Senior Staff Safety Presentation 18/12/08

SHE code 20

Controlling Explosive and Flammable Gases and

Dusts

• Section 4.1

Defines what action the GROUP LEADER must do..

• Not too surprisingly this means…

4.1.1) Making sure that relevant Risk Assessments are

undertaken.

4.1.2) Determine if any activities involve cylinders of

flammable gas or quantities of flammable liquids or

aerosols.

• There are more and you need to read the code.

,

• Section 4.2

Supervisors and Line Managers must..

4.2.1) Carry out Risk Assessments for all activities involving dangerous substances.

lots to read and do especially if you consider that W.R.T. this code you have any hazardous areas.

• Section A2.4

talks about storage for laboratories..

• Must be in lockable, purpose built, fire resistant steel cupboards. Any old cupboard will not do!

• Minimise quantities.

• Use wash bottles that are clearly marked or even antistatic bottles.

• Minimise the risks of a fire by removing one of the following, oxygen, flammable material or sources of ignition.

• For most of us this is not difficult

• BUT watch out for labs with integral workshops!

(Drills with electric motors, cutting, filing)

• If refurbishing labs a good practice would be to go for antistatic floors and benches as it reduces the risk of a spark!

• Specifically the Risk Assessment must include.

• The hazardous properties (eg Fire and Explosion).• The Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

(done via COSHH I hope)• The amount (less than 1 litre).• Arrangement for storage.• Likelihood of ignition sources (grinding, filing, drilling, some

soldering irons are gas powered, static discharge.)• Likelihood of explosive atmosphere (prevented by good

ventilation or use of only small quantities of liquid)

Title:

Lab 6 annex

Assessed By:

M.Gibson

Date of Risk Assessment:

26/11 /08

Step 1

What are the hazards?

Step 2

Who might be harmed and how?

What are you already doing?

Step 3:

What further action is necessary?

Step 4: How will you put the Assessment

into action? Hazard/Task or Situation

Action by whom

By when Done

Fire and explosion hazard from small scale laboratory use of solvents (typically less than 1 litre)

Operator and other staff may suffer burns. However formation of a flammable atmosphere is very unlikely given the amount of ventilation present in the room and the small volumes of solvents.

‘Highly flammable solvents are used in quantities of not more than 250 mL Stored bulk quantities may be as high as 5 litres but are stored in a chemical cupboard.

This area is not considered as hazardous from the SHE code 20 point of view.

none.

Step 5 Review Date: 14/12/08 ? Review your assessment to make sure you are still improving, or at least not sliding back. ? If there is a significant change in your workplace, remember to check your risk assessment and where necessary, amend it.

If you do think that you have an explosive atmosphere then you MUST talk to the SHE group who will provide a specialist DSEAR

person to come and assess the problem BEFORE you start.

Debris from work on Asbestos containing wall

Could this happen to you?1. What• Instances have been reported

where building work has been undertaken without knowledge of whether the structure or area contains asbestos.

• This has resulted in the potential for uncontrolled release of asbestos containing materials.2. Why

• Undisturbed asbestos contained within the structure of buildings does not pose significant hazards.

• Asbestos locations on STFC sites is detailed in Estates Group’s ‘Asbestos Registers’.

• Poor management awareness of the recently launched building work SHE code and location of asbestos in their areas.

3. Learning • Inform Estates Group prior to

undertaking any building work – see STFC SHE code 19.

• Confirm with Estates Group whether structures being modified contain asbestos.

• Report any instances where there is or thought to be exposed and/or damaged asbestos containing material.

Further detail can be

obtained from your

local SHE GroupIssued Dec 08

Damaged Asbestos building cladding

Loose/damaged Asbestos floor tile

This couldn’t happen here ?

1. What• An item of portable electrical

equipment provided by an STFC contractor when plugged in flashed and tripped the power.

• Examination of the plug revealed an unusual gap between the body of the plug and its cover, and a cracked cover, see 1

2. Why • When examined internally the

gap and broken pug cover were found to have arisen because the fuse had been replaced with a bolt!, see 2.

• The cable was also damaged.

3. Learning • Always check portable electrical

equipment for signs of damage prior to use -including that provided by contractors.

• Ensure that all portable electrical equipment has a current test label.

• Report untested or faulty portable electrical equipment to local Estates teams.

Further detail can beobtained from your

local SHE GroupIssued Dec 08

!

1

2

Could this happen in your area?1. What• A cleaning contractor tripped over a pallet left

outside a building and fell, breaking their wrist. They were absent from work for three weeks.

• An STFC employee tripped on an Aluminium plate and fell, breaking their wrist. They were absent from work for four weeks.

• Both these incidents were reported to the HSE under the RIDDOR regulations.

2. Why • Used pallets and materials lying about

were not routinely tidied away or disposed of.

• When you’re busy being tidy drops down the priority list.

• Not everyone is aware of the appropriate disposal route for waste material.

3. Learning • Slips, trips and falls are common STFC injuries -

are your workshops/laboratories tidy?

• Do you and your staff regularly remove waste materials and items?

• Do you and your staff know how to dispose of big items or waste that you no longer want? Further detail can be

obtained from your local SHE Group

Issued Dec 08