Health and Safety: Important information for the year ahead

Health and Safety is a responsibility we all share and with that in mind we would like to remind colleagues of their Health and Safety responsibilities, and the need to refresh training. 

Whether you have taken annual leave, started a new role or are returning from any type of absence we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the arrangements and processes in place for your role and speak to your line manager if refreshing your training or further clarification would be helpful.

It is important you ensure you are clear on all your Health and Safety requirements and responsibilities. Where hybrid working is in place, please ensure that adequate supervision and procedures are in place with appropriate risk assessments to comply with all necessary health and safety requirements.

Details of roles and responsibilities are set out in the Faculty/Schools Statements of Intent. 

As well as role specific Health and Safety requirements, all staff should ensure they know:

1. How to find a first aider
2. How to contact Security (via Safezone or phone)
3. Where the fire call points are
4. Where all the emergency exits and assembly points are

Please do speak up to your colleagues and line manager if you have any questions or need further information, training and support. You can also speak to your Technical Operations Manager, local safety advisor, or Compliance and Risk Manager.

Advice, guidance and training available

There is a wealth of information, advice and guidance available for staff on the Faculty and University Staffnet sites including:

• Health and Safety inductions – these are a great place to start for new staff or those that would benefit from refreshing their training.
• An introduction to Health and Safety for office-based Staff or PGR students are Blackboard modules that cover all local arrangements and emergency procedures.
• Fire Awareness Training is available via a short online module lasting approximately 5-10 minutes.
• Information about individual building arrangements including weekly testing times for fire alarms, the type of alarm installed, fire assembly points and more.
• Information about first aid provisions and procedures in FBMH

For those undertaking laboratory research, building inductions are provided through the Technical Operations Managers. Please speak to your line manager or Technical Operations Manager about this.

Volunteer to be a First Aider or Fire Marshal now

The Faculty needs more first aiders and fire evacuation marshals! If you are interested in finding out more about what this involves and volunteering for either role then please contact FBMHhealthandsafety@manchester.ac.uk for more details.

Lone Working on Campus over Christmas

If you are required to come onto campus for essential work over the Christmas break you will need to get authorisation and access in advance of campus closure. Speak to your PI/Line Manager to ensure you have followed the correct process to get your card activated for out of hours access, you have agreed what activities can take place and that all risk assessments and checklists have been completed.  

Anyone who is working out of sight and sound of others is considered to be lone working. You are more likely to be lone working during the University closure days, such as the Christmas holidays, than at any other time.

When lone working, particularly when working outside of normal working hours, the risks associated with all work activities are considered to be higher. Although Campus Security provide 24/7 emergency cover, when working out of hours there are no fire marshals, local first aiders, hazardous spills kit teams, chemical burns advisors, experienced colleagues or health and safety staff on site. Should something go wrong the injured person may not be able to call for help or there may be a delay in help arriving.

Whilst the simplest way to keep yourself safe is not to lone work out of hours, we recognise that in some instances it is unavoidable. To keep safe you must comply with the University Lone Working Arrangements and Guidance - key points of which are outlined below.

• Lone workers must have explicit permission from their Principal Investigator or line manager.
• Only low risk laboratory work may be undertaken by lone workers and PIs / line managers should define the nature of the work.
• An on campus lone working check list must have been completed. This checklist is an aide-memoir to assist in the production of a lone working risk assessment and safe systems of work. Use this check list to guide you through the issues that must be considered before lone working takes place and to help develop appropriate control measures.
• A lone working risk assessment must be in place that has been checked and countersigned by Principal Investigator / Line Manager. It needs to consider those tasks that present a particular risk to the lone worker e.g. personal security, actions to be taken in the event of an emergency or in the event of personal injury and identify the control measures necessary to minimise the risk.

There is additional guidance on the FBMH Health and Safety Intranet, a simple Do’s and Don’ts list and an example lone working risk assessment with a completed check list that you can download and modify. To use example risk assessments: modify the content to ensure all of the activities have been covered, hazards identified and that control measures are at least equivalent to, or better than, those described and take account of your Local Rules. 

Staff and students on NHS Trust premises will need to refer to their local rules.

SafeZone

SafeZone, is a University mobile app designed to give students and staff of The University of Manchester extra peace of mind when coming to campus or living in accommodation. It allows you to contact the Security team directly if you are in an immediate emergency or require first aid. It is compatible with both iPhones and Android phones, follow this link to download the SafeZone app.

We strongly encourage you to download and use this app, it adds an extra layer of safety when working on campus. If you are intending to use it, don’t forget to check it works by trying one of the non-emergency links; don’t forget that if you have your phone in the lab keep it in your lab coat pocket and do not touch with gloves on. 

**** Message for anyone requiring out of hours access to the Dover Street car park****

Now that the charges for parking are back in force, the barriers at the Dover Street car park are fully operational and closed poistion 24/7, with access only for permit holders. 

We have an agreement with car parking to enable researchers working outside of normal working hours to park in Dover Street car park closest to the biomedical corridor buildings. Researchers must have out of hours working approval in place i.e. those that have received the Faculty induction, have all relevant RAs in place & have building access applied to their staff/PGR card.

All requests must be made via your Technical Operations Manager. Do not make requests directly to the car parking office.

Please note:

• Staff & PGRs will need to have an active car parking permit for access to be approved, even if you do not use a University car park during core hours. 
• Parking fees will be charged at the hourly rate based on grade for staff and the fixed rate for PGRs, up to a maximum of 35 hrs/per week.
• Access to the car park out of hours is not open to UGs or taught students.
• For those that already have a car parking permit, you must continue to park in your allocated car park during core hours.
• Out of hours access will be permitted from 5 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Mon-Fri and anytime on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Out of hours parking is monitored to ensure people aren’t staying on the car park all day when they should be on their normal allocated car park.
• Access can be added to active permits remotely, so there is no need to visit the car parking office.
• Anyone without an active permit will need to attend the car parking office in person and be set up on the new system (Beyer Building-G.002).
• Once approved out of hours car parking access will be activated for 12 months. Cards will need to be reactivated after this period if out of hours access is still required.

New online training for workers using biological agents & GMOs

A new biosafety training resource for Faculty staff and postgraduate students is available through Blackboard under ‘My Communities/FBMH Health and Safety Training Resources’.

Learn about biosafety and why it’s needed for lab work using pathogens, cell cultures, clinical samples, and genetically modified organisms. Covers legal framework, hazard group and activity class categorisations, containment levels, routes of transmission, controls including microbiological safety cabinets, Schedule 5 pathogens/toxins, and the FBMH submission/review process for GM/BioCOSHH risk assessments.

All staff and students new to lab work with biological agents must complete this training. Experienced staff and students can upskill with this course.

Note, it is not a replacement for face-to-face training and supervision for lab experiments with biological agents and GMOs.

There is a quiz so you can test your knowledge, and a download with links to guides for writing GM and BioCOSHH risk assessments.

Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact the FBMH compliance and risk team.

Types of Risk Assessment - COSHH Single Substance Risk Assessments, General Risk Assessments and Training

A recent audit suggests lab users want clarification of the difference between a COSHH Single Substance Risk Assessment and a general risk assessment.

COSHH Single Substance Risk Assessments

All hazardous substances used in the laboratory require a COSHH and DSEAR Single Substance Risk Assessment (COSHH SSRA). These are specific risk assessments looking at the hazards and risk associated with the use of hazardous substances and how to reduce those risks to as low as possible using appropriate control measures.

