School of Life Sciences Safety Induction – Employees, Students and Visitors

School of Life SciencesSafety Induction – Employees, Students and Visitors

Dr Stephen Pearce

School Safety Advisor

The University of Sussex and School of Life Sciences have safety policies and systems in place to ensure the provision of a healthy and safe environment in which to work and study.

Everyone on the University premises has a duty:

• To comply with University health and safety policy;

• To follow the appropriate safety systems and procedures;

• To look after their own safety and that of others;

• and not to interfere with/misuse things provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare (moving fire extinguishers, blocking escape routes…)


Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Section 8 “Not to interfere with/misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare”

*Applies to everyone*

Jail for alarm hoax studentAn eighteen year old student from Leyland who set off a fire alarm at

Preston College received a two-month jail sentence for his actions which resulted in a student who was in a wheelchair, suffering broken hands and severe bruising in an evacuation crush.


Legal Health and Safety Responsibilities

Civil Law (rights and duties to one another):

Duty to take reasonable care

Breaches – liable for damages/compensation.

Criminal Law (offences against the state):

Statutory duty to comply with all relevant health and safety

legislation

Breaches - prosecution and possible fines and/or imprisonment.


Reporting of Accidents and Hazards

When?All accidents and hazards should be reported as soon as possible.

In the case of accidents this is to ensure that appropriate first aid can be administered where required, the area can be made safe, any relevant lessons can be learnt and similar occurrences prevented in future.

If you see a hazard and report it quickly we may be able to prevent an accident from occurring.

Who To?Your Supervisor or Senior Departmental Technician, to the School Office or the School Safety Advisor.

Complete an accident form giving details of the accident or hazard.


First Aid

If you require first aid assistance or come across someone

else who does:

Call 3333 or 01273 873333 (from a mobile).

The mobile first aid team will attend as quickly as possible.


Fire Safety

Familiarise yourself with:Local fire exits, Alternative escape route(s) and Assembly areas;

Location of Fire extinguishers and Alarm call points.

In case of fire:On hearing the fire alarm, evacuate and report to assembly point;

Do not use lifts to evacuate the building;

Do not re-enter the building until advised to do so.

Regular unannounced fire drills will be carried out.


If You Discover A Fire

Sound the alarm;

Attempt to extinguish the fire (only if trained to do so and suitable extinguisher available). Never put yourself at risk;

If possible call the emergency number 3333 from a place of safety and give details of the fire and its location to security;

Evacuate and report to the Fire Control Point.


Fire Alarms

Fire alarm tests in Life Sciences buildings will be carried out, as follows:JMS Tuesday 15.45CRPC Tuesday 15.35GDSC Tuesday 15.50Chichester I-III Tuesday 14.55-15.05Arundel Tuesday 15.10Pevensey I-III Tuesday 15.25-15.25Trafford Centre Wednesday 15.20



Why you need to take that fire alarm seriously…

1. It could be a genuine emergency!

Research has shown that the best predictor of survival in a fire is the time

taken to recognize the emergency and move!

2. A well-practiced drill saves lives Example: 9/11

The World Trade Centre, New York, was bombed in both 1993 and 2001. After 1993, they developed a well-practiced drill to increase exit times. If exit times in 2001 were the same as 1993, many more people would have died.

In An Emergency

Call 3333 from a place of safety and give security as

much information as you can about the emergency:

Location and type of emergency (gas leak, etc);Whether there are/may be casualties;


SAFETY SIGNSAcross the campus look out for signs warning of hazards or giving useful information


BLUE = Compulsory

Failure to comply not only puts you at risk, but means you’ve broken the law.

YELLOW = Warning

Failure to take notice could put you at risk.

GREEN = Safety guidance

First Aid, Emergency Exits…

RED = Prohibitive or Fire

RISK ASSESSMENT

“A planned process during which hazards are identified and the extent of the risks involved are evaluated, taking into account existing precautions and their effectiveness”.

“Hazard” – something with the potential to cause harm

“Risk” – a combination of the likelihood and potential severity of harm from a hazard

being realised

All activities taking place on campus must be risk assessed and the risks reduced to an acceptable level, by means other than personal protective equipment where possible.


