Chemical safety

The University of Bristol has duties imposed by the Home Office under the various European regulations with regard to the monitoring of trade in drug precursors within the EU and between the Community and third countries.

This guidance is aimed at schools that may use or wish to use category 1 drug precursors (see definition below) for any reason within the usual bounds of research and teaching. Further guidance on less sensitive precursors and other specifically controlled substances may be found in other guidance from Safety and Health Services.

Licenses are needed to demonstrate proper control, and establish efficient two-way reporting mechanisms, within users and between the Home Office and the University.

Since the COSHH Regulations were introduced in 1988 there has been an increasing demand for standardised hazard information; this is needed to assist users downstream of the chemicals’ manufacturer or supplier to be able to clearly recognise their hazardous properties. In turn, that helps the user to estimate the potential risks that those substances present.

The lack of quality in safety data sheets and the international non-uniformity of labelling have led to many revisions. This briefing note clarifies the current situation and describes some expected developments in the near future.

These guidance modules are aimed at providing all university laboratory users with the essential basic knowledge and practical advice needed to work safely in a laboratory environment, and is particularly applicable to Principal Investigators and postgraduate students and researchers. This resource is intended to complement the health and safety guidance issued by the University of Bristol, which should be adhered to at all times. This pilot health and safety training resource, is comprised of a number of modules covering different aspects of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). A module usually consists of a tutorial with an associated assessment component. Where relevant, the modules may point to linked modules such as video demonstrations and worked examples, as well as other sources of relevant information including external web links and a glossary of key terms. Modules listed on the right hand side of the RSC webpage can be selected by clicking on them. These are then displayed in the preview window on the page. Modules can also be downloaded and printed as PDFs. This may be the preferred option, as it will make the content easier to read and annotate. It is recommended that users who are unfamiliar with the subject of the resource (in this case COSHH) work sequentially through each of the modules and do not continue on to the next module until they have completed the associated self-assessment and are satisfied that the have understood and can apply the contents of a module. Answers to each assessment can be found at the end of the list of modules on the left hand side of the page. The resource has been developed from existing good practice guides produced by the Royal Society of Chemistry and material kindly supplied by UK University Chemistry Departments. Any advice given has been carefully formulated but is necessarily based on the information available, and the RSC and cannot be held responsible for accuracy or completeness. In this respect, the RSC owes no duty of care and shall not be liable for any resulting damage or loss.

Of the accidents or incidents that have been reported in the higher education sector as occurring in areas where chemical products have been stored, most could have been avoided with foresight and planning for both normal working situations, and emergency conditions.

The causes of such accidents could mainly be attributed to inappropriate packaging materials and/or storage cabinets, and general neglect where substances had been hidden away and forgotten about.

The primary way to control storage is to only purchase the amounts that are absolutely necessary, and discard materials that are no longer needed as soon as possible.

COSHH requires every employer to carry out risk assessments for the use of hazardous substances at work, and to mitigate the risk to as low as is reasonably practicable by using all practical controls if it cannot be eliminated entirely. This planning (the assessment) must include actions in case of emergency.

This guidance document is designed to assist users of hazardous substances, and those responsible for their local management, including procurement and storage, in formulating a strategy for emergency arrangements.

The University has a responsibility under Health and Safety legislation to provide and maintain plant and systems of work, which are safe, and without risk to health (Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974). Hence there is a duty to ensure that fume cupboards used within the University effectively protect staff and students from exposure to substances that may be hazardous to their health.

The University has a responsibility under Health and Safety legislation to provide and maintain plant and systems of work, which are safe, and without risk to health (Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974). Hence there is a duty to ensure that fume cupboards used within the University effectively protect staff and students from exposure to substances that may be hazardous to their health.

Before equipment can be released from a hazardous area for servicing, maintenance, repair or disposal the likelihood of contamination with hazardous biological, chemical or radioactive material must be assessed and the appended permit template should be used to assist in this task and provide information on decontamination to anyone subsequently handling the equipment. This task must be undertaken by or with the person responsible for health and safety within the area housing the equipment (e.g. PI, laboratory manager, RPS etc.).

The appended permit template covers biological and chemical contamination and incorporates and supersedes the radioactivity clearance certificates RP15 and RP15a.

The permit must accompany the equipment when leaving the hazardous area. Suppliers should also be given a copy in advance of this removal so that any precautionary measures can be discussed and implemented

A Permit-to-work (PTW, a form of risk assessment) must be completed and issued by the host department before maintenance staff or contractors are allowed access to any laboratory areas. The information provided should be sufficient to enable such operatives to carry out their work safely in an environment where they cannot reasonably be expected to understand or perceive all of the potential hazards. The person issuing this permit must themselves have sufficient knowledge of the laboratory activities undertaken in the areas covered by the permit. For radiation controlled areas the DRPS must also complete Form RP10 and link it to this permit.