Students

Students

The University of Bedfordshire is committed to the health, safety and welfare of staff, students, visitors and contractors while they are at the University, or carrying out its business. This policy applies to every aspect of the University, including all educational, research, commercial, residential accommodation and recreational activities.

Student role in Health & Safety

Students are required to:

· take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by what they do or fail to do;

· comply with policy, standards, procedures, guidance and instructions;

· co-operate with staff who supervise people, classes, activities and areas to enable them to carry out their responsibilities;

· make proper use of the health and safety facilities provided and neither misuse · nor interfere with anything in the interest of health, safety and welfare;

· report all events and incidents, including hazardous situations, unsafe or suspicious behaviours and suspicious packages;

· inform their tutor if they are concerned about their ability to carry out activities safely and without risk to health; and

· in the event of a fire alarm, immediately evacuate the building in a disciplined manner.

Students who move into accommodation in the Luton area are recommended to register with the Student Health Centre, Castle Street.

General Health & Safety guidelines students within the discipline of biological & biomedical science

These Guidelines have been drawn up in accordance with the appropriate regulations and documentation of the University of Bedfordshire Health, Safety and Welfare Policy, local rules and appropriate statutory bodies.

• University Health, Safety & Welfare Policy

In order to ensure a safe environment for all who work in the Department, please familiarise yourself with these guidelines. These guidelines are those for general safety and outline the general procedures appropriate to the Discipline of Biological & Biomedical Science. Students working in other departments, laboratories, etc in the University need to be also aware of the local safety rules and documentation for those areas. All laboratories are potentially dangerous! You will receive appropriate instruction and training in safety as you undertake practicals. In addition you will receive specific safety instructions in each practical through verbal instruction, by the lecturer/ demonstrator at the beginning of each practical, and in writing, in the form a safety assessment (called a COSHH Assessment) for each practical. In addition, all students will have received specific training in laboratory safety; COSHH and risk assessments in research method tutorials. 

• COSHH Assessment Form (40 KB; Word document)
  

LABORATORY SAFETY

i) BEHAVIOUR: You must behave responsibly in laboratory, i.e. never run in a laboratory, never throw anything in laboratory and never touch or fiddle with any equipment or reagents not associated with the specific practical work you are undertaking.

ii) HYGIENE: Personal and general hygiene is very important in all biological laboratories. Please ensure that you strictly adhere to the following:

· Before starting laboratory work any cuts, scratches, etc. on your hands or other exposed surface should be covered with a suitable plaster.

· Before leaving the laboratory always wash your hands.

iii) FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS: It is essential that you follow the safety instructions given to you. Where these require you undertake work in fume cupboard, safety cabinets, etc. you must ensure that use such equipment correctly, i.e. in accordance with the instructions given you.

iv) LAB COATS: The Division of Science will provide you with a laboratory coat. You must always wear a fastened lab coat and, where necessary, other protective clothing. You will be refused entry to any teaching laboratory if you are not wearing a laboratory coat. Laboratory coats are to be worn at all times in the laboratory but must not be worn in other areas. They should be taken off immediately upon leaving the laboratory area, i.e. for breaks or at the end of the practical.

v) SUITABLE CLOTHING: It is strongly advised that you wear suitable clothing, e.g. flat shoes, so that there is less chance of tripping; shoes with good soles, so there is less chance of slipping, and a. non-permeable upper, and clothes that cover as much skin surface as possible, so that should a spillage occur you have extra layers of protection beneath your lab coat to protect you.

vi) OTHER PROTECTION: You must wear any other protective equipment provided when the risk assessment indicates that it is necessary to do so, e.g. gloves, glasses, face masks.

vii) WEARING GLOVES: When wearing gloves be careful not to contaminate exposed skin areas or personal possessions by touching them, i.e. scratching, picking things up, with the surface of the gloves when you are wearing them. If your gloves become contaminated with any chemicals then change them for a fresh pair. Do not touch the exposed surface of the gloves with your hands, or other parts of your body, when removing them.

viii) HAIR: With long hair there is always the risk of it getting tangled in moving equipment, passing through an open flame or being dipped in chemicals. Long hair should always be tied back in practicals. Avoid the use of hair spays, etc. that that are flammable, during lab work when working with a naked flame, e.g. Bunsen burner.

