European University Cyprus MD100 Health & Safety Guidelines PDF

Medical Biochemistry I MD100 Health & Safety Guidelines for the Laboratory Dr. Stephanos Christodoulides [email protected]  Introduction ❑The smooth and safe operation of the laboratories requires updating you about the rules of safety and healt...

Medical Biochemistry I MD100 Health & Safety Guidelines for the Laboratory Dr. Stephanos Christodoulides [email protected]  Introduction ❑The smooth and safe operation of the laboratories requires updating you about the rules of safety and health ❑The lab spaces are dangerous when the rules and safety protocols are not met and not applied  Introduction ❑Participants should be aware that they are responsible for their own safety and health, but also for the safety and health of all third parties who may be affected in the lab or in the surrounding areas ❑Ignorance of safety rules of the lab is unjustified and can have a serious impact, not only on the person but also to all who are present in the laboratory or in the surrounding areas  Introduction Health and safety rules ❑Each rule has a specific purpose ❑Remember that these are general rules and thus there is a risk of something missing ❑If at any time you are unsure about safety, ask your laboratory technician or the instructor  General Safety Rules ❑The presence and / or consumption of any kind (solid or liquid) food, as well as smoking in laboratories is strictly forbidden ❑Each student is required, for the entire period that is within the area of the laboratory, to wear a lab coat and goggles ❑After the laboratory exercise the coat should be stored in a pouch or bag for the specific purpose  General Safety Rules ❑Contact lenses are prohibited ❑The goggles cannot protect you from fumes that can dry-up the lenses (you might even need surgery to unstick them) ❑The use of the appropriate types of gloves (for various chemicals) is mandatory  General Safety Rules ❑Wearing sandals is prohibited ❑Long hair is a source of many risks (e.g. can easily come into contact with chemicals (you should take the necessary measures to avoid this contact) ❑Do not wear jewellery in the laboratory (not even watch, if possible) ❑Radio, headphones etc. are also prohibited  General Safety Rules ❑For conveying items (glassware or devices) in the laboratory use the help of both hands ❑Never take broken glassware by your hands ❑Never throw pieces of broken glass in the normal waste bin  General Safety Rules ❑Each student needs to know where the following are and how they are used: ▪ The first aid kit ▪ Fire extinguishers and emergency showers ❑The safety equipment must be maintained in good condition and not used unnecessarily  General Safety Rules ❑Do not smell straight from the bottles & avoid inhalation of vapours ❑Closed containers containing chemicals should be opened within the hood ❑Experiments that create fumes should always be carried out within the hood  General Safety Rules ❑Avoid exposure to chemicals or solutions (especially in the eyes and the mucous membranes of the oral and nasal cavity) ❑If big amount of chemical is spilled on the floor, the lab technician should be informed immediately ❑Shorts or skirts above the knee are not allowed (your clothes are the ones to protect you from direct skin contact from any splashing chemicals) ❑In case of danger or accident the lab technician should be informed immediately  General Safety Rules Should a fire ignite in the lab requires great attention ❑If a chemical within a beaker or flask is on fire, the outbreak of fire may be covered by another beaker or damp cloth (only when the fire is small) ❑If fire is greater the specific extinguisher and/or blankets should be used  General Safety Rules ❑If the fire is large then you must evacuate the lab immediately, alert people to the other University buildings and call the Fire Department ❑In this case all users of the workshops should be gathered at pre-determined assembly point Water It is suitable for solid materials such as wood, paper, cloth, plastic but unsuitable for electrical causes of fire and flammable liquids General Safety Rules for Chemical Reagents ❑Working with hazardous reagents is performed only in the hoods ❑Pipetting by mouth is prohibited ❑Proper use is required with rubber suckers (bulb) General Safety Rules for Chemical Reagents ❑Use only the quantities of reagents required by the experiment ❑Do not return any excess to the reagent container (for residue treatment please contact your lab technician) ❑The heating of volatile flammable liquids or solutions in open containers or Bunsen Burners is prohibited General Safety Rules for Chemical Reagents Laboratory waste ❑Do not pour chemical waste in the sink drains or in the rubbish bins ❑Chemical waste should be collected in special containers and be delivered to the collection company to neutralize them ❑ Avoid mixing of incompatible chemicals (to rule out any dangerous reactions)  Toxic Substances ❑Normally, all chemicals in the lab should be treated as potential poisons (unless of course they are known as completely harmless compounds) Wounds cut ❑In case of a small wound, allow free flow of blood for a few seconds ❑Then the wound should be disinfected and ligated (with gauze)  Carcinogens ❑The vapours of metallic mercury and volatile compounds are dangerous poisons ❑If working with known carcinogenic compounds is inevitable, you should definitely avoid inhalation of vapours or contact with skin  Other Issues ❑If a lab experiment is not completed by the end of your session, you should discuss the issue with your lab technician/instructor ❑When heating a substance in a test tube, you must always point the mouth of the tube away from all other people ❑Use a clamp or tongs to handle hot glassware  Exam ❑There will be an examination for the safety rules that you are required to pass (80% or greater) before continuing to monitor conventional lab courses  Exam Format and Date The Exam will be conventional (on campus) It will consist of 30 Multiple Choice and/or True/False Questions Exam date is on Wednesday 9th of October 2024 in the afternoon (@ 14.00)  Questions? [email protected]