Hazardous Substances

For those storing, handling, transporting or using hazardous substances, a

comprehensive assessment must be completed before such substances are

brought onto the premises.

This ensures compliance with relevant legislation, including the Control of

Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) and the Dangerous

Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR).

Standard forms are available via the School safety website and the School Safety

Adviser is available to provide assistance as required.



Dartmouth College Researcher, Dr. Karen Wetterhahn died June 8th 1997 from mercury poisoning six months after a drop of dimethyl mercury permeated through the latex gloves she was wearing.

"It's not like a discoloured spot appears, the glove rips open or smoke and fire comes out of the glove".

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Demonstrates the importance of PPE assessment and selection. The latex gloves afforded inadequate protection.

Always identify the appropriate type and specification of PPE. Only use PPE as a last resort for protection and remember it only protects the person wearing it.

Manual Handling

Many accidents on campus result from manual handling operations – moving an object using human effort: including lifting,lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying.

Always assess the task before you move anything;

Use lifting equipment provided (cylinder and sack trolleys, etc.);

Seek help if required from the Premises Assistants.

Follow this link to view the University Manual Handling Policy(The pdf document will open in a separate window which can be read at the end of this presentation).



Manual Handling – Suggested maximum loads

This diagram is only intended as a guideline and factors such as age, gender, physical fitness, environmental conditions, etc should also be taken into consideration

Display Screen Equipment

Employees of the School who will be using display screen equipment, such as a personal computer and monitor, as a routine part of their work activities should contact their Supervisor or the School Safety Adviser to arrange for an assessment of their work station to be carried out.

Follow this link to view the University Display Screen Equipment Policy

(The pdf document will open in a separate window which can be read at the end of this presentation).


Electrical Safety

All electrical equipment on campus should be tested and be electrically safe – this includes any personal equipment brought on to the premises. Contact the School Safety Adviser to arrange for testing of electrical equipment.

Don’t overload sockets.Avoid the use of extension leads and trailing cables – which may present a trip hazard and are susceptible to damage.


USE OF HUMAN TISSUE


The Human Tissue Act 2004 (HT Act) sets out a legal framework for the storage and use of tissue from the living and dead and the Human Tissue Authority regulates removal, storage and use of human tissue. Human tissue is defined as material that has come from a human body and consists of, or includes, human cells. Cells/cell lines derived from human tissue and grown outside of the body do NOT fall into this category

It is a compulsory requirement that anyone wishing to work with and store human tissue first contact the appropriate manager of human tissue in your department. The receipt, storage, use and disposal and human tissue must follow the School standard operating procedures (SOPS).

Further information regarding use of Human Tissue can be found on http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/1-4-1-19-4.html

Waste/Recycling

• Always consider disposal costs/methods before purchasing or bringing equipment/substances on the premises.

• Only buy as much as you need – reduced costs for bulk buys may well be a false economy when you consider subsequent disposal costs!

• Dispose of waste in the appropriate manner; radioactive waste, clinical waste, etc. Ask if you are unsure of the appropriate waste stream.

• Recycle wherever possible:

Paper (coloured, white, envelopes…) – bins provided;

Cardboard – skips provided;

Batteries – return to stores;

Cans – bins provided, etc.


Utilities Conservation

Cost of electricity and gas to the University 2005/6 - £2 million

Projected cost 2006/7 - £3.3 million!

Save energy by switching off lights and equipment when not needed;

Equipment left in stand-by mode still uses energy;

Switch off equipment not in use over night and at the weekend;

Enable the hibernate functions on your pc and monitor;

(Contact the Computer Department if you need help with this).

We also pay for water – so use it wisely and report any leaks or wastage.



If something does go wrong or you simply require advice, contact the School Safety Adviser!


Scientist’s Deadly Rival - Sep 30th 2003

A Chinese scientist tried to kill a rival by hiding radioactive

materials in his office.

Gu Jiming's grudge led to 75 people, including his intended

victim,taking ill. He was given a suspended death sentence,

usually commuted to life in jail after 2 years good behaviour.

Hopefully none of you will be this competitive whilst

studying/carrying out research at Sussex!!!

A True Story!


For further safety information please access the School safety website at:

www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/safety

School of Life Sciences Safety Induction – Employees, Students and Visitors

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