SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

An Introductory Lab House Rules Briefing by:

LAB SAFETY INDUCTION

Pharmacy Lab Management Office

NAVIGATION

• Who to reach during an emergency?
• How to deal with an emergency?
• How to report a hazard or incident in the lab?
• Know your lab emergency equipment and learn how to use them (call for action)
• How to safely work in the lab?
• Understanding Risk Assessment and Risk Control
• Managing chemicals and waste in the lab
• Chemical Labelling
• Chemwatch - learn on myDevelopment
• Managing Scheduled Waste
• Scheduled Waste Labelling
• Working with Laboratory Equipment

• Complete risk assessment on SARAH+ https://bit.ly/SARAHplus and lodge the PDF -> https://bit.ly/RiskLodge

Lab Based

Non - Lab Based

1. Fill up the Laboratory Safety Declaration Form https://bit.ly/MUMPharmLSDF
2. Complete risk assessment (every 2 years) on SARAH+ https://bit.ly/SARAHplus and lodge the PDF -> https://bit.ly/RiskLodge

Lab Induction with PTO/STO/TO.

Briefing with Dr. Ronald

Tissue Culture Work

HDR/RA/RV/FYP

Laboratory House Rules

General & Personal Safety Procedures

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• Report all accidents, regardless of their severity, to the laboratory supervisor or by calling 333 from internal phones or 03-55146333 if the supervisor is not available.
• Do not leave bags in the hallway outside the laboratory; instead, use lockers or store them under benches and cupboards.
• Eating or drinking in the laboratories is strictly prohibited, except for specific supervised experiments.
• Smoking is not allowed at Monash University Malaysia.
• Keep the workplace clean and tidy to ensure safety and order.
• Avoid working alone in the laboratory, for overtime ensure to fill the after hours form (only for non-staff)

Laboratory House Rules

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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• Follow safety requirements given at the beginning of each laboratory session to ensure safety in the laboratory.
• Additional safety requirements will be provided at the start of each experiment, so make sure to observe them.
• Wear a laboratory coat at all times while working in the laboratory.
• Safety glasses or a face shield must be worn whenever provided in the laboratory, and contact lenses are not a substitute for eye protection.
• Closed-in shoes are required, and open-toed shoes, sandals, or high heels are not allowed in the laboratory.
• Wear appropriate gloves when handling hazardous materials.

Why should we be concerned with Biological and Chemical Hazard Safety?

Biological Hazards

• Organic substances like pathogens, viruses, toxins, spores, fungi that pose health threats to humans and organisms through disease transmission or toxicity.

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Hazardous Chemicals

• Substances and materials that harm health through direct exposure. Includes skin irritants, carcinogens, respiratory sensitizers. Also substances with hazardous physicochemical properties like flammability, corrosion, oxidation.

Why should we be concerned with Biological and Chemical Hazard Safety?

Who To Reach During An Emergency?

Lab Manager

Rasyidah Binti Mat Esa

+603 5514 5839 Ext.: 45839

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Senior Technical Officer

Ahmad Fawwaz Bin Mohd Raji

+603 5514 5839 Ext.: 45839

+601 3714 1103 - Text/Whatsapp/Mobile

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Senior Technical Officer

Muhammad Nur Mursyid Mohamad Arshad

+603 5514 5839 Ext.: 45839

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Senior Technical Officer

Kanakeswary A/P Mani

+603 5514 5839 Ext.: 45839

How to Respond to an Emergency: Centralised Alarm

1. Shut Down: Turn off any equipment or gas supplies if safe to do so.
2. Secure Chemicals: Safely store hazardous chemicals before evacuating.
3. Stay Calm: Follow emergency procedures and remain composed.
4. Evacuate:
• Use the nearest staircase to exit.
• Proceed to the Assembly Area in front of the sports center.
• Follow signs to locate your building number.
5. Report: Check in with the building warden and stay at the Assembly Area until cleared to leave.

Note: Familiarise yourself with evacuation routes and protocols beforehand.

