Sharing Session on Laboratory Safety for Laboratory Technicians

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Sharing Session on Laboratory Safety for
Laboratory Technicians

• 18 February 2006

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Recent Developments

• Handbook on Laboratory Safety (2002)
• New Safety Posters (2003)
• Survey on School Laboratory Accidents (02/03)
• Learning and Teaching Resources on Safety in
  Science Laboratories (2004)
• Various safety seminars and workshops for
  laboratory technicians, teachers and panel
  chairpersons
• Reforms in science curricula
• SBM, ESR

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Recent Safety Issues

• Bench mat and wire gauze
• Laboratory accidents
• Spillage of formalin due to falling down of
  hanging cupboards containing biological specimens
  (2005)
• Cut on palm by broken glass tubing (2005)
• Inhalation of harmful gases/vapour during
  disposal of chemical wastes (2005)
• Ingestion of small amount of NH4Cl(s) (2004)
• Spillage of CuSO4(aq) onto the eyes (2004)
• Minor heat burn on a finger during extraction of
  chlorophyll (2004)
• Burn by HCl(g) on face (2003)

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Laboratory Accidents (2002/03)
Phy Chem Bio IS ES
Chemical on skin 0 34 3 10 0
Eye accidents 0 14 1 18 0
Chemical spillage 2 18 4 6 0
Heat Burns 2 53 13 109 1
Inhalation of gas 0 2 0 0 0
Cuts 6 24 62 73 0
Substances catching fire 0 5 1 2 0
Bites by animals 0 0 0 1 0
Others 2 2 1 6 0
12 152 85 225 1
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http//www.iosh.gov.tw/netbook/labsafe/labsafe.htm

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Safety in Exploring Science

• Interactive learning package
• On-line and CD-ROM versions
• http//resources.emb.gov.hk/ses

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Learning and Teaching Resources on Safety in
Science Laboratories

• Learning activities
• Laboratory Safety Rules
• Eye Protection
• Safety Information on Chemicals
• Risk Assessment
• What if a Laboratory Accident Happens
• http//cd.emb.gov.hk/sci

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How does school LT work like?

• Dispenser or Pharmacist
• For a play in theater
• Teachers - Director and Audience
• Students - Actors
• Lab Technicians - Assistant Director
• LTs play key role in smooth running of laboratory
• Ms Esther Hon, HKLTA

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Why school laboratory technicians are needed?

• As an experienced and skilled technicians
• Have a considerable skill and expertise not
  available anywhere else.
• Have a detailed knowledge of practical techniques
  and often greater expertise (than do the science
  teachers) in matters of TECHNIQUE, HEALTH
  SAFETY, EFFICIENCY AND ECONCOMY.
• Ms Esther Hon, HKLTA

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Science Safety Resource Manual (2003), British
Columbia
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http//www.cleapss.org.uk

• L228 Technicians and Their Jobs

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Laboratory Equipment (1/3)

• Hand Protector ?????

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Laboratory Equipment (2/3)

• Reduce breakage of glassware
• Plasticware (e.g. dropper, beaker, funnel)
  polypropylene, polymethylpentene (TPX))
• Thermometers
• Non-mercury filled
• Plastic coated
• Digital (-50-150oC)
• ???????????
• Inhalation of gases
• Microscale chemistry apparatus

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Laboratory Equipment (3/3)
Distribution of Equipment
Spectacle Cabinet