LABORATORY SAFETY

AND HEALTH
TRAINING
 MODULE 1

SAFETY, HEALTH AND

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
FOR LABORATORY STAFFS
OBJECTIVES
The course shall contribute to ensure that you have the
necessary knowledge and awareness of safety, health and
environmental in laboratory work.

It is very important that you have:

Good knowledge of SHE and guidelines for lab work.
Good attitudes and consciousness of responsibility in relation
to SHE in the laboratory.
Good understanding of the risks connected to lab work.
CONTENT

Accident
Philosophy of Incident Prevention
Safe Work Requirements
Specific Requirements
WHY DO WE NEED GOOD SAFETY HEALTH
& ENVIRONMENT (SHE) PRACTICE?

Reducing incidents, accidents and injuries in the

workplace
The potential for reduced insurance and liability cost
Enhanced image within your company for
employees, clients and customers, and stakeholders
Improved regulatory compliance
Creating better relations with regulators
Improved employee performance, morale and loyalty
ACCIDENT AT THE WORKPLACE
THE PHILOSOPHY OF INCIDENT
PREVENTION
An incident can be defined as an unplanned and
undesired event which may or may not result in injury.
To prevent the unplanned, undesired occurrence
arising:
- there must be a keen awareness of danger,
- the hazard must be identified
- the appropriate measures must be put in place to
control the risk
THE PHILOSOPHY OF INCIDENT
PREVENTION
Direct Vs. Indirect

Accident Cost Iceberg It is estimated

that for every $1
Direct
in direct accident
Costs
costs, there are
Indirect anywhere from $4
Costs to $11 in indirect
or hidden costs.
 The Hidden Costs
Insured Costs -- covering injury, ill
health,damage.
Hidden Uninsured 8-36 times as much as
insured costs
1. Product and material 7. Investigation time.
damage 8. Supervisors time
2. Plant and building diverted
damage. 9. Clerical Effort
3. Tool and equipment 10. Overtime working.
damage. 11. Temporary labour..
4. Expenditure on 12. Loss of expertise /
emergency experience supplies
5. Fines. 13. Clearing site.
6. Legal costs. 14. Production delays.
The Accident Pyramid

1 Fatal / Serious injury (LTI)

3 Lost days (LTI)

50 First aid

80 Property

400 Near misses

TYE/PEARSON/BIRD 1969-1975
 Injury due to glassware

Chemical
reaction Chemical burn
SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS
TRAININGS
1. Safety Induction
To train the employees to understand
the legislative requirements
pertaining to OSH and Environment

To enable employees to work safely

according to their work / trade

2. Safety Briefing
To brief the employees on background
of the company and procedure to
carry and follow.
SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE PERFORMING ANY WORK
1.Equipment & PPE Required
E.g. safety boot, goggle,
hard hat etc.

2. Required Permit
 SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS

3. Employee Dress Code

What to wear: What not to

Long pants wear:
T-Shirt/Shirt Short pants
Uniform/Lab
coat Sandal/Slipper
Safety shoes/ singlet

Suitable shoes
SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS
DISCIPLINE
The following activities are prohibited at the
workplace:
Unruly behavior Smokin Horseplay Drugs
g

Alcohol
Gambling Consumption Sleeping
SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS

Use right tool for the

job
Obey & observe safety
signs & instruction
Maintain & use
personal protective
equipment
Practice safe behavior
SAFE WORK REQUIREMENTS
Waste Disposal and Housekeeping
Close the Permit
SPECIFIC REQUIRMENTS
The laboratory is not a lunch room
Never eat or drink in the lab chemicals, infectious
materials, etc. might be consumed together with
food/beverages
Avoid using chewing gums, tobaccos, applying
cosmetics, etc
Never taste chemicals
even if it only contains NaCl (table salt) or pure
water
Never use your mouth for pipetting or other
operations in the lab
SPECIFIC REQUIRMENTS-
DOCUMENTING LAB ACTIVITY

Keep good records of your work in the lab

Some instruments and processes require additional
documenting in special log books
Use of carcinogenic materials, lead, some radiation
sources, etc, may require additional logging in personal
records
SPECIFIC REQUIRMENTS - MAKE A GOOD PLAN
FOR THE WORK

Do a proper risk assessment of all activity

Plan the use of instruments, methods and chemicals,
including waste handling
Read safety data sheets, operating instructions,
guidelines, etc, relevant to your tasks
Assess your need for additional training in any aspects of
your work. Some equipment requires special training.
SPECIFIC REQUIRMENTS
GOOD BEHAVIOUR AND TIDINESS IN THE LAB

Experience has shown that order in the lab significantly

reduces the risk of accidents
Only bring what you need for your work into the lab
Make your contribution to a tidy lab
No practical jokes or stunts in the lab
Due to numerous potential hazards present in a lab
environment
SPECIFIC REQUIRMENTS

COMPLY WITH REGULATIONS AND LOCAL RULES

Follow regulations and local guidelines related to the lab

activity
Always use personal protection equipment where
required or needed
SHE nonconformities shall be reported
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW PRIOR TO
WORKING IN THE LABORATORY

Type of activity?:
Chemical? Biological? Mechanical? Radiation sources? etc.
Any significant risks with your activity?
Is it likely that your work could interfere with others?
Is the lab properly designed and equipped for the purpose