WHS-PRO-013 Laboratory Safety Procedure

Intent

This Procedure has been established to manage laboratory risks, while ensuring the health and safety of personnel and the environment, and the fulfilment of regulatory obligations. This Procedure provides guidelines for all aspects of laboratory conduct.  Safe Laboratory practice must also comply with statutory obligations and relevant Australian / New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS 2243: Safety in Laboratories Series).

Scope

This Procedure applies to all JCU Staff, adjuncts, students, visitors, volunteers and contractors conducting activities associated with laboratories. This Procedure also applies to locations that are not a laboratory which have equipment or processes mentioned within this procedure.

This Procedure does not apply to JCU Controlled Entities. The controlled entities must ensure appropriate procedures and controls are in place for laboratory safety under their control.

Definitions

Table of Contents

1      Duty Obligations and Responsibilities

1.1       College Managers, Directors, Managers, Operations Managers, Executive Officers of Divisions

1.2       Estate Directorate

1.3       Workers

1.4       Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Candidates

1.5       Laboratory Supervisors

1.6       Work Health and Safety (WHS) Unit

1.7       Academic Supervisors

1.8       Contractors

2      Access and Authorisation

3      Training and Induction

3.1       Safe Work Procedures

4      General Laboratory Safety Requirements

4.1       General Rules

4.2       Laboratory Safety Manual

4.3       Hygiene and Housekeeping

4.4       Personal Protective Equipment

4.5       WHS Risk Management

4.6       Research Project Risk Assessment

4.7       Inspections

4.7.1        Inspection Items

4.8       WHS Unit Audits

4.9       Entry Signage

4.10     Decontamination Certificate

5     Hazard Specific Safety Requirements

5.1       Ventilation

5.2       Fume Cupboards

5.3       Other types of Local Exhaust Ventilation

6     After Hours Work and Working Alone

6.1       Tasks Too Dangerous for Work Alone

7     Laboratory Waste

7.1       Antibiotic Deactivation

7.2       Disposal to Sewage

7.2.1        Trade waste limits

8     Fire and Other Emergencies

8.1       Chemical Spills

9        Safety Equipment

9.1     Safety Showers and Eyewash Equipment

9.2     Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

10        Electrical

11        Hazardous Substances

11.1     General Use

11.2     Storage other than in a Chemical Storage Cabinet

11.3     Chemical Storage Cabinets

11.4     Gas Cylinders and Supplies

11.5     Refrigeration

11.5.1      Cool Rooms

12        Plant and Equipment

12.1     General

12.2     Operation of Instruments

Procedure

1 Duty Obligations and Responsibilities

1.1 College Managers, Directors, Managers, Operations Managers, Executive Officers of Divisions

College Managers, Directors, Managers, Operations Managers and Executive Officers are responsible for ensuring that the requirements of this Procedure are being met within the area of their control, including:

• An induction process is in place and implemented for each laboratory;
• Risk assessments are in place for laboratories and the controls are implemented within the laboratory;
• Laboratories are identified on the Estate Directorate Space Management System;
• That safe and appropriate equipment is supplied and maintained within laboratories.

1.2 Estate Directorate

The Estate Directorate is responsible for:

• Categorising in the Estate Directorate Space Management System spaces which are identified as laboratories;
• Maintain the fabric of laboratories;
• Coordinate annual inspections of fire equipment, emergency showers and eyewashes, and maintain in good working order;
• Coordinate annual inspections of fume cabinets, and maintain in good working order;
• Coordinate inspection and maintenance of gas monitoring and alarm systems, and maintain in good working order;
• Coordinate electrical testing and tagging.

1.3 Workers

Workers must take reasonable care for their own health and safety when undertaking JCU activities.  In relation to laboratory safety, this means:

• Complying with this Laboratory Safety Procedure;
• Not accessing any laboratory, unless appropriately inducted;
• Complying with all laboratory rules and reasonable direction from Laboratory Supervisors, including risk assessments and Safe Work Procedures;
• Reporting any medical conditions or allergies that may place the person at increased risk;
• Wearing enclosed footwear and any mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) for the laboratory or activity being undertaken;
• Reporting all hazards, incidents and defective equipment to the Laboratory Supervisor immediately;
• Labelling all substances in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld).

