Safety introduction. In the event of fire and accidents, you have a responsibility to know the location of:

Transcription

1 Safety introduction (7) Safety introduction General safety at the department A laboratory is a place with a lot of potential risks such as dangerous substances, sharp objects and electrical equipment. It is necessary to take precautions and use safety equipment when working in a lab. In the event of fire and accidents, you have a responsibility to know the location of: Emergency exits Fire extinguisher Fire alarm The assembling area Emergency showers Eye showers First aid kit In case of accidents or potentially dangerous situations, always inform the safety officer and the head of the department. This is to prevent accidents in the future. Do not use the elevator in the event of a fire. Use the stairs. Free of cost, education in fire protection and first aid education is arranged by the university. Smoking is not allowed in the university localities.

2 Safety introduction (7) In the event of fire 1. Make sure people are SAFE. 2. Activate the FIRE ALARM. 3. CONTAIN the fire by closing doors and windows. 4. CALL the fire department Speak calmly, distinctly and give the address 5. (If possible, put out the fire) 6. EVACUATE, do not use the elevator. 7. Go to the assembling area The Department of Limnology In the event of accident 1. Find out WHAT HAS HAPPENED. Call others for help. 2. Provide FIRST AID. 3. Call the AMBULANCE Speak calmly and distinctly giving the address, floor, kind of injury and number of people injured. 4. Send someone to wait for the paramedics and show them the way. 5. Do not leave the injured all alone.

3 Safety introduction (7) In the event of chemical splashes in the eyes Always use eye protection when working with dangerous chemicals If, in spite of these precautions, an accident occurs: Victim Call for help Flush the eyes with lots of water Co-workers Assist the victim to the eye shower and turn it on Position the water in the eye and hold it open for the person Call the ambulance Speak calmly and distinctly. Give information about the address, floor and kind of injury. Call the eye-clinic in hospital before 16 o clock (entrance 70) after 16 and on weekends (entrance 85) Saturday and Sunday Keep flushing the person s eyes until the ambulance has arrived

4 Safety introduction (7) Safety in the lab It is not allowed to eat, drink or use tobacco in the lab. Use lab coat and gloves in the lab but not in offices or lunch room. Do not use contact lenses during lab work. If you get any chemical in the eyes, the contact lenses will prevent the eyes being properly rinsed. Do not work alone unless it is really necessary, and if you are, make sure someone knows where you are. Be careful when transporting bottles containing chemicals. For example, use the chemical elevator instead of using the stairs. Do not use the elevator when transporting liquid nitrogen. 1 litre of liquid nitrogen evaporates to a volume of 700 litres! This means that the oxygen is replaced by nitrogen and the consequence of this can be suffocation. All broken glass and sharps in the lab is thrown in the hazardous waste, marked sharp objects. Protect eyes and skin when working with UV-light. Wear safety glasses and gloves. If you will be exposed more than a few seconds, wear full-face shield as well. Keep your work area as tidy as possible; less things in your work area reduces the risk of accidents. When leaving for the day, make sure the area is clean and equipment turned off. Chemicals You are responsible for finding out the routines for handling different chemicals and substances before you start to work. Read the safety sheet containing information about the chemical, safety sheets can be found in Kemia You also have to check if safety equipment is needed in handling the chemical. All hazardous chemicals must be handled in a fume hood. Make sure to use the right gloves for handling chemicals. Nitrile gloves must be used when handling Phenol, Chloroform, Trizol, Formamide, Ethidium Bromide and other hazardous chemicals. Use the double nitrile gloves when working with Phenol, Chloroform or Trizol.

5 Safety introduction (7) All containers, even if temporary, must be labelled with content, date, and your name. When you open a new bottle or kit, please date it. Remember to label the container with the appropriate hazard warning. Never keep corrosive liquids on shelves at eye-level. Consider what you keep high and low. Let the water flush in the fume hood before using it to avoid fumes spreading through the plumbing. Instructions can be found on the fume hood. Equipment You are responsible for finding out the routines for handling different equipment before you start to work. If you handle equipment the wrong way you can get injured or break the equipment. All centrifuges must be loaded symmetrically. Unbalance may damage the rotor and cause injuries. Small centrifuges that can be opened while still spinning can cause injuries. Wait for a full stop before opening them. Contagious materials Some samples (blood, faeces, feathers etc) may contain contagious organisms such as virus, bacteria or parasites. Always make sure to work according to the safety recommendations.

6 Safety introduction (7)

7 Safety introduction (7) Everyone working in the laboratory of the Department of Ecology and Genetics and Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University should be introduced to the rules and routines of the laboratories by his /her supervisor. The safety officer of the lab or his/her replacement should also introduce the newcomer to the basic safety regulations. I have received the basic safety information for the program. I have been guided around and introduced to safety routines in the lab. I have read the Safety introduction. Newcomers name and signature:. Supervisors name:. Safety officers signature:. The signed form should be given to the safety officer and will be filed.