ix) HEALTH: If you have: any specialist medical condition; suffer from asthma and need to use an inhaler; are subject to fits; have mobility problems, or allergic to chemicals or materials, then it is your responsibility to bring these to the attention of the lecturer BEFORE the day of the practical.

x) EATING, DRINKING AND CHEWING (i.e. gum, etc.) application of cosmetics or manipulation of contact lenses in laboratory areas is strictly forbidden at all times. Do not chew pens or place any other objects in your mouth during practicals. The hand to mouth route is the most common way of passing infections or poisons!

xi) DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD, DRINK OR OTHER CONSUMABLES INTO THE LAB. Bring only the minimum amount of personal materials with you into the laboratory.

xii) ON NO ACCOUNT should there be any mouth pipetting: use filling devices (rubber bulbs, Pi-pumps, etc.) or transfer pipettes (e.g. Gilson, Oxford, etc.).

xiii) DISPOSAL of reagents and equipment; please ensure you follow the instructions given to you. These may vary from practical to practical. For example, typical instructions for a practical dealing with microbiology or biohazardous material, would be as follows:

· contaminated glassware into the bucket labelled as such, ready for sterilising;

· contaminated plastics and disposables (gloves, etc.) into the bag (in a bucket) labelled as such, ready for sterilising;

· contaminated glass pipettes, Pasteur’s, etc. into the pipette cans and other containers (containing disinfectant) labelled as such.

ACCIDENT PROCEDURE

In the case of any contamination of skin, spillage or accidents in the laboratory that you are involved in YOU MUST stop work and bring the matter to the attention of, and seek the advice of, one of the lecturers/demonstrators involved IMMEDIATELY! In the case of an accident you will also be requested to fill in an accident form.

CONTAMINATION OF SKIN: Any spillage of any chemicals or reagents onto:

· skin should be immediately washed with excess water and soap,

· eyes washed out using the eye wash solution

· whole body; can be doused in water using the emergency showers

SPILLAGE: bring any spillage immediately to the attention of the lecturer/demonstrator. DO NOT attempt to deal with it yourself unless instructed to do so by a qualified member of staff.

Note; Departmental Policy is as follows:

· For minor injuries where first aid is all that is required, First Aiders can be contacted for assistance. A list of qualified First Aiders can be found on a noticeboard in the C300 corridor (Park Square)

· Eye wash stations for splashes, etc. in eyes are located in each lab close to the first aid station

· Full body emergency showers are in rooms C320 and C309, Park Square.

· In the event of serious illness or injury where medical attention is required arrangements should be made for the injured person to be sent directly to a hospital Accident and Emergency Department. This can be done by dialling 9999 on any internal telephone. Where possible, a qualified First Aider should be called to take charge of the situation and give appropriate treatment until the person receives medical help.

The Luton and Dunstable General Hospital Accident and Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

FIRE ALARMS AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES

· If the fire alarm goes in a practical, please stop what you are doing, and wait for further instructions from the lecturer/demonstrator. (Note, the University does not hold fire drills, although fire alarms are tested periodically. Please note at these times the alarms sounds intermittently and no action is required).

· The lecturer/demonstrator will then, as soon as it safe to do so, advise you to remove your lab coats and leave the building immediately by the nearest route closing doors behind you.

· You should accompany the lecturer/demonstrator to the assembly area (outside the Centre for Personal and Career Development) - or further away from the buildings if deemed necessary.

· Keep all entrances clear for emergency vehicles.

· Keep in a group with the lecturer.

In the case of a false alarm it may be possible to re-enter the building and continue the practical within a short time of the alarm having sounded. Listen for instructions from the lecturer or Fire Officers.

If you discover fire:

· Sound the alarm

· Do not return to the building for any reason until authorised to do so.

Health & Safety guidelines for all project students

1 GENERAL CONDUCT IN LABORATORIES

You must have already received appropriate instruction and training in laboratory safety before beginning you project. It is expected that this will have been achieved through specific safety instructions in each practical that you have carried out. In addition you will have received specific training in laboratory safety, COSHH and risk assessments as relevant to your projects). This training will help you undertake your own risk assessments required before you start work in the laboratory. No student will be allowed to carry out laboratory work unless they can show that they received such training. H&S:

2 RISK ASSESSMENTS AND COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) FORMS

2. 1 You should ensure that you that you have received, or produced yourself, copies of appropriate material safety data sheets.

