Laboratory Safety

Space identified by JCU Estate Directorate and the relevant Division as a Laboratory.

This could include any part of a building that is used for scientific or technical work that may involve chemicals, pathogens, radiation, mechanical or other processes.

The following rules apply as a minimum to all laboratories:

• 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.
• Laboratory waste must be disposed of correctly and not flushed to sewage unless the conditions in the JCU Laboratory Safety Procedure have been met.
• Enclosed footwear must be worn
• Personal protective equipment is to be worn as specified
• Safety glasses to be worn when handling hazardous substances
• 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 Operating Procedures and practices. Whilst using any equipment the relevant SOP shall be adhered to
• Unless required, windows both internally and externally to the building are not to be covered

All laboratory users are required to be inducted into the laboratories being used. Inductions must be developed for each laboratory. Laboratory/Division, building-specific information is determined by considering the activities carried out, 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 change and / or changes to the JCU HSMS 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.

The clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) that is required 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 must meet 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 PPE that is mandated.

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 Personal Protective

Equipment.

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).

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.

• An inventory of hazardous chemicals must be maintained:
• The preferred method is to enter the inventory into the Chem Watch 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.