Blank COSHH SSRA can be downloaded from the FBMH Health and Safety intranet. Follow these COSHH SSRA guidance notes to help you complete them effectively.

There is also training available for Faculty staff and postgraduate students through Blackboard under ‘My Communities/FBMH Health and Safety Training Resources’. We strongly recommend all staff and postgraduate students working with hazardous substance complete the 15minute module “The principles of risk assessment part 2 COSHH risk assessments”.  

There is a library of over 600 completed, generic COSHH SSRA available for your use. If you are assessing a hazardous substance, it is advisable to check here first, as the chemical you wish to use may already have been assessed. Note, these are generic template assessments and must be adapted to your specific laboratory procedures and any additional local rules.

If you assess a hazardous substance that is not in the library please send a copy of your completed COSHH SSRA to the compliance and risk team so it can be uploaded to the intranet for others to use. This way the library will continue to grow.

General Risk Assessments

A general risk assessment is used to identify the hazards and foreseeable risks of work-related activities that are likely to cause harm and may or may not include the use of hazardous substances. The general risk assessment determines appropriate control measures to reduce identified risks to as low as reasonably practicable. General risk assessments must be used to assess all general work activities such as safe use of a Bunsen burner and specific activities such as an experimental procedure.

For a blank general risk assessment and guidance on how to complete it effectively please refer to the FBMH Health and Safety intranet.  

There is also training available for Faculty staff and postgraduate through Blackboard under ‘My Communities/FBMH Health and Safety Training Resources’. We recommend all staff and postgraduate students complete the 15minute module “The principles of risk assessment part 1 – principles of general risk assessment”.

FBMH have a library of general risk assessments for some common procedures. The library contains example risk assessments for use as a starting point for your own assessments. They must be modified to your work - see Using Example Risk Assessments for guidance.

Please note, to be effective a person experienced in using hazardous substances and undertaking the tasks being risk assessed must complete the general risk assessment. Someone unfamiliar with the work is not competent to do so and the assessments will not be effective.

Should you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact the compliance and risk team.

Staff Exit Check List

When a member of staff leaves the University, they must complete a staff exit checklist, to confirm it has been completed accurately and that all relevant actions have been taken it must then be checked and countersigned by their Section Head. All line managers are responsible for ensuring their staff complete all actions on the checklist.

A significant portion of the Exit checklist include actions that must be taken relating to compliance and health and safety.  When the checklist has been completed but the actions have not been completed this can have significant safety and legislative implications. These include but are not limited to:

• Legacy chemicals being left behind and becoming unstable over time, old containers becoming brittle with age and breaking.  
• Much needed laboratory space being taken up with unowned and unusable substances.
• Substances taking up much needed safe storage space, in particular creating crowded toxins cabinets and lack of space in flammables and corrosives cabinets.
• Lack of expertise in the groups inheriting these spaces meaning these samples can’t be handled or disposed of safely.
• Housekeeping issues caused by unusable lab space leading to unsafe situation.
• Biological and other regulated samples and research materials can get left behind that have no ownership, no details and insufficient safety and compliance paperwork. This can in turn leads to breaches of legislation that the University then becomes liable for.

When completing the exit check list, the following actions must be taken:

• All substances that are hazardous to health must be assigned to another research group or dealt with appropriately e.g. disposed of safely. (If assigning to a new group it is important that LabCup is updated to reflect this).
• Responsibility for all GMO’s and all other biological samples must be handed over to a named researcher or appropriately dealt with e.g. disposed of or destroyed. The Faculty Biological Safety Manager must also be informed.
• Responsibility for radioactive substances must be transferred to a named researcher or appropriately dealt with.
• Human and animal tissue must be dealt with in line with guidance, policy and legislation.
• Home Office for animal license holders must be updated and the BSF made aware of your departure.
• All fridges, freezers, cabinets, workspaces and shelves must be cleared and decontaminated.

Should help or advice be required during this process or if you are struggling to deal with legacy items left behind in your lab spaces, please contact your Technical Operations Manager or your  Compliance and Risk Manager.

When a member of staff leaves the University, they must complete a staff exit checklist, to confirm it has been completed accurately and that all relevant actions have been taken it must then be checked and countersigned by their Section Head. All line managers are responsible for ensuring their staff complete all actions on the checklist.

A significant portion of the Exit checklist include actions that must be taken relating to compliance and health and safety.  When the checklist has been completed but the actions have not been completed this can have significant safety and legislative implications. These include but are not limited to:

• Legacy chemicals being left behind and becoming unstable over time, old containers becoming brittle with age and breaking.  
• Much needed laboratory space being taken up with unowned and unusable substances.
• Substances taking up much needed safe storage space, in particular creating crowded toxins cabinets and lack of space in flammables and corrosives cabinets.
• Lack of expertise in the groups inheriting these spaces meaning these samples can’t be handled or disposed of safely.
• Housekeeping issues caused by unusable lab space leading to unsafe situation.
• Biological and other regulated samples and research materials can get left behind that have no ownership, no details and insufficient safety and compliance paperwork. This can in turn leads to breaches of legislation that the University then becomes liable for.

When completing the exit check list, the following actions must be taken:

• All substances that are hazardous to health must be assigned to another research group or dealt with appropriately e.g. disposed of safely. (If assigning to a new group it is important that LabCup is updated to reflect this).
• Responsibility for all GMO’s and all other biological samples must be handed over to a named researcher or appropriately dealt with e.g. disposed of or destroyed. The Faculty Biological Safety Manager must also be informed.
• Responsibility for radioactive substances must be transferred to a named researcher or appropriately dealt with.
• Human and animal tissue must be dealt with in line with guidance, policy and legislation.
• Home Office for animal license holders must be updated and the BSF made aware of your departure.
• All fridges, freezers, cabinets, workspaces and shelves must be cleared and decontaminated.

Should help or advice be required during this process or if you are struggling to deal with legacy items left behind in your lab spaces, please contact your Technical Operations Manager or your  Compliance and Risk Manager.

Safe Storage of Hazardous Substances

Laboratory health and safety inspections have identified significant issues with the storage of hazardous chemicals. A significant number of them were stored in the wrong location, or stored with incompatible substances and there are excessive amounts of expired chemicals.
This can lead to:

• hazardous cross reactions of incompatible chemicals,
• fire hazards if flammables are not stored in flame retardant cabinets,
• expired chemicals forming unstable, explosive crystals, and
• the expired, unwanted chemicals simply taking up much needed storage space in cabinets and on lab shelves.

What you need to do:

• Develop and follow a robust chemical hygiene plan, for procurement and storage of hazardous substance and chemical waste management.  
• Ensure all staff and students have been trained in the safe storage of hazardous substances and ensure they are supervised until considered to be competent.
• Sort through chemical storage cabinets and ensure all substances are stored in the correct location and have been segregated according to the information in your COSHH risk assessments ,the information in the Safety Data Sheet for each substance (this can be found in the compatibility advice in sections 7&10 of the SDS). Additionally there is a downloadable compatibility table for chemical storage on the FBMH health and safety intranet you can refer to.  
• Ensure the correct locations have been noted in LabCup.  
• Dispose of old and unwanted hazardous substances via Stopford Stores hazardous waste disposal.
• Report any damaged cabinets to your Technical Operations Manager.

Extensive guidance can be found on the FBMH health and safety intranet pages.

Should you need and further help and advice please contact the FBMH compliance and risk team.

