Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation
The University of Melbourne Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 7989 Fax: +61 3 8344 0329
www.cultural-conservation.arts.unimelb.edu.au
SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION LABORATORY PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS
It is the Supervisor’s and Health and Safety Officer’s responsibility to advise students of
the following procedures and ensure they are carried out.
It is the Supervisor’s responsibility to provide a safe working environment. Students at
the Centre will be expected to self regulate the following procedures for their personal
safety in the conservation laboratory by:
 Undertaking safe study and work practices
 Wearing any personal protective equipment required
 Reading the safe work procedures before you start any work
 Ensuring a risk assessment has been conducted for the activity
 Knowing local evacuation wardens, supervisors and members of the first aid team
 Attending local EHS induction talks and training
 Being alert and aware for your own safety and security
 Using safety and control measures to reduce the risk of injury
 Talking to your supervisor if you have any issues
1. ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS
1.1.
Emergencies
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Fire Brigade
Police
Ambulance
Poisons Information
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Eye and Ear Hospital
Alfred Hospital
0 000
0 000
0 000
131 126
9342 7000
9929 8666
9276 2100
University Emergency Numbers
Security
ext 46666
Student Health
ext 46904
138-146 Cardigan St, Carlton
 University of Melbourne Radiation Protection Officer Mr S.Guggenheimer, 83447010
or 0411 111 265
 University of Melbourne EHS Adviser Mr John Carmichael: 83447896 or 0414 878
028.
 University of Melbourne Maintenance (incl. Mechanical Services) 24 hours ext.
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


46000
University of Melbourne Security Officer ext. 46666
IPMOA Building Emergency Controller: Mr Nigel Baldwin ext 41796
Deputy Building Emergency Controller: Ms Sarah Epskamp ext 48023
1.2.
Emergency Evacuation
On hearing the alarm or evacuation order, cease work immediately and move to the car
park on Monash Road.
1.3.
First Aid
Contact the trained first aider
GCCMC First Aid Officers: Ms Cushla Hill 9348 5700, Ms Nicole Tse/ Ms Petronella Nel
8344 0354 (Tue - Thur) 8344 7625 (Mon & Fri)
or call University of Melbourne Security ext. 4666
1.3.1. Major Injuries
Contact trained first aider
Phone AMBULANCE (Tel. 0 000).
For accidents involving chemicals- supply information about the chemical involved.
1.3.2. Serious Bleeding
Control by applying pressure (with a pad) to the area.
1.3.3. Extensive Burns
Wash off any residual chemical.
Cover injuries with STERILE gauze, towel or sheet.
Leave clothing where it is.
Leave neck and head uncovered.
Wait for trained help and ambulance.
DO NOT apply any oils, creams or jelly.
1.3.4. Minor Burns
Cool the burnt area under running cold water or apply ice-cold pack.
Go to Student Health or Hospital Casualty for treatment.
1.3.5. Chemicals splashed in the eye
Immediate and prolonged (~ 20 minutes) gentle flushing with water from the nearest tap.
DO NOT use neutralising solution.
1.3.6. Splinters of glass or metal in the eye
Get medical help.
1.3.7. Chemical spillages on skin and clothes
Wash off IMMEDIATELY with copious amounts of cold water (at least 10 minutes).
Contaminated clothing should be removed as soon as possible.
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1.3.8. Breathing Failure
Contact trained first aider
1.3.9. Clothing on Fire
Put the victim on the floor and roll him/her to smother the flames.
Use the fire blanket or a laboratory coat if accessible. Douse flames with a safety
shower, if immediately accessible.
DO NOT allow the victim to stand, to prevent rising flames from reaching the head.
DO NOT use any type of chemical fire extinguisher on a person. If your own clothes are
on fire, drop to the floor and smother the flames with a rolling action.
1.3.10. Inhalation of Toxic Vapors
If severe and patient unable to remove himself/herself from danger area, don "canister"
breathing mask and remove victim from contaminated area or call a person trained in the
use of self-controlled breathing equipment.
Loosen victim's clothing.
GET MEDICAL HELP QUICKLY.
