2. BEHR CONFIDENTIAL 2
Lab Safety
Why does it matter?
• Safe working protects:
• You
• Co-workers
• Visitors
• Your work
3. BEHR CONFIDENTIAL 3
Lab Safety
What are the general hazards in a laboratory?
• Fire
• Breakage of glassware
• Spillages
• Pressure equipment & gas cylinders
• Extremes of heat & cold
• Chemical hazards
• Biological hazards
• Radiation
And many more!
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Lab Safety
How to do a Risk Assessment?
• Determine hazards and evaluate risks
• Use all relevant available data
• Determine controls needed to
minimise those risks
• Document the assessment
• Use those control measures
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Lab Safety
Protecting yourself
• Wear the clothing and protective wear identified in your risk assessment
• Laboratory coats must be kept fastened
• Don’t wear sandals or open shoes
• Long hair must be tied back
• Select chemical protection gloves according to the materials and/or substances
with which you will be working
• Remove your gloves before using instruments, telephone, and leaving the
laboratory
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Lab Safety
Laboratory hygiene
• Never eat or drink in a laboratory
• Never apply cosmetics
• Never touch your face, mouth or eyes
• Never suck pens or chew pencils
• Always wash your hands before you leave and especially before eating
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Lab Safety
Avoiding Fires
• Flammable substances
• Use minimum quantity
• Store in special storage cabinet
• Use temperature-controlled heating sources
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Lab Safety
Glassware
• Never use glassware under pressure or vacuum unless it is designed for the
job and suitably shielded
• Dispose of chipped or broken glassware – it is a risk to you and others
• Always dispose of broken glass in a glass bin or sharps bin and not in a
general waste bin
Electrical Equipment
• Always do a visual check on electrical equipment before use, looking
for obvious wear or defects
• NEVER use defective equipment
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Lab Safety
General Tidiness
• Keep your workplace tidy
• Clear up waste, deal with washing up and put things away
as you finish with them
• Make sure everything is safe before you leave things
unattended
• A tidy laboratory avoids accidents to everyone
X
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Lab Safety
Laboratory Equipment
• Never use any laboratory equipment unless you
are trained & have been authorised to do so
• As well as injuring yourself you may cause very
costly damage
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Lab Safety
First Aid
• All laboratory workers should undergo simple first aid training
• For ALL chemical splashes, wash with plenty of water for 10 minutes
• Control bleeding with direct pressure, avoiding any foreign bodies such
as glass
• Report all accidents to your supervisor
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Painting hazards include:
Working at heights: A painter working at height will be exposed to all the risks relating to working at height; like falling
from height, falling objects, etc.
Working in confined spaces: The painter will be exposed to hazards like low oxygen availability, heat, etc.
Risk of eye injury: When exposed to fumes released from the paint, the painter’s eyes may be affected if not well
protected.
Slips, trips and falls: The painter could slip, trip or fall while painting.
Exposure to paint products, solvents, lead and other toxic substances: Some components of the paint posses health
related issues that could affect the painter’s health if not well protected.
Proximity to flammable or combustible materials.
Musculoskeletal disorders: The painter may assume some awkward postures while painting, leading to the
development of musculoskeletal injuries.
Prolong standing: Prolong standing can result to blood pooling, leading to fainting.
Manual lifting: Excessive and poor manual lifting techniques can result to musculoskeletal injuries.
Exposure to heat and ultraviolet radiation.
Electrical hazards from working close to live electrical power lines or equipment.
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Safetycontrol measures tomanage painting hazards
•Learncorrect procedures for workingat heights.
•Select a safe workingplatform for thejob.
•Avoid awkward body positions or take frequent breaks.
•Learnsafe lifting techniques orcall for assistance when necessary.
•Know how to prevent injuryfrom electrical hazards. Maintain safe distances fromenergized electrical equipment or utilitylines.
•Keep tools and equipment, and their safety features, ingood workingorder. This can be achieved by routineinspection of workingequipment.
•Wear appropriate personal protective equipment and footwear.
•Keep work areas clear of clutter and equipment.
•Learnsafety procedures for workingin confinedspaces.
•Maintain good ventilation during painting. Artificial ventilation may be required.
•Good lighting should beprovided ina confine space.
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Summary
•Because the chemicals used in most spray and finish applications are flammable or have toxic properties, companies
considering incorporating spraying processes into their operations must adhere to applicable regulations to avoid costly
fines and other penalties.
•The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the primary federal agency responsible for
administering regulatory requirements regarding all aspects of spraying operations.
•OSHA regulations regarding spray operations can be broken down into a few broad categories—general industry,
shipyard/marine, and construction.
