Section A

Health and Safety

Code of Practice

Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology

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Section A

CONTENTS
Page
3
4
8
9

Departmental Safety Policy

Legal Obligations and Responsibilities
Working Arrangements
Departmental Safety Procedures
Fire regulations
Accidents and First Aid
Risk assessments
DSE
Electrical testing
Manual Handling
PUWER
Laboratory Safety Procedures
Laboratory hygiene
Personal protection
COSHH
Biological hazards
Radioactivity
Waste disposal
Departmental Safety Personnel
University Safety Experts
Codes of Practice
Safety resource area

17
20
21
22

Acknowledgement slip

23

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12

Section A

UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL
Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology
STATEMENT OF DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY POLICY

1. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the object of which is to secure the health, safety
and welfare of persons at work, came into force on 1 Apri11975. This Act seeks to unify and
strengthen existing legislation relating to safety and may be regarded as an enabling Act,
which lends the force of law to safety regulations introduced in the workplace.
2. It is the policy of this Department not only to comply fully with the Health and Safety at Work
Act as required by law, but to take steps beyond the minimum legal requirements if these are
perceived as contributing to the prevention of injury, ill-health, damage and loss arising from
work carried out within its precincts.
3. The Department expects all persons working within its precincts to recognise that
they have a personal responsibility to do everything they can to prevent injury to themselves
and others and loss to the Department. Health and Safety must be primary considerations in
the planning of work. Accordingly, the Department will seek to encourage all members of the
Department to participate in and contribute to the establishment and observance of safe
working practices. Such activity is to be regarded as an integral part of the duties of staff, for
which they are accountable at all levels.
4. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (COSHH), which came into
force on 1October 1989, apply in full to all work carried out in the Department. The
Department expects all personnel to cooperate fully by adhering to the procedures required by
these Regulations.

5. In accordance with the above policy the Department will:

arrange that competent advice is available on safety and health matters.

continue to develop to implement and to monitor procedures and codes of safe
working practice.
provide training in safe working methods.
maintain an appropriate framework for consultation on best current practice.
seek to engender interest at all levels in the promotion of safety and health.

Professor J A Gallagher
Head of Department
Human Anatomy and Cell Biology

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Section A

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Individual Responsibilities
A. Your legal obligations:
i. To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may
be affected by your actions or omissions.
ii. To comply with the regulations laid down in the Health and Safety at Work Act
(1974) as indicated by the Codes of Practice and the arrangements made by the
University and by the Department.
Much of the work of a University is highly specialized and only those people actually
engaged in it have a reasonable knowledge of the hazards that may be involved. It is
the duty of the University to provide safe and proper equipment and methods of work,
but safety cannot be guaranteed unless each individual is prepared to share
this responsibility and do everything in his/her power to prevent injury to
themselves and others.

To fulfil these obligations, you must:

i. Use safe working procedures at all times;
ii. Use protective equipment on all necessary occasions;
iii. Report accidents and potentially dangerous incidents to the Head of Department or
his/her representative (Departmental Safety Officer (DSO), Health and Safety
Management Committee (HSMC) or your supervisor), and cooperate fully in investigations
which are carried out to prevent recurrence;
iv. Report unsafe or unhealthy working conditions to your supervisor or to the DSO
v. Make sure that when working outside the University, you pay attention to local safety
precautions and ensure that those who may be affected by hazards arising from their work
are kept informed.
vi. Follow the regulation that no teaching, research or ancillary activity may be pursued
without prior consideration of the safety aspects. A risk assessment must be have
been performed before beginning any activity (see Section B).
vii. If you are responsible for the work or in charge of other members or employees of the
University, then as an integral part of your duties, you have responsibility for the health
and safety of your charges.
viii.In the University context of specialized research activity, it is vitally important that you
take full account of health and safety hazards.

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Section A

B. The Responsibility of Staff

i. To engage the interest of all persons under their supervision in healthy and safe working
practices, and to instruct them if necessary.
ii. To be aware of the safety implications of their teaching activities and to take appropriate
precautions.
iii. In the case of a research laboratory, to arrange for alternative overall supervision by
someone familiar with the type of work in progress if they expect to be absent from the
Department for one or more complete working days.
iv. To require that the Departmental safety rules are observed and that risk assessments
have been made for all activities.
v. To ensure that necessary safety equipment is available and that people are familiar with
its use.
vi. To comply with monitoring and audit of safety procedures.
vii. To be prepared to discuss these issues during Appraisal.