Sharps, Microtome, Cryostats and Cut Resistant Gloves

On average, accidents and incidents involving sharps account for 45 % of reports in FBMH.

Common causes but are not limited to, the following:

• Insufficient training and supervision.
• No risk assessment, standard operating procedures or appropriate control measures in place.
• Not following standard operating procedures, risk assessments and failure to use control measures.  
• Leaving unguarded sharps e.g. blades and needles on the bench.
• Leaving ungaurded blades on microtomes.
• Trying to catch dropped blades and needles.

There have been particular issues reported whilst using microtomes and cryostats in research laboratories (outside of the Histology Core Facility in the AVHill Building).

If you are using this equipment, you must ensure that appropriate risk assessments are in place and being followed. There is extensive  guidance on safe usage on the FBMH health and safety intranet. Included on this page are an example  combined cryostat risk assessment and standard operating procedure and an example combined microtome risk assessment and standard operating procedure. These can be downloaded and used as a template, if using these they must be modified to reflect your procedures. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator or line manager to ensure that there is a suitable and sufficient risk assessment in place, to bring it the attention of all users and ensure it is followed.

Remember that the requirement for personal protective equipment must be specified in the risk assessment in addition to other PPE defined we strongly recommend that all users wear cut resistant gloves whilst working with this equipment.

An example of an effective glove, as recommended by experienced users is: Ansell HyFlex® 11-318. They have been used for some time in the Histology Core Facility and unlike many cut resistant gloves on the market users have reported that they are lightweight and offer good sensory feedback whilst still offering protection. These gloves are now available in Stopford stores for under £7 a pair. (Catalogue codes L:GCL, L:GCM, L:GCS).

If you already using suitable gloves or prefer an alternative they must meet the minimum following specifications as follows:  
Lightweight industrial gloves offering barehanded-like comfort, and must comply with the following standards:  
EN ISO 21420:2020
EN338:2016 XX4XB   
Suppliers are often willing to send out samples if you want to try a variety prior to purchase.

Don’t forget you must keep them clean. The recommendation is to wear appropriate disposable gloves over the top of the reusable cut resistant gloves.

Chemical Exposure and the Use of Diphoterine

All laboratory staff working with hazardous substances that can cause chemical burns e.g. acids, alkalis, phenols must have quick and easy access to Diphoterine skin spray and eye wash and all users must be familiar with its usage.

With the exception of hydrofluoric acid and cyanide, Diphoterine is a universal product that can be used to treat any chemical exposure. It is known to be more effective than water and has been used for several years in the University with great success in minimising exposure, reducing scaring and saving people's sight.

The need for Diphoterine should be identified at the risk assessment stage for a chemical / procedure i.e. in the  COSHH and DSEAR risk assessment before the substance is used and if required, must be referred to in the first aid emergency procedures.

In the Biomedical Corridor each reception holds a full chemical burns kit containing skin spray and eye wash that can be accessed 24/7. In CTF it is located In CTF it is located on the 3rd floor - outside 3.31a and on the 2nd floor - next to the sink area in lab 2.07.

Where hazardous chemicals are in frequent use groups can purchase their own supplies so that they are located close to their work. It is available from Stopford Stores and on e-market place.

The location of the Diphoterine and and instructions on how to use it should form part of your local laboratory health and safety induction and it's important to know where it is before you need it.

In all cases of chemical exposure call a first aider and clearly warn that the victim has been exposed to a chemical.

For further information and details on how to purchase it please refer to the FBMH health and safety intranet first aid arrangements.

Preventable eye injuries have occured in FBMH - don't let this happen to you.

Remember:

Your risk assessments must specify types of eye / face protection to be worn and when it should be worn.

• Select the correct type of protection for the hazard identified, you must ensure the material they are made of protects against the substances you are using and the processes you are undertaking.
• Safety glasses offer impact protection only, only goggles offer liquid splash protection.
• Vision corrective spectacles offer no protection from hazardous substances.
• There is no such thing as “one size fits all” for safety glasses and goggles, they must be selected, owned and used on an individual basis.  Make sure they are comfortable to wear and are a good fit (with no gaps between the frame and your face).  
• Take care of your eye-wear, clean it with lint free wipes, and keep it in a protective case when not in use.
• Never use damaged or scratched visors / eye-wear, take it out of service and report it immediately.
• When your risk assessment specifies that eye or face protection must be worn - you MUST wear it.
• It is your responsibility to wear personal protective equipment as specified in a risk assessment.
• It is the PI / line mangers responsibility to ensure it is being worn.

Stopford Stores supply a range of safety goggles and glasses and have a “try before you buy” policy so you can ensure you choose the best pair possible for you. They also sell protective cases and neck straps. It is strongly recommended that you also purchase a protective case to prevent damage to your eyewear.

If you don’t find a suitable pair of spectacles or goggles there are also a wide range available on eMarketplace and suppliers are often willing to provide free samples. Further information and guidance can be found on the Health and Safety area of the FBMH intranet under “Eye, Face and Throat Protection”.

Shutting down for the Christmas Holidays

• Before you leave for the Christmas break, please ensure you power down and unplug any non-essential equipment.
• Please DO NOT turn anything off unless you are sure it is safe to do so.
• Check that you are isolating the correct item and not inadvertently switching off a fridge or freezer.

Lone Working on Campus 

If you are required to come onto campus for essential work over the Christmas break you will need to get authorisation and access in advance of campus closure. Speak to your PI/Line Manager to ensure you have followed the correct process to get your card activated for out of hours access, you have agreed what activities can take place and that all risk assessments and checklists have been completed.  

Anyone who is working out of sight and sound of others is considered to be lone working. You are more likely to be lone working during the University closure days, such as the Christmas holidays, than at any other time.

When lone working, particularly when working outside of normal working hours, the risks associated with all work activities are considered to be higher. Although Campus Security provide 24/7 emergency cover, when working out of hours there are no fire marshals, local first aiders, hazardous spills kit teams, chemical burns advisors, experienced colleagues or health and safety staff on site. Should something go wrong the injured person may not be able to call for help or there may be a delay in help arriving.

Whilst the simplest way to keep yourself safe is not to lone work out of hours, we recognise that in some instances it is unavoidable. To keep safe you must comply with the University Lone Working Arrangements and Guidance - key points of which are outlined below.

• Lone workers must have explicit permission from their Principal Investigator or line manager.
• Only low risk laboratory work may be undertaken by lone workers and PIs / line managers should define the nature of the work.
• An on campus lone working check list must have been completed. This checklist is an aide-memoir to assist in the production of a lone working risk assessment and safe systems of work. Use this check list to guide you through the issues that must be considered before lone working takes place and to help develop appropriate control measures.
• A lone working risk assessment must be in place that has been checked and countersigned by Principal Investigator / Line Manager. It needs to consider those tasks that present a particular risk to the lone worker e.g. personal security, actions to be taken in the event of an emergency or in the event of personal injury and identify the control measures necessary to minimise the risk.

There is additional guidance on the FBMH Health and Safety Intranet, a simple Do’s and Don’ts list and an example lone working risk assessment with a completed check list that you can download and modify. To use example risk assessments: modify the content to ensure all of the activities have been covered, hazards identified and that control measures are at least equivalent to, or better than, those described and take account of your Local Rules. 

Staff and students on NHS Trust premises will need to refer to their local rules.

SafeZone

SafeZone, is a University mobile app designed to give students and staff of The University of Manchester extra peace of mind when coming to campus or living in accommodation. It allows you to contact the Security team directly if you are in an immediate emergency or require first aid. It is compatible with both iPhones and Android phones, follow this link to download the SafeZone app.