2. 2 You have, or have access to, all instructions manuals, any specialist requirements, or procedures relevant to the laboratory or area they are working in necessary to produce a risk assessments.

2. 3 You must have produced risk assessments of all your procedures, and have them checked and signed by your supervisor, before ordering chemicals and materials or starting work. Note, technical officers will ask to see that risk assessment have been undertaken and approved before they will order any chemicals for you or allow you to work in the laboratories.

2. 4 You must carry your risk assessment with you at all time you are working in the laboratory. They carry important information on the disposal of chemicals. Failure to have them with you will mean that you will be refused permission to work in the laboratory.

2. 5 If you change your protocols or what you are doing in your project you should do a fresh risk assessment of the changes or new protocol before using the modified or new protocols in the laboratory. Any changes should be discussed and approved by your supervisor before you carry them out.

2. 6 Ensure that you have received appropriate training in use of any equipment in the laboratory that you will use in your project before starting work in the laboratory.

2. 7 ALL disposal, storage, labelling and use of chemicals/media must be done in accordance with COSHH regulations. YOU must ensure that you are aware of any specialist requirements, etc, as relevant to the laboratory/ area you are working in. You should not work alone (i.e. without the presence of someone within earshot). You should not work outside normal hours, which are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. You should not use the laboratory facilities, apparatus or chemicals without the prior approval of a member of staff or technician.

3 CARRYING OUT PRACTICAL WORK IN THE LABORATORY

3. 1 GENERAL SAFETY - You are responsible for your own work area. It must not present a hazard to other people working in the laboratory.

3. 2 INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO YOU: Read any written ones and listen carefully, and make notes, to any added instructions from supervisors or technical officers before commencing work. You should only use the techniques that you initially planned to use, e.g. as described in the handouts you have received, and on which you will have done a COSHH assessment. You should follow such protocols and/or instructions carefully as failure to do so may result in an accident.

3. 3 OTHER TECHNIQUES: If you need to use any other technique you must obtain permission and it may be necessary for you to work under direct supervision. You should not proceed with any technique unless you are fully conversant with it and any potential hazard.

3. 4 REAGENTS: Many of the reagents and some of the equipment, which you use in the laboratory, are potentially dangerous. Always, read the labels on the reagent bottles before use, making sure that you have got the correct reagent (many of their names are very similar), and that you are aware of its hazards. Before using any dangerous reagents ensure you read your risk assessments and know exactly the risks involved in the activity you are undertaking and what to do in case of spillage or other accident.

3. 5 WORKING AT EYE LEVEL: Do not pour any solution at or above eye level unless absolutely necessary!. If you have to work anywhere near eye level ensure you are wearing glasses or a full face mask, depending on the risk

3. 6 CHEMICALS/MEDIA: Shelf chemicals/Media must be returned immediately. Cupboard, fridge and deep freeze chemicals, are in limited amounts and ordinarily, are not available to any student So, do not take them without asking the Technical Staff. They must be returned immediately.

3. 7 STORAGE OF REAGENTS - Containers: Use appropriate, capped containers to store your reagents. On no account should you store reagents in volumetric flasks- use screw-capped bottles instead. Consult with the Technical Staff if you need storage space in a cupboard, fridge etc. Do not waste your time and resources by making up and storing too much material that you will only have to dispose of later because of deterioration. Hazardous materials, should not be stored in large quantities, or volumes, and should be appropriately labelled.

3. 8 STORAGE OF REAGENTS - Labelling: You must ensure that you label and store all reagents, materials, etc. correctly. Bottles and other containers should be clearly and unambiguously labelled with: · the appropriate nature of risk or hazard the material presents (refer to your COSHH assessment), Biohazard tape can be used to identify appropriate biological material and other, pre-prepared labels or COSHH pictograms for acids, etc. should be used if available. · your name · your supervisor’s name (or initials if there is lack of room) · the date the reagent was bought in or prepared, · a date the reagent can be discarded

3. 9 GLASSWARE: Where ever possible use disposable plastics, or re-usable plastics (make sure you know which is which!) beakers, test tubes, etc. rather than glass. Check with the technician responsible for the area you are working in as to the procedure for preparation of glassware for washing. No glassware or plasticware left for washing up should contain any chemicals, micro-organisms or radioactive material. You should remove all labels, etc on bottles or other glassware before putting it out to be washed up.

