Induction information

Safety committee

The Head of Department is responsible for departmental safety measures and therefore assumes employer's responsibility for compliance with the University's Health and Safety policy within.

Membership of departmental safety committee

Postdoctoral representative

Student Chemical Society representative

Director of Health and Safety (ex officio) Mr D Harrison (Mr J McKie)

Back to top

Faulty services

Building maintenance

If you experience any problems with faulty services or problems with the fixtures and fittings of the department, report these via the page below:

Report a fault to building maintenance.

Safety issues

Any safety issues should be brought to the attention of the Departmental Safety Officer at chemsafe@sheffield.ac.uk.

Faults requiring immediate attention

The attention of the technical staff should be drawn immediately to faulty services such as leaking gas or water taps and blocked drainage gulleys or sinks so that steps can be taken to correct the faults.

Potentially dangerous equipment

Equipment which is potentially dangerous such as cracked or broken glassware must not be used.

This instruction is particularly important when using glassware that will be evacuated such as desiccators and distillation flasks.

Back to top

Waste disposal

A poster showing the colour-coded bins into which waste must be deposited is displayed in all laboratories.

Care must be taken that waste materials are disposed of in the correct containers and thus into the correct waste stream.

Laboratory workers are responsible for emptying the hazardous waste containers (bins and waste solvent/chemical containers) into the appropriate collection facility. This must be done at frequent intervals to prevent a dangerous build up of waste.

A specialist waste contractor removes this waste at regular intervals for destruction in accordance with current legislation.

Hazardous materials, chemicals, sharps etc MUST NOT be disposed of in the general domestic waste as they constitute a danger to the cleaners and porters who transport this particular waste out of the building.

Batteries must be disposed of by taking them to the Chemistry Store for the storekeeper to dispose of them in accordance with the University regulations.

Back to top

Electrical equipment

All new portable electrical equipment is safety tested in the Chemistry store before being put into service.

Personal electrical equipment and items brought in other than through the store must be safety tested before being put into service by the technician responsible for the area in which it will be used.

All items of electrical equipment will be safety tested at regular intervals and a sticker applied to indicate the date of the next test.

Before any electrical equipment is used:

• It must be inspected by the user paying particular attention to the cable and plug.

• Do not use electrical equipment that does not have an in-date sticker on it, or if a fault is suspected.

Faulty equipment must be taken to the technician in charge of the laboratory or the Electronic Workshop; it must not be used or stored away.

Construction, modification and or repair of electronic or electrical equipment must be discussed with the Electronic Workshop staff before proceeding. On completion, the work must be checked by the Electronic Workshop staff before putting the equipment into use.

Back to top

Emergency procedures

Introduction

All members of the University including long-term visitors must complete annual fire training and become familiar with the University evacuation procedure. New members of the department must also attend a safety induction session with the DSO.

In the event of non-fire emergency leading to the evacuation of part or all of the Chemistry Department the procedure for fire evacuations will be adopted. The Departmental Safety Officer or senior member of the main entrance party will decide if further action is needed and assemble the appropriate personnel, eg breathing apparatus users and/or first aiders to attend the incident.

Emergency exits

Emergency exits and routes are signed and must be kept free at all times, fire doors must not be wedged open and corridors must not be used as refreshment areas.

An annual evacuation exercise is carried out in October so that you may become aware of evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency.

Emergency equipment

Room D60 located on the link corridor to the north wing on floor D is the storage room for equipment to be used in emergencies.

Back to top

Fire extinguishers

It is an offence to cover or remove from its bracket any fire extinguisher unless it is being used or serviced.

Each time a fire extinguisher is used the matter must be reported to a senior member of the Technical Staff immediately, who will arrange for its replacement. An Accident/Incident form must be completed online.

Complete an accident/Incident form

Back to top

First aid

Within the Department of Chemistry a first aider can be summoned by calling 29333 from any University telephone. A list of personnel qualified in first aid is posted in each first aid cabinet.

Hospital treatment

If, after being seen by a first-aider, you or the first-aider feel that hospital treatment is appropriate you should go to either:

• The Northern General Hospital Accident and Emergency department which is operational 24 hours a day.

• The Royal Hallamshire Hospital which has a minor injuries unit, located on B floor, which operates from 8.00am to 8.00pm.

If there is the possibility of chemical contamination you should ensure that the hospital staff dealing with you are aware of this and what it may be. This will help them with the treatment of your injury.

Where cyanides or hydrofluoric acid are used, a person with an appropriate specialist Specific Hazard First Aid training must be readily available.