1.4 Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Candidates

HDR Candidates are responsible for:

• Complying with this Laboratory Safety Procedure;
• Complying with the requirements of “Workers” under this procedure;
• Not to access any laboratory, unless appropriately inducted.

1.5 Laboratory Supervisors

Laboratory Supervisors are required to ensure the requirements outlined in this Procedure are being met, by ensuring:

• Laboratories under their control have a risk assessment in place for the activities conducted within that laboratory;
• Regular inspections are conducted of the laboratory space, plant and equipment, and faults are reported to the Estate Directorate.
• Waste streams are disposed of correctly as per section 7;
• All laboratory users have a current specific laboratory induction and all induction records are retained;
• Emergency equipment (such as first aid kits, fire extinguishers) is available and evacuation plans are known to all laboratory users;
• Laboratory signage is correct and current;
• Safe Work Procedures are in place for plant and equipment and are regularly reviewed for accuracy;
• Good housekeeping is maintained;
• Ensure the laboratory safety manual (section 4.2) is up to date and appropriate for the laboratory;
• Mandatory PPE is made available to laboratory users and is maintained;
• Hazards and incidents are recorded in JCU’s hazard and incident register (Riskware);
• Maintaining requirements as per associated JCU procedures, including but not limited to:
  • Correct purchasing and storage of scheduled drugs and poisons;
  • Maintaining an up to date chemical manifest on the ChemWatch system.

1.6 Work Health and Safety (WHS) Unit

The WHS Unit acts in an advisory role in relation to the way laboratories are managed at JCU. The WHS Unit will schedule and conduct annual audits in collaboration with the Laboratory Supervisor and/or the nominated Laboratory Technician.

1.7 Academic Supervisors

Academic Supervisors are required to maintain the safety of their staff and students by ensuring:

• The requirements of this procedure are being met;
• Projects have a risk assessment in place for the activities conducted;
• Waste is disposed of correctly as per section 7 of this procedure;
• Inductions are carried out for laboratory users;
• Emergency equipment is available and evacuation plans are known;
• Laboratory signage is correct and current;
• Safe Work Procedures are in place for plant and equipment;
• Good housekeeping is maintained;
• The relevant approvals are obtained for:
  • Scheduled drugs and poisons;
  • Radiation apparatus and isotopes;
  • Carcinogens;
  • Biosafety relevant activates;
  • Biosecurity materials.

1.8 Contractors

If contractors are required to perform activities within laboratories at JCU, the contractor must:

• Be registered and inducted on the JCU Contractor Management System;
• Be inducted into each laboratory in advance of works by the Laboratory Supervisor (or delegate)
• Not enter a facility unless authorised by the Laboratory Supervisor;
• Follow all instructions provided for the entry of each laboratory including the use of personal protective equipment.

2 Access and Authorisation

Laboratories are to be secured to restrict access to authorised and inducted personnel only. This includes contractors and cleaning staff.

Access and authorisation requirements will be proportionate to the risks associated with processes carried out and the materials and equipment stored within the laboratory.

3 Training and Induction

All laboratory users are required to be inducted into the laboratories being used.

Inductions must be developed for each laboratory.  Division, College, Institute, Laboratory, or building-specific information is determined by considering the activities carried out, and the equipment and materials used and stored in that particular laboratory.

Refresher inductions must be undertaken at least every two years. However, inductions may need to be refreshed in the following circumstances:

• Legislative changes;
• Changes to the JCU Health Safety Management System requirements;
• Hazards in the area change due to new equipment, materials or activities;
• Following an incident.

Induction records must include the name and signature of the inductee, inductor and the date the induction was undertaken.  The induction record must be retained in accordance with JCU Records Management Policy.

3.1 Safe Work Procedures

Laboratory and Academic Supervisors are to ensure Safe Work Procedures (SWP) are to be developed for tasks and the use of equipment where there could be a risk to health and safety.

