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Chemical and Biological Hazards

Department of Cell Physiology

And

Pharmacology

Tim Walton

Departmental Safety Officer

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Introduction

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations 2002

Risk Assessments Safety Data Sheets Control measures Fume Cupboards & Safety Cabinets

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CHEMICAL HAZARDS

COSHH: Risk assessments mandatory “Substances Hazardous to Health” are

VERY TOXIC, TOXIC, HARMFUL, CORROSIVE, IRRITATING, SENSITISING, CARCINOGENIC, MUTAGENIC, TERATOGENIC, (toxic for reproduction), EXPLOSIVE, FLAMMABLE.

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Exposure Routes

Ingestion (contaminated fingers) Injection (use of sharps) Inhalation (gases, powders, aerosols) Skin contact (e.g. corrosives, irritants etc.) Absorption through the skin (acrylamide

phenol)

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Risk Assessments COSHH form is only part of a risk

assessment The information gathered should be USED! Know your control measures - and use

them Always write your lab protocol with regard

to the risk assessment

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Hierarchy of Controls

Elimination or if not possible, substitution Enclosure of process & handling Partial enclosure with local exhaust ventilation

(LEV) LEV / Adequate general ventilation Systems of work to reduce generation of hazard Reducing periods of work, cleaning etc. Use of personal protective equipment – last

resort

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Hazardous Biological Agents

Covered by COSHH – principals of risk assessment and identification of control measures are the same

Authorisation needed to handle biohazards – form from Safety Services

Hazard groups: 1-4

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Human and animal blood, other human tissues and cell cultures are classified as Hazard Group 2

Hazard Group 3 – special facilities & training needed – at Leicester this is restricted to two locations

Containment – the minimum level for laboratory safety

Be aware of the risks from adventitious agents in cell cultures e.g. viruses

Always write experimental protocols with regard to identified risks

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1. Manipulations should be carried out in uncluttered areas

2. Suitable disinfectants should be available3. Minor cuts and abrasions should be covered by

waterproof plasters4. Hands should be washed frequently and

thoroughly, and when you leave the laboratory5. Sharp implements such as needles, scalpels and

scissors should be handled with care, [the use of these should be minimised as far as possible]

6. Cultures should be handled so as to minimise the generation of aerosols

7. A safety cabinet MUST be used if there is a risk of aerosol generation

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Safe working in the lab

Remember your responsibility is for the safety of yourself and others

Use PPE provided – lab coats, eye protection etc. Report accidents and near misses Lone working – no high-risk work; tell someone

you are working alone Incorporate findings of risk assessments into lab

protocols Label and store everything properly

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Safe working in the lab

Keep your work space tidy and clear up after yourself

Safety is not an add-on but an integral part of your work

Take care with waste disposal- think about other people who will have to handle the waste

(technical staff, cleaners, porters, contractors, etc.)

- think about the environment (where will the waste end up? Can this

chemical be put down the sink?)

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Safe working in the lab

Know the limitations of fume cupboards and microbiological safety cabinets. They don’t work properly when full of equipment and chemical bottles

A horizontal laminar flow cabinet is NOT a containment device – it is for “product protection”

Ask for advice from supervisors, lab safety supervisors, lab managers, technicians, departmental safety officer or Safety Services

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Genetic modification The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained

Use) Regulations 2000

Risk assessments

Genetic modification projects – approval and notification

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The regulations require Assessment of risk to human health and the

environment Notification of some activities to the Health

and Safety Executive Containment facilities (“contained use”) Inactivation of waste containing viable

organisms Training of workers Local rules, BSO, GM safety committee etc.

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What is covered by these Regulations

Recombinant DNA techniques involving the formation of new combinations of genetic material

Includes micro-organisms, cells in culture, plants and animals

Covers construction, storage, use, transportation, destruction or disposal

Includes non-harmful as well as harmful organisms

Self cloning is exempt – but containment must be used. Any harmful organism NOT exempt

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Definitions “Genetic Modification” in relation to an organism means the

altering of the genetic material in that organism by a way that does not occur naturally by mating, natural recombination or both

“Micro-organism” means a microbiological entity, cellular or non-cellular, capable of replication or of transferring genetic material, and includes a virus, a viroid and an animal or plant cell in culture

“Organism” means a biological entity capable of reproduction or of transferring genetic material and includes micro-organisms, but does not include a human or a human embryo

“Contained use” means any activity in which organisms are genetically modified or in which GMO’s are cultured, stored, used, transported, destroyed or disposed of and where barriers are used to limit contact of the GMO with humans and the environment

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Activity Classes Classes 1 – 4

- Activity levels in line with pathogen containment

Class 1: can start work as soon as GM sub-committee approves

Class 2 and higher – have to be notified to HSE

Projects notified to HSE go on a public register (but no personal data are available to the public) (a fee of £400 is payable)