STEP UP PROGRAMME 2011
HEALTH AND SAFETY
APPROACH TO WORK
WHY BOTHER WITH SAFETY?
Moral and ethical reasons
Economic reasons
Legislative reasons
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS Hazard
something with the potential to cause harm Harm
Includes physical injury, and mental ill health
Risk likelihood of potential harm being realised
Risk Assessment examining what could cause harm to people
and weighing up whether enough is being done to prevent harm
HAZARD GROUPS:
Hazards generally fall into four main groups
ErgonomicChemical
BiologicalPhysical
PHYSICAL HAZARDS:
Cause damage to the body, e.g.:
Working with tools and machinery
Working at heightElectrical work Exposure to noise or vibration
CHEMICAL HAZARDS:
Able to produce health effects, e.g.Dusts and fibresFumes and gasesCorrosives,
poisons
BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS:
Causes ill health through contact with:
Micro-organisms (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi)
Insects (mites, parasites)Human, animal wasteSharps (needles, scalpels)
ERGONOMIC HAZARDS:
Harm caused by:
Poor working posturePoor workstation layoutConfined space workUnsuitable equipment
ERGONOMIC HAZARDS:
Harm caused by static postures
THINKING OF THOSE AT RISK
Why does the Law take
special interest in
YOU?
WHAT ARE CONTROL MEASURES?
Things to keep to you safe
SO--TO KEEP YOURSELF AND YOUR COLLEAGUES SAFE,
KEEP YOUR LAB SAFE
BE ALERTFOR HAZARDS ANDCONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL CARE
WEAR YOUR PERSONALPROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTWHEN NEEDED
USE LAB EQUIPMENT PROPERLY
HANDLELAB MATERIALS CAREFULLY