We strongly encourage you to download and use this app, it adds an extra layer of safety when working on campus. If you are intending to use it, don’t forget to check it works by trying one of the non-emergency links; don’t forget that if you have your phone in the lab keep it in your lab coat pocket and do not touch with gloves on.  

Fairy Lights

To prevent Christmas decoration related mishaps you must do the following before using fairy lights:

1. Check your fairy lights conform to the British Standard and are in good working order.
2. If the lights are mains powered then check the plug for visible signs of damage such as cracks or discoloration. If there is, you must discard them.
3. If the lights are battery operated make sure the batteries are in good condition; if they are last year’s lights replace the batteries.
4. In both cases visually inspect the lights prior to use - look for obvious imperfections such as broken bulbs, damage to the flex, loose wires etc. If you are at all unsure then don’t use them.
5. Replace blown bulbs quickly and always replace like for like.
6. To prevent circuits being overloaded avoid using extension leads (ensure you avoid trip hazards).
7. Turn fairy lights off before you leave work.

Remember - Christmas decorations burn easily - don't attach them to lights or near other heat sources. Make sure decorations are firmly secured and don't hang baubles and the like off the balconies (they have fallen on people’s heads in the past).

Happy Christmas and enjoy your break.

Safe use of Bunsen burners

There have been several recent incidents involving the unsafe use of Bunsen burners, the causes include (but are not limited to):

• Use of Bunsens in a microbiological safety cabinet.
• Leaving lit Bunsens unattended.
• Using perished Bunsen tubing. 
• Lone working while using Bunsens.
• Insufficient risk assessments.

Please ensure your Standard Operating Procedures and associated risk assessments are up to date and are being followed.

There is an example Bunsen burner SOP and an example Bunsen burner risk assessment in the risk assessment library that you can download and modify. Youe must ensure it reflects the actual procedure in your laboratory and it is validated by your PI / line manager, and is read, signed and understood prior to use.

For further guidance, please refer to the safe use of Bunsen burners FBMH health and safety intranet page.

Remember:

• It is unacceptable to leave a lit Bunsen burner unattended.
• The use of matches, lighters or any other naked flame to light a gas burner is strictly prohibited.
• The use of Bunsen burners while lone working is strictly prohibited.
•  All staff and students must complete a fire safety course and periodically refresh their training.

Fire safety

An introduction to fire safety must be provided to all personnel on their first day of arrival.

Managers and supervisors must ensure all employees are familiar with the alarm sound, test times and appropriate evacuation routes. Staff and students on NHS premises will be expected to follow Trust protocols when appropriate.

As part of the fire training, you must complete the following course:

LAOD147 Fire Awareness Training

This course is delivered via eLearning in Blackboard and will cover the actions that individuals should take in the event of a fire or when a building fire alarm activates. It also informs individuals of their personal responsibility for fire safety and injury prevention.

If you haven't undertaken any fire training in the past 2 years this course also acts as an excellent refresher and we'd strongly encourage people to refresh their knowledge.

Course duration:  5 - 10 mins approx.

For further information about fire safety and building specific arrangements such as fire alarm test times please see the FBMH fire safety intranet pages.

Staff and students on NHS Trust premises will need to refer to their local rules.

First aid arrangements

There have been recent changes in the FBMH first aid arrangements and we'd strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself all local first aid arrangements including how to contact a first aider, the location of your nearest first aid box and how to access first aid supplies.

You must also be familiar with all specific first aid procedures e.g. how to deal with needle stick injuries that are outlined your risk assessments before you start work.

Staff and students on NHS Trust premises will need to refer to their local rules.

Fire safety

An introduction to fire safety must be provided to all personnel on their first day of arrival.

Managers and supervisors must ensure all employees are familiar with the alarm sound, test times and appropriate evacuation routes. Staff and students on NHS premises will be expected to follow Trust protocols when appropriate.

As part of the fire training, you must complete the following course:

LAOD147 Fire Awareness Training

This course is delivered via eLearning in Blackboard and will cover the actions that individuals should take in the event of a fire or when a building fire alarm activates. It also informs individuals of their personal responsibility for fire safety and injury prevention.

If you haven't undertaken any fire training in the past 2 years this course also acts as an excellent refresher and we'd strongly encourage people to refresh their knowledge.

Course duration:  5 - 10 mins approx.

For further information about fire safety and building specific arrangements such as fire alarm test times please see the FBMH fire safety intranet pages.

Staff and students on NHS Trust premises will need to refer to their local rules.

Packaging and Labelling of Dry Ice Parcels

Recently there have been Faculty wide problems sending dry ice parcels - including parcels being rejected and returned for compliance reasons. The most common reasons for return are the following:

1. Overlapping hazard labels.
2. Incorrect dry ice diamonds and dry ice weight labels.
3. Non-completion of the dry ice checklists.

To avoid parcels being returned, we strongly recommend that you follow the Faculty Dangerous Goods Standard Operating Procedure and its associated guidance. This can be found on the FBMH health and safety web site. 

1. Overlapping hazard labels - it is particularly important to ensure none of the labels on your dry ice parcel overlap.
2. Incorrect dry ice diamonds and dry ice weight labels - dry ice weight labels and hazard diamonds can be obtained from Receptions desks at Michael Smith and A.V. Hill Buildings and from Stopford Stores. Please use these labels, not paper versions that have printed and stuck on with sticky tape.
3. Non-completion of the dry ice checklists - when packaging and labelling your parcel please ensure the dry ice acceptance checklist has been completed and signed by the person who has checked the parcel and has been correctly packaged and labelled (usually your PI or line manager).

Should you have any queried related to packing and labelling please contact the Compliance and Risk Team.

On Campus Lone Working - Keep Safe during the Christmas Holidays 

Anyone who is working out of sight and sound of others is considered to be lone working. You are more likely to be lone working during the University closure days such as the Christmas holidays than at any other time.

When lone working and in particular when lone working out of hours, the risks associated with all work activities are considered to be higher. Additionally although Campus Security provide 24/7 emergency cover, out of hours there are no fire marshals, local first aiders, hazardous spill kit teams, chemical burns advisors, experienced colleagues or Health and Safety staff on site. Should something go wrong the victim may not be able to call for help or there may be a delay in help arriving.

Whilst the simplest way not to put yourself at risk is not to lone work out of hours, we recognise that in some instances it is unavoidable. To keep safe we ask that you comply with the University Lone Working Arrangements and Guidance - key points of which are outlined below.

1. Lone workers must have explicit permission from their Principal Investigator or line manager.
2. Only low risk laboratory work may be undertaken by lone workers and PIs / line managers should define the nature of the work.
3. An on campus lone working check list must have been completed. This checklist is an aide-memoir to assist in the production of a lone working risk assessment and safe systems of work. Use this check list to guide you through the issues that must be considered before lone working takes place and to help develop appropriate control measures.
4. A lone working risk assessment must be in place that has been checked and countersigned by Principal Investigator / Line Manager. It needs to consider those tasks that present a particular risk to the lone worker e.g. personal security, actions to be taken in the event of an emergency or in the event of personal injury and identify the control measures necessary to minimise the risk.
5. Your risk assessments must include COVID secure measures in addition to your lone working arrangements.

The anti-viral products when used by house services to clean high touch points are active for 28 days and will offer protection over closure. Lab users will continue to clean their areas and equipment before and after use with COVID secure measures in place.