C. Responsibilities of Teaching Staff, Heads of Research Groups

and Facilities
i. Teaching staff, heads of research groups and facilities are expected to cooperate with the
HSMC in ensuring that safety is a prominent element in all teaching and research
activities within their jurisdiction.
ii. They are responsible for ensuring safe working practices in their area of responsibility,
which will normally be a research laboratory, a multi-user facility, or a practical classroom,
but may include office areas, which are also potential sources of risk.
iii. In particular they are responsible for ensuring that all laboratory procedures are covered
by appropriate Risk Assessments (see Section B).
iv. Heads of research groups and facilities act as a point of contact for the HSMC, bringing
bulletins and new legislation to the attention of their colleagues. They should normally be
present during routine safety inspections of their area.
v. Those in charge of practical class work should work with course organisers to ensure that
the risk assessment is up to date, that demonstrators are properly trained and familiar with
the experimental work, and that safety equipment has been checked and is in safe
working order.
vi. Any Head of a research group/facility has authority to intervene in situations that they
consider to be unsafe or where, in their judgement, the Risk Assessment is not suitable or
sufficient. They should consult that person in the event of non-cooperation and the DSO if
necessary.

D. Responsibility of the Departmental Safety Officer (DSO)

The DSO is responsible to the Head of Department to ensure that all responsibilities of the
Head of Department are fulfilled. The DSO therefore has the primary responsibility for
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Section A

ensuring that all basic control mechanisms are in place and are functioning correctly.
Support and assistance will be provided by the Chairman and members of the HSMC, the
Head of Department, the University Safety Adviser, and external sources as appropriate.
The Chairman of the HSMC has the authority to stop any activity which he or she considers
to be unsafe.
The Chairman has the responsibility for monitoring and audit of Safety procedures in the
Department.
In the absence of the Chairman, the DSO will act with full authority. The Radiation Safety
Officer and Biological Safety Officer will deputise, in that order and again with full authority, in
the event that both the DSO and the Chairman are absent

E. Responsibility of the Head of Department

The Head of Department is responsible for ensuring, so far as reasonably practicable:
(a) that the health and safety of staff, students and the general public are not adversely
affected by the activities of the department or unit;
(b) that risks to health and safety are assessed to a reasonable and consistent standard and
that appropriate control measures and safe systems of work are used; where specific risks
are not covered in a University or departmental code of practice (see (m), below) they should
be assessed in writing, and a copy of the risk assessment sent to the Safety Adviser.
(c) in academic departments, that an appreciation of appropriate safety aspects of the
subject is part of the educational process, and there is effective communication with students
on health and safety matters;
(d) that buildings where the activities are under the direct control of the department are
inspected formally and health and safety arrangements are monitored at intervals not greater
than six months;
(e) that proper fire precautions are observed, that written departmental fire instructions are
brought to the attention of every individual in the department, that fire evacuation exercises
are carried out at least once a session in the first term, that alarm bells are tested once a
week, and that a named individual and a named deputy are responsible for overseeing fire
precautions;
(f) that the arrangements exist for ensuring that all accidents, including incidents where injury
or damage might have occurred, are investigated with the aim of preventing recurrence and
reported to the Safety Adviser on the appropriate form;
(g) that safe machinery and equipment and, where appropriate, any necessary safety
appliances or protective equipment are used, and the electrical safety of appliances is
checked at least every two years (except that departmental equipment permanently
connected to supply points is checked at least every five years);
(h) that Departmental Safety Coordinators are informed about any new machinery and
equipment, and that it is inspected and tested where necessary before initial use;
(i) that there is effective communication and consultation concerning health and safety with
all members of staff, and in particular with trade union safety representatives;
(j) that advice is sought from within the University or from outside bodies when the need
arises;
(k) that hazards and defects outside the control of the department or unit are reported to the
Director of Estates or whoever is responsible for removing the hazard;

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Section A

(l) that all relevant information on health and safety hazards is provided to all persons,
including contractors, maintenance staff and visiting researchers, who undertake work within
the department or unit;
(m) in departments where practical or laboratory work is done, that a departmental code of
practice is prepared, given to all staff and appropriate students, reviewed if circumstances
change and at least every five years, and observed.
(n) that safety training needs are identified and that staff and students are trained in safe
practices relevant to their work; in practical departments a training record should be kept and
a copy submitted regularly to the Safety Adviser;
(o) that all uses of hazardous substances are assessed in accordance with the Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, and that they are stored, used and disposed
of in a safe manner.
In multiple occupancy buildings, areas not under the control of individual departments or
units, i.e. common user areas, are the joint responsibility of the Heads of Departments
occupying the building.
The Head or Manager of each Department or other unit normally designates a member of
staff as Departmental Safety Officer, to assist in carrying out these duties.
The Departmental Safety Officer is responsible to the Head of Department for advising both
staff and students in the department on safety and advising the Head of Department on the
adoption of safety standards. The Departmental Safety Officer has authority to stop activities
which carry immediate danger, pending investigation by the Head of Department. The names
of Departmental Safety Coordinators should be displayed on the departmental notice boards.

