Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

MSDSs, Storage, Handling, Transport, Labeling, computer management systems, and anything else to do with safety.
User avatar
~megz~
Posts: 45
Joined: 03 Feb 2009, 14:02
State/Location: NSW

Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by ~megz~ »

Hi all,

I'm aware that there have been many topics on similar subjects to this, but I have spent most of the morning reading old topics and I still feel somewhat bamboozled... so I thought I'd start a topic to try and fill the gaps :thumbup:

Back at the end of last Term, I attended an AIS Training day titled 'OH&S Management Systems Training - Secondary Science Laboratories' (AIS - Association of Independent Schools). I came back with more questions than answers :oops: Instead of feeling armed to deal with increasing 'risk assessment' and 'safety policy' demands, I am flummoxed as to what is required of school labs (aren't we all?!). The things our lab was not up to scratch in, according to the presenter, is a list as long as my arm! The things I feel we have a good handle on already are:

* Risk assessments - both site and activity assessments.
* MSDS
* Chemical register
* Storage procedures

Things she mentioned which left me feeling :? are the requiremnts for:

*safe work procedures (SWP) for all tasks commonly performed in the lab - by me, I assume?! :-o
*Standard operating procedures (SOP)(if different from above - I found some information about these in previous 'risk assessment' topic)
*incident/near miss reporting (does anyone have an example of their form they could send me? Our current one is :-( )
* proof of training (how can I prove what I haven't had? LOL)

I understand that there are a few differences in the way DET and AIS and other independent school labs are run, but I'm sure there's got to be crossover. I would love to hear from anyone, particularly those who have recently been inspected, on what the requirements are with regards to these.

Also - if someone could explain which authority it is that does the inspecting and how they do it, that would be great! I'm hoping this topic will be a handy resource for all the inexperienced labbies like myself, who can't seem to get a straight answer from anyone in real life!
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. ~Wernher Von Braun
User avatar
Sassi
Posts: 432
Joined: 17 Sep 2007, 12:43
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by Sassi »

Hi Megz,

I know how you feel, went to that course when I first started here and felt more confused than before 8-[ But this may help you, its a large document, but I put it together last year, the teachers and i now have to read it every year. It covers most things, maybe you have something similar at your school.


Hope it may help you a little bit at least
[-o<

Sass :giggle:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
~megz~
Posts: 45
Joined: 03 Feb 2009, 14:02
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by ~megz~ »

Sassi -

Bless you! You're an angel :D I am having a thorough read of it right now. I think I will need to produce something similar that is specialised for our department, as the current policy is non-existent! Did you just reference CSIS, or any other docs like the Australian Standards or anything?

I think I can have a pretty good go at one now :-)

Also - so does this mean we don't need to produce a whole bunch of Safe Work Procedures for our lab work? I had visions of myself having to type up a fistful of SWPS: How to dilute acids, How to prepare agar plates, How to make up solutions of CuSO4, How to Safely Scratch Head... etc :yuck: :lol:

On the plus side, I think the Risk Assessment form I have insisted that teachers start using is going to pass muster! Can you beleieve we did not perform risk assessments here until three weeks ago? :unsure:
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. ~Wernher Von Braun
User avatar
Labbie
Posts: 3234
Joined: 28 Nov 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Retired
Suburb: At Home
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by Labbie »

I believe a SOP is for a plant equipment, one that sits their all the time. It is the operational steps used to start that item up. 1. Plug in, 2, set blue knob to 4, 3, closed door. That sort of thing.
Regards Labbie

Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired :wub:
User avatar
vlclabbie
Posts: 367
Joined: 21 Apr 2009, 11:22
Job Title: Lab Chick
Suburb: Albury
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by vlclabbie »

Bravo Megz..... :clap3: I'm new too & a sole woman techie..... so responsible for all this! #-o It's totally overwhelming!!!!!!!

Why isn't there a manual written by the powers that be of exactly WHAT is required.... now I've typed that someone will illuminate me that there probably is!!!! My fingers are crossed [-o<
User avatar
~megz~
Posts: 45
Joined: 03 Feb 2009, 14:02
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by ~megz~ »

justsue wrote:I believe a SOP is for a plant equipment, one that sits their all the time. It is the operational steps used to start that item up. 1. Plug in, 2, set blue knob to 4, 3, closed door. That sort of thing.
Yes, I think you're right. And I think that side of things should not be too hard to set up. It's the SWP (Safe Work Procedure) that has got me worried - for processes rather than equipment use... anyone have these in place in their lab?
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. ~Wernher Von Braun
User avatar
~megz~
Posts: 45
Joined: 03 Feb 2009, 14:02
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by ~megz~ »

Kel - Wouldn't that be marvellous?! I hope someone writes one very soon. :thumbup: Good luck with it all - I'm sure we can bumble our way through it together!