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How to Respond to an Emergency: Centralised Alarm

How to Respond to an Emergency: Localised Alarm

1. Assess: Check if anyone is performing activities outside a fume hood. If so, direct them to the fume hood and inform technical staff or a supervisor.
2. Evacuate: Leave the lab immediately if no one is using a fume hood or the situation is unsafe.
3. Avoid Ignition: Do not use electrical devices, switches, or tools.
4. Close Doors: If safe, close doors behind you to contain the gas.
5. Notify: Alert colleagues to evacuate and inform technical staff once outside.
6. Wait: Do not re-enter the lab until it is declared safe by emergency personnel.

How To Deal With An Emergency?

If you are injured (Wound cuts, burns etc),

• Inform the nearest Technical Officer (TO)/ Staff member/ Supervisor
• Use the nearest first aid kit (if you use any first aid item,inform the first aider)
• Contact a First Aider if you need first aid

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If there is a spill,

• Inform the nearest Technical Officer (TO)/ Staff member/ Supervisor
• Use the chemical spill kit to control, contain and clean the spill

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If you inhaled any chemical or gas,

• Inhalation is the most common risk due to chemical use.
• Always use a fume hood.
• If you feel unwell, inform your lab tech.

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How To Deal With An Emergency?

If there’s a splash (body/eyes etc),

• Use an emergency eye wash or emergency shower (15 - 20 mins)
• Remove contaminated clothing immediately
• Inform the Technical Officer / Supervisor

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If there’s a fire,

• If you know how to use a fire extinguisher, evaluate the situation and put off the fire (nearest fire extinguisher at 4-6-05)
• Or else, break the nearest fire alarm glass and leave the area and head to the Assembly Area

Know Your Lab Emergency Equipment And Learn How To Use Them

Learn how to use the equipment by clicking on their respective links:

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• Fire Extinguisher
• First Aid Kit
• Emergency Eye Wash
• Emergency Safety Shower
• Appropriate Spill Kit (chemical and biological)
• Safety Cabinet (for chemicals - solid, solvents)
• Fume Hood
• Biosafety Cabinet
• Emergency Phone
• Break Glass Fire Alarm

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**DO NOT BLOCK ACCESS to any of these equipment/items.

Examples Of Lab Emergency Equipment

Eyewash Station

First Aid Kit

Spill Kit

Safety Cabinet

Fire Extinguisher

Emergency Shower

How To Report A Hazard Or Incident In The Lab?

• Inform the Technical Officer / Supervisor
• Lodge an incident / accident to OHSE via the Hazard & Incident Reporting form online via Safety & Risk Analysis Hub (S.A.R.A.H). Link: Safety And Risk Analysis Hub (S.A.R.A.H.)

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What Is S.A.R.A.H. ?

Safety and Risk Analysis Hub is the University’s online reporting tool which enables staff and students to report any OHS related near misses, hazards and incidents

Don’t wait any longer and report all near misses and hazards around you because you can prevent an injury !

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Understanding Risk Assessment And Risk Control

This is a tool for you to know what are the dangers in the work you are doing. i.e. hazards, risks

Where can you get it?

• Learn and do it yourself via this link
• Ask your supervisor
• Ask TO
• Listen to the briefing done by tutor before experiment

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What is “risk control”?

The steps we have taken to make the activity is safe.

For example, use of gloves, fume hoods etc.

These controls will keep us and others safe in the lab.

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Hazard Countermeasures Priority | HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

Managing Chemicals And Waste In The Lab

• Practice proper chemical segregation and labelling to minimize safety risks.
• Take and use chemicals in adequate amounts to prevent wastage and reduce safety hazards.
• Use Chemwatch to monitor and manage your chemicals, ensuring they are handled and stored correctly.
• Read, understand, and keep a copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to ensure proper handling and safety of the chemicals.
• Wear your personal protective equipment (PPE), such as lab coats, gloves, goggles, etc., to protect yourself from potential safety hazards.
• Ensure proper ventilation in the laboratory to reduce exposure to chemicals and other safety risks.
• Maintain good housekeeping to keep the laboratory clean and organized, reducing safety hazards and improving efficiency.
• Segregate, label, and place wastes (chemical, biological, general waste) appropriately to prevent safety hazards and environmental pollution.
• Do not keep waste for more than six months in the laboratory to minimize safety hazards and comply with regulations.

