Intro to Agricultural Microbiology
Safety Induction
School of Molecular Bioscience
• Your responsibilities
• Emergency procedures
• Hazards specific to SMB
• Reporting incidents
• Forms for Induction of new staff & students
• Risk assessments and SOPs
Dr. Nick Coleman
Chair of SMB Safety Committee,
Room 564, Building G08, ph. 9351-6047,
e: nicholas.coleman@sydney.edu.au
All University staff & students are responsible for safety by:
• Reading, understanding, and complying with safety instructions
- http://sydney.edu.au/science/molecular_bioscience/ohs/
- http://sydney.edu.au/ohs/policies/ohs/index.shtml
• Being familiar with emergency procedures & equipment.
• Taking action to avoid, eliminate or minimise hazards
• Reporting hazards to the relevant supervisor or service unit.
• Using safety devices and personal protective equipment.
• Seeking advice before using new methods, reagents, equipment
 Safety of people: you and the people around you
 Safety of equipment: look after it and operate it correctly
 Safety of the environment: dispose of waste carefully
Many of the University’s WHS* policies are relevant to SMB,
you need to be familiar with these if appropriate:
Animal House Health and Safety
Carcinogenic Substances
: Required for most
labs in MMB
Decontamination Guidelines, Biological Waste
Disposal of Sharps
Disposal of Glass
Clinical Fieldwork
Fire & Other Emergencies in University Buildings
First Aid
Handling & Use of Compressed Gases in Cylinders
Hazardous Substances
Hazardous Waste Disposal Guidelines
Laboratory Safety
Liquefied Gases
Transporting Liquefied Gases
* Work Health and Safety
FIRE / HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE / GAS LEAK
The person who discovers the emergency should take the following action:
• assess the situation, warn anyone in immediate danger
• if safe and if trained, deal with the emergency (extinguish fire/contain spill)
• evacuate if in danger or when directed
• notify Emergency Services 0-000, Security 1-3333, and
SMB Chief Warden (Peter Kerr, ph.16006) or hit ‘Break Glass’ Alarm.
If the alarm system is activated, all personnel should take the following action:
• check for signs of danger (fire, smoke, chemical fumes etc.)
• leave via your closest safe exit - do not use lifts – preferably use rear fire stairs
• move clear of the building to avoid obstructing Emergency Services
• proceed to assembly area (grass area in front of SMB), report to supervisor
• remain at the assembly area until the emergency is declared over
• report any missing persons to the Chief Warden (White Helmet)
a Security Patrol Officer, or the attending Emergency Services.
Reporting WHS incidents / accidents
 When should I report something?
- If someone is injured . approx. guidelines – anything that bleeds,
requires a doctor/hospital visit or requires time off work
- If a serious hazard has been created. eg. a spill of >1 L of
flammable or toxic substance
- if you see a dangerous situation – this is a “near miss” incident
 How do I report an incident?
1. Tell your supervisor immediately
2. Fill in online incident report form
(Riskware) within 24 hr. Students
cannot access this system, need
to do this with supervisor
http://gspence1173.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/beaker1.jpg
Laboratory safety rules (ALL SMB):
 All lab work requires: lab coat, enclosed shoes, and hair tied back if long
 Some lab work also requires protective vinyl or latex gloves
 Always wear SAFETY GLASSES in addition to labcoat and gloves when
using corrosive chemicals (acids, alkalis, phenol, solvents)
 Food and drink must not be consumed in any laboratory.
 If you do not know how to operate equipment, ask someone who does know.
 KNOW THE RISKS of the reagents and equipment you are using BEFORE
you start lab work – supervisors need to inform students/workers of the risks
http://www6.miami.edu/health-safety/IMAGES/safety_glasses.jpg
http://www.esdproducts.biz/ESD_Grounding/Garment_Table/Lab_Coat/Labcoat.jpg
http://www.supplydoc.com/images/NITRILE%20GLOVES.jpg
Waste disposal / chemical safety (ALL SMB):
 Microorganisms and clinical samples MUST be autoclaved before disposal –
plastics and agar plates go in autoclave bags, glassware in metal buckets.
 Hazardous chemicals must not go down the sink! There are designated
waste containers and methods for chemicals like acrylamide, ethidium
bromide, phenol, etc - these are lab-specific - ask your supervisor.
 Broken glass and sharps (eg. syringe needles) must go into their own
designated waste containers - not in general wastepaper bins !
 LABEL all reagents and solutions clearly with the chemical, its
concentration, your name, and a date.
 Always CLEAN UP after yourself – especially with common equipment and
work areas – don’t leave a toxic or corrosive surprise for the next user
Needlestick injury is especially dangerous in
labs dealing with infectious microbes !
http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/uploads/image/needlestickInjury03.jpg
Other general safety rules (ALL SMB):
 Know the LOCATION and CORRECT USAGE of safety equipment
eg. eye-washes, showers, fire-blankets, fire-extinguishers, spill pillows.
 Faulty equipment must be reported to the Workshop (ph 16006)
 Move gas cylinders only when they are strapped onto cylinder trolleys.