There is additional guidance on the FBMH Health and Safety Intranet, a simple Do’s and Don’ts list and an example lone working risk assessment with a completed check list that you can download and modify. To use example risk assessments: ensure all of the activities have been covered, hazards identified and that control measures are at least equivalent to or better than those described and take account of your Local Rules. 

SafeZone

SafeZone, is a University mobile app designed to give students and staff of The University of Manchester extra peace of mind when coming to campus or living in accommodation, particularly during the current pandemic.
It allows you to contact our COVID-19 helpline to ask any questions, report concerns and get advice on how to report a positive COVID-19 test. It also allows you to contact the Security team directly if you are in an immediate emergency or require first aid. It is compatible with both iPhones and Android phones, follow this link to download the SafeZone app.

We strongly encourage you to download and use this app, it adds an extra layer of safety when working on campus. If you are intending to use it, don’t forget to check it works by trying one of the non-emergency links; don’t forget that if you have your phone in the lab keep it in your lab coat pocket and do not touch with gloves on.  

Fairy Lights

To prevent Christmas decoration related mishaps you must do the following before using fairy lights:

1. Check your fairy lights conform to the British Standard and are in good working order.
2. If the lights are mains powered then check the plug for visible signs of damage such as cracks or discoloration ,
3. If the lights are battery operated make sure the batteries are in good condition; if they are last year’s lights replace the batteries.
4. In both cases visually inspect the lights prior to use - look for obvious imperfections such as broken bulbs, damage to the flex, loose wires etc. If you are at all unsure then don’t use them.
5. Replace blown bulbs quickly and always replace like for like.
6. To prevent circuits being overloaded avoid using extension leads (ensure you avoid trip hazards).
7. Turn fairy lights off before you leave work.

Remember - Christmas decorations burn easily - don't attach them to lights or near other heat sources. Make sure decorations are firmly secured and don't hang baubles and the like off the balconies (they have fallen on people’s heads in the past).

Happy Christmas and enjoy your break.

Recent Labcup audits have identified many examples of good practice regarding the storage of hazardous substances however there have also been some very poor practice’s identified. These include degraded containers, substances over 10 years past their expiry date and incompatible substances being stored together.

Additionally the audits have identified some substances that have been stored in the wrong location e.g. corrosives stored in flammables cabinets as illustrated by this photograph taken during an inspection. 

There is an intranet page with detailed information on to how to procure and store hazardous substances that you can refer to which includes general rules of procuring and storing hazardous substances, storing peroxide forming solvents, storage of flammable substances and corrosives and storage of poisons.

It is essential to segregate incompatible substances when storing them to prevent dangerous interactions: you may also find this compatibility table for chemical storage a useful reference guide for your lab.

Additional information is on the safety data sheet for each substance and should be in your COSHH risk assessments.

What you need to do:

• Dispose of old and unwanted hazardous substances via Stopford Stores hazardous waste disposal. 
• Download  the Compatibility Table for Chemical Storage, go through it with your lab staff and place a copy of it in your lab safety file.
• Buy smaller amounts of hazardous substance to free up space in cabinets and reduce expired substances in storage.
• Develop and follow a robust chemical hygiene plan,  for procurement and storage of hazardous substance and chemical waste management. 
• Report damaged cabinets to your infrastructure technicians.

Over the next few months there will be ongoing Labcup audits for specific substances and you will be contacted if any issues are identified and supported in resolving them.

Manual handling is one of the most common causes of injury and it carries a high risk of causing Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) such as upper and lower limb pain/disorders, joint and repetitive strain injuries of various types.

When moving heavy or awkward loads, these injuries can be prevented by a combination of training, adequate supervision, and risk assessment of the activity.
The HSE has published a brief guide Manual Handling at Work leaflet that identifies simple filters that will help to identify low-risk tasks and (conversely) when a more detailed risk assessment may be required.

Please refer to the Faculty’s Manual Handling H&S intranet page for further information, links to the University Safety Services guidance on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and the Safety Services Safety Toolkits for Manual Handling.  

We strongly recommend that all those involved in manual handling complete an online training course in manual handling available from Staff Learning and Development TLCO510.

Risk Assessments 

COVID risk assessments

The Health and Safety Executive are conducting spot checks regarding COVID control measures and an important part of the measures include effective and up-to date COVID risk assessments.
In light of the recent COVID variants being identified, please ensure that your COVID risk assessments are up to date. Guidance on what is required can be found at https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/bmh/ps-activities/health-safety/local-arrangements/risk-assessments/covid/

It is also important to ensure that the assessment has been clearly communicated to all those affected by it and that they have also read and signed it.

General risk assessments, updates and training

The most effective way of ensuring good health and safety is through the use of risk assessments.
Individuals must be aware of the hazards (i.e. things that can cause harm) involved in their work whether it be a simple task of lifting or a complex experimental procedure. The primary aim should be to prevent  harm occurring, however it is recognised that this may not always be possible, in which case control measures should be identified that will as far as reasonably practicable reduce the risk of harm occurring to an acceptable level.
Risk assessment (as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations) should be the first step in deciding the control measures needed.
It is expected that all labs have risk assessment in place for all activities including those from simple task of lifting or a complex experimental procedures, that these risk assessments have been authorised by your PI / line manager and all involved in the activity have read and signed the risk assessment.
If you have had no training in how to write risk assessments then please complete the following FBMH health and safety training modules on Blackboard. 

• The principles of risk assessment part 1 – principles of general risk assessment
• The principles of risk assessment part 2 – COSHH and DSEAR risk assessments

There is further guidance on the FBMH H&S intranet and a library of generic risk assessments you can download from the FBMH risk assessment library.
If you are simply reviewing your risk assessments and there are no substantial changes, remember review doesn’t mean re-write. Just update the assessment and communicate the changes to all those affected.

Recently there have been reports of electrical shocks caused by faulty University electrical equipment.

Research has proven that 95% of equipment electrical faults are picked up by a simple visual check before use and are the most effective way of using your electrical equipment safely. It should form the basis of any risk assessment for electrical equipment.

The checks that should be carried out before electrical equipment is used include:

• Damage to the lead such as fraying, scuffing, splits.
• Coloured wires visible where the lead joins the plug (the cable is not being gripped where it enters the plug).
• Damage to the plug, e.g. to the cover or bent pins or charring.
• Signs of overheating, such as burn marks or staining on the plug, lead or piece of equipment.
• Damage to the outer cover of the equipment itself, including loose parts or screws, rust and dents.
• Condensation, wet sockets.
• Cracked / damaged plug sockets.

If signs of damage are noted take the equipment out of service and notify your PI / line manager so repairs can be arranged. If it is communal equipment notify the responsible technician immediately. Do not assume someone else has reported the fault.

You also need to keep a check on plug sockets and the electrical trunking / walls they are mounted on. If there are signs of damage such as moisture, burns marks or loose wires you must report it to Estates as an urgent health and safety issue.

Finally, don't forget you need a risk assessment in place for safe use of electrical equipment in your laboratory. A generic risk assessment that can be downloaded and modified from the FBMH risk assessment library.

For further guidance about electrical appliance safety, visual check, portable appliance testing and causes and prevention of electrical fires please see the FBMH health and safety electrical safety intranet page.

Risk assessments are dynamic, living documents that must be kept up to date and reviewed regularly. Review dates should be recorded at the top of the assessment.

