LABORATORY SAFETY October 2013 Laboratory Policy, Guidelines and Procedures . All information herein is applicable to the laboratories of Qatar University. Any request for amendment of this policy shall be submitted in writing to the Office of the Chief Operations Officer, Business Operations Department QATAR UNIVERSITY Laboratory Safety 1.0 POLICY STATEMENT Safety is a shared responsibility of all employees, faculty members, staffs, students and visitors of Qatar University. In order to improve Laboratory Safety practices, Qatar University shall provide laboratory facilities with free manual on health and safety hazards. To this end, the University shall comply with all occupational safety, health and environmental laws mandated by the State, and that are relevant to the international standards and regulations. To prevent accidents and incidents in the laboratory that may result in injuries of employees, faculty, students, visitors ,and cause damage to property and equipment, the Business Operation Department – Environmental & Safety Office is committed to providing up-to-date information, training, and oversight to all QU laboratories concerning the safe operations and practices in accordance with all pertinent local, national and international regulations guidelines and laws. In turn, each person is ultimately responsible for their personal safety, and shall follow safety and health policies and procedures. They should , exercise caution in the performance of their duties, by using normal safe working practices, observing and complying with safety recommendations and rules. They should promptly report all accidents to the appropriate government and university authorities. 2.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION The primary objective of this policy is to protect the health and well being of all employees, faculty members, students and visitors of the University by: Eliminating and preventing accidents and injuries; Establishing adequate procedures to protect all property from loss and damage due to accidents; Assuring that all employees, faculty and students clearly understand the risks that would directly affect them during the performance of their respective responsibilities; Instructing all the employees, faculty and students to comply with all the safety regulations and procedures; Reducing, controlling, or avoiding employee and faculty exposure to all known or unknown occupational health and safety risks; Establishing and maintaining communication with all employees and faculty to keep them aware of the safety and health hazards related to their jobs; and Maintaining an effective emergency preparedness and response procedures. QUBOD-SAFETY-001. Revision 2 2 QATAR UNIVERSITY Laboratory Safety The following laboratories shall be covered by this policy: 2.1 College of Arts and Sciences 2.1.1 Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences 2.1.2 Department of Chemistry and Earth Science 2.1.3 Department of Health Sciences 2.1.4 Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics 2.2 College of Engineering 2.2.1 Department of Architecture and Urban Planning 2.2.2 Department of Chemical Engineering 2.2.3 Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering 2.2.4 Department of Computer Science and Engineering 2.2.5 Department of Electrical Engineering 2.2.6 Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 2.3 College of Pharmacy 2.4 Research Unit and Centers 2.4.1 Central Laboratories Unit 2.4.2 Environmental Studies Center 2.4.3 Center for Advanced Materials 2.4.4 Gas Processing Center 3.0 GUIDELINES The Laboratory Safety is imparted into different guidelines which describes the minimum level of safe practices that are expected from all individuals (faculty, staff, and students) involved in the laboratory operations. The guidelines are divided into five (5) Laboratory Safety Requirements. 3.1 GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS 3.1.1 Hazard Management The University will use hazard management for identifying, assessing, reducing and controlling hazards in the laboratories. QUBOD-SAFETY-001. Revision 2 3 QATAR UNIVERSITY Laboratory Safety 3.1.1.1 Definitions Hazard - source or situation with potential for harm in terms of human injury or health problems, damage to property, damage to the workplace environment, or a combination of these. Risk - combination of the likelihood and consequence (s) of a specified hazardous event occurring. 3.1.1.2 Hazard identification Hazard identification is the process of identifying hazards in the workplace. In order to understand what hazard identification involves, it is first necessary to understand the nature of hazards. Identify hazards through: Skimming through surveys Inspecting checklists Reviewing previous records Accident investigation Consultation Documentation Job safety analysis 3.1.1.3 Risk Assessment Risk assessment is the process of assessing all the risks associated with each of the hazards identified during the hazard identification process. In assessing the risks, three essential steps are taken: The probability or likelihood of an incident occurring is evaluated. The severity of the potential consequences is estimated. Based on these two factors, the risks are assigned priority for risk control through the use of a risk rating. Risk assessment involves examining and evaluating the likelihood and severity (or consequence) of the potential outcomes in order to prioritize risks for control. 3.1.1.4 Risk Control QUBOD-SAFETY-001. Revision 2 4 QATAR UNIVERSITY Laboratory Safety Risk control provides a means by which risks can be systematically evaluated against a set of control options (the hierarchy of controls) to determine the most effective control method(s) for the risk(s) associated with each hazard. This process involves analyzing the data collected during the hazard identification and risk assessment processes, through developing a strategic plan to control the risks identified. The risk control process starts by considering the highest ranked risks, working down to the least significant. Each risk should be examined with regard to the "hierarchy of controls". This provides a method of systematically evaluating each risk to determine, basically, if the cause of hazard can be eliminated or otherwise, to find the most effective control method for each risk. The "Hierarchy of Controls" should be used at all times when implementing controls to eliminate the hazard or reduce the risk of a hazard causing any type of loss at the University. The hierarchy of controls is as follows: Eliminate the hazard. Substitute with a lesser hazard. Use engineering controls to reduce hazards. Administrative controls such as workplace procedures. Personal Protective Equipment. In many cases, it will be necessary to use more than one control method. Back-up controls (such as personal protective equipment and administrative controls) should be used only as a last resort or as a support to other control measures. 3.1.1.5 Evaluation Monitoring and reviewing are the final stages in the process. It is the means by which risk management is kept up-to-date and effective, as new hazards and those overlooked in the original process are re- identified and controlled. Monitoring and review involves the systematic re-implementation of the original steps of the safety program of hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control. This is to ensure that the process was undertaken properly and that, in hindsight, the conclusions were correct. The Laboratory person In-charge shall prepare the risk assessment of all activities in the Laboratory, to be reviewed by the Laboratory Supervisor and approved by the Department/ College Head. QUBOD-SAFETY-001. Revision 2 5 QATAR UNIVERSITY Laboratory Safety The following Risk Assessment tools/ forms shall be used for hazard and risk assessment: Appendix 1 – Hazard Assessment Matrix Appendix 2 – Laboratory Risk Assessment Form Appendix 3 - Risk Assessment Performance and Review Dates Appendix 4 - Work Equipment Assessment 3.1.2 Electrical Safety Equipment and electronic systems must conform to the National Electric Code, National Fire Protection Association Code (NFPA) 70E and KAHRAMAA requirements. Compliance must be adjudicated by licensed electricians or duly trained personnel. Electrically powered equipment are essential elements of many laboratories. These devices can pose a significant hazard to laboratory workers, particularly when mishandled or ill-maintained. Many laboratory electrical devices have high voltage or high power capacity, carrying even more risk. Large capacitors found in many systems are capable of storing lethal amounts of electrical energy and posing a serious danger even if the power source is disconnected. 3.1.2.1 Electrical Hazards The major hazards associated with electricity are electrical shocks and fires. Hazards include burns, faulty electrical discharges, electrocutions and overloading due to “octopus” connection using multi receptacle outlet adaptors. Electrical shock occurs when the body becomes part of the electric circuit, either when an individual comes in contact with both positive and negative wires of an electrical circuit, or one wire of an energized circuit and the ground connetion, or a metallic part that has become energized by contact with an electrical conductor. Electricity travels in a closed circuit, normally through a conductor. A shock results when the body becomes part of the electrical circuit; the current enters the body at one point and leaves at another. The severity and effects of an electrical