Six weeks until inspection and counting...
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. ~Wernher Von Braun
jenny walter
Posts: 13
Joined: 23 May 2008, 11:57
State/Location: VIC

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by jenny walter »

Hello All,
Not sure if it was on this forum or not, but I was earlier searching Risk assessments for preparation of our solutions etc., and I opened an attachment showing an example of a risk assessment, it appeared to be very good, however I can not locate it again. Does anybody know of anything like this that can be used as a proforma for our risk assessments.
Jenny Walter
User avatar
Sassi
Posts: 432
Joined: 17 Sep 2007, 12:43
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by Sassi »

The forum you are after might be 'chemistry RA's" ? Hope you find what you were looking for!

Sass :giggle:
User avatar
lizzieb
Posts: 983
Joined: 04 Jul 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Labbie
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by lizzieb »

Sassi, congratulations on your OHS Policy - what a brilliant initiative!

Well done :clap3:
Liz

Life keeps getting better every day!
User avatar
Mother
Posts: 275
Joined: 17 May 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Science lab. technician
School: Dubbo College/Senior Campus
Suburb: Dubbo
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by Mother »

Hi all
I am revisiting risk assessment information.
Did I read some time back that Public Schools are not required to fill in risk assessment sheets for every prac. that we do?????Seems that quite a few independant schools are requested to do so, but not us.
I was just asked to follow up on this by my head teacher. I know someone will know the answer.
Many thanks
Mother
User avatar
Labbie
Posts: 3234
Joined: 28 Nov 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Retired
Suburb: At Home
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by Labbie »

If the follow the CSIS to the later, and stay within the guide lines. You do not have to do a RA;s. If you wish to use a banned or teacher only chemical, with a class. You will then have to do RA's plus a whole heap of paper work.

FOR DET SCHOOLS IN NSW
Regards Labbie

Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired :wub:
User avatar
Mother
Posts: 275
Joined: 17 May 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Science lab. technician
School: Dubbo College/Senior Campus
Suburb: Dubbo
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by Mother »

Thanks Sue
Had a feeling you would know.
Take care
Mother
User avatar
bullster
Posts: 5
Joined: 31 May 2006, 10:00
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by bullster »

I have found it helpful to clarify for myself the purpose and importance all the various sources of information relating to lab safety. There are three areas: the Law; information/procedures that help you satisfy the law; and your school policy which explains how you will obey the law.

Firstly, the most important document is the Law (I'm thinking about the NSW context). The OHS Regulation is what we must satisfy. The regulation outlines what must be done regarding Risk assessments, hazardous substances and dangerous goods (plus plenty of other stuff).

Secondly, in order to satisfy the Law, the CSIS package was produced. It's a complete package. But it's not the only way to satisfy the requirements of the regulation. There's plenty of sources telling us how we must do or not do something including our own common sense, others' experience and the information in various forums.

Thirdly, hopefully your school policy will spell out exactly what you will do in order to satify the Law.

NSW public schools have a policy of using the CSIS package.
Independent schools need to develop their own policy.
To develop a policy we need to ask:-
1. What does the Law say? (the OHS Regulation)
2. How can we satisfy the law? (CSIS, RACI, Notation on MSDS, RiskAssess, latest safety training course, anecdotal waffle, forum responses etc)
3. How will we satisfy the law? (school policy)
(4. Actual practice)

Since the CSIS is a complete package, the policy could be quite simple: "This school ensures the safety of students, staff and visitors by following the instructions and procedures in the CSIS package". EASY! Especially when you read the whole chapter dealing with Generic Risk Assessments. SUPER EASY!(read it again now in case you've forgotten). The risk assessments are all done already, unless you do something unusual. (as justsue says above)
BUT, the hard bit is demonstrating that in actual practice the procedures are being followed. This is where the variation between schools comes in. A head teacher would like to be able to show the coroner that his staff had followed procedures. To do that, the head needs paper-work, signatures, dates. How often? every 5 years?, every one year? every term? every first use of a chemical for the year? If I was head with a particularly sensitive bottom that needed protection, I'd make it every prac. It's not necessary for the law, it's not necessary for the CSIS package, but it is convenient for the head if something wrong happens. If I was a brave head, I'd make it every year.