Staff and students should receive training in the SWP and a record of the training is to be retained.

The approved JCU SWP template should be used.

4 General Laboratory Safety Requirements

4.1 General Rules

The following is a standard set of rules for laboratories, which may be altered to meet the specific requirements of the laboratory). When removing laboratory rules, a risk assessment will be needed to document the changes:

• Unauthorised entry to the laboratory is strictly forbidden;
• No food or drink for human consumption is to enter, or to be consumed, within a laboratory;
• Staff and all students (undergraduate, honours and postgraduates) must obtain permission to access the laboratory out of hours as per section 6 of this procedure;
• Laboratory waste must be disposed of correctly and not flushed to sewage as per section 11 of this procedure;
• Enclosed footwear must be worn;
• Personal protective equipment is to be worn as specified;
• Safety glasses to be worn when handling hazardous substances or when required under the risk assessment;
• Long/mid length hair and scarves shall be tied back;
• Loose clothing secured and jewellery removed when using equipment with moving parts;
• Children are not permitted in laboratories;
• When leaving microbiological laboratories, remove laboratory coats and wash hands;
• Mouth pipetting is prohibited;
• Experiments which will be left running overnight must have an “unattended experiment card” filled in specifying contact details of researcher, hazards and steps to be taken in an emergency.  The experiment must be appropriately secured/isolated for the time period;
• Do not use any machines, equipment or laboratory apparatus without prior instruction / training by the supervisor or technical staff on Safe Work Procedures and practices. Whilst using any equipment the relevant SWP shall be adhered to;
• Unless required, windows both internally and externally to the building are not to be covered.

4.2 Laboratory Safety Manual

All JCU laboratories are required to have an up-to-date laboratory safety manual in place.  The manual can cover multiple facilities.

The laboratory safety manual must cover the following topics:

• Requirements for induction;
• Requirements for after-hours laboratory use;
• SWPs for the equipment and processes undertaken at the laboratory;
• General Rules for each laboratory;
• Waste disposal rules for the types of wastes generated in the particular laboratory;
• Decontamination procedures required for the laboratory or equipment.

4.3 Hygiene and Housekeeping

Good hygiene and housekeeping practices must be incorporated into the management of all JCU laboratories.

The following housekeeping tasks must be completed by lab users as a minimum:

• Floors, aisles and exits are to be kept tidy, free of obstruction and dry;
• Benches are to be kept clean;
• The work area is to be cleaned thoroughly after experiments are completed;
• Access to all emergency / safety equipment (fire extinguishers, first aid kits, chemical spill kits, emergency shower and eye washes) are to be kept free from obstruction;
• Work areas including the interior of fume cupboards and equipment are to be thoroughly cleaned after use;
• When leaving the laboratory, make sure gas supplies and equipment is turned off and flames are extinguished;
• Regularly empty laboratory waste bins (biohazard waste, glass bins and chemical waste).  Notify Estate Directorate if cleaner’s bins require emptying;
• Rinse glass and plastic ware after use and remove labels if the item is being disposed of;
• At the end of the day return chemical containers to the appropriate storage locations.

Cleaning staff are required to mop and vacuum floors and empty general waste bins. Laboratory staff are responsible for all other cleaning duties. Certain facilities will not allow cleaner access, examples include PC3 and animal holding facilities.

Refrigerators, cool rooms, freezers, ovens and microwave ovens in laboratories must be labelled to prohibit their use for food or drink for personal consumption. Where the laboratory entry door has this requirement displayed the signage is not specifically required within the laboratory.

4.4 Personal Protective Equipment

The clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) that is required in each laboratory is dependent on the type of laboratory, the activities carried out and the materials and equipment stored within the laboratory. As a minimum, the following protective clothing must be worn in every JCU controlled laboratory:

• Enclosed footwear which meets the following requirements:
  • No open toes;
  • Back of the heel to be covered;
  • Upper surface must be enclosed;
  • Equivalent coverage and protection as provided by a running/jogging shoe;
• Laboratory coat or back fastening laboratory gowns (cotton is recommended);
• Safety glasses are to be worn when handling hazardous substances.