Chemical Labelling

Chemical Labels

Correct label needs to be placed on all chemicals that is transferred to another smaller container.

• Must have labels identifying the chemical, concentration, hazards and the name of the person using it and the date it was prepared

Chemwatch

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What is Chemwatch?

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Chemwatch is an online chemical management system.You will have access to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and keep track of your chemical inventories.

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Chemwatch is the mandatory tool for managing chemical registers.

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Locate Site:

https://www.monash.edu/ohs/info-docs/safety-topics/chemical-management/chemwatch

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Learning how to use Chemwatch for HDR and Supervisors:

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On myDevelopment search for:

1. Chemwatch Monash Administrator training - SVs
2. Chemwatch SDS and Chemical Register application - HDRs

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Chemical Storage

To store chemicals in the cabinets, take note of the following measures and rules of conduct:

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• Read and understand the restrictions mixed storage of chemicals from the poster provided in the rooms
• Read the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) and keep a copy of the SDS in the file provided
• Read and understand the spill control measures.
• Do not store large volume of chemicals in the laboratory
• Prepare chemical reagents in small quantity enough for your bench work

Managing Scheduled Waste

Scheduled Waste

Any waste from lab activities that is hazardous and may harm public health or the environment.

Examples: Gloves contaminated with chemicals, Used syringes

Chemical Waste

• Must be properly segregated.
• Do not use dented, damaged, or broken containers for disposal.
• Empty chemical containers may be reused only for collecting the same type of chemical waste (e.g., solvent bottles for solvent waste).
• Do not reuse chemical containers for other purposes such as drinking bottles, wash bottles or for taking items home.
• Never pour chemicals into sinks or the sewage system.
• All chemical waste must be placed in containers or bags without biohazard logos (use normal trash bags, not autoclave or yellow biohazard bags).

Biological / Clinical Waste

• Biological materials requiring autoclaving before disposal must be stored in autoclave bags.
• Ensure contaminated materials do not contain sharp objects that could puncture bags.
• Sharp objects must be disposed of in designated sharps containers.
• Report broken glass using the form available on the LMO site.
• Refer to the new Biological/Clinical Waste Disposal Flowchart located at rooms 3617A and 4615.

Managing Biological Waste Disposal

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SCHEDULED WASTE – Upon autoclaving Waste should be placed in yellow plastic bags and stored in cold room (4-6-15) or Freezer (3-6-17A)

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ALL waste generated should be recorded in the Biological waste disposal identification list which are available at temporary storage area.

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Schedule Waste Temporary Storage Area

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3-6-17A

4-6-15

Managing Chemical Waste

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Chemical in solid form (powder etc.) should be disposed in the original container with full information on the material

• Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) - should be disposed in polypropylene container.
• Nitric Acid, concentrated - should be disposed in a glass bottle
• Halogen Solvents (Such as Chloroform, Methyl Chloride) - should be disposed in glass bottle

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Prior to disposal waste, label the container according to the below categories:

• Organic Materials
• Organic Materials with Halogens
• Inorganic Materials
• Acids
• Bases
• Ethidium Bromide

Managing Chemical Waste Disposal

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Schedule Waste Temporary Storage Area

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4-6-10

Sorting Chemical Waste

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Scheduled Waste Labelling

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Conclusion

• Shared Responsibility:
• Safety is a collective duty; every person plays a vital role.
• Caution is Crucial:
• Small mistakes can lead to major incidents; exercise caution in every action.
• Prevention First:
• Prevention isn't just following rules; it's a mindset that prioritizes learning and proper techniques.
• Immediate Reporting:
• Notice a hazard? Report it immediately to your supervisor or safety officer.
• Key Message: Prevention is Paramount:
• Safety hinges on proactive prevention, not just reaction.

