Emergency Contacts
To report an Emergency call 520 – 4444 for Police/Fire/Ambulance response.
Use any of the following means:
Red Telephones
Located in building lobbies, corridors, computer labs, and parking garages.
Located in building lobbies, corridors, computer labs, and parking garages.
Blue Light – Exterior Emergency Telephones and Emergency Phones
Located outside on the campus grounds, parking garages and the tunnel system.
Located outside on the campus grounds, parking garages and the tunnel system.
Bell Canada Pay Telephones
Located across campus – dial 520-4444, it is a free call from any campus pay telephone.
Located across campus – dial 520-4444, it is a free call from any campus pay telephone.
Office Telephones
dial 4444 only
dial 4444 only
Emergency calls made by any of the above means will be received by the University Safety, Communication Control Centre for co-ordination of 9-1-1 Emergency Response.
Health and Safety “Handout”
The full Health and Safety Manual can be found at:
Every student should read it.
The following document contains a lot of material that looks like it is not applicable for ELEC 4707. However, the document is important to know, and you may end up working in a related laboratory, so read the document and make sure you understand everything. If you don’t, ask the TA or the professor!
Responsibilities
All laboratory workers are responsible for:
a) following all applicable safety rules and practices as outlined in this manual and by the supervisor;
b) using and wearing personal protective equipment according to instructions;
c) reporting all incidents to the laboratory supervisor;
d) reporting all unsafe conditions to the laboratory supervisor;
e) completion of recommended occupational health screening programs when applicable; and
f) attending all training courses as directed by the supervisor.
General Health and Safety Principles
Good laboratory practice requires that every laboratory worker and supervisor observe the following:
a) Food and beverages are not permitted in the lab. Consume food and beverages only in properly designated areas. (Ontario Regulation 851 Section 131)
b) Use appropriate personal protective equipment at all times. (OHSA Section 28(1))
c) Use laboratory equipment for its designed purpose.
d) Confine long hair and loose clothing. (Ontario Regulation 851 Section 83)
e) Use a proper pipeting device. Absolutely no pipeting by mouth.
f) Avoid exposure to gases, vapours, aerosols and particulates by using a properly functioning laboratory fumehood.
g) Wash hands upon completion of laboratory procedures and remove all protective equipment including gloves and lab coats.
h) Ensure that the laboratory supervisor is informed of any unsafe condition. (OHSA Section 28 (1)(d))
i) Know the location and correct use of all available safety equipment.
j) Determine potential hazards and appropriate safety precautions before beginning new operations and confirm that existing safety equipment is sufficient for this new procedure. (See Appendix 3, Laboratory Risk Assessment)
k) Avoid disturbing or distracting other workers while they are performing laboratory tasks.
l) Ensure visitors to the laboratory are equipped with appropriate safety equipment.
m) Be certain all hazardous agents are stored correctly and labelled correctly according to Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS) requirements. (Ontario Regulation 860)
n) Consult the material safety data sheet prior to using an unfamiliar chemical and follow the proper procedures when handling or manipulating all hazardous agents.
o) Follow proper waste disposal procedures. (See Appendix 4, Disposal of Hazardous Waste)
Basic Safety Procedures
Procedures for Unattended Work
a) Unattended procedures should be kept to a minimum.
b) An unattended procedure must be visited periodically and a sign posted on the door of the lab outlining the procedure with the name and phone number of a contact person. The sign will indicate the date and time the procedure was started, when it is expected to be completed, and when it was last checked. (See Appendix 13)
c) Unattended procedures using cooling water must have the hoses securely attached and the water adjusted to the minimum flow necessary. Ensure plumbing drains are clear before leaving the procedure.
Working Alone
a) For safety reasons working alone should be avoided. Someone should always be within call when a laboratory procedure is being performed.
b) For work with hazardous materials or procedures the supervisor has the right to require that at least one other person be present.
