Department of Physics

1. Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

2. Objectives of this Presentation • Welcome to the Department of Physics • This short presentation will • Inform you of the health and safety requirements of the Department • Point you in the right direction for information on the departmental health and safety policy Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

3. Workplace safety • Peoples perception of health and safety often makes them think it doesn’t concern them. Especially if they are doing research without a practical component • It Does I wonder what will happen if I just Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

4. Health and safety • It affects everyone in the workplace. • INCLUDING PEOPLE DOING THEORY BASED WORK Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

5. Health and Safety • Failure to follow the Universities policies can result in serious consequences in terms of :- • Personal injury to oneself and others • Legal liability for individuals and for the university • In serious cases prosecution by the HSE Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

6. Health and safety office • The university has a health and safety adviser • A health and safety officer • An occupational health adviser • A fire safety officer Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

7. Health and Safety Office website • Universities Health and Safety policy • Universities Health and Safety Manual • Contact information • Health and safety training course details • Useful links Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

8. Department safety structure • Chairman of the Board of Studies • Chairman of the Health and Safety Committee • Health and Safety Coordinator • Health and Safety Committee Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

9. Safety committee • This consists of technical ,administrative and academic staff plus a research student representative • The department website has a list of staff with specific responsibilities • These include COSHH, Manual handling, Cryogenics, Ionising radiation, Lasers, Display screen assessments, Electrical testing, Accident reporting Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

10. Department Health and safety website • Provides the following information on Health and Safety in the Department • Department of Physics Health and Safety Policy Document • Department of Physics Health and Safety Manual • Online forms • PDF forms • Safety Committee • List of Departmental PAT testers • List of Departmental First aiders • Dealing with emergencies Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

11. Dealing with Emergencies • Dial 9 – 999, give clear details of emergency • This is to outside emergency services • Then dial 43333 to advise university security staff who will liaise with the emergency services Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

12. Fire • Fire Alarms: Situated throughout the building. Break the glass this sends a message to the Fire Brigade & sounds the alarms. • If fire alarm activates you must leave the building immediately by nearest exit Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

13. Fire • Fire Extinguishers: Different types located all over the building. • Fire Doors: Should be kept closed. • Emergency Exits: Find out where your nearest exit is located. • Fire Notices: In each room. • Practice Evacuations occur at least once a year Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

14. General precautions • Most health and safety involves applying COMMON SENSE • You are responsible for your own safety • Be responsible for your own work area, keep it clean and tidy • Do not eat or drink in laboratories Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

15. General precautions • Report all accidents or incidents – report book is kept in Room 7 • Report any hazards you may spot • Place notices to warn of hazards • Dispose of chemical waste, sharps or any other hazardous materials with consideration to others Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

16. General precautions • Always seek advice if you are unsure of risk involved • Do not work alone in hazardous situations • Do not use the lifts out side of normal working hours • Be aware of security especially out of hours Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

17. General precautions • Fire doors shouldn’t be wedged open • Keep emergency exits clear. You should locate those nearest your work areas • Walk don’t run. Most accidents throughout the University are through people falling down. • Don’t bring bicycles into the department Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

18. Safety information • A fire action notice should be displayed in each office, and laboratory • First aid notices should be displayed in each laboratory • Out of hours working – before 7am, after 7pm Mon – Fri. Any time Saturdays or Sundays. Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

19. First aid boxes First aiders Safety signs Safety notice board Protective equipment On all levels Names should be in boxes, and phone list Are positioned throughout the dept. Ground floor, main foyer Should be provided Health and safety provisions Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

20. Safety signs Green signs are safety guidance Yellow signs are warnings. Blue signs are Compulsory Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

21. Your responsibilities • You are responsible for your own safety, and for the safety of those around you. • If you become aware of an unsafe practice or event, report it to your supervisor, the department superintendent, or the safety coordinator Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

22. So you must • Take reasonable care of your own health and safety • Take reasonable care for the health and safety of anyone else who may be affected by what you do or fail to do • Co-operate in the health and safety efforts of the Department and of the University Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

23. Your research • Is fairly unique • It may be new technology, to you or to the Department of Physics. • We need someone to consider the risk associated with your work. Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

24. Risk assessments • Required by the University to ensure good, safe working practice • These must be carried out by all staff • They should be updated when the work changes or ceases Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

25. Risk assessments • The forms are available on the department web site • There are separate forms for theory and practical based projects • You may require the assistance of your supervisor to complete them • The form should be returned to the department safety coordinator Mr Duncan McCallum Room 136 Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

26. Electrical safety • All equipment should be tested for electrical safety • It also includes personal equipment that is used in the department • For apparatus working overnight - a form should be collected from room 7 Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

27. Electrical safety • All equipment should display a departmental bar code and test date labels • It is important to ensure that you use equipment that has a valid test • Contact your academic supervisor to arrange PAT testing Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

28. C.O.S.H.H. • If you use any chemicals at all in your work you must fill in a C.O.S.H.H. form which is available on the Departmental Safety website • You should then make a copy for your own reference and send the original to the safety coordinator Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

29. C.O.S.H.H. Forms • The form helps identify how hazardous the chemical is to you and the environment • It also identifies the level of precautions you are required to take in its use and what to do in case of an accident • It helps provide information to assist you with your risk assessment Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

30. Display screen assessments • Are required for computer users to determine whether a computer workstation is set up correctly • It enables a user to alter the set up to reduce health risks • The web based assessment form is on the department website • They are required for laptops if used as workstation Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

31. Baffled by the forms • If you have any difficulty in filling in any of the forms that have been mentioned or need further information • Please feel free to contact me • Physics Department Safety Coordinator Duncan McCallum Room 136 ext 43623 E-mail d.j.mccallum@durham.ac.uk Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction

32. In Conclusion • You are responsible for your own safety • The University has a duty to comply with Health and Safety law, and provide you with a safe working environment • Follow a common sense approach to keep yourself healthy, and your workplace safe Department of Physics Staff Safety Induction