Please ensure that you have updated your COVID risk assessments following recent changes, for example it is mandatory to wear disposable face masks in research laboratories.

With the emergence of new variants we need to ensure everyone is strictly adhering to the COVID-secure measures we have in place.

COVID risk assessments should be updated with the following background information:

Background

The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) has classified SARS-CoV-2, the causal agent of COVID-19, as a hazard group 3 pathogen, which has spread in early 2020 to cause a global pandemic. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 occurs by inhalation of aerosolised virus or by contact with droplets and contaminated fomites (surfaces). Transmission of the disease is either through the direct inhalation of respiratory droplets from people coughing or sneezing (there is also a theoretical risk of transmission through normal conversation) or by transferring contamination from surfaces that have been exposed to respiratory droplets. The most common symptoms are recent onset of a new continuous cough, high temperature or change in taste or smell (anosmia).

The new variant of coronavirus with a mutated spike protein is recognised as the emerging predominate strain in circulation during the winter of 2020 which has resulted in stricter government controls. Although this variant is generally regarded as being more effective at binding to cellular receptors, the control measures required to reduce the onward transmission (hand face space) remain the same but these should be more stringently applied and monitored through local COVID secure observations, reporting to the relevant management unit as described the locally managed specific risk assessment.

This risk assessment evaluates risks relating to SARS-CoV-2 infection and specifies risk control measure arrangements to minimise these risks, so far as is reasonably practicable, to facilitate a safe learning environment for teacher and students.

The risk for any individual activity, with the mitigations in place and separating the activity risk from the health risk, is low (i.e. not increased above the general risk for COVID infection). Specific health risk is addressed through the Guidance for staff on Vulnerability and the risk health matrix available to all returning staff and with manager’s guidance on this matter. Individuals who are concerned about their risk should discuss the matter with their line manager and/or GP.

The new variant of coronavirus, with a mutated spike protein, is recognised as the emerging predominate strain in circulation during the winter of 2020 and has resulted in stricter government controls. Although this variant is generally regarded as being more effective at binding to cellular receptors, the control measures required to reduce the onward transmission (“hand, face, space”) remain the same but these should be more stringently applied and monitored through local COVID secure observation, reporting to the relevant management unit as described in the locally managed specific risk assessment.

Recommendations

Wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas where other people are doing so. Use hand sanitiser if that’s all you have access to.

To reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue, and throw the tissue in a bin immediately. Then wash your hands or use a hand sanitising gel.

Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.

Scope

To evaluate the risks of COVID-19 infection and specify control measures and arrangements to minimise these risks, so far as is reasonably practicable, to facilitate safe working within any FBMH occupied space either on campus or in off-site locations.

To highlight where a review of existing measures (risk and COSHH assessments, standard operating procedures) will be required to ensure they meet the guidance set out by UK Government and the University of Manchester for returning to work following this pandemic.

The repopulation of campus and University occupied spaces will be in a phased and controlled manner. All requests must go through the correct approval process for authorisation.

Anyone who is working out of sight and sound of others is considered to be lone working. You are more likely to be lone working during the University closure days such as the Christmas holidays than at any other time.

When lone working and in particular when lone working out of hours, the risks associated with all work activities are considered to be higher. Additionally although Campus Security provide 24/7 emergency cover, out of hours there are no fire marshals, local first aiders, hazardous spill kit teams, chemical burns advisors, experienced colleagues or Health and Safety staff on site. Should something go wrong the victim may not be able to call for help or there may be a delay in help arriving.

Whilst the simplest way not to put yourself at risk is not to lone work out of hours, we recognise that in some instances it is unavoidable. To keep safe we ask that you comply with the University Lone Working Arrangements and Guidance - key points of which are outlined below.

1. Lone workers must have explicit permission from their Principal Investigator or line manager.
2. Only low risk laboratory work may be undertaken by lone workers and PIs / line managers should define the nature of the work.
3. An on campus lone working check list must have been completed. This checklist is an aide-memoir to assist in the production of a lone working risk assessment and safe systems of work. Use this check list to guide you through the issues that must be considered before lone working takes place and to help develop appropriate control measures.
4. A lone working risk assessment must be in place that has been checked and countersigned by Principal Investigator / Line Manager. It needs to consider those tasks that present a particular risk to the lone worker e.g. personal security, actions to be taken in the event of an emergency or in the event of personal injury and identify the control measures necessary to minimise the risk.
5. Your risk assessments must include COVID secure cleaning regimes in addition to the lone working arrangements.

The anti-viral products when used by house services to clean high touch points are active for 28 days and will offer protection over closure. Lab users will continue to clean their areas and equipment before and after use with COVID secure measures in place.

There is additional guidance on the FBMH Health and Safety Intranet, a simple Do’s and Don’ts list and an example lone working risk assessment with a completed check list that you can download and modify. To use example risk assessments: ensure all of the activities have been covered, hazards identified and that control measures are at least equivalent to or better than those described and take account of your Local Rules. 

SafeZone

SafeZone, is a University mobile app designed to give students and staff of The University of Manchester extra peace of mind when coming to campus or living in accommodation, particularly during the current pandemic.
It allows you to contact our COVID-19 helpline to ask any questions, report concerns and get advice on how to report a positive COVID-19 test. It also allows you to contact the Security team directly if you are in an immediate emergency or require first aid. It is compatible with both iPhones and Android phones, follow this link to download the SafeZone app.

We strongly encourage you to download and use this app, it adds an extra layer of safety when working on campus. If you are intending to use it, don’t forget to check it works by trying one of the non-emergency links; don’t forget that if you have your phone in the lab keep it in your lab coat pocket and do not touch with gloves on.  

Fairy Lights

To prevent Christmas decoration related mishaps you must do the following before using fairy lights:

1. Check your fairy lights conform to the British Standard and are in good working order.
2. If the lights are mains powered then check the plug for visible signs of damage such as cracks or discoloration ,
3. If the lights are battery operated make sure the batteries are in good condition; if they are last year’s lights replace the batteries.
4. In both cases visually inspect the lights prior to use - look for obvious imperfections such as broken bulbs, damage to the flex, loose wires etc. If you are at all unsure then don’t use them.
5. Replace blown bulbs quickly and always replace like for like.
6. To prevent circuits being overloaded avoid using extension leads (ensure you avoid trip hazards).
7. Turn fairy lights off before you leave work.

Remember - Christmas decorations burn easily - don't attach them to lights or near other heat sources. Make sure decorations are firmly secured and don't hang baubles and the like off the balconies (they have fallen on people’s heads in the past).

Happy Christmas and enjoy your break.

There have been several near miss incidents involving the unsafe use of Bunsen burners, the causes included:

• Leaving lit Bunsen’s unattended.
• Using perished Bunsen tubing.  

Please ensure your Standard Operating Procedures and associated risk assessments are up to date and are being followed. 
Check your Bunsen tubing prior to next use. If it is showing signs of damage or degradation, you must dispose of it. Replacement tubing it is available in Stopford Stores.

There is a Bunsen burner SOP and example Bunsen burner risk assessment in the risk assessment library that you can download and modify. 

For further guidance, please refer to the safe use of Bunsen burners intranet page. 

Remember:

• It is unacceptable to leave a lit Bunsen burner unattended.
• The use of matches, lighters or any other naked flame to light a gas burner is strictly prohibited.

Blackboard

On-line training resources for Faculty staff and postgraduates have been developed by the Compliance and Risk Team, these can be accessed via Blackboard under “My Communities / FBMH Health and Safety Training Resources".