1.3.11. Poisons Swallowed
GET MEDICAL HELP PROMPTLY.
Identify the poison.
POISONS INFORMATION CENTRE 0 131 126
NEVER GIVE ANYTHING BY MOUTH TO AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON OR TO A
PERSON IN CONVULSIONS.
Acid / Alkali or Hydrocarbon Solvents Swallowed - DO NOT induce vomiting; drink about
250 ml of WATER so as to dilute the poison.
Other Poisons Swallowed - induce vomiting, best by tickling the back of the throat with a
strip of clean paper or finger. After vomiting give more water. If vomiting not easily
induced, give plenty of water.
1.4.
Reporting accidents
If you are involved in an incident:
Report to your supervisor
Complete an Incident Report Form (S3)
For further actions see the link above.
1.5.
Reporting Hazards
Timely reporting of hazards reduces the risks of accidents to staff, students and
members of the public.
Hazards may include (but are not limited to) electrical faults, gas leaks, water leaks or
spills, building maintenance issues, trip hazards, inappropriate equipment, plant or
equipment malfunctions, and accidents involving chemical spills or fumes.
For non-urgent-building hazards:
Report to your supervisor or Marcelle Scott, GCCMC, Ph: 8344 7989 between 9:00 am
and 4:00 pm.
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For urgent building hazards which present a clear and immediate danger:
For University premises -report directly to the Maintenance section on ext 46000.
After hours or at weekends report to Campus Security on ext 46666.
Report to your supervisor or Marcelle Scott, GCCMC, Ph: +61 3 8344 7989 when
practical.
For equipment malfunction:
Attach a red and black "Danger" tag or a yellow and black "Caution Do Not Use" to any
faulty equipment
Do not use any equipment with a "Danger" tag or a "Caution Do Not Use" attached.
Students should immediately report any malfunctioning equipment to their supervisor
and log the problem in the Lab Maintenance Log book in the ground floor IPMOA studio.
1.6.
Hazardous materials
All materials have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and copies of these are kept in a
folder in the laboratory or accessed via the GCCMC web page. Students should consult
the MSDS before they use the particular material.
1.6.1
Organic material
1.6.2 Solvent Use
 Students must use the elephant trunks, the mobile Nederman vapour system and the
fume hood when using organic solvents
 Varnish removals should be undertaken in the spray booth
 Students should wear protective vapour masks when using organic solvents
 Students will be expected to provide their own personal vapour masks, which will be
kept in a sealed plastic bag when not in use
 If the mask is securely fitted and solvent vapours are still detected, filters should be
replaced
 Solvent dispensers should be used for organic solvents
1.6.3
Storing Materials
General principles apply when determining the appropriate storage of any chemical. In
order to decide the appropriate method and place to store any chemical, ask the
following:
Is it flammable? Flammables must be stored in solvent cabinets.
What is it incompatible with? Incompatibles must be stored at least 1m apart
What is an appropriate storage vessel for the chemical type and quantity?
All liquids in quantities greater than 50ml and not in the immediate control of an
individual must be stored in Schott bottles or Winchesters, or the appropriate plastic or
metal container if glass is not adequate.
Is the chemical sensitive to temperature?
All liquid chemicals should be stored in bunded areas or in appropriate spill trays to
prevent spillage of broken or leaking containers.
Food storage containers must not be used for storing chemicals.
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For greater detail refer to the School of Chemistry chemical safety webpage, particularly
Guidelines for storage of hazardous chemicals, Incompatible chemicals, and High risk
chemicals and reactions. http://safety.chemistry.unimelb.edu.au/Chemsafety.php
1.6.4 Labelling chemicals
This policy covers the appropriate labelling of all chemicals which have been decanted
from their original containers.
Any decanted material which will not remain in the immediate control of a student or staff
member must be labelled. No unlabelled material is to be stored or left unattended.
Use a self-adhesive label
If hand-writing labels, ensure they are legible and use graphite pencil as it is the only
thing which is not soluble in either aqueous solutions or organic solvents.