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Section B

SAFETY PROCEDURES
1 Working Arrangements
i. Staff
Normal working hours are from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9.00am
to 5.00pm on Friday. If you are working outside these hours, you must sign one of
the location books with details of the room number and time started. On leaving the
building, enter the time finished.
The location books are kept a) at the Nuffield Building entrance and b) on the table in
the first floor foyer of the Medical School
Staff should not undertake hazardous work unaccompanied outside normal working
hours.
Equipment left running overnight should be identified and particulars and displayed
on room doors using the forms provided in Section D of the safety manual.
(photocopy as required).
All staff should carry their identification badge at all times.

ii. Students
Any student who works in a laboratory on a research project (i.e. not in a teaching
laboratory in a class practical) must fulfil the same conditions as any other worker in
the laboratory. In addition, they should not work unsupervised except when
performing routine procedures the risks of which have been assessed and for which
they have been given full training. They should not work outside normal working
hours unless directly supervised. For most hazards, young people do not appear to
be physiologically at greater risk; their greater risk of injury arises mainly because of
inexperience, lack of awareness of risk, and immaturity. Training and supervision
therefore need to be correspondingly more intensive, but in most respects the nature
of the risk assessment will be little different. There are, however, some hazards
where young people are innately more at risk - e.g. from heavy work effort; manual
handling assessments should take this into account.
For students undertaking course practicals in teaching laboratories, the University
Code of Practice for practical work must be followed.

iii. Temporary workers

Such workers must conform to all the health and safety regulations laid down in this
manual as though they were permanent members of the Department.
Manual workers must report to the Departmental Superintendent who will notify them
before they start work of any hazards they may encounter

iv. Visitors
No one should be given access to laboratories unless accompanied by a member of
staff.
Children are permitted in offices and corridors when accompanied by an adult who is
responsible for them. They are not permitted in, or allowed to pass through
laboratories, remain unaccompanied in offices or corridors, or to handle equipment.
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Section B

2 Safety Procedures.
A. Departmental Safety Procedures

1. Fire Regulations:
You must be thoroughly familiar with the position and operation of all fire fighting
equipment within the department and you should know how to operate the fire alarm
and to call the fire brigade.
You should make yourself familiar with the alternative escape routes for the buildings
and the evacuation procedure to be adopted in case of fire. Never re-enter the
building unless authorised to do so.

i. ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON DISCOVERING A FIRE

a) sound the fire alarm
b) telephone the fire brigade
c) use the nearest appropriate extinguisher to extinguish or contain the fire, if you can do so
without endangering yourself or others.

TO CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE

The fire call number is shown on the dial of all phones and is 2222
(This is the Security Control Emergency Number, and not a direct line to the Fire
Brigade).
On Direct exchange lines with dial and coin-operated telephones, dial 999 and ask for
the fire service.
When in contact with the fire service give the correct name and address of the
building and your telephone number.
All fires should be notified immediately to the Security Control 3252 who will inform
the Safety Officer and Head of Department.

ii. ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON HEARING THE FIRE ALARM

If you are not engaged in containing or fighting the fire:
a) Evacuate the building as quickly as possible, closing doors and windows, by the nearest
safe exit route and proceed to the assembly point. Make safe any equipment or experiment
in use, but do so without endangering yourself.
b) Do not re-enter the building until you are given clearance by the fire officer or head fire
warden.
c) The assembly point for the Nuffield Building and the Medical School is the Ashton
Street car park. All staff must assemble on the opposite side of the road, keeping well
away from the building.
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Section B

2. Accidents and First Aid.

All accidents must be reported to the Departmental Safety Coordinator and/or the Chairman
of the HSMC. An accident report form and the accident report book (B1510) must be
completed as promptly as possible. The book and forms are kept in the General Office.
Serious injuries should be referred to the hospital or the Occupational Health Unit.
Each working area has at least one first aid kit. Staff should be familiar with the
location of the kits and the identity of the qualified first aiders in the Department. If the
injury or illness appears to require treatment, then either an ambulance should be
summoned or the patient taken to the nearest casualty department.
If a member of staff believes their health may be suffering as a result of their work, they can
consult the Occupational Health Physician (see page 19).
Names of qualified first aiders in the Department are given on page 17.
A full list of Safety Experts, Departmental Safety Coordinators, and Qualified First Aiders can
be found in Section B.

3. Risk Assessments
Every activity in which you are engaged involves an element of risk. It is a legal requirement
that these risks have been assessed before beginning the activity and that all practicable
means have been employed to minimise the risks. It is your responsibility to make sure
that the appropriate assessment has been carried out. The General Risk Assessment
Form (supplied) must be completed and returned to The Departmental Safety Officer
before you start work. If you need guidance about filling this in, first of all ask your
immediate superior (supervisor etc.), and if there are still doubts, then talk to a
member of the HSMC.
Most of us are aware that the definition of appropriate assessment is vague. Even In cases
where there are very detailed guidelines (e.g. COSHH and biological safety) it is still not clear
exactly what is required. These assessment sheets range from the general, where the risks
associated with any activity may be assessed, through to forms for specific activities (e.g.
COSHH, genetic manipulation) which are designed to cover the particular risks associated
with that sort of activity. Risk assessment sheets for specific assessments (e.g. COSHH,
see Section D of the safety manual) should be completed and stored in an accessible
place in your office or laboratory before beginning a specific work activity.