A risk assessment must be undertaken to assess hazards associated with the activities, equipment and substances used within the laboratory to determine any additional mandatory PPE.

Mandatory PPE and clothing requirements must be clearly displayed at the entrance of the laboratory. These requirements must also be stipulated in the laboratory induction. The laboratory supervisor is to ensure that staff are trained in the use of PPE.

Mandatory PPE must be readily available upon entry to the laboratory. All PPE must be appropriately rated for the intended hazard and be appropriately stored and maintained by the user to ensure it remains effective to control the identified hazard(s).

4.5 WHS Risk Management

Each laboratory must have a risk management plan in the form of a risk assessment stored in the RiskWare system. The following items are to be considered as applicable in the risk assessment:

• Tasks conducted in the laboratory;
• Substances used within the laboratory;
• Skill set of person/s performing the task (example undergraduate, researcher);
• Biological hazards;
• Radiation apparatus or sources;
• Scheduled drugs and poisons within the laboratory;
• Cytotoxic drugs;
• Manual handling;
• Electrical hazards;
• Lasers;
• Animals;
• Laboratory plant and equipment;
• Quarantine;
• Genetically Modified Organisms;
• Gas cylinders;

The risk management plan must be communicated in the laboratory induction and laboratory safety manual.

4.6 Research Project Risk Assessment

Each research project is required to have the associated risk from the procedures assessed and treated in accordance with WHS-PRO-002 Work Health and Safety Risk Management Procedure.

All risk assessments must be recorded in JCU’s risk register, RiskWare.

4.7 Inspections

Laboratory inspections are to be conducted periodically according to risk by the Laboratory Supervisor (or delegate) of the laboratory.

4.7.1 Inspection Items

Laboratory inspections should include:

• Storage of substances:
  • Segregation;
  • Chemwatch Inventory;
  • Labelling;
  • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are current;
• Plant and equipment;
• Fire extinguishers are within test date and not obstructed;
• Safety showers and eyewashes are inspected weekly unless a risk assessment determines otherwise, this could include testing the shower before commencing activities in the specific area;
• Fume cupboards have had annual inspection;
• Biosafety cabinets have had annual inspection;
• Autoclaves have had annual inspection;
• Training records are up to date;
• Laboratory signage is correct and current;
• Waste is disposed of correctly as per section 7 of this procedure
• Pest control (as required);
• Security;
• Walls, ceiling, windows and doors are in good condition.

Records of the inspections are to be retained by the Laboratory Supervisor.

4.8 WHS Unit Audits

The JCU WHS Unit also conducts annual audits of laboratories. A schedule of laboratory audits is prepared annually.  The findings from the audits are kept in the RiskWare system. The Riskware system is used to assign actions and due dates.

4.9 Entry Signage

Laboratories must have entry signage displayed on the door. The signage will need to list:

• Laboratory contact person;
• Personal protective equipment required;
• Emergency contact information;
• Summary of hazards present within the laboratory.

4.10 Decontamination Certificate

Equipment and items within a laboratory will require decontamination before being removed from the laboratory or maintenance is carried out.

The JCU decontamination certificate is to be attached to the equipment or item once decontamination has been carried out or supervised by laboratory staff.

5 Hazard Specific Safety Requirements

5.1 Ventilation

The capacity of the laboratory ventilation shall be appropriate to the current laboratory operations. The ventilation requirements provided in AS 1940 should be taken into account. Where unsafe concentrations of airborne contaminants are generated or there is a risk of oxygen depletion in a laboratory, adequate ventilation or fume extraction facilities shall be available to ensure their efficient removal or treatment. Appropriate fail-safe or alarm mechanisms shall be provided.

5.2 Fume Cupboards

Where fume cupboards are provided, their installation, operation and maintenance shall comply with AS/NZS 2243.8:

• Excess materials should not remain in fume cupboards;
• Fume cupboards shall not be used as storage facilities for hazardous materials;
• When an experiment is completed, the equipment is to be cleaned and the cupboard left clear for the next experiment;
• Fume cupboards are to be inspected at least annually in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 2243.8. The annual inspection regime is coordinated by the Estate Directorate.