So... we all need good, clear school policies.
The Wenona example above is good because it is clear about what should happen in the classroom. I would call it a "modified CSIS" policy. ie. it basically follows the CSIS package but replaces the Generic risk assessments that have already been written and then approved by the DET with risk assessments that are written by teachers and then approved by the Head. Much of it appears reproduced from CSIS which is in turn based on the OHS Regulation.

The big problem for independent schools is that Appendix D is now more than 5 years old, so we are obliged to review this information. DET schools have access to an online version which is presumably revised from time to time. To get revised information, independent schools can use RiskAssess, but it can't be used as a lookuppable (did I just make this word up?) resource.

Anyway, that's what I think, what do you think?
User avatar
smiley
Posts: 1398
Joined: 20 Nov 2006, 10:00
State/Location: QLD

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by smiley »

Hey guys, does anybody already use the RiskAssess software?

It is being promoted to us as meeting the Qld requirements, but I notice it is coming out of NSW, so I wondered if anyone has it, thinks it is worth it/not worth it etc?
Cheers, K 8-)
RosalieM
Posts: 1795
Joined: 20 Mar 2007, 10:00
Job Title: Lab Assistant
Suburb: Tamworth
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by RosalieM »

Hi Smiley,
Some people have talked about this before - do a search for it and you'll find a variety of comments from the 'brilliant' end of the spectrum all the way to 'waste of time' I think... (that's just going from memory...)
Rosalie
User avatar
~megz~
Posts: 45
Joined: 03 Feb 2009, 14:02
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by ~megz~ »

Well... we had our grand inspection last Wednesday...

By Wednesday morning I was feeling a bit stressed, but quite proud of all the work I had put in in order to get the place ready for the inspection. I had honestly tried to think of everything. With Sassi's help (thanks again Sassi for your OHS Policy!) I wrote a safety policy for our department, I wrote a Chemicals policy for the whole school, I put together an entire Risk Management System folder, with everything in it - policies, OH&S stuff, incident reports, risk assessments, chemicals information... my co-lab-tech did the chemicals manifest and had it all in a beautifully colour coded folder... the place was spotless, the signage all updated - I even wrote Safe Work Procedures for things like diluting acids and making agar! So after all of this effort, the 'Spanish Inquisition' (BOS Inspection Team) arrive...

Any guesses as to how long they stayed? Anyone? :|

Three minutes. :banghead:

Three whole minutes!!! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

They didn't even OPEN my beautiful folder :cry2: , didn't ask about RA's, they peeked in the chemical store, had a flick through the manifest, said thanks and left!

I should be releived, I guess :wink2: After all, they didn't have time to notice the unlabelled bottle of what we 'think' is Phosphoric Acid at the back of the acid bay, with a post-it note stuck on that says 'What is this?'!! :cheesy:

So... now my labs are spotless, everything is done, no teachers are bothering with prac work this week and I've only three days until holidays... :coffee:

Again - thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions! If anyone wants a look at the chemicals policy or my SWP's, I'm happy to email them.

Megs
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. ~Wernher Von Braun
User avatar
~megz~
Posts: 45
Joined: 03 Feb 2009, 14:02
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by ~megz~ »

Sure - what email address?

M
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. ~Wernher Von Braun
User avatar
Lis
Posts: 362
Joined: 01 Jun 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Laboratory Technician
School: Central Coast Grammar
Suburb: Erina Heights
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by Lis »

Yes me too please Meg
lisa.fuss@lakes.nsw.edu.au

We are having our inspection later this year, I think it may be next term, and I think that your heads up is great thanks.
Is is standard that we have the safety policy, I think we need it, did your HOD have any input to it.

Lisa
User avatar
judygee
Posts: 127
Joined: 05 Jun 2006, 10:00
State/Location: NSW

Re: Safe Work Procedures?? Risk assessment

Post by judygee »

Yes, me too Meg.

judygould@redbendcc.nsw.edu.au

Thanks so much. Cheers. Judy
Post Reply