2. Why does it matter?
Safe working protects:
You
Other lab workers
Cleaners
Visitors
Your work
3. What does the law say?
Factories Act – 1948 &
Health Safety at Work Act 1974
You must work safely
You must not endanger others
You must not misuse safety equipment
Penalty – up to 2 year in prison &/or an unlimited fine
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regs 1999
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regs 2004
You must perform RISK ASSESSMENTS
4. What are the general hazards in a laboratory?
Fire
Breakage of glassware
Sharps
Spillages
Pressure equipment & gas cylinders
Extremes of heat & cold
Chemical hazards
Biological hazards
Radiation
And many more!
5. Safety in Laboratory - Three Step Process
Identify the Hazard
Anything that can cause potential damage,
Harm or adverse Health effects
Evaluate the Hazard
Perform comprehensive review, including documentation
Control the Hazard
Elimination, Substitution, Engineering work practices, Personal
Protective Equipments
6. Evaluate :
Risk assessment can help to determine the probability of an adverse
event occurrence and the consequence of that event.
Performing a comprehensive review of a specific hazard, such as a
chemical material to be used.
Reviewing a hazardous activity or procedure to be performed.
Documenting the review into a written standard operating
procedures.
Re-evaluating the tasks when changes are made to current
procedures, materials use etc
8. Control Measures (in order of preference)
1. Use a less risky substance
2. Use a safer form of that substance (eg solution instead of
powder)
3. Totally enclose the process (eg a glove-box)
4. Partially enclose the process (eg with a fume cupboard)
5. Ensure good general ventilation
6. Safe systems of work - SOPs
7. Reduce exposure times, increase distance, reduce
volumes
8. Personal protective equipment (as a last resort for
primary protection)
9. Control :
1. Elimination : can you eliminate the hazard ? Eliminating the hazard
means physically removing the hazard from the procedure or the work
area. It’s the most effective but very often not a viable option.
Substitute toxic chemical with non-toxic substance
Dispose off an old hazardous chemicals
Having workers to work at ground level rather than at heights
Remove an extension chord / cable across floor /road
Remove the hazardous chemical from the process.
10. Control :
2. Substitution : this replaces the hazard with an action or material that is less
hazardous.
Replace the hazardous work practice or machine with an alternative
Construction of POL tanks by jacking up method
Use of solvent based paints to water based paints (reduces Volatile Organic
Compounds – VOC)
Use electric motors instead of diesel pumps
Use automation
substitute concentrated acid with dilute acids or highly toxic material with
less toxic material.
11. Control :
3. Engineering Controls : these are used to place a barrier between the user and
the hazard. Well designed engineering controls can provide highly effective
protection to the user.
The initial cost of an engineering control can be high than administrative
controls or PPE’s
Engineering controls often require maintenance (calibration of equipment,
fume hood maintenance)
Using mechanical lifting devices
Using local exhaust mechanisms in hazardous atmospheres
12. Control :
4. Administrative Controls : Work practices are also called “administrative
controls”. They include altering the way in which a procedure is done, monitored
or restricted.
Using proper labelling and signages
Using warning alarms
Conducting monthly inspections
conducting trainings
Preparing an emergency plan
Restricting the length of time that a person is exposed to noise, or a
hazardous environment
Performing regular equipment maintenance
Creating a standard operating procedure.
13. Control :
5. Personal Protective Equipment :
these are the last line of Defense.
PPEs are generally used with some
form of Engineering control.
Use of aprons, helmets, ear
plugs and safety shoes
Use of fall arrestors, harnesses
when working at height
Use of SCBA sets in confined
spaces etc.
Please note that by use of PPEs ;
The hazard is not eliminated or
changed.
If the equipment is inadequate or
fails, the worker is not protected.
No personal protective equipment is
fool-proof (for example, respirators
leak).
Personal protective equipment is
often uncomfortable and can place
an additional physical burden on a
worker.
Personal protective equipment can
actually create hazards. For
example, the use of respirators for
long periods of time can put a strain
on the heart and lungs.
19. Common Signal Words on Labels
Danger – Can cause immediate serious injury or death
Warning – Can cause potentially serious injury or death
Caution – Can cause potentially moderate injury
Special Symbols Used on Labels
Helps you recognize kind of hazard a chemical could present if you are not
careful
Toxicity
Corrosivity (acids and bases)
Ignitability (flammable solvents and certain solids)
Reactivity (sodium and various water-reactive reagents)
27. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Provides more detailed information about a chemical, including
Composition, information on ingredients (Section 2)
Hazards identification (Section 3)
First aid measures (Section 4)
Accidental Release measures (Section 6)
Handling and Storage (Section 7)
Exposure controls, personal protection (Section 8)
Stability and reactivity (Section 10)
Toxicological information (Section 11)
28. Laboratory hygiene
Never eat, drink or smoke 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
29. Gas cylinders
Never use without formal training
Minimise the number in a laboratory
Store externally whenever possible
Cylinders are heavy and can do serious damage
to you if they fall
Ensure that they are chained when in use
Move only with a cylinder trolley
Use regulators & control equipment suitable
for the gas concerned
Consider the consequences if your cylinder
leaks
30. Electrical Equipment
Always do a visual check on
electrical equipment before
use, looking for obvious wear
or defects
NEVER use defective
equipment
31. 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
32. 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 or departmental safety
officer
33. Do not
Use damaged glassware
Store chemicals near heat, sunlight, or other substances with
which they might react
Store materials on floors or other places where people could
trip over them
Leave equipment unattended when its operating (unless it is
designed to do so or you have an SOP)
Put custodians and fellow workers in danger
34. If Overexposed to a Hazardous Substance
Get medical help immediately!
Inform your lab supervisor
Check MSDS for first-aid instructions.
Some general guidelines are
Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes
Ingestion: Follow label and MSDS instructions
Skin Contact: Stand under emergency shower and remove
contaminated clothing immediately
Inhalation: Get to fresh air and get prompt medical attention
Other Emergency Procedures
Fire: call Emergency Contact Number, activate building fire alarm;
safely use fire extinguisher on small fires
35. Emergencies can happen, so
• Avoid working alone in the lab
• Know where emergency phone numbers are posted
• Review MSDS
• Know where to go and what to do in an emergency
• Know the location of the closest safety showers, eyewashes,
and fire extinguishers
36. List out all the chemicals and products which were being analyzed / used in the lab
& Tabulate all the hazards associated with laboratory activities and display (by
Developing a CHP)
Display atleast one individual idea / case study every month pertaining to Laboratory
emergencies encountered in their work life so far and reward them for best reporting
Conduct atleast one hygiene audit every month and rate the section
Set an example by recording all Near-miss cases and analyze for eliminating the
associated hazards
Ensure that Chemical storage and handling guidelines are in tact with regulations.
Display 12 Life Saving Rules and start recording LSR Violations.
ACTION PLAN