5.3 Other types of Local Exhaust Ventilation

There are no specific Australian or New Zealand Standards for the design of other types of local exhaust ventilation such as slot ventilation, flexible ducts or overhead hoods. However, guidance material is available from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists and the British Occupational Hygiene Society.

6 After Hours Work and Working Alone

Any work in laboratories that is to be conducted outside of normal working hours requires a risk assessment and approval from the Laboratory Supervisor or Academic Supervisor. There must be suitable control measures in place to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

Out of normal hours are times outside of the normal business hours, and public or University holidays that occur during normal business hours (refer to the Enterprise Agreement).

Divisions, Institutes and/or Colleges will determine where these requirements are applicable. This may be achieved in local documents such as the laboratory safety manual.

When required the risk assessment must be recorded in RiskWare and as a minimum should make an assessment of the following:

• Use of the JCU safety app on mobile devices;
• Security including:
  • ability to limit access to the building/location;
  • travel to the laboratory and home, including the use of campus security for escort when deemed appropriate;
• Communication being available including positive communication to check on welfare and when the person has departed;
• Substances that will be used;
• Plant and equipment;
• Emergency procedures:
  • Spill kits;
  • First aid kit locations;
  • Contact for campus security;
• Medical conditions.

6.1 Tasks Too Dangerous for Work Alone

There are activities that are considered to be too risky to be conducted by a person alone. These include:

• Working in locations where there is no available means of communication;
• Work that is remote or isolated from the assistance of others;
• Work risk assessed as too hazardous to work alone, examples include:
  • Working with hydrofluoric acid;
  • Working with a neurotoxin;
  • Working with large or aggressive animals;
• Where there is a diagnosed medical condition that requires the person to be monitored.

In these instances, staff cannot work alone and the task will require a risk assessment with the controls implemented.

7 Laboratory Waste

Laboratory practices produce a variety of waste types.

Laboratory waste must be managed using the following general rules:

• Laboratory wastes must be kept segregated from incompatible substances;
• Waste must not be disposed of down the sink unless authorised under the trade waste limits set by the local council;
• Large volumes of waste should not be accumulated;
• Waste should not be mixed unless approved by the company accepting the waste;
• Wastes are to be labelled, transported and disposed of in a manner that is appropriate for the class of waste outlined in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Waste Class and Disposal Route

7.1 Antibiotic Deactivation

A summary of antibiotics that can be deactivated by heat treatment are provided below in Table 2.

Table 2: Antibiotic Deactivation

7.2 Disposal to Sewage

Waste cannot be disposed of into the sewage system unless it is in compliance with the trade waste admission limits for trade waste set by the local council. The trade waste limits can be found on the local council websites. A current trade waste approval must be in place with the local council.

Where an admission limit is silent the substance must not be disposed of in detectable levels of the concentration.

The council also lists prohibited waste, such as a substance with pH lower than 6.0 or greater than 10.0.

7.2.1 Trade waste limits

Townsville: https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/water-waste-and-environment/waste-water/trade-waste

Cairns: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/property-and-business/business/regulations-permits/trade-waste-and-sewage

Mackay: https://www.mackay.qld.gov.au/residents/services/water/trade_waste

8 Fire and Other Emergencies

Fire protection equipment and fire detection equipment shall be installed in a laboratory where there is a foreseeable risk of fire or explosion.

Fire extinguishers and fire hose reels shall be selected based on the requirements of the laboratory.

Where the uses of substances that can pose a fire or explosion risk are used, hazardous areas should be classified in accordance with AS/NZS 2430.3.6 Classification of hazardous areas.

8.1 Chemical Spills

When an uncontrolled chemical spill occurs, the following process must be followed:

• Identify the chemical type and refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for personal protective measures and for specific clean-up method;
• Access the spill kit and don the required PPE/respiratory protection if required;
• Contain the chemical spill.

Spill kits are to be:

• Appropriate for the substances within the laboratory;
• Inspected and maintained as part of laboratory inspections.