4. DSE Safety
The regulations for DSE safety are designed to ensure that Users do not suffer discomfort
or injury. The rules defining a User are complex: If you need to work on a computer for at
least one continuous hour on 10 occasions nearly every week, then you are a User. If you
work less than 5 hours a week you are not a User. Unfortunately most people do not fit into
such simple categories. Hence, if you are in any doubt as to your status in this regard, then
you should request help with your classification (Assessor: John Hardie). Once it is
established that you are a "User" at a given workstation, the assessment form should be
completed by you in conjunction with the Assessor.
Where appropriate, advice on posture and workstation layout will be given to identify and
reduce risks including arm, wrist and back pain, together with potential eye fatigue. In
addition, suitable furniture or equipment may be provided to ameliorate any problems. See
the code of practice for detailed regulations.

5. Electrical Testing
All electrical apparatus including personal equipment brought into the Department must be
checked periodically for electrical safety and an appropriate sticker attached to the plug.
Details are given in Section C of the safety manual.
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Section B

6. PUWER and Manual Handling.

i. Manual Handling of Loads
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 published by the Health and Safety
Executive are important for all workers who will, at some stage, be required to shift loads
while at work (i.e. everyone).
In an effort to reduce injury while lifting, potentially hazardous loads must be assessed before
handling. A copy of the University's guidelines for assessment is included in Section C of the
safety manual.
Please read the guidelines carefully before completing an assessment Adrian Walsh and
Alan Hesketh are available to help with any problems you may have.
Any staff for whom you are responsible should also be made aware of the regulations.
Additional information can be found in the University's booklet `What You Should Know
About Safe Manual Handling' (you should already have a copy in your laboratory) and the
HSE Regulations which can be found in the library.
Completed assessment forms should be returned to Adrian Walsh
MANUAL HANDLING - HIERARCHY OF CONTROL
Must the load be moved?
Must it be lifted?
Can it be moved mechanically?
Can the load be reduced?
Can it be divided?
Can the task be made easier e.g. by improving the environment?
- by better containerisation?
Can assistance be gained?
Is the load excessive, in terms of - weight?
- bulk?
- distance of carrying?
Can the technique of handling be improved?
Don't lift beyond your comfortable lifting capacity.

ii. PROVISION AND USE OF WORK EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS (PUWER)

All items of equipment available in the department present hazards if used incorrectly. Under
the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), all staff must be made
aware of such hazards and trained to operate equipment safely in order to avoid them. The
equipment covered by PUWER regulations is listed in Section B Part 3, together with the
training officer responsible for it. Note that the list is restricted to equipment available to all in
the Department, and that training for equipment belonging to individual research groups must
be provided by the research group leader for members of the group.
Before using any of this equipment for the first time, please arrange with the training officer to
be instructed in its use. He or she will then add your name to the list of people authorised to
use the equipment. Please note that no liability will be granted to unauthorised persons in
the event of accident or injury.

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Section B

B. Laboratory Safety Procedures

1. Laboratory Hygiene.
Do not smoke, eat, drink or apply cosmetics in a laboratory. Avoid all contact between the
hands and the mouth or eyes.
Do not pipette or dispense liquids by mouth. Use pipette fillers and dispensers.
Wipe up spillages as they occur. Wear any necessary protection and wash out cloths
used. Paper tissues used to mop up oxidising agents should be wetted before disposal.
Toxic or hazardous materials should be neutralised. If in doubt consult your head of
laboratory or the HSMC.
Keep laboratories and workshops clean and tidy
Wash your hands before leaving the laboratory.

2. Personal Protection
Adequate protective clothing must be worn when working in laboratories or workshops.
At the minimum this means sensible footwear (not sandals), and a laboratory coat, which
should be worn fastened in the laboratory or workshop environment. In laboratories
dealing with biological hazards, coats that fasten to the neck and have elasticated cuffs
(Howie style) should be worn. Laboratory coats should not be worn in the common room
or other common areas.
Goggles, safety spectacles or a face mask, as appropriate, must be worn when conditions
specify.
Gloves and plastic aprons should be worn when specified. When gloves are worn they
should not be brought into direct contact with equipment, telephones, door handles, etc.,
and should be washed before disposal.
Do not leave needles, scalpel blades or other sharps on the open bench without
protection.
A Code of Practice for use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is available.