Include the product name(s) including strength of solution if appropriate, the chemical
name(s), the ratios or recipe of solutions or mixtures included, the date the product was
decanted or the mixture made up, the staff or student who made up the solution or
mixture, label all containers with the appropriate class diamond label or signal words eg
Flammable, Corrosive, Toxic. Below is a summary of each.
Hazard symbol
Hazards
Avoid
Flammable
Avoid potential ignition sources.
Use fume hood, especially when handling large
volumes.
Use smallest possible volumes on workbench.
When not in use, must be stored in flammable solvent
cupboard.
Toxic
Avoid contact with skin and inhalation.
Wear PPE.
Corrosive
Avoid contact with skin and inhalation.
Wear PPE.
Store separately from other chemicals.
Oxidizer
Avoid contact with skin and inhalation.
Wear PPE.
Store separately from other chemicals.
1.6.5 Disposal of Chemicals
All chemical waste should be disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible
manner.
Do not dispose of any chemicals down the sink
Dispose of liquid chemicals in either the ‘water soluble’ or ‘non water soluble’ labelled
Winchester bottle in the fume hood. Aqueous solutions, acetone and alcohols are
generally disposed of into the water-soluble waste container. Non-polar organic solvents
are generally disposed of into the water insoluble waste container. Use of a funnel will
assist with preventing accidental spillage. Use of a tray underneath the waste container
will assist with cleaning, if accidental spillage does occur.
If the waste bottle is full notify your supervisor
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1.6.6 Disposal of Broken Glass
For small glass items and sharps dispose of them in the sharps/broken glass containers
(yellow).
For larger glass items dispose of in the labelled metal bucket at the spray booth end of
the laboratory
1.6.7
Dealing with Mouldy Objects
Mould is a health risk. Mould can be encountered where contaminated items are brought
in for conservation or when mould outbreaks occur within the lab environment. Mould
outbreaks are more likely to occur during procedures or in areas where the relative
humidity is raised.
All mould-affected material should be handled wearing appropriate protection. The
amount of time spent working on mould-affected material should be limited to 2 hours
within an 8-hour working day.
The Aseptic technique
The aseptic technique should be a priority and uses procedures that prevent an increase
in airborne fungal structures and fungal cross-contamination.
Contain conidia by covering the item, particularly when carrying it around lab/storage
spaces.
If possible, do condition reports immediately, wearing appropriate protection if potentially
air-borne conidia are present.
After condition reporting, wrap item in plastic and seal (the item must be dry). Label with
a printed 'Caution Mould Affected Item' sign. If the item is slightly damp, air dry if
possible and wrap in paper, seal and label.
Gloves, wrapping and support materials that have been in contact with the moldy item
should be wrapped in plastic, sealed and labelled 'Caution Mould Affected Item' to alert
cleaning staff to the contents, before placing in the rubbish bins.
Benches that have been in direct contact with the mould-affected item should be wiped
with 30/70% v/v deionizer water/ethanol. Ethanol can cause severe skin irritations and is
harmful if absorbed through the skin. Nitrile gloves should be worn to avoid skin contact
and respirators fitted with a Sundstrom Gas Filter A and a Particulate filter P3 should be
worn when working with ethanol.
All Reemay and blotter should be sterilized after use by spraying with 30/70% v/v
deionised water/ethanol and leaving to air-dry.
To minimize the risk of cross-contamination, a selection of brushes should be
designated for mould use only and labelled accordingly.
All brushes and tools that have been used to treat mould-affected material should be
sterilized using 30/70% v/v deionised water/ethanol.
Ideally, the air purity of the lab and storage spaces should be checked seasonally.
Mould 'amplifiers' in the laboratory
See the above link for details
1.7.
Personal Protective Equipment
Closed footwear is only permitted in the laboratory.
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1.7.1 Gloves
GCCMC supplies staff and students with disposable allergy free latex gloves and
disposable nitrile gloves (supplied in small, medium and large).
Disposable gloves are to be worn whenever there is a risk of accidental chemical contact
or splash.
Latex gloves are suitable for dry chemicals or aqueous solutions.
Nitrile gloves are required for organic solvents, or if an individual is sensitive to latex.