 You must not ride in a lift carrying liquid nitrogen - use the stairs or place
the container in the lift on its own.
 Don’t wear your gloves outside the lab area (eg. on stairs, in lifts etc) –
these may be contaminated. Only wear lab coat outside the lab when
absolutely necessary (eg. taking waste to the autoclaves)
 Ensure that external doors are locked after 5 pm on week days
and all the time at the weekend and on holidays.
 Be aware of personal security - dont walk around late at night by yourself,
lock up valuables and computer at all times in office spaces in SMB
Common hazards in SMB labs
CHEMICAL/EQUIPMENT
HAZARDS
PRECAUTIONS
Phenol
Very corrosive
Coat, gloves, glasses
Organic solvents (methanol,
acetonitrile, chloroform…)
Toxic, corrosive, some are
mutagenic (cancer)
Coat, gloves, glasses
Acids and alkalis
Very corrosive
Coat, gloves, glasses
Ethidium bromide
Mutagenic
Coat, gloves
Ultraviolet light
Burns (esp. to eyes), and
mutagenic
Coat, gloves, faceshield or
enclosed UV source
Electrophoresis tank
Electric shock
Enclosed tank
Microwave oven
Bottle explosion
No lids/very loose lids
Autoclave
Burns
Coat, heavy gloves
Centrifuge
ImbalanceExplosion
Balance tubes
Sonicator
Ultrasound
Earmuffs
Freezers / cryogenics
Ultracold
Coat, heavy gloves
Radiation
Mutagenic
Coat, gloves, perspex
shields, geiger counter…
Microorganisms
(risk groups 1 & 2)
Infection
Coat, gloves, aseptic
technique, PC1/PC2 lab
Animal & human tissues
Infection
Coat, gloves, aseptic
technique, PC1/PC2 lab
You need to complete: WHS induction form (USYD)
•
This form is complex, but not
all sections are appropriate;
you can check N/A for many.
•
For some sections, training
will already have been
provided by the School’s
OHS induction process
•
Most important is to ensure
new workers are familiar with
hazards SPECIFIC TO YOUR
LAB – these may not have
been covered in general OHS
introductions
You need to complete: Hazard Assessment (SMB)
School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences
Hazard Assessment Sheet
•
Most important thing is to list
the hazardous chemicals used
by this worker
- ensure MSDS are available
- ensure they understand risks
•
This form also provides a
reminder about SOPs – which
are relevant to your lab?
•
In the ‘Summary of Risk’
section: work SHOULD NOT
PROCEED if either of these
boxes are checked :
Name (print) ……………………………………………………………………………
Photocopy this sheet – the original goes in your lab book, the copy to your supervisor.
Chemicals or substances used which are classed as toxic, corrosive, flammable,
infectious or carcinogenic, or are radioactive (attach copies of MSDSs).
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………...…..…if insufficient space attach a separate list
In which laboratory/laboratories will you be working …………………………………
Potentially hazardous procedures to be used (attach Standard Operating Procedures).
chromatography sonication
cryogenics/dry ice/-80° freezers
 electrophoresis
ultraviolet sources
 electrical pumps
 centrifugation
 use of animals/animal tissue
 radioactivity
 use of humans/human tissue
use of microorganisms –  Group 1
 Group 2
 Group 3
If you have attended courses, programs etc about these procedures or techniques,
attach copies of certificates, attendance etc.
Emergency equipment available:
Spill response ………………………………………………………………………….
Decontamination ………………………………………………………………………
Fire …………………………………………………………………………………….
Summary of risk:




The risk is insignificant and is unlikely to increase during the course of the
project.
The risk is significant but will be effectively controlled.
There is uncertainty about the level of risk.
The risk is significant and cannot be effectively controlled.
 There is uncertainty about risk
 Risk cannot be controlled
Supervisor approval:
Supervisor ……………………………..
Phone ………………………………….
Signature ………………………………
Date ……………………………………
Risk assessments & standard operating procedures
http://sydney.edu.au/science/molecular_bioscience/ohs/
Important safety contact details
SMB
Level
Ambulance / Fire / Police: 0-000
Safety Committee rep.
University Security: 13333
2
Peter Kerr rm. 270 ph. 16006
University Health Service: 13484
3
Joe Dimauro rm. 344 ph. 40942
4
Jenny Phuyal rm. 451 ph. 66217
4
Zia Ahmad (Safety Officer) rm. 436 ph. 12224
5
Nick Coleman (Chair of Committee) rm. 564 ph. 16047
6
Angela Nikolic rm. 637 ph. 16491
7
Sue Ling Lim rm. 712 ph. 65382
8
Craig Jackson rm. 876 ph. 13898
SMB
Level
First Aid Officers
2
Ben Monaghan rm.270 ph.13033
3
Joe Dimauro rm.344
4
Zia Ahmad rm. 436, ph. 12224
7
Angela Nikolic Room: 610 ph. 16491
ph. 40942
Also see signs next to lifts on each floor for further details – eg. fire wardens.