3. Containment of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

This is a summary of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations
1988, to give you an overview of the scope of COSHH. If you are involved in laboratory work
directly, or as a supervisor or a teacher of practical classes, then you must read the COSHH
Code of Practice in Section C.
The risks of any activity involving chemicals must be assessed. To do this, the MINIMUM
requirement is that each laboratory:
i. Maintains a file in the laboratory listing all chemicals and their COSHH chemical hazard
codes i.e.:
A - No known hazard
B - Irritant
C - Corrosive
D - Explosive
E - Inflammable
F - Poisonous by ingestion
G - Poisonous by inhalation/cutaneous absorption
H - Suspect carcinogen/teratogen
I - Known carcinogen/teratogen
All these details are given on the safety sheets supplied with each chemical, and these
sheets should be maintained in the file.
ii. Each laboratory has a written assessment on the risks involved in the use of these
chemicals in each procedure. Assessments must be in writing except in simple cases (e.g.
clear instructions on the container are to be followed). Two forms of assessment are
possible:
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Section B
a. If standard precautions can be adopted - after referring to notes below and the COSHH
guidelines in Section C of the safety manual - either on the Standard Procedure Assessment
form shown in Section D of the manual (which should then be available to everyone in the
laboratory) or in the lab book of every worker performing the procedure for the first time. The
assessment should state that the chemicals, their amounts and the manipulations involved
have been assessed (see below) and that Standard Precautions are appropriate.
b. If a specific assessment is required -i.e. the procedure and/or chemicals (e.g. carcinogens
or teratogens - like acrylamide) do not fall within standard precautions, then a Specific
Assessment sheet must be completed and passed onto the HSMC before beginning work.
i. What is a "substance hazardous to health"?
For the purposes of COSHH, substances hazardous to health include substances officially
classified as toxic, harmful, irritant or corrosive. However, because all chemicals are
potentially toxic, then consideration must be given to all substances which you use.
Potentially harmful microorganisms (specific code of practice - see Section C of manual).
Potentially harmful biological materials (specific code of practice - see Section C of
manual).
CHIP, which stands for the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993,
requires suppliers to identify the hazards (or dangers) of the chemicals they supply. This is
called classification. If a chemical is dangerous, your supplier must provide you with
information about the hazards that the chemical presents.
Some hazard information will be provided on labels, but an important new requirement of
CHIP is that your supplier must provide you with more detailed hazard information on a safety
data sheet.
Although a safety data sheet contains information to help you make a risk assessment as
required by the COSHH Regulations 1988, the safety data sheet itself is not an assessment.
However, it will describe the hazards of a chemical, helping you to assess the probability of
those hazards (i.e. the risk) arising in the workplace.

What does COSHH require?

Before work starts Identify the hazards (from manufacturer's data sheets, detailed information on the
container, or other sources).
Assess the risks, and the precautions necessary.
Control the risks.
Ensure safety procedures are used by staff and equipment is maintained.
Inform, instruct and train staff in control measures and emergency procedures.
Monitor that the system of control is working properly
How do I assess risks?
Look at how substances are stored, used, released and disposed.
Look at what actually happens, not what is supposed to happen.
Check whether vapours or dusts are given off.
Which individuals or groups might be affected, either by inhalation, swallowing (e.g.
following contamination of fingers etc.), or absorption through the skin.
Effectiveness and use of existing preventive measures.
Whether it is reasonably foreseeable that accidental exposure could occur.
Possible risks arising out of cleaning and maintenance.
Assessments must be in writing except in simple cases (e.g. clear instructions on the
container are to be followed).
Unless laboratory standard precautions apply, a specific assessment form should be used
for written assessments.
Assessments should be reviewed at least every five years.
Academic staff in charge of teaching laboratories have an obligation to assess each
chemical used in connection with teaching or research.
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Section B
In effect this means making an inventory of all chemicals used in the area for which they
are responsible.
The results of all assessments and the consequent levels of precaution should be known
to all personnel working in the laboratory.
Each worker should indicate, in writing, that they have read and understood the
procedures required for handling each chemical reagent.
Specific assessments are necessary for carcinogens and teratogens. Where commonly
used carcinogens or teratogens are being used, special forms are available where
procedures are already indicated.