1.7.2 Respirators
GCCMC staff and students must use respirators when stipulated by GCCMC EHS Policy
and Procedures (eg dealing with mould, organic solvent use), or when directed by a
supervisor.
Respirators must fit correctly. To test the fit, remove the cartridge and seal the opening
of the respirator with your hand or a plastic membrane. If no air can be drawn in then the
mask is sealing well.
GCCMC supplies staff and students with organic vapor and particulate filter cartridges to
fit Sundström (TM) respirators.
GCCMC students are required to purchase their own respirator mask.
1.7.3 Laboratory coats and aprons
GCCMC staff and students must use aprons and/or lab coats when stipulated by
GCCMC EHS Policy and Procedures or when directed by a supervisor.
GCCMC students are required to purchase their own aprons and/or lab coats.
1.7.4 Safety glasses
GCCMC supplies staff and students with safety glasses for use in conservation areas
when required.
Safety glasses must be worn when undertaking examinations or photography with
ultraviolet light sources.
Safety glasses or goggles must be worn when undertaking any activity where there is
likely to be air-born debris, such as when using mechanized wood, metal or stone
working equipment.
Ultraviolet (UV) light
UV light damages the eye and skin. When using UV lamps, eyes and skin must be
protected with the aid of shields and wearing of PPE. Eye protection involves wearing
the correct yellow tinted safety goggles (dark glasses provide no protection). Skin
protection involves the use of sunscreen and gloves.
1.7.5 Hearing protection
Hearing protection (ear muffs or disposable ear plugs) must be worn when using the hot
vacuum table, Cold suction table, Suction plattern, any mechanized wood, metal or
stone working equipment such as the drop saw or band saw, spray booth, vacuum
cleaners, elephant trunks.
Ear Plus and era muffs are provided.
1.7.6
Other PPE
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If the appropriate PPE is not available at GCCMC, students should consult with their
supervisor to make the appropriate PPE decisions and arrangements prior to
commencing the activity.
2. GENERAL REGULATIONS
No less than two students can work in the conservation laboratory at any time.
When leaving the laboratory turn off all power and lights not in use.
No eating, drinking or smoking is permitting in the laboratory.
No liquids should be in the vicinity of electrical equipment or power points.
As a safety precaution no personal music devices are permitted in the laboratory (MP3,
IPODS, CD’s).
All bags and coats should be stored in student lockers in the basement. Only
consumables and materials for the practical classes are permitted in the class.
3. GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING
To maintain a pleasant and safe environment, all staff and students are responsible for
keeping conservation areas clean and tidy.
Washing glassware
Glassware containing waste organic solvent mixtures or solutions should be emptied into
the appropriate waste bottle and allowed to off-gas in the fume cupboard
To determine the appropriate way to empty glassware containing waste aqueous
solutions, review the relevant MSDS or consult your supervisor
Empty, soiled glassware should be washed in laboratory glassware cleaner and placed
on a rack to air-dry
Ensure that all glassware is clean before and after use.
Never heat glassware suddenly or unevenly.
A measuring cylinder is generally employed to measure volume.
When performing analyses, special volumetric glassware (eg. Volumetric flasks, pipettes
and burettes)
General tidiness
Staff and students are responsible for the cleanliness of work areas .
At the end of each working day, all materials, and equipment should be tidied away
whenever practical
Clean up any spills immediately, using the appropriate equipment or materials
Use an organic solvent spill kit for organic solvents, and an acid/base spill kit for
acid/base solutions
Keep work areas tidy to avoid clutter and trip hazards.
Under-table storage shelves must be kept neat with no materials or equipment allowed
to protrude from the edge of the shelf.
Floor spaces under work benches and tables should be kept clear.
Material Supplies
GCCMC student s who become aware of declining stocks of generally used materials
should alert their supervisor.
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4. OBJECT SAFETY
Students are responsible for the safety of their assigned objects.
During practical class times students should ensure their object is securely placed.
When leaving the conservation laboratory for lunch or a break, students should cover
their object and use appropriate signage.
At the end of practical classes all objects must be securely placed in the GCCMC store.
The conservation laboratory is used for other classes during the week.
The GCCMC store should be locked at all times. The door may only be left open when
collecting your objects.
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