•The sheer number and detail of regulations that apply to spray booth operations can make finding the right booth a
real challenge; but an experienced booth designer and manufacturer can customize your booth to meet all current
OSHA and state regulations based on your industry, location and production processes.
•Finding the right booth can take time and effort, but it’s a necessary step toward creating a productive, safe and
environmentally responsible workplace.
The chemicals used in most spray and finish applications are flammable or have toxic properties, which means they
present a serious risk to human health and the local environment. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common in
these mixtures and their usage is regulated at both the state and federal level. Any company considering incorporating
spraying processes into their operations must adhere to applicable regulations to avoid costly fines and other penalties
resulting from non-compliance.
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the primary federal agency responsible for
administering regulatory requirements regarding all aspects of spraying operations. Individual state governments also
create their own laws that meet the minimum regulations established by OSHA, but they can also have additional or
more stringent rules for companies operating within their jurisdiction. The following is a discussion of OSHA and not
meant to replace the guidelines as described by OSHA (see OSHA link for complete understanding of all OSHA
requirements).
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ACA’s Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) aids employers in the implementation of an effective
hazard communication program. HMIS® offers comprehensive resources covering hazard assessment, hazard
communication, and employee training.
ACA’s Hazards Materials Identification System®
ACA’s Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS®) and corresponding HMIS® Implementation Manual,
Fourth Edition aid employers with the development and implementation of a comprehensive Hazard
Communication Program. The program and manual address hazard assessment, labeling, Safety Data Sheets
(SDS), and employee training.
ACA’s HMIS® hazard rating scheme is designed to be compatible with workplace labeling requirements of the
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
It is constructed to communicate in-plant hazard information to employees through training and the use of
colors, numbers, letters of the alphabet, and symbols of types of personnel protective equipment (PPE).
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1. Preventing workplace incidents is everyone’s job, and your personal safety is your responsibility.
Everyone has a role in making sure a workplace is safe, from the administrative assistant who gets the boxes of newly delivered office
supplies unpacked promptly to the warehouse foreman who makes sure every person on the line gets a break. When you take charge of
your own safety, it creates a safer place for all employees.
2. Dress appropriately, from clothing to footwear.
Keeping arms and legs covered, avoiding dangling jewelry or ties, and wearing closed-toe shoes can go a long way in minimizing common
workplace injuries and accidents. When and where applicable, always wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and inspect it for
damage before and after use, so that it can be repaired or replaced promptly.
3. Keep work areas neat and tidy.
At the beginning and end of each shift, clear away trash, pick up cords and cables, and put office supplies away. Gather any materials
you’ll need to complete your work. This will avoid losing things as well as having to bend or stretch unnecessarily, trying to reach objects
that are misplaced or out of reach.
4. Follow the rules.
Don’t cut corners or take unnecessary risks. Workplace safety rules are often developed in response to hazard and risk assessments. They
are by nature designed to minimize the chances that an employee will be injured while carrying out assigned tasks.
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5. Report workplace accidents or safety incidents.
Always report incidents to your supervisor promptly so that the appropriate steps can be taken. These can include getting care for an
injured employee, fixing the problem that caused the injury, or ensuring regulatory, state or federal reporting compliance.
6. Know and follow emergency procedures.
In order to safely and effectively manage emergencies, it’s imperative that all employees are trained in and follow emergency procedures.
This helps safety coordinators and emergency services get a handle on a situation and determine the best way to bring it under control.
7. Lift, bend, and stretch with care to avoid injury.
Musculoskeletal problems caused by poor technique when picking up boxes or stretching to reach objects is a common cause of workplace
injury. If you’re not sure how to best lift, bend or stretch at work, ask your supervisor or company safety officer.
8. Don’t operate tools or machinery that you haven’t been trained for.
While some tools or equipment may seem pretty intuitive, it’s always best to avoid using items unless you’ve been trained in proper
handling. This is for your safety as well as the safety of those around you.
9. Avoid drugs and alcohol at work.
Not only can drugs and alcohol affect your motor skills, they can also impair your judgment and ability to communicate. Even prescription
drugs can have a serious effect on your ability to handle machinery and tools safely.
10. Take breaks appropriately.
Being well-rested helps employees maintain the focus and situational safety awareness that contribute to workplace safety. In some
places, work breaks may be established according to contract; in others, it’s on the employees to work out breaks among themselves.
These 10 rules for workplace safety can be applied in nearly every workplace. In a safe working environment, the quality and quantity of
work can be maintained without the staffing issues caused by unexpected employee absences. When employees and management work
together to maximize safety, it benefits everyone.
26. BEHR CONFIDENTIAL 26
Lab Safety
When in doubt – ASK!!!
• Do not carry out a new or unfamiliar procedure
until you have been fully trained & understand the
precautions necessary for safe working
• DO NOT GUESS!!!!