5. Biological Hazards
a) Pathogens and infectious materials
Regulations on biological safety cover all aspects of handling biological organisms
capable of replication. Assessment of biological organisms depends mainly on their ability to
replicate and infect. Hence there are no quantitative exposure limits, instead biological
agents are classified into categories from 1 (least potent) to 4 (extremely potent). The
classification of biological organisms is found Section C of the safety manual and in the
document Categorisation of biological agents according to hazard and categories of
containment which is located in the departmental safety resource library. The classification
of the agents being used defines the containment level of the laboratory, the training required
and the code of practice. Hence work with an organism which is classed as a Hazard 1 will
require containment level 1. Most agents which are not infectious are in the Hazard 1
category, however unfixed human material is usually category 2 and requires a specific risk
assessment.
Use of genetically modified organisms requires a further risk assessment. Forms are
available from the Chair of the GMSC (Genetic Modification Safety Committee) and new
procedures will need to be approved by the committee. In some cases the use of genetically
modified organisms in the hazard 1 category may require laboratory containment level 2
because of additional risks.
NB other codes of practice such as COSHH and those for handling radioactivity still apply.

b) Animals
Before beginning work you should register with the University Occupational Health
Officer who will inform you of risks (e.g. allergies/pathogens) and maintain an up to date
record of your health status.
Any work with animals must conform to Home Office guidelines; Mr E D C Birnie (Animal
Health Officer) will give you details. Major guidelines are provided in the code of practice in
section C of the safety manual.

6. Radioactivity
Before beginning any work with radioactive substances, all individuals must register with the
Departmental Radiation Protection Officer. Details of procedures are given in Section C of
the safety manual.

7. Disposal of Waste Materials

Chlorinated solvents should be placed in a green container and non-chlorinated solvents
in a red container and taken to the store for disposal.
Broken glassware should be placed in the labelled metal bin provided in each laboratory.
When the bin is little more than half full, arrangements should be made for disposal.
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Section B
Sharps should be packed in special containers (obtainable from the Laboratory Services
Technician 2.11M).
Other waste material should be disposed of in plastic bags according to the following
colour code:
COLOUR OF BAG
black
clear
yellow
light blue

TYPE OF WASTE
non-hazardous waste e.g. packaging material
paper for recycling
biological for incineration
to be autoclaved before disposal

Chemicals for disposal should be packed into a box, which must be labelled, and the
following information should be provided to the Departmental Safety Coordinator who will
arrange for disposal:
a) name of chemical
b) hazard
c) quantity
d) container type
e) location of origin (room No)
Details of disposal locations, times etc. can be obtained from the Departmental Safety
Coordinator.
SPECIFIC RULES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF BIOLOGICAL WASTE
Biological waste includes all material requiring incineration i.e. animal tissue, cell
tissue plastic ware, and gloves. All such material, apart from pipettes and tips, should be
placed in yellow plastic bags. If fluids are present, or are likely to be produced, two bags
should be used and sawdust should be placed in the outer bag. Bags must be securely
closed and tied, and labelled with DATE, ROOM NUMBER, NAME OF RESEARCH GROUP.
Waste pipettes, tips, disposable scalpels, scalpel and razor blades must be placed in special
cardboard sharps boxes or Cinbins. Pipettes must not be allowed to protrude above the
opening of the sharps box, but must be pushed well down. When full, these containers must
be securely closed and labelled as above.
All biological waste must be deposited in the yellow clinical waste bins in the loading bay
area on the ground floor or the cold room situated on the third floor of the Nuffield building.
.NB
The incineration of biological waste costs money. Costs can be minimised by not allowing
non-hazardous waste to be placed in yellow bags or sharps boxes.

8. Securing and Handling of Gas Cylinders

Gas cylinders should always be secured.

Gas cylinders must contain the correct valve.
They must be supported by a stand or secured to the bench or wall.
Valves must not be forced; if problems occur the valves must be returned to the
manufacturer.
Oil, grease or soap should not be used to ease stiff valves as this may result in an
explosion.
Cylinders of hydrogen or other flammable gases should only be opened using a bronze
tool to avoid the risk of sparks.
Whenever more than one gas is used, a non-return valve must be incorporated into the
system to prevent contamination of one cylinder by another.
- 15 -

Section B

9. Inflammable Solvents - Storage and Control of Amounts

Stocks should be kept to a minimum and unless in immediate use on the bench, must be
stored in fireproof cabinets.
Organic solvents should be stored separately from acids and alkalis in the special metal
bins provided.
Under the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972,
the maximum stock of solvent to be held in any laboratory is 50 litres. The maximum
allowable size of reagent bottle in use "on the bench" is 500ml.
Flammable liquids should not be stored in the same cabinet as strong oxidants, or in
refrigerators or cold rooms, because of the risk of fire or explosion.
Transfer of such liquids from larger to smaller containers must be done in an area free
from ignition sources.

10. Fume Cupboards

Fume cabinets should be kept clear, except for materials needing continuous ventilation, and
operated whenever toxic or flammable materials are used (Code of Practice available)..

11. Labelling
All bottles, winchesters and containers must bear a label listing:
contents
name
date
an appropriate hazard warning label.
Labels should not be crossed out and written over or placed one upon another.

12. Glassware
Glassware which has been in contact with biological fluids should be left in 2%
hypochlorite solution for 24hrs prior to being rinsed or autoclaved as appropriate.
Chipped, cracked or broken glassware should be disposed of in the correct bin provided.
Glassware should not be stored above head height; large items of glassware should be
stored at ground level.