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In summary, safety is a shared commitment requiring constant caution, immediate reporting, and a preventive mindset. Keep safety at the forefront in every lab activity.

Call To Actions:

• Fill up the Laboratory Safety Declaration Form https://bit.ly/MUMPharmLSDF
• Complete risk assessment on SARAH+ https://bit.ly/SARAHplus and lodge the PDF -> https://bit.ly/RiskLodge
• Attend tissue culture briefing by Dr Ronald, he will contact you for it.

REFERENCE

Useful Website Links

1. Monash University Malaysia OHSE
2. Local Area OHS Induction Checklist 
3. Monash Health & Safety Topics 
4. Monash University - Using Chemical Procedure

Fume Hood Guidelines

• Conduct all operations that involve hazardous chemicals inside a hood.
• Minimize storage of chemicals or apparatus in the hood.
• Keep the hood sash closed at all times except when the hood is in use.
• Minimize foot traffic and other forms of potential air disturbances past the face of the hood
• Do not have sources of ignition inside the hood when flammable liquids or gases are present
• Use sash as a safety shield when boiling liquids or conducting an experiment with reactive chemicals. Nevertheless, safety google must be used

Autoclave Safety Guidelines

Autoclaves use high pressure and high temperature steam to kill microorganisms and render biohazardous material inactive.

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Potential Risk

• Heat & Steam burns
• Hot fluids scalds
• Injuries to hands and arms from the door
• Bodily injury in the event of explosion
• Exposure to bio-hazardous material may occur if the waste is improperly packaged

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The use of heat-insulating gloves, lab coats, closed-toe shoes help prevent burns and scalds during loading and unloading the autoclave.

If you have never operated the autoclave, contact laboratory management for assistance

Autoclave Safety Guidelines

REMEMBER ! Never autoclave the following item:

• Broken glasses
• Sharps
• Chemicals
• Dried Bleach or Bleach related materials
• Nitrocellulose

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Use the plastic bags provided to collect your biohazard wastes.

Waste for autoclaving must be brought to Autoclave Room 3-4-14 and must label the lab location, name and date.

Working With Biosafety Cabinet

The following is recommended to avoid most sources of contamination:

• Disinfect work surfaces before and after working to minimize and eliminate surface contamination.
• Disinfect or sterilize materials brought into the hood.
• Disinfect gloves after touching a non-sterile surface outside the BSC’s
• Practice aseptic technique.
• Do not block the air intake grills in the front or back of the work surface
• Do not store materials in the BSC’s as they may disrupt airflow
• Do not place BSC’s in high traffic areas or near doors
• Avoid using volatile chemicals in the BSC

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To clean a spill, inform your technical officer and refer to the spill management procedure.

Use sterile water to rinse the area to prevent corrosion inside the cabinet.

THANK YOU

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BE SAFE AND STAY SAFE !

University of Hawaii (2016)

University of Hawaii (2016)

University of Hawaii (2016)

Thea Ekins-Coward lost her right arm above her elbow. She suffered facial burns, abrasions to her cornea and nerve damage to her ears that led to high frequency hearing loss.

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https://www.khon2.com/top-stories/uh-researcher-who-lost-an-arm-in-lab-explosion-fighting-two-battles/�

• In March 2016, a powerful explosion inside a laboratory rocked a building at the UH Manoa campus.
• HFD determined that a wrong pressure gauge was used, which caused a spark that led to the explosion.
• Ekins-Coward, a postdoctoral fellow was in that lab and lost part of her right arm. Her attorney says she has since moved back home to England and has struggled with getting her life back.
• “She still is very traumatized by the event, it distresses her to speak about it still and she still can’t do a lot of things,” said attorney Claire Choo.
• Things that most people take for granted.
• “Even eating a steak, cutting a steak, she can’t do it. Someone has to cut up her food for her so that takes a toll,” said Choo.