Minor injuries

The Minor Injuries Unit can quickly treat most minor injuries for patients 'whose condition may require prompt treatment but is not life-threatening, such as cuts and bruises, minor burns, fractures to the hands and lower arms, lower legs and feet.' The Minor Injuries Unit is not a full accident and emergency unit however and, in particular, cannot perform certain procedures such as the removal of broken glass from inside wounds which requires surgery.

For minor injuries, first aid will probably be all that is required. The names of the nearest fully-qualified first aiders and emergency first aiders (who have received basic training) can be found inside the lid of all first aid boxes. However, the University Health Service (for students) or the Staff Occupational Health Unit (extension 26215) will gladly give advice where extra reassurance or a qualified opinion is felt appropriate.

Eye injuries

First aid should comprise of eyewash with copious amounts of water, and nothing else. There is a specialist Eye Casualty Clinic at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, A-Road, which is open 8.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.

This should be the first choice for any eye injury regardless of seriousness.

If this is closed, go to the Minor Injuries Unit (Royal Hallamshire Hospital) which is open between 8.00am and 8.00pm. Outside these hours you should go to the Accident and Emergency department at Northern General hospital.

Getting to hospital

If the injury is serious an ambulance will be called. If the injury is not serious enough to call an ambulance, you can call for a taxi and have the costs (to and from the hospital) reimbursed by the department - ask for a receipt for each journey. If possible, a friend or colleague should go with you.

Note that it is not advised to be driven to hospital by a colleague, even if the offer is made with good intentions, unless the driver specifically has insurance cover for work-related use. Otherwise if the driver has an accident en route, they will not be covered by their insurance policy. A taxi is the always the best option.

First aid cabinets

It is an offence to remove any item from a first aid cabinet except for the purpose of first aid. The cabinets are restocked on a regular basis but it would be appreciated if any deficiency were reported to the DSO immediately it is discovered.

Replacement first aid equipment may be obtained by contacting the DSO.

Accident/incident reporting

Whenever first aid is administered following an accident, complete an Accident/Incident form.

This should be completed by someone who has knowledge of what happened. A First aid treatment form should also be completed by the first aider.

Cyanide poisoning

A designated first aider must be assigned before work commeneces, the first aider must be available during all manipulations. A list of these first aiders can be obtained from the DSO and it is a requirement to inform one of them before you commence work with cyanide compounds.

Important: Working with cyanides is not permitted outside normal working hours.

Back to top

Harassment

Harassment of people at work or in the learning environment is a feature of discrimination, which is prohibited by law. The University considers all forms of harassment to be extremely serious and is committed to eliminating harassment experienced by staff and students.

The Departmental Harassment Officer is:

Denise Richards
Departmental Financial Administrator
denise.richards@sheffield.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 114 222 9340
Office: C13a

Back to top

Ionising radiation

The Departmental Radiation Officer is:

Craig  Robertson
craig.robertson@sheffield.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 114 222 9434
Office: C32

Access to the Radiation laboratories is forbidden except to registered radiation workers and only then if special authorisation has been obtained from Craig Robertson, Departmental Radiation Protection Coordinator. The Ionising Radiations Regulations (1999) strictly apply to all work with ionising radiations.

None of the above areas can be used outside normal working hours except by permission of a research supervisor.

Back to top

Keys

Keys for the research laboratories and furniture may be obtained from the accounts office C13a. A deposit of £25 is required from each authorised research worker and this deposit covers the issue of as many keys as are necessary to the research worker. All keys have to be authorised by the appropriate research supervisor before keys are issued.

In the event of a loss of a key, the key will only be replaced after payment of the cost of the replacement. Full key deposits will only be reimbursed when all keys are returned.

Keys can only be issued on the understanding that:

• The recipient will under no circumstances loan keys to others and will at all times ensure that doors unlocked by the recipient are relocked after use.

• Each individual research worker must have undergone an out of hours training course.

• Each individual research worker must have attended a fire training session (annual requirement).

In the interests of security, keys will automatically be withdrawn from workers not complying strictly with these regulations.

All keys should be returned to the accounts office C13a when permanently leaving the department and must not be handed to another research worker.

The deposit of £25 will only be refunded if:

• All their keys are returned.

• Your laboratory area has been left in a clean and tidy state.

• All samples and unwanted chemicals have been destroyed.

Back to top

Lasers

The Departmental Laser Safety Supervisor is:

Dr S Mykhaylyk
o.mykhaylyk@sheffield.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 114  222 9418
Office: C90

No work involving the use of lasers may be carried out unless the worker has attended the appropriate training course and registered with the University Safety Services and the laser experiment has been approved by Departmental Laser Safety Supervisor. Registration forms are available from Departmental Laser Safety Supervisor.