3. 10 USE OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Use fume cupboards or personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles etc.) when advised to do so by a supervisor, or as specified on the COSHH assessment which will be provided if the work involves the use of hazardous chemicals.

3. 11 EQUIPMENT – USE OF: Read the instructions relating to any item of equipment which you use. Some of the equipment that you use in the laboratory may be potentially dangerous. You should never use any equipment unless you have received specific permission from your supervisor and appropriate instruction in the safe use of the piece of equipment. If unsure whether you should be using a piece of equipment, or how to use any equipment ask your supervisor.

3. 12 EQUIPMENT LEFT ON OVERNIGHT: Students are not allowed to leave any piece of equipment on overnight. If you need to leave a piece of equipment on overnight you must ask your supervisor, their nominee or another member of academic or technical staff to do it for you.

3. 13 NOTICES ON EQUIPMENT: Observe any notices on equipment carrying instructions or warnings.

3. 14 CLEAN ALL EQUIPMENT - INCLUDING BALANCES - AFTER USE. Do not leave equipment such as pH meters, laminar flow cabinets, fume cupboards etc. in an untidy state. Laminar Flow Cabinet and Microbiological Safety Cabinet - On completion of work, leave in a clean state. Where appropriate swab all surfaces with a suitable sterilising fluid, e.g. Virkon.

3. 15 BENCH/ WORK AREA: Keep your work within the bench area allotted and keep your work area as tidy as possible. Clean up your work area and put everything away at the end of each day. You are responsible for clearing up after yourself. Avoid cluttering up laboratories (especially research labs.) with coats, bags or other personal possessions.

3. 16 OTHER EQUIPMENT & ROOMS: Never touch any other equipment, reagents, etc in cupboards and drawers or on the bench in the laboratory you are working in. Never touch or interfere with the material involved in any other project or laboratory activity occurring in the room in which you are working or other laboratories, preparation rooms etc. Never enter other laboratories or work areas unless you have been authorised to do so. Never enter preparation rooms, Technical Officers room or other rooms unless you have express permission to do so.

4 ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIALIST AREAS

Cell and molecular biology, Microbiology and Tissue Culture Laboratories:

4. 1 Doors should be closed at all times when work is being done and should be locked when the Laboratory is unoccupied.

4. 2 See separate instructions for specialist areas.

5 DISPOSAL OF CHEMICALS/MEDIA

5. 1 This must be done in accordance with COSHH regulations. If in doubt, ask. Do not pour any solutions down the sink without first asking whether it is safe to do so. NEVER dispose of sediment down the sinks; use the buckets provided. In the event of any accident contact any member of the teaching or technical staff.

5. 2 Report any spillages or accident, however minor.

5. 3 Empty and rinse glassware as soon as possible after use and remove to the designated location for collection for washing. Pay particular attention to removal of corrosive or toxic chemicals, plant material, soil, agar etc. (see "Disposal" below).

5. 4 Solid material such as animal waste, plants, soil, sand and agar must be put in black waste sacks, not in sinks or waste paper bins.

5. 5 Chemicals disposed of down sinks should be rinsed away thoroughly.

5. 6 Hazardous chemicals must be disposed of as detailed in the COSHH assessment. E.g.:

· strong acids and alkalis diluted and neutralized

· flammable solvents to waste bottle labelled with the appropriate category (ask technician or supervisor).

· irritant or fuming aqueous liquids down fume cupboard sink.

5. 7 Pasteur pipettes, pipette tips are to be put in the bins provided for broken glass, not in waste paper bins or plastic waste sacks.

5. 8 Sharps, i.e. scalpel blades, razor blades, hypodermic needles (and contaminated syringes) must be put in the containers designated for the purpose (Sharpsafe or Burnbin).

5. 9 Disposal of Microbiologically Contaminated Material

· Contaminated glassware; put into the sterilising bag labelled “CONTAM GLASSWARE”.

