University of Surrey

Faculty Safety Guide

Neil Chapman

Health and Safety Adviser

Aims of this presentation

In this session I want to cover:

• taking care of your own health & safety• hazardous chemicals• biological materials• what to do if you have problems!

If you hear the Fire Alarm

• leave the building using the nearest available escape route

• make your way to the appropriate assembly point

• do not return to the building until told it is safe to do so

• emergency exits are marked with pictorial signs

Fire & Evacuation

The campus EMERGENCY number is 3333 (or 0800 525 790 from an outside line)

Security monitor this emergency line 24/7 and will coordinate an appropriate response

fire service, ambulance, police etc

Please remember it’s for emergencies only so don’t abuse it.

What is expected of you

Every STUDENT has a duty to:

• take care of their own health & safety

• have consideration for the health & safety of others

• not to interfere or misuse anything provided for health & safety reasons

• accidents can “shatter” lives

Smoking

You are NOT allowed to smoke:

• in any of the University buildings

• or in any of the bar or restaurant areas

• or in your campus accommodation

You CAN however smoke:

• in any outside areas away from building entrances

Further details in your student information pack

Practical work

Work with biological materials and chemicals can never be entirely risk-free

• At the start of each new piece of work with hazardous materials you must do a CoSHH assessment!.

• If you teach a practical class (or supervise a project student) you are responsible for student safety in the laboratory.

• Information is available on all potential hazards

You must follow special safety procedures if you want to work with these materials!

Body fluids and Specimens

All body fluids in FHMS must be treated as a biohazard but known HG2 SAMPLES will be:

Labelled with biohazard label and stored in a Cat 2 Lab

Most known Hazard Group 3 positive specimens cannot be handled as the Containment Level 3 facility is for TB only

All viruses from humans are minimum of Hazard Group 2

Group 2 organisms can be handled on open bench provided aerosols are not produced

If this is likely use a biosafety cabinet NOT a laminar flow cabinet!

Treat samples with respect - as you would in your previous laboratories

CL2 Labs

Salmonella enteritidisCampylobacter jejuniLegionella pneumophilaNeisseria meningitidisMeaslesHerpesMRSA

Labs, chemicals and infections

This is how to work correctly and safely in the lab!

Biosafety cabinets must used where infectious aerosols are generated

Offer protection to the user and the environment from infectious aerosols

Use a Biosafety Cabinet correctly!

Mouth pipetting is totally banned under all circumstances

Yes, really, NO exceptions

Labs, chemicals and infections

Remember!

1. Don’t eat or drink in the lab

2. Use a (bio) safety cabinet or a fume cupboard if aerosols or fumes are generated in your work

3. Wash your hands as you leave the laboratory

4. Tell the H&S Adviser straight away if you have had an accident

5. Do your CoSHH Assessments!

Emergencies 3333

Labs, chemicals and infections

Healthy Computing

Living with your laptop

Health risks ……

• musculoskeletal problems

• headaches / eye strain Can be avoided by ……

• workstation set up

• adopting correct posture

• taking regular breaks / reducing computing time

Computer suite in the Library, Duke of Kent and Austin Pearce buildings

Ideal way to work with your computer

"Just as you try to eat your greens and go to the gym, taking care of your emotional

wellbeing is as vital for overall good health and quality of life."  Mark Goulbourne, Student

Mental Health Practitioner and Counsellor. 

"Studies suggest that 20-25% of university students show raised levels of psychological

distress, slightly higher than the figure reported in the general population."

We have a Wellbeing Centre on site… and

don’t forget SAMARITANS 01483 505555

The end

Do you have any questions?