The ERL and WQL contain a number of hazardous substances, potentially dangerous instruments and procedures for which all laboratory users should be completely aware of and be able to respond in an appropriate manner should an incident or emergency situation arise.

1. Fire safety procedure
2. Medical and first aid
3. Burns
4. Risk assessment
5. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Fire safety procedure

If you discover a fire DON'T RISK YOUR LIFE!

1. Help people in immediate danger (first priority, protection of life).
2. Raise the alarm (shout "Fire", call emergency number 2222) If you cannot get to a phone to raise the alarm, there is a break-glass switch in the corridor near the exit.
3. Decide if you can put the fire out. BE OVER-CAUTIOUS. Use the correct extinguisher – there is a CO₂ extinguisher in the Water Quality Lab (WQL) and two CO₂ extinguishers in the Environmental Research Lab (ERL), which can be used on all types of fires. Down the corridor to the left when you leave the lab, is a water extinguisher. This should not be used on electrical fires. If you are unsure of which type of extinguisher to use or how to operate it properly, don't attempt.
4. If you cannot extinguish the fire evacuate the area. The best exit from the ERL is to leave through the front or side door on the southern side of the lab. For the WQL, turn left out the front door and proceed to the end of the corridor.

If you hear the fire alarm:

1. Switch off all computers, printers and electrical devices.
2. Close all windows and doors.
3. Gather your personal belongings in preparation to immediately evacuate the building.
4. Organise/help other people in the room.
5. Move at a quick rate, do not run.
6. Move to the muster point outside the building.

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Medical and first aid

A list of first aid officers is located at the back of the phone directory. If an injury requires further attention the medical centre is located on campus, in the guild village, and can be contacted on 2118.

Medical doctors and nurses are available at the medical centre during normal workdays between the hours of 9am and 5pm. If an ambulance is required or the accident occurs outside the medical centre's hours then phone the University emergency number 2222.

A first aid cabinet is located on the wall in the WQL and the ERL. Please do not take anything from the first aid cabinet except in a genuine emergency.

There are no safety showers in the lab itself but a long hose on the main sink in the WQL and the eye wash shower in the ERL can be used in an emergency. There is a shower in the men's toilet near the stairwell to the first floor.

There is an eye wash bottle in the lab for any liquid splashes to the eye in the WQL and an eye wash shower in the ERL. The immediate first aid treatment for this type of injury is to wash copiously with water under the tap or, alternatively, to direct into the eye a stream of water from the wash bottle. Wash from the corner closest to the nose, outwards. Pad the eye. An eye specialist must be consulted immediately after an eye accident.

Please wear safety glasses when conducting activities that might be harmful.

All accidents must be reported to the School's safety officer, and serious accidents must be reported immediately to the safety and health office on extensions 2035 or 2037.

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Burns

Acids and alkalis on the skin should be washed off immediately with large volumes of water. Some liquids will case painful chemical burns if allowed to come in contact with the skin; others are very poisonous and are absorbed through the skin. Remove contaminated clothing, jewellery and footwear, and seek medical aid for all but the most superficial burns.

Remember to never:

• prick blisters
• apply creams or ointments to burns
• tear burnt clothing off the skin to which it has stuck; cut around it
• give medications or drinks
• leave casualty alone.

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Risk assessment

Before starting a new procedure both in the field and in the lab, the researcher must assess the hazards associated with the substances and equipment to be used. Risk assessment requires good judgement and awareness of the potential risks of the work process. It should include:

• assessing the adequacy of training or knowledge required to work safely
• looking at the way the job is performed
• looking at the way work is organised
• determining the size and layout of the workplace
• assessing the number and movement of all other people in the workplace
• determining the type of operation to be performed
• determining the type of machinery and plant to be used
• examining procedures for an emergency
• looking at the storage and handling of all materials and substances.

This will provide information on where you are likely to be at risk of incurring injury, how often it's likely to occur, and the potential severity of that injury risk. Control measures can be determined from this information. The control of occupational injury should be dealt with by design, substitution, redesign, separation or administration. These controls generally eliminate, reduce or minimise risk.

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Personal protective equipment (PPE)

In addition to exercising due care at all times in the performance of all laboratory operations, The ERL or WQL user must make full use of the protective equipment appropriate to the task being undertaken.

Clothing

Proper clothing should be worn at all times in the laboratory. Lab coats are to be used when using chemicals. Enclosed footwear must be worn at all times in the lab; no thongs or sandals are permitted.

Eye protection

Safety glasses must be worn at all times whenever hazardous procedures are undertaken.

Gloves

Gloves should be worn when strong acids, strong alkalis, organic liquids and biological samples are being handled. The type of glove worn will depend on the procedure and substances used.

Gloves of various materials are available in the ERL and WQL. The gloves should be changed regularly and must be removed before handling the telephone or other common property.

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