· Contaminated Plastics; put into the sterilising bag labelled “CONTAM PLASTICS”. · Glass Pipettes; put into the Pipette can (containing disinfectant), provided.

· “Sharps” e.g. needles, must be put either into a “CINBIN” or a yellow plastic sharps box depending on what is provided.

· Do not bring contaminated material into the wash-up room, or leave by First Aid boxes.

6 ACCIDENTS & SPILLAGES

Clean up all spillages immediately using the appropriate procedures and wearing appropriate safety equipment as identified in your COSHH forms. General guidelines only are given below.

6. 1 Liquids: mop with cloth or paper towel: do not try to suck them up using pipettes, etc.

6. 2 Strong acids and alkalis: flush with water, neutralise and then mop up.

6. 3 Undiluted acids or alkalis: Seek assistance immediately from technical staff or your supervisor.

6. 4 Solid chemicals: wipe with damp cloth or paper towel. (Balance pans can in most cases be removed for cleaning).

6. 5 Spillages of biohazardous, cell culture, microbial, etc.: please refer to specialist instructions for dealing with these.

6. 6 Spillages (Chemical) - These should be cleaned and disposed of using the instructions gained from your COSHH forms. If In any doubt whatsoever about the clean up procedure for a particular chemical consult a member of the technical staff immediately.

6. 7 Spillages (Personal) - your COSHH forms will inform you what you should do in the event of spilling biological materials or chemicals about your person. If in doubt consult a member of staff immediately. Do not deal with spills of dusts or other solid chemicals by brushing or blowing: this increases the risk from hazardous materials. N.B. Do not put paper towels used for cleaning up chemical spillages into waste paper bins where cleaning staff could come into contact with harmful substances: use the specialist, labelled, containers provided by the technical group.

7 SUPERVISION OF PROJECT STUDENTS

7. 1 When working in the laboratory you must ensure that you project supervisor, is present in the building.

7. 2 If they are going to be absent when you are working in the laboratory then you need to arrange for another member of staff (an appropriate nominee) to be nominated by your supervisor to supervise you that day/time. They will be someone who is aware of the nature of the work and familiar with the risks involved in the area of your project and the laboratory, or area, in which you are working.

7. 3 You must report to you project supervisor (or nominee) before starting work and ending your laboratory work.

7. 4 The normal working hours of the Department are Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00. The laboratories are normally out of bounds to undergraduates outside of this time and the doors may actually be locked. Work outside normal working hours is not permitted except by arrangement with you supervisor. The supervisor, or a nominee, must also be present in the laboratory area when out of hours work is being carried out. Anyone found contravening safety regulations will be asked to cease work in the Laboratory and will not be allowed to restart their work without written approval by the Head of Department.

8 SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR WORK IN THE FIELD

Fieldwork can involve a wide range of activities including: visits to other institutions, establishments and industrial companies. The term 'field' does not necessarily imply an agricultural setting. In projects involving fieldwork, students should strictly adhere to the University Code of Practice for Safety in Fieldwork, copies of which may be obtained from the unit Co-ordinator. Students should have a copy of the “Student’s Handbook for Field Work” and have signed the declaration at the back, saying they have read and agreed to the regulation, before starting work. The project supervisor and the Head of Department should keep copies of this declaration.

9 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NOT RELATED TO HEALTH & SAFETY: COMPLETION OF PROJECTS

After you have completed your practical work, and are then writing up, you need to finally tidy up your practical area, reagents and any equipment you have used as follows:

· Discuss with your supervisor exactly how you are going to do this. Ensure you know what is to be kept, and where, and what is to be discarded, and how.

· Discard any reagents or materials in chemical stores.

· Especially, discard any reagents stored in fridges and freezers.

· Ensure that reagents not to be discarded are correctly labelled (as above) - especially with you supervisors name. (NOTE Unlabelled or unclaimed materials found in cupboards, fridges, freezers, etc. may be discarded without notice.)

· Ensure that all stock reagents, etc. are returned to the Laboratory Technician or Research Demonstrator if not required by the supervisor.

· Ensure that all equipment used is correctly and thoroughly cleaned. If you have used a mobile piece of equipment, please ensure that it is returned to the Laboratory Technician or Research Demonstrator.