introduction to laboratory safety and chemical risks in work environments presenter: occupational...

Introduction to laboratory safety and chemical risks in work environments

• Presenter: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy at the University of Gothenburg

Content of presentation

• What does the work environemnt legislation (Arbetsmiljölagen, Arbetsmiljöverket) say about chemical work environmental risks (AFS 2011:19)

• What are risks at laboratories, examples• How can the laboratory working environment be improved

and risks reduced?• Some advices • Discussion

The work environment legislationAFS of the Council of Work Environment

• AFS 2011:19 Chemical risks in work environments• AFS 2011:18 Hygienic exposure limits• AFS 2001:1 Systematic work environment• AFS 2005:1 Microbiological work environment risks• AFS 2009:2 Design of the working place• AFS 2001:3 Use of protection outfits• AFS 1998:1 Ergonomi load• AFS 2007:5 Pregnant or breest-feeding employes• AFS 1999:07 First aid and crisis

The council of work environment AFS 2011:19 Chemical risks in work environments, examples

The employer has the responsibility of the work environment and is liable that the employee has the competence to conduct the work in a safe wayThe employee has the responsibility to find out the risks, work in a way so risks are minimized and follow rules and instructions

•A written risk assessment should be performed•The work should be planned so it can be performed in a safe way•The employee should be satisfactory informed about risks and protection measures•Plans for accidents or emergency situations•There should be a list over chemicals; harmful for humans or environment, flamable or explosives at the working place. The list should include name, use, consumption risk symbols and risk phrases

AFS, continuation

• Should include present information of all hazardic chemicals.• Additional safety information.• Packings, emballages or pipes should be marked according the rules• Chemicals should be stored in a proper way so risks for health- or accidents

will be avoided.• Wast treatment

What are risks at laboratories, example• Chemicals with health risk properties• Flamable or explosive chemicals• Warm objects• Cold objects• Fire• Electricity• Noise• Glass/glass equipments• Tools• Radiation• Gases and pressurized devices• Wast• Ergonomi, working position• Psycology; fear and attitudes

Chemicals with health risksThe health risk depends on the chemical’s inherent properties, toxicity and the exposureChemicals may have acute and chronical impact on health

Acute•Life threatening damages•Damaging vital organs•Corroding damages•Inhibit fertilization (Presentation Day 4 ”Pregnancy and chemical work”)•Skin irritating

Chronical•Cancerogenic•Mutagenic•Inhibit fertilization (Presentation Day 4 ”Pregnancy and chemical work”)•Allergens, astma (Presentation Day 4 ” Astma, allergi and laboratory work”)

Environmental risks•Persistent•Accumulative (bio available)•Toxic

Chemicals with high health risks

Chemicals with poisoning properties

•Cyanids•Hydro fluoride, hydro chloride, sulphur dioxide, nitric gases (NO2 and N2O4)

•Carbon monoxide, hydro sulphur•Mercury•Organic solvents; benzene, hexane, toluene, chlorinated hydrocarbons etc•Heavy metals; arsenic, barium, lead, organic mercury compounds

Flamable and explosive chemicalsPresentation Day 2”Flamable and explosive chemicals”

•Organic solvents; ether, petroleum ether, acetone, benzene, ethanol•Hydrogen•Carbon rich gas mixtures; acetylene, ”gasol”•Sodium, potassium•Strong oxidation agents; chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates, peroxides

Corrosive chemicals

• Alkali; Ammoniac, sodium and potassium hydroxide• Acids; hydro fluoride, hydro chloride, brom

• Fire and warm objects• Some chemicals; white phosphorus

• Freezes (-80C)• Carbon ice

Warm objects

Cold objects

FirePresentation Day 2”Flamable and explosive chemicals”

• Chemicals may be flamable• Equipment may be flamable

• Things or objects may be electrically live • The type of injury is difficult to predict

• High noise level in instrument rooms

Electricity

Noise

Glass/glass equipments

Tools

• The most commonly used material in some laboratories• Cut wounds among the most common injuries at some laboratories

Advices:• Throw broken glassware• Train new colleagues

• Scalpel, knife, scissors

• Radioactive materials• X-ray• UV-radiation

Radiation(Presentation Day 2 ”Radiation sources in laboratories)

Waste(Presentation day 3 ”Wast storage and wast handling”)

Legislation (AFS) unclear how to sort, treat and handle etc•Chemical waste•Glass waste•”Risk” wast

•Exists in most laboratories•Pressurized air•Instruments and equipments

Gases and pressurized devicesPresentation day 3

Microbiological risks(presentation day 2 ”Microbiological risks”)

• Infections• Toxins

• Static work• Strange working positions

• Have respect• Don’t be afraid• Follow rules

Ergonomi, working positions(presentation day 4 ”Ergonomi”)

Psycology; fear and attitudes(presentation day 2” )

How can the working environment be improved and risks be reduced?


•Choose the less hazardous chemical•Choose methods that will reduce exposure

•Use protective ventilation (fume hoods, ventilated benches etc) (presentation day 3”Protective ventilations”) •Use protective equipment when needed (glasses, gloves, lab coat, etc) (presentation day 3 )•Emergency and eye showers

•Be ready for the day if/when something happens (Presentation day 4)

How can the working environment be improved and risks be reduced? (Continued)


•Keep order on lab benches and fume hoods•Clear tags•Clean up spillage

Some tip and advices


•Continously discuss routines, PMs, riskassessments and instructions etc•Use protective ventilations in a good manner•Create dress codes (may include clothing, glasses, gloves, lab coat etc)•Silent zones (no talking or telephones)•Consider psycology; fear and attitudes

Discussion

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