13. Poisons and Controlled Drugs

Scheduled poisons, carcinogens and other restricted substances must be kept in a locked
cupboard or locked refrigerating cabinet.
All such substances must be entered into a hazard inventory in accordance with COSHH
regulations which should specify details of location, room number, and quantity.

14. Biological Safety Cabinets

Class II cabinets in daily use must be tested weekly. Those in occasional use must be tested
monthly. Results of the tests are kept in a plastic wallet on each cabinet. Please inform the
DSC if you have a cabinet that should be tested, which will then be arranged.

15. Mortuaries and Dissecting Rooms

Specific rules apply that are available in the HSE Code of Practice for Mortuaries and
Dissecting Rooms.
- 16 -

Section B

3 Personnel with administrative duties

A The Department
i. The Health and Safety Management Committee

Room

Tel

email
jag

Prof.J Gallagher

Chairman

1.04M

45494

Mr. A. Walsh

Safety Officer

2.20M

45468

Dr J. Coulson

Radiation Safety Officer

2.14M

45850

Dr J Quinn

1.11M

Mrs. J. Hamlett

Biological Safety and

GMSC
Deputy Safety Officer

2.18N

45460

j.hamlett

Miss K. Brown

Secretary

1.03M

45474

k.brown

Mr. A Hesketh

Chief Technician.

1.06M

45441

ahesketh

Mrs. C. McNamee

Fire Officer

2.08N

45451

cjmcn

Postdoc Rep
Postgrad Rep
Student Rep

- 17 -

a.a.walsh

45498

Section B

ii. Departmental Staff with Special Responsibility

Tel.

i. Qualified
First Aiders
C. Cashman
J. Hamlett

ii.
Firewardens

45497
45460

Floor
Nuffield Building

Second:D.Moss
S. Marshall Clarke

45521

Fourth:-

A. Conant

45518

First:

R. Read
R. Savage

45448
46870

H. Sutherland
J. Jarvis

45486
45445

L. Jones

45497

Third:-

Medical School

Second:

Third:

Note that the assembly point for both Buildings is the Ashton Street car park.

- 18 -

Section B

iii. List of personnel with responsibility for PUWER

Equipment

Location

Band saw
Electric brain saw
Hydraulic lift

Ground floor

RB

Paper Shredder

1.03b

DT

Laser equipment

1.28

RS

Astell Hearson Autoclave

3.17N

HS

Paraffin microtomes

3.15N

BW

Cryostat

3.17N

HS

ISI 60 SEM

3rd floor

BB

Laminator

1.03

BR

Ultrasonic bath

2.17N

BB

Diazo slide printer

2.06N

BR

Warco Minor Mill

Warco band saw
6" bench grinding machine
Warco bench drill
Hobby mat (small lathe)
Disc/belt sander
Whitehead band saw
Boxford Viceroy (large lathe)
Small PortaPac
(welding equipment)

5th floor
"
"
"
"
"
"
"

MD
"
"
"
"
"
"
"

High Speed centrifuges

2.16N

"

- 19 -

Training Officer

"

AW

Section B

B. University Safety Experts

Telephone
Extension
Animal Hazards: Mr. E.D.C. Birnie, Animal Health Officer.