Staff and research students are to be trained in the use of the spill kits.

Contaminated material must be placed in sealed containers, labelled and disposed of as contaminated waste in accordance with section 7 of this procedure.

9 Safety Equipment

Laboratories are to have appropriate safety equipment available as identified in the laboratory risk assessment.

9.1 Safety Showers and Eyewash Equipment

Plumbed safety showers and eye wash equipment must be tested and maintained in accordance with AS4775 Emergency eyewash and shower equipment.

Regular operational tests are to be conducted by the laboratory technician/staff weekly. If testing less frequently a risk assessment is required to be documented in Riskware. This testing should be recorded.

Annual maintenance inspections are to be conducted by a competent person.  This testing is to be organised and records of testing retained by the Estate Directorate.

9.2 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

Where Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) has been assessed as necessary, the following must be in place:

• Training in the use of the SCBA for staff;
• Secure storage for SCBA;
• A maintenance and inspection regime.

10 Electrical

A Residual Current Device (RCD) is to be fitted to the circuits of all laboratories. If electrical equipment is located in a laboratory which could be considered a ‘hostile environment’ the equipment will need to be included in the electrical test and tag program.

A hostile environment is a location in which the equipment or appliance is normally subject to events or operating conditions likely to result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected lifespan. This includes, but is not limited to mechanical damage, exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, corrosive chemicals and dust.

11 Hazardous Substances

Hazardous substances that are stored or used in a laboratory must be managed according to the class of the substance. In addition to this Laboratory Safety Procedure, the following Procedures outline how specific hazardous substances are to be managed:

• WHS-PRO-009 Biosafety Procedure;
• WHS-PRO-010 Hazardous Chemicals Procedure;
• WHS-PRO-011 Drugs and Poisons Procedure;
• WHS-PRO-014 Ionising Radiation Procedure.

11.1 General Use

• An inventory of hazardous chemicals must be maintained:
  • The preferred method is to enter the inventory into the Chemwatch system;
  • The inventory must include the maximum storage amount for each item;
• Safety data sheets must be available;
• All substances must be labelled in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld);
• A risk assessment is to be completed for the use of all hazardous substances. The assessment will need to include the various ways the substance will be used;
• Keep the minimum quantity required;
• Treat containers as if full, unless cleaned and label removed.
  • Exception being labelled laboratory glassware or similar items that are identified as clean and are awaiting reuse;
• Spill trays should be used for containers. The spill tray will need to be able to hold 110% of the largest container;
• Use substances within fume cupboards to reduce the potential for exposure;
• Substances should not be left open within the laboratory or storage areas.

11.2     Storage Other Than in a Chemical Storage Cabinet

Chemicals that are kept on shelves or racks shall be subject to the following restrictions:

• Substances should not be stored higher than 1.5m from the floor (for example, shelving over bench higher than 1.5m);
• Shelving and fixtures shall be compatible with the goods stored, or be protected from the goods;
• The shelving system capacity is not to be exceeded;
• Shelves must be restrained from lateral movement;
• Liquids should be stored on the lower shelves.
• Any container used for decanting shall not be greater than 25L/25kg.
• The requirements in AS2243.2 2021 Safety in Laboratories, Part 2: Chemical aspects and storage must be complied with. This includes maximum storage quantities for particular chemicals (Table 3)

Table 3: Maximum Storage Quantities AS2243.2

11.3 Chemical Storage Cabinets

The installation and use of chemical storage cabinets must consider the following;

• The capacity of any chemical storage cabinet used in a laboratory to store chemicals of Classes 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 or 5.2 shall not exceed 50L. For other chemicals, the capacity shall not exceed 250L;
• Must not be located where they can jeopardize emergency escape (for example, under a staircase or 3m from an exit door);
• Not closer than 3m to ignition sources other than ceiling lights;
• Must have the bottom shelf installed;
• Cannot have substances stored in the bund;
• Must be correctly labelled for the class of substance.