Housekeeping
a) Work areas must be kept clean and free of obstructions.
b) Stairways and halls must not be used for storage. This applies to both equipment and personal property. Bicycles are not allowed in buildings.
c) Walkways and aisles in laboratories must be kept clear.
d) Access to emergency equipment or exits must never be blocked. (Ontario Regulation 851 Section123 (2))
e) Equipment and chemicals must be stored properly.
f) Spilled chemicals must be dealt with immediately and if safe cleaned up by the chemical user. (See Section 11.4 of this manual) Spills must be reported to the supervisor.
g) Wastes must be placed in appropriate, labeled containers.
h) Materials no longer used must not be allowed to accumulate and must be disposed of following proper procedures. (See Electrical Equipment and Apparatus)
a) All electrical installations must conform to the provisions of the Power Commission Act of Ontario.
b) All electrical equipment must be CSA approved or inspected by Ontario Hydro.
c) Extension cords must not be used for permanent installations. Contact Physical Plant at 3668 to install or relocate outlets in close proximity to the equipment.
d) Use ground fault circuit interrupters where there is a risk of an operator coming in contact with water and electrical equipment simultaneously.
e) Only trained, qualified personnel may repair or modify electrical or electronic equipment.
f) Power bars should not be located beneath work benches where chemicals are handled.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to protect many parts of the body. It should act as a primary barrier between the hazard and the worker. It does not reduce the hazard. Personal protective equipment appropriate to the hazards must be worn.
(Ontario Regulation 851 Sections 79-86)
All personnel in a laboratory should consult with their supervisor regarding protective equipment appropriate to the individual laboratory. (Ontario Regulation 851 Section 79) It is the responsibility of the supervisor to select the PPE appropriate to the work being done. The Canadian Standards Association publishes standards with information that may assist the supervisor with the selection. In some cases the department will pay for the PPE, in other cases PPE may be provided from research grant funds, or students may be required to purchase their own PPE. It is the responsibility of anyone working in the lab to use the PPE that is required.
Personal protective equipment must not be considered the primary means of protecting the laboratory worker. Research procedures and engineering controls, such as fumehoods, must be considered first. All the personnel in the lab should wear personal protective equipment, not just those actively working. Appropriate clothing should be worn at all times.
a) Gloves
There are many different types of protective gloves available and they should be chosen to offer the best protection for specific procedures and chemicals. Glove materials have different chemical resistances and should be checked with the manufacturer prior to selecting a specific type of glove. Always check the integrity of the glove before starting work. Use the correct technique to remove gloves before leaving the laboratory. Consider gloves to be contaminated after use and dispose of appropriately.
b) Eye Protection
An individual exposed to possible eye injury shall wear eye protection appropriate to the circumstances. Approved safety glasses with side shields are the minimum protection required in a laboratory. Goggles and face shields may also be required for certain procedures, as determined by the supervisor. In those cases where prescription safety glasses are required, the individual will provide them. Such glasses must meet all the requirements for safety glasses as specified by the CSA Standard for Eye and Face Protectors (CSA-Z94.3-99).
c) Skin Protection
Clothing should provide maximum coverage of skin in accordance with the risk of exposure. The supervisor should determine the specific requirements in each lab.
When lab coats are used they should be
• removed and hung up prior to personnel leaving the lab,
• laundered separately from other clothing,
• buttoned closed when worn.
Rubber aprons should be worn when handling highly corrosive or reactive materials.
d) Respiratory Protection
Under normal circumstances respirators should not be required for laboratory situations. Use of fumehoods should generally eliminate respiratory hazards. If a respirator is required, the selection should be based on the CSA Standard, Selection, Use and Care of Respirators CSA – Z94.4-93. It is essential the wearer be properly instructed for fit and safe use of a respirator.
e) Hearing Protection
Hearing protection is required for noise levels above 90 dBA. (Ontario Regulation 851 Section 139) The supervisor will determine the appropriate type of hearing protection to be worn. (Hearing Protectors CSA-Z94.2-M1984) Measuring can be done by EHSS.
f) Foot Protection
Safety footwear is designed to protect feet against a variety of injuries. Impact, compression, chemical splashes and puncture are the most common types of injuries. Footwear should be chosen according to the hazard and should be properly rated. (Protective Footwear CSA-Z195-M92)
g) Head Protection
Head protection is required when working where there is a risk of injury from moving, falling, or flying objects or when working near high-voltage equipment. Hard hats are designed to protect from the impact and penetration caused by objects hitting the head or from limited electrical shock or burns.
