BIOL1070/2149/2303/2326 (AB700) ASSIGNMENT 4-2

RMIT SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES BIOL1070/2149/2303/2326 (AB700) RESEARCH METHODS Assignment 4-2. OHS requirements Date due: week 11 of semester % 10

Undertake an OHS environmental audit of the main workplace used in your research to assess its compliance with the various codes and regulations governing it and its efficacy in dealing with the flow of workplace activities, using images to convey the workplace and RMIT Safety Suite forms to report on the audit. It is essential that those working in hazardous areas understand and implement Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations in their workplace. This encompasses several aspects, such as the safe handling, storage and labelling of dangerous goods and equipment. Workers must be inducted into the hazards they are likely to face before commencing work, or the employer is liable under WorkCover or equivalent regulations. There are many codes of practice under a variety of regulations (see reference list, External links and PowerPoint presentation in this module). Save your assignment as Windows XP-compatible (the RMIT standard system). Submit your assignment by the date indicated as follows, by uploading it into this assignment link. Please note that Firefox will not work with this link and so you should use Internet Explorer instead. If you have problems using the link, upload it into the Digital Drop Box instead; do not email it as it will not be accepted. How to proceed 1. Stand at various viewpoints in your work area and record digital images to show 360-degree views. Take close-ups of any hazards or controls that you find. Hazards are situations inherently unsafe, e.g. unstable or awkward access, incompatible chemicals close by. Controls are attempts to minimise hazards, e.g. signs to warn of dangers, containment for dangerous chemicals. Among others, you need to consider: regulations governing the activities in your workplace(s) how local implementation procedures allow the workplace to comply with the regulations how that implementation is checked periodically access by personnel to essential biohazard information signage and warning systems for hazards ordering procedures and controls storage and inventories of dangerous goods procedures (written SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)) and those practised usage, reporting and disposal for dangerous goods and equipment responsibilities (statutory, managerial and delegated), including OHS committees. 2. Complete the following audit forms: General laboratory safety: http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/labsafety/checklist_lab.doc http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/forms/general_laboratory_audit_checklist Chemical safety: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/gq5p1iuy1e4s.doc Electrical safety: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/ds15n7w8pj3n.doc

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BIOL1070/2149/2303/2326 (AB700) ASSIGNMENT 4-2

3. Report hazards in a tabular format as in the table below. See Appendix 1 for the key to the terms used. This table and the material following it comes from Dr Neale Jackson. Hazard Water spilt on floor Food found on bench left by student Unlabeled chemical bottle (500ml) found on bench Problem Slipping hazard Potential poisoning if consumed Cannot recognise what is in container, therefore cannot be used in experimen t Potential corrosion, burns, inhalation Consequenc e 3 (Moderate irreversible disability) 4 (Single fatality and/or severe irreversible disability) 3 (Moderate irreversible disability) if used in chemical expt Possibly 4 Likelihoo d B (Likely) C (Possible) Risk High High Control Elimination (mop up the spill) Elimination (dispose of food in bin) Person responsible

D (Unlikely)

Medium

Elimination (user to label bottle correctly)

Conc. H2SO4 on bench

3 (Moderate irreversible disability)

C (Possible)

High

Isolation/Engineering controls + Personal protective equipment (use in operating fume cupboard + wear PPE)

As well as those shown in the reference list, you should also consider any special procedures required for registration with, e.g. NATA, AQIS or equivalent. Does your workplace comply with all it should? If not, what is needed to rectify the situation who is responsible for doing it?

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BIOL1070/2149/2303/2326 (AB700) ASSIGNMENT 4-2

Appendix 1. Risk assessment terms Risk Assessment Establish the risk, then compare the level of risk with previously established risk criteria identified within the risk context e.g. OHS Regulations, Codes, etc. The output is a prioritised list of risks for further action. Risks falling into the Low category may be acceptable with minimal further treatment. However, these should still be monitored and periodically reviewed to ensure that they remain acceptable. Risk Assessment Level of Risk (FROM HB436) Consequences Likelihood I II III A B C D E M M LOW L L H M MEDIUM L L H H HIGH M M

IV VH H H M M

V VERY HIGH VH H H H

Risk Assessment Consequence terms Qualitative analysis: uses descriptive scales to describe magnitude, e.g. HB436. Severity Level 1 2 3 Health & Safety No medical treatment required Legal Minor legal issues, non compliances and breaches

Objective but reversible disability requiringMinor legal issues, non compliances and hospitalisation breaches Moderate irreversible disability or impairment Serious breach of regulations with (<30%) to one or more persons investigation to authority with moderate fine possible Single fatality and/or severe irreversibleMajor breach of regulation, major litigation disability (>30%) to one or more persons Multiple fatalities, or single irreversible effectsSignificant prosecution, fines. V. serious to >50 persons litigation / class action.

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BIOL1070/2149/2303/2326 (AB700) ASSIGNMENT 4-2

Risk Assessment Likelihood terms Likelihood: uses descriptive scales to describe likelihood, e.g. HB436. Level A B C D E F Descriptor Almost certain Likely Possible Unlikely Rare V. rare Description The event will occur on annual basis Event has occurred several times in career Event might occur once in career The event does occur from time to time Heard of this happening elsewhere Have never heard of this happening Frequency (~) Once/year or more frequent Once / 3 years Once / 10 years Once / 30 years Once / 100 years Once / 1000 years

Risk Control OHS Risks have to be treated using the Hierarchy of Control Elimination Substitution Isolation/Engineering Controls Administrative controls Personal Protective Equipment

Hierarchy of control required by OHS regulations in all Australian jurisdictions; these are also known as safety decision hierarchy. Refer also to the AS/NZS 4804:2001 OHS management system General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques.

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