44216

Building Safety: Mr. K.P. Doyle, Director of Estates, Bedford House

42179

Chemical Hazards, Organic and Inorganic: Dr.S.Higgins, Department of

Chemistry

43512

Electrical Hazards: Mr. H. Gun-Why, Department of Buildings and Estates,

Bedford House

43160

Infective Hazards: Professor C. Hart, Department of Medical Microbiology

77-4380

Mechanical Hazards: Mr. R. Seamans, Laboratory Manager, Department of

Mechanical Engineering

44813

Radiation Hazards: Dr. P. Cole, Radiation Protection Officer, Department of

Physics

43467

Toxic Hazards: Dr. W.E. Lindup, Department of Pharmacology and

Therapeutics

45556

University Safety Adviser: Dr. C.M. Bowes

43242

Safety Officer (Buildings & Estates Department): Mr. W. Kildare

43172

Senior Occupational Health Nurse: Sister C Racey

43236

Occupational Health Physician: Dr. N.L. Wilson

43235

Radiation Protection Officer: Dr. P. Cole

43467

Animal Health Officer: Mr. E.D.C. Birnie

44216

The Occupational Health Service is available to all members of staff and postgraduate
students who feel that they might have a health problem related to their work - either a
possible effect of work on their health, or the effect of their health on their ability to work.
Staff and postgraduate students are welcome to telephone to make an appointment for a
consultation, which will be given in strict confidence. The work of the Occupational Health
Service also includes first aid training, and vaccination, where needed for work or for travel in
the course of University work.
The Radiation Protection Office provides advice on the installation and use of X-ray
equipment, lasers, UV, microwave and radio-frequency devices and on the hazards of
working with radioactive substances. Local rules are applied to any work involving ionising or
non-ionising radiation, substances or devices. Advice is available to all on all aspects of
radiation protection.
The Safety Adviser is responsible for monitoring and advising on matters of safety and
occupational hygiene, to assist Heads of Departments in carrying out their responsibility for
health and safety within their Departments. Members of staff or students seeking advice on
health and safety should in the first instance contact their supervisor or Departmental Safety
Coordinator, but they are welcome to contact the Safety Adviser if they wish to discuss the
matter further.
The Safety Officer is a member of the Buildings and Estates Department and is mainly
concerned with the safety of buildings and services. He is also responsible for provision of
first aid supplies, collection of waste solvents and chemicals, and provision and maintenance
of fire-fighting equipment. To contact the Safety Officer, telephone 317

- 20 -

Section C

Codes of Practice and Detailed Guidelines.

There are several Codes of Practice that are relevant to the work undertaken in the
department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology. These are listed below and can be
found in full detail in Section C of the departmental Safety Manual or in the
departmental safety resource library. Everybody should read those relating to DSE,
Manual handling and COSHH as a minimum.
You must consult the relevant ones before starting work and state in your
written acknowledgement of safety training which ones you have read

1. Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

2. Manual Handling
3. Periodic Electrical Safety Checks
4. University Code of Practice on Smoking
5. University Code of Practice for Means of Escape for Disabled People
6. Code of Practice for Student Laboratory-based Practical Classes
7. Guidance on carrying out COSHH assessments
Appendices:
Assessment of some common substances
Examples of assessments
COSHH and biological agents
Sources of information on COSHH

8. University Code of Practice for work with Carcinogens, Teratogens and

Embryotoxins
Appendix List of carcinogens, teratogens and embryotoxins

9. University Code of Practice for Work with Acrylamide Solutions

10. Departmental Code of Practice for Genetic Manipulation Work with
non-pathogenic microorganisms (ACDP Hazard Group I)
11. Biological Hazards and the Law - Supplementary Information
12 Transport of Biologically Active Materials
13 University Code of Practice on Allergy to Laboratory Animals
14 Radiation Safety
In addition, the following HSE or University Codes of Safe Practice are available from
the Safety Advisers Office
Asbestos
Chemical Hazards
Contractors
Experiments with Human Volunteers
Eye Protection
Fieldwork
Immunisation
Minibuses
Physical Hazards
Workshops
Mortuaries and Dissecting Rooms

- 21 -

Section C

HEALTH AND SAFETY RESOURCE FACILITY

The Departmental Health and Safety Management Committee
have decided to set up a health and safety resource facility to
assist in dissemination of information. It is in the form of a small
library located on a bookshelf in the main corridor outside the
Board Room / General Office
At present there are files on

various Codes of Practice (with separate files on physical and

biological hazards). In addition we have purchased codes for guidance
for those having placements (a) abroad or (b) in industry.
University Safety Circulars. These are documents put out periodically
by the Safety Office outlining policy and procedures relating to all
safety matters. The topics are indexed from A-Z with a reference
number to find the information on the appropriate sheet. So whatever
you are looking for from autoclaves to xylene there should be some
useful information.
Chemical hazards reference books (Sigma publication). These books
list most chemicals with data on how to handle, store and dispose of
them. These are very useful when you need to make COSHH
assessments on the chemicals you use.
Manufacturers safety data sheets. There is an expanding file of safety
data sheets supplied by manufacturers when the department has
purchased their products. This is a source of information on the more
commonly used chemicals found in the department.
Safety equipment catalogues
Safety guideline handouts on a variety of topics (e.g. COSHH, DSE,
Manual handling)
Blank forms for when you require more (eg Risk assessment, COSHH,
PPE.

Apart from the blank forms and the handouts the rest of the material
should be used as reference material and not be removed unless for
photocopying.

- 22 -

Section C

Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology

Acknowledgement of Safety Instructions

(To be completed BEFORE starting work in the Department
I have read the introductory Safety Guide together with those parts
of the departmental Safety Manual (Section C) that are relevant to
my work. The Codes of Practice that I have read and am familiar
with are as follows (list in the space below).

I have attended / will attend the Departmental safety seminar

(delete one).
I undertake to comply with the regulations given in the above.
I have completed a general risk assessment form and returned a
copy to the Departmental Safety Officer.
I will maintain risk assessments specifically related to my work
(e.g. COSHH) in my laboratory/office.
Signed:.....................................................................................
Name: (BLOCK CAPITALS)....................................................
Status: (undergraduate/ postgraduate/post doc./ technician/ staff)
Room number:...........................................................................
Internal tel:..................................................................................
Email address
To be returned to the Departmental Safety Officer before starting
work

Received:..........................................

- 23 -

Section C

- 24 -