Each 15 minute module is intended as a supplement, not a replacement, for face-to-face training and supervision. To meet the Faculty's commitment to high standards of safety, we strongly recommend all staff and students complete the sessions that address the hazards that you may face in the workplace.

Current Blackboard Modules

    Chemical Safety – how to use, store, transport and dispose of chemicals safely.
    Chemical spills - how to respond to chemical spills, including the location and use of spill kits.
    PPE – correct use and selection of personal protective equipment for your work.
    Safe use of sharps - what sharps are, and how to use and dispose of them safely.
    Thermal and cryogenic burns - the prevention and management of thermal and cryogenic burns in the laboratory
    Chemical burns - the emergency management of chemical splashes on the skin and eyes in the laboratory.

Travel risk assessments

Wherever and whenever you travel there will be some form of risk involved.  All staff and students must comply with the University’s Travel Policy and the health and safety guidance for working off-campus. If you are planning to travel away from the University – whether it is on University business such as a conference or meeting, or for research fieldwork – your trip requires a risk assessment and may need pre-travel approval.

A new flowchart has been developed which simplifies the requirements around pre-travel risk assessments and helps you determine which risk assessment may be required. It also provides links to some downloadable generic travel risk assessments for travel within the UK, and for travel to low or moderate risk destinations.

For trips or fieldwork that pose further risks; such as travelling in bad weather, travel to remote or dangerous locations, or an individual’s specific needs, these risk assessments can be adapted to include the additional hazards or circumstances and the control measures to be implemented.  For high risk travel a specific risk assessment must be written.

Prior to travel please refer to the FBMH risk and compliance guidance for pre-travel risk assessments and pre-travel approval. It breaks the process down into 4 easy to follow steps and provides links to extra information such as generic risk assessments, booking trips and activities via Key Travel and so on.

UPDATE March 6th 2020 - Coronavirus and risk assessment procedures for upcoming travel

Please read the University guidance

Owing to the current health issues in many countries, colleagues going overseas for business travel are reminded to re-assess their trip before travel and take into consideration any potential health risks in the country they will be visiting by:

•    Checking the latest Foreign & Commonwealth Office Travel Advice
•    Following the Public Health England guidance
•    Reading the University guidance

Colleagues should also follow the University’s Travel Policy and consider their own personal circumstances, such as any pre-existing health conditions.   If there is any significant change in risks, the travel plan must be discussed and re-approved by line managers before travel, taking into account the risks involved against the benefit of the trip.

Historically Caesium Chloride has been considered to be a non-hazardous substance however it has recently been recognised as a reproductive toxin and assigned as “H361fd Suspected of damaging fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child.”

If you have this subspace you need to update your COSHH risk assessment for caesium chloride, and  replace / update any associated risk assessments and standard operating procedures.

There is an updated COSHH risk assessment available for you to use in the FBMH COSHH risk assessment library. Please downloaded it and modify it to your lab practices.

As yet, not all relevant safety data sheets have been revised so if you would like to review reference material please go to the European Chemicals Agency .

Alternatively you may wish to dispose of it, for further information please refer to the disposal of hazardous waste intranet page. 

Anyone who is working out of sight and sound of others is considered to be lone working. You are more likely to be lone working during the University closure days such as the Christmas holidays than at any other time. 

When lone working and in particular when lone working out of hours, the risks associated with all work activities are considered to be higher. Additionally although Campus Security provide 24/7 emergency cover, out of hours there are no fire marshals, local first aiders, hazardous spill kit teams, chemical burns advisors, experienced colleagues  or Health and Safety staff on site. Should something go wrong the victim may not be able to call for help or there may be a delay in help arriving.

Whilst the simplest way not to put yourself at risk is not to lone work out of hours, we recognise that in some instances it is unavoidable. To keep safe we ask that you comply with the University Lone Working Arrangements and Guidance - key points of which are outlined below:

• Lone workers must have explicit permission from their Principal Investigator or line manager.
• Only low risk laboratory work may be undertaken by lone workers and PIs / line managers should define the nature of the work.
• An on campus lone working check list must have been completed. This checklist is an aide-memoir to assist in the production of a lone working risk assessment and safe systems of work. Use this check list to guide you through the issues that must be considered before lone working takes place and to help develop appropriate control measures.
• A lone working risk assessment must be in place that has been checked and countersigned by Principal Investigator / Line Manager. It needs to consider those tasks that present a particular risk to the lone worker e.g. personal security, actions to be taken in the event of an emergency or in the event of personal injury and identify the control measures necessary to minimise the risk. 

There is additional guidance on the FBMH Lone Working web-page with a simple Dos and Don’ts list and an example lone working risk assessment with a completed check list that you can download and modify. To use   example risk assessments: ensure all of the activities have been covered, hazards identified and that control measures are at least equivalent to or better than those described and take account of your Local Rules.

Filming in FBMH Buildings and Laboratories

The Press Office have contacted us to request that they are made aware of all filming and photography that is to take place on campus. This is to avoid any intrusive media attention and to ensure that should security become aware, they can be referred to the media team.
If filming is to take place in a sensitive area of the University, then a member of staff and/or a media officer should be present at all times. Filming on public thoroughfares - such as streets or parks - do not need permission from the media office. The Faculty Media Relations contact is Mike Addelman.

Recently there have been a few queries regarding the health and safety aspects of filming and photography in FBMH research buildings and laboratories. For guidance and an example risk assessment please refer to the events intranet page.

Eye Protection is Cheap – Eyesight is Priceless 

A series of preventable eye injuries have occurred in FBMH laboratories. Don’t let this happen to you or the people you are responsible for.

Remember:

• Your risk assessments must specify types of eyes / face protection to be worn.
• When your risk assessment says wear eye or face protection wear it.
• Select the correct type of protection for the hazard identified.
• Safety glasses offer impact protection only, only goggles offer liquid splash protection.
• Vision corrective spectacles offer no protection from hazardous substances.
• There is no such thing as "one size fits all" safety glasses and goggles, they must be selected, owned and used on an individual basis.
• It must be comfortable to wear and are a good fit (with no gaps between the frame and your face).
• Take care of your eye-wear, clean it with lint free wipes, keep it in a protective case when not in use.
• Never use damaged or scratched visors / eye-wear, take it out of service and report it immediately.

Stopford Stores supply a range of safety goggles and glasses and have a "try before you buy" policy so you can ensure you choose the best pair possible for you. They also sell protective cases and neck straps. It is strongly recommended that you also purchase a protective case to prevent damage to your eyewear.

If you don't find a suitable pair of spectacles or goggles there are also a wide range available on eMarketplace and suppliers are often willing to provide free samples. Further information and guidance can be found on the Health and Safety area of the FBMH intranet under “Eye, Face and Throat Protection”.

For those requiring prescription safety eyewear please contact your School or Faculty Compliance and Risk Manager.

Filming and photography in FBMH research buildings and laboratories

Recently there have been a few queries regarding the health and safety aspects of filming and photography in FBMH research buildings and laboratories. For guidance and an example risk assessment please refer to the events intranet page

July 2019 Safety Services Circular Safe Use of Laser Pointers

Procurement and Storage of Hazardous Substances

Incorrect management and storage of hazardous substances and hazardous waste can had serious consequences for you and your research.

All labs must have a robust chemical hygiene plan that includes procurement and storage of hazardous substance and appropriate hazardous waste management. Here is a simple do's and don'ts to download and follow.

