessarily.
Never look directly into the light (laser light or light from the mercury lamp) coming through the objective lens
Do not attempt to view through eyepieces whilst laser light is passing through objectives (a shutter normally physically prevents
the laser light passing through the eyepieces)
With the shutter closed and the lasers not activated, select and add a small drop of the correct immersion fluid. Wash your
hands after using any immersion oil.
With shutter closed, the lasers not activated and the microscope stage lowered (upright Microscope Zeiss examiner) or the
objective turret lowered (inverted microscopes), put your sample on the microscope stage.
With either brightfield or fluorescence light (shutter open), 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 shutter is closed and lower the stage (upright microscopes) or the objective turret (inverted microscopes) before
adding or removing a specimen on the microscope stage. 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
Fixed specimens must be mounted with a coverslip, and be sealed, clean and dry. This means that slides must be free from
excess mounting media and that nail varnish must have had at least 60 minutes to set.
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 microscope 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 2 of 5
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
Mercury vapour exposure- users will not operate with mercury bulbs beyond rated range, users will evacuate scope in case of
mercury lamp explosion and inform emergency personnel.
Cuts from broken glass (slides / coverslips)- users shall know location of first aid.
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Page 3 of 5
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 1.2, 15/08/2007
List emergency shutdown instructions
If Mercury explosion occurs evacuate room immediately, shut door, place "no entry" sign across door and
notify a member of the BMIF immediately. Maintenance only to be performed by authorized personnel.
If Mercury explosion occurs evacuate room immediately, shut door, place "no entry" sign across door and notify a member of
the BMIF immediately. Maintenance only to be performed by authorized personnel.
If a different emergency occurs, follow the following shutdown procedure.
Turn off mercury lamp.
Turn off software.
If time allows, allow software to completely shut down. Turn off microscope control and laser control
boxes with the rocker switches, do not turn keys:
Turn off UV lasers with the rocker switches:
Turn off the HeNe lasers and Argon laser with the Keys. Do NOT switch off the main power to the Argon
laser (rocker switch). Staff will turn off at the end of the day.
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Page 4 of 5
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 1.2, 15/08/2007
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.
Dispose of used Mercury HBO Burners through UNSW Chemical Waste System.
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 5 of 5
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 1.2, 15/08/2007