11.4 Gas Cylinders and Supplies

The installation of compressed gas cylinders and gas supply lines for use in laboratories must consider the following:

• Should be stored outside of the laboratory;
• Should be mounted outside of the laboratory;
• Any gas cylinder shall not exceed 70L (G size cylinders are 50L internal);
• Gas supply lines should have flow restrictions installed.

The use of gas cylinders must have a risk assessment performed by the laboratory supervisor or person proposing to use the gas cylinders. The risk assessment of a HDR candidate must be reviewed by their supervisor and laboratory supervisor. The following risks must be considered depending on the content of the gas cylinder and intended location of the cylinder, including but not limited to:

• Potential for asphyxiation;
• Potential for toxic effects;
• Potential for fire;
• Potential for increased oxygen;
• Mounting to avoid physical damage;
• Controls for safe relocation of gas cylinders to avoid harm caused by manual handling or release of contents.

The risk assessment must address the calculation of the potential hazard if the full volume of the gas cylinder was released, including:

• Lowering of the oxygen level;
• Potential airborne concentration compared to the exposure standard, where applicable;
• Fire and explosion;
• Calculation of the worst-case regulator failure. This can be obtained from the supplier and will be the maximum release (flowrate) possible from the regulator on failure.  The assessment must include:
  • Lowering of the oxygen level;
  • Potential airborne concentration compared to the exposure standard, where applicable;
  • Fire and explosion;
• Calculation of the expected environment under the intended conditions of use. This would be the intended rate of release taking into account air turnover in the room. The assessment must include:
  • Lowering of the oxygen level;
  • Potential airborne concentration compared to the exposure standard, where applicable;
  • Fire and explosion.

11.5 Refrigeration

The installation and use of refrigerators must consider the following;

• A refrigerator may be used to store flammable chemicals provided it has been designed and manufactured to eliminate ignition sources;
• Refrigerators unsuitable for solvent/flammable storage shall be marked “not suitable for flammable solvents;
• Refrigerators located in laboratories should be marked as “no food or drinks”, except where all entries are signed that no food or drink is allowed in the area.

11.5.1 Cool Rooms

Cool rooms are not intrinsically safe and advice should be sought prior to the storage of flammable solvents in walk in cool rooms or freezers.

Cryogenic liquids must not be stored inside of cool rooms.

12 Plant and Equipment

12.1 General

The use of plant and equipment must be addressed in the laboratory risk assessment.

Where the use of a piece of plant or equipment is considered to have an inherent level of risk, a Safe Work Procedure (see section 3.1 of this procedure) and risk assessment must also be developed.

Plant must have appropriate guarding to prevent injury.

If equipment is altered, a risk assessment must be completed.

12.2 Operation of Instruments

The table below lists guidance material for the safe operation of laboratory instruments which may be used in consultation for the development of Safe Work Procedures and training.

Related policy instruments

Records Management Policy

Work Health and Safety Policy

WHS-PRO-002 WHS Risk Management Procedure

WHS-PRO-009 Biosafety Procedure

WHS-PRO-010 Hazardous Chemicals Procedure

WHS-PRO-011  Drugs and Poisons Procedure

WHS-PRO-014 Ionising Radiation Procedure

Work Health and Safety Act 2011

Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

AS/NZS 2243.1:2005 Safety in laboratories - Planning and operational aspects

AS/NZS 2243.10:2004 Safety in laboratories - Storage of chemicals

AS/NZS 2243.2:2006 Safety in laboratories - Chemical aspects

AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Safety in laboratories - Microbiological safety and containment

AS/NZS 2243.6:2010 Safety in laboratories - Plant and equipment aspects

AS/NZS 2243.8:2014 Safety in laboratories - Fume cupboards

Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice

National Code of Practice for Chemicals of Security Concern

Schedules/Appendices

WHS-PRO-TEM-013a Laboratory Induction Presentation Template

WHS-PRO-FORM-013b Unattended Experiment Card

WHS-PRO-FORM-013c Decontamination Certificate Card

WHS-PRO-TEM-0013d Emergency Information Template

Administration

NOTE:  Printed copies of this procedure are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval Details

Revision History