For more detailed guidance please refer to the Procurement and Storage of Hazardous Substances guidance.

A batch of StarGuard Comfort Nitrile Gloves with the lot number 1010182332 has been identified as being defective. They very tear very easily as you put them on and when in use. Please check to see if you have any of gloves with this lot number in your laboratory.

If you do have any gloves with this lot number, unopened boxes can be returned to Stopford Stores who will issue you free replacements. Replacements will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis. Should more be required then please give your details to the Stores staff who will then send out your replacements when they receive another delivery.

Unfortunately opened boxes cannot be returned to Stores and should be disposed of.

If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact Victoria Kelly or your School Compliance and Risk Manager.

Please note the company have not put put a full product recall, if you purchase these gloves from other sources check the batch number. 

Health and Safety inspections across the Faculty are underway and will continue running throughout the year. The areas being looked at include all research laboratories, write –up areas and offices.  The inspection teams lead will notify you a week in advance to let you know to expect them, please make every effort to accommodate them.   After the inspection, you can expect a written report that notes areas of excellence and issues that need resolving. Actions that need taking and a time frame in which they should be taken are included in the report as are full guidance notes. You can also expect support from your local safety adviser and your School Compliance and Risk Manager.

Previous inspections have highlighted a lot of good practice in the Faculty however; they have also repeatedly noted poor housekeeping practices as a source of risk to staff and students. These include cluttered fume hoods, poor waste management and a build of hazardous chemicals in the laboratory.

Now is a good time to have a general tidy up of your areas, not only can it free up much needed space but it will enable the inspection teams to focus on significant any significant hazards that are present in your areas.

Recently, Safety Services undertook a series of inspections looking at selection, management and use of PPE. This was because there had been a number of accidents and near misses whereby:

• PPE had not been identified in risk assessments when it should have been;
• PPE was required and not used; or
• Inappropriate PPE was used.

Please bring the contents of this safety circular to the attention of your staff and students and ensure they are wearing the correct PPE as specified in the relevant risk assessment.

Use and transport of compressed gases

After a recent incident we’d like to remind everyone that staff and students should not be using or transporting compressed gases without the relevant training, an appropriate risk assessment and the use of the correct personal protective equipment.

The Biomedical Corridor Stopford Stores will no longer issue gas cylinders unless at least one of the pair of users collecting it has a valid gas passport and both are wearing the correct personal protective equipment.

Personal protective equipment must include:

EN166 compliant impact resistant safety spectacles (users own)
EN 388:2016 compliant gloves against mechanical risks (can be borrowed from Stopford Stores)
ISO 20345:2011 compliant safety footwear with steel toe caps (can be borrowed from Stopford Stores).  We recommend that people who regularly move cylinders have their own shoes and gloves. There is a wide range available on eMarketplace, prices start at £9.

The gloves and boots can be borrowed from Stopford Stores refer to the procedure for borrowing PPE from Stores for further information. It is expected that all staff and students will have their own safety spectacles.

Training is available via Staff Learning Development and consists of the following modules:
TLCA101 Compressed Gases & Cryogenic Workshop
TLCA105 Compressed Gases Workshop
TLCA100 Cryogenic Gases E Learning

Once the modules have been successfully completed candidates are issued with a gas passport which is valid for 3 years and transferable to other institutions.

Please note these modules require the candidate to supply their own safety shoes, gloves and safety spectacles. Shoes and gloves can be borrowed from Stopford Stores. It is expected that all staff and students will have their own safety spectacles.

Once the modules have been successfully completed candidates are issued with a gas passport which is valid for 3 years and transferable to other institutions. Further information is available on the FBMH health and safety entrant compressed gases training arrangements.

Slips, trips and falls are the second highest cause of injury to University staff and students. They can result in minor injuries such as bruising but can also cause serious and debilitating injuries such as broken bones and head injuries. 

They are easily avoidable and everyone has a degree of responsibility in helping to prevent them.

These are the most common causes of slips and trips and simple measure you can take to prevent injury to yourself and others.

Building issues e.g. loose carpet fittings, loose stair treads and flooding

• Never assume someone else has reported these or that it’s someone else’s responsibility to do so - anyone can contact the Estates Helpdesk to report an issue - Estates helpdesk Tel: x52424
• If there is flooding then also report it to House Services who will assist with the clean up

Poor Housekeeping e.g. spilt tea and coffee, trailing electrical cables and bags left in walkways

• When carrying a drink (in particular carrying one up the stairs) use a cup with a lid to prevent accidental spillages – if you do spill your drink mop it up so that no-one slips on the spill.
• Have a look round your desk and lab area for trailing cables and move them where possible -when it’s not please consider the use of cable ramps and cable ties. 

Laboratory activities e.g. carrying samples, defrosting freezers and using ice machines

• Cover samples with a firmly closed lid or use box / tray to contain any splashed / spills. 
• When using an ice machine or freezer; if ice melts on the floor mop it up with blue roll immediately (good maintenance will prevent ice build-up in the first place). 
• When defrosting a -80 freezer borrow a “wet-floor” sign from the building attendants, arrange to borrow the wet-vac via your Laboratory Technical Officer and warn those in the area that the floor might be wet.

For further guidance refer to Safety Service Reducing Slips Trips and Falls
Should you have the misfortune to slip, trip or fall – don’t forget to report it using the accident and incident report form.

Safety alerts

1.    Malfunctioning SciQuip FlatSpin stirrer:

A group recently purchased a FlatSpin stirrer (SP2236-FS) from SciQuip Ltd through eMarketplace.  Five minutes after the equipment was initially plugged in to the mains power supply the power connector disintegrated leaving exposed terminals on the plug connected to the mains power supply.

If you have this item in your laboratory please check the power assembly is robust and intact.

The suppliers have been notified of this defect.

2.    Bacterial contamination found in Bollé Lens Cleaning Tissues:

Bollé Safety Europe has informed VWR of a possible quality issue regarding the products:

• B100/111-0972 - Lens Cleaning Tissues Anti-Stat/Bact
• B500/111-0576 - Lens Cleaning Tissues 5 X 100 Ind Packed 500

Subsequent laboratory testing of these products has confirmed the presence of bacterial contamination in a small percentage of the cleaning wipes, making them unsuitable for their intended use.

As a safety precaution, Bollé are advising all customers who purchased B100 and B500 products on or after 12th June 2018 to not open any unused units, to prevent their further use and to safely dispose of them.

If you hold any unused units of these products, but cannot identify when they were purchased, we advise you to take the same safety precautions and dispose of them safely.

As a precautionary measure, sales of B100 and B500 products were suspended once Bollé became aware of this potential issue. The issue has since been rectified and delivery of both products will resume by the end of the first quarter of 2019. Each box of the new unaffected products will bear a lot number (all units sold prior to the suspension in sales do not bear a lot number).

3.    Malfunctioning ALPS-25 Microplate Sealer from Thermo Fisher:

An ALPS-25 Microplate Sealer purchased from Thermo Fisher by the University of Edinburgh has malfunctioned to the point that it was emitting smoke and was well on the way to catching fire. This is the second occurrence of this type of plate sealer failing in this manner.

Please check any ALPS-25 Microplate Sealers you may have in use to ensure they are operating correctly; including a thorough visual inspection of equipment, cables and plug and ensure that is has passed Portable Appliance Testing within the last 12 months. Where possible equipment should be switched off when not in use.

If you require further help or advice please contact the FBMH Compliance and Risk Team (FBMHhealthandsafety@manchester.ac.uk)