Each worker involved in laser work is strictly governed by the University Code of Practice, copies of which can be obtained from Departmental Laser Safety Supervisor.

Back to top

Lifts

Passenger lifts should not be used for the transportation of apparatus and chemicals, there are two goods lifts for this purpose.

There may be situations where the goods lifts are not large enough or out of service when the passenger lifts can be used for transporting items, these situations should be discussed with the DSO in advance.

Passengers must not use the lifts when apparatus and chemicals are being transported.

Back to top

Cryogenics

Liquefied argon, helium and nitrogen are used in various locations in the department. They are non-toxic but are asphyxiate in high concentrations.

They are all extremely cold and contact may cause burns or frost bite.

A quantity of liquid will rapidly vaporise to approximately 800 times its volume as a gas, resulting in violent rupture of enclosed systems.

Liquid oxygen will support combustion and forms a highly explosive mixture with organic material.

In rooms where large quantities of asphyxiant gases are used, oxygen depletion monitors are installed in case of an escape of gas.

Solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is also available as a cryogenic material.

A volume of solid carbon dioxide sublimes to give 900 times it volume of gas. It is non-toxic but is an asphixiant in high concentrations. Contact with the solid may cause burns or frost bite.

Wear eye or face protection, a lab coat and loose-fitting leather or cold resistant gloves when handling cryogenic materials. Suitable protection for the feet must also be worn.

Back to top

Magnetic fields

The NMR spectrometers located in C37, C39 and C48f laboratories house powerful magnets which produce stray magnetic fields. Although there is no evidence of harm to healthy individuals, care must be taken when working in these areas to be as far away from the magnet as possible.

A chain-link barrier surrounds the accessible areas around the magnet. It is permitted to enter this area to place a sample in the magnet and return immediately outside the restricted area.

The stray magnetic field may interfere with heart pacemakers and the field may be affected by artificial joints and mechanical watches. Credit/debit cards may be wiped clean by the magnetic field.

Wearers of pacemakers must not enter these laboratories under any circumstance.

Back to top

Unattended Experiment 

Before any experiment is run for an extended period of time unattended the matter must be discussed with a supervisor. When it is essential for experiments to be run unattended during the day or overnight a standard printed an Experiment in Progress Card must be completed and attached to the apparatus in question.

Important:

• Indicate exactly what services are to be left on.

• Specific dates must be recorded and the card renewed at least every seven days.

• All water connections must be wired on and tubing in good condition.

• No guarantee can be given that apparatus will be left running overnight or on other occasions when the Department is closed if these conditions are not complied with.

A note to the effect that services should be left on continuously is not acceptable.

The Unattended Equipment notices, coloured yellow, can be obtained from any member of the technical staff or chemistry stores.

Back to top

Example of the Experiment in Progress Card for the Department of Chemistry is shown below

Example of the yellow Unattended Equipment notices for the Department of Chemistry - Notification of unattended equipment operating outside normal working hours.

Unattended Equipment Card

Before any experiment is run for an extended period of time unattended the matter must be discussed with a supervisor. When it is essential for experiments to be run unattended during the day or overnight a standard printed an Unattended Equipment Card  must be completed and attached to the apparatus in question.

Important:

• Indicate exactly what services are to be left on.

• Specific dates must be recorded and the card renewed at least every seven days.

• All water connections must be wired on and tubing in good condition.

• No guarantee can be given that apparatus will be left running overnight or on other occasions when the Department is closed if these conditions are not complied with.

A note to the effect that services should be left on continuously is not acceptable.

The Unattended Equipment notices, coloured yellow, can be obtained from any member of the technical staff or chemistry stores.

Back to top

Refrigerators

Samples may only be placed in refrigerators if:

• They are in properly stoppered containers.

• They are clearly labelled with your name and the chemical nature of the contents.

Samples that are not so stoppered or labelled correctly will be removed.

All fridges and freezers should regularly cleaned and defrosted, this is especially important if an ice build up occurs.

Back to top

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment is provided by the department where it is considered necessary as identified by COSHH assessments, risk assessments, standard operating procedures or is covered by legislation on specific hazards. PPE is available to eliminate contact with hazardous substances or protect from injury from flying or falling objects or abrasive surfaces.

PPE must only be used where other control measures such as engineering controls (eg fume cupboards) or safe systems of work are not adequate to control the hazard at source.

Safety glasses

Safety glasses are designed to protect the wearer's eyes from impact (flying objects) and particularly in the Department of Chemistry, from chemical splashes. Safety glasses have guards attached to part of the arms to prevent ingress from the sides. Normal glasses are not designed