Intro to Agricultural Microbiology

1. Intro to Agricultural Microbiology • Safety Induction • School of Molecular Bioscience • Your responsibilities • Emergency procedures • Hazards specific to SMB • Reporting incidents • Forms for Induction of new staff & students • Risk assessments and SOPs • Dr. Nick Coleman • Chair of SMB Safety Committee, • Room 564, Building G08, ph. 9351-6047, • e: nicholas.coleman@sydney.edu.au

2. All University staff & students are responsible for safety by: • Reading, understanding, and complying with safety instructions • - http://sydney.edu.au/science/molecular_bioscience/ohs/ • - http://sydney.edu.au/ohs/policies/ohs/index.shtml • Being familiar with emergency procedures & equipment. • Taking action to avoid, eliminate or minimise hazards • Reporting hazards to the relevant supervisor or service unit. • Using safety devices and personal protective equipment. • Seeking advice before using new methods, reagents, equipment • Safety of people: you and the people around you • Safety of equipment: look after it and operate it correctly • Safety of the environment: dispose of waste carefully

3. Many of the University’s WHS* policies are relevant to SMB, you need to be familiar with these if appropriate: Animal House Health and SafetyCarcinogenic Substances Decontamination Guidelines, Biological WasteDisposal of SharpsDisposal of GlassClinical Fieldwork Fire & Other Emergencies in University Buildings First Aid  Handling & Use of Compressed Gases in CylindersHazardous SubstancesHazardous Waste Disposal GuidelinesLaboratory SafetyLiquefied Gases Transporting Liquefied Gases : Required for most labs in MMB * Work Health and Safety

4. FIRE / HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE / GAS LEAK • The person who discovers the emergency should take the following action: • assess the situation, warn anyone in immediate danger • if safe and if trained, deal with the emergency (extinguish fire/contain spill) • evacuate if in danger or when directed • notify Emergency Services 0-000, Security 1-3333, and • SMB Chief Warden (Peter Kerr, ph.16006) or hit ‘Break Glass’ Alarm. • If the alarm system is activated, all personnel should take the following action: • check for signs of danger (fire, smoke, chemical fumes etc.) • leave via your closest safe exit - do not use lifts – preferably use rear fire stairs • move clear of the building to avoid obstructing Emergency Services • proceed to assembly area (grass area in front of SMB), report to supervisor • remain at the assembly area until the emergency is declared over • report any missing persons to the Chief Warden (White Helmet) • a Security Patrol Officer, or the attending Emergency Services.

5. Reporting WHS incidents / accidents • When should I report something? • If someone is injured . approx. guidelines – anything that bleeds, requires a doctor/hospital visit or requires time off work • If a serious hazard has been created. eg. a spill of >1 L of • flammable or toxic substance • -if you see a dangerous situation – this is a “near miss” incident • How do I report an incident? 1. Tell your supervisor immediately 2. Fill in online incident report form (Riskware) within 24 hr. Students cannot access this system, need to do this with supervisor http://gspence1173.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/beaker1.jpg

6. Laboratory safety rules (ALL SMB): • All lab work requires: lab coat, enclosed shoes, and hair tied back if long • Some lab work also requires protective vinyl or latex gloves • Always wear SAFETY GLASSES in addition to labcoat and gloves when using corrosive chemicals (acids, alkalis, phenol, solvents) • Food and drink must not be consumed in any laboratory. • If you do not know how to operate equipment, ask someone who does know. • KNOW THE RISKS of the reagents and equipment you are using BEFORE you start lab work – supervisors need to inform students/workers of the risks http://www6.miami.edu/health-safety/IMAGES/safety_glasses.jpg http://www.supplydoc.com/images/NITRILE%20GLOVES.jpg http://www.esdproducts.biz/ESD_Grounding/Garment_Table/Lab_Coat/Labcoat.jpg

7. Waste disposal / chemical safety (ALL SMB): • Microorganisms and clinical samples MUST be autoclaved before disposal – plastics and agar plates go in autoclave bags, glassware in metal buckets. • Hazardous chemicals must not go down the sink! There are designated waste containers and methods for chemicals like acrylamide, ethidium bromide, phenol, etc - these are lab-specific - ask your supervisor. • Broken glass and sharps (eg. syringe needles) must go into their own designated waste containers - not in general wastepaper bins ! • LABEL all reagents and solutions clearly with the chemical, its concentration, your name, and a date.   • Always CLEAN UP after yourself – especially with common equipment and work areas – don’t leave a toxic or corrosive surprise for the next user Needlestick injury is especially dangerous in labs dealing with infectious microbes ! http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/uploads/image/needlestickInjury03.jpg

8. Other general safety rules (ALL SMB): • Know the LOCATION and CORRECT USAGE of safety equipment eg. eye-washes, showers, fire-blankets,  fire-extinguishers, spill pillows. • Faulty equipment must be reported to the Workshop (ph 16006) • Move gas cylinders only when they are strapped onto cylinder trolleys. • You must not ride in a lift carrying liquid nitrogen - use the stairs or place the container in the lift on its own. • Don’t wear your gloves outside the lab area (eg. on stairs, in lifts etc) – • these may be contaminated. Only wear lab coat outside the lab when • absolutely necessary (eg. taking waste to the autoclaves) • Ensure that external doors are locked after 5 pm on week days and all the time at the weekend and on holidays. • Be aware of personal security - dont walk around late at night by yourself, • lock up valuables and computer at all times in office spaces in SMB

9. Common hazards in SMB labs

10. You need to complete: WHS induction form (USYD) • This form is complex, but not all sections are appropriate; you can check N/A for many. • For some sections, training will already have been provided by the School’s OHS induction process • Most important is to ensure new workers are familiar with hazards SPECIFIC TO YOUR LAB – these may not have been covered in general OHS introductions

11. You need to complete: Hazard Assessment (SMB) • Most important thing is to list the hazardous chemicals used by this worker - ensure MSDS are available - ensure they understand risks • This form also provides a reminder about SOPs – which are relevant to your lab? • In the ‘Summary of Risk’ section: work SHOULD NOT PROCEED if either of these boxes are checked : • There is uncertainty about risk • Risk cannot be controlled

12. Risk assessments & standard operating procedures http://sydney.edu.au/science/molecular_bioscience/ohs/

13. Important safety contact details Ambulance / Fire / Police: 0-000 University Security: 13333 University Health Service: 13484 Also see signs next to lifts on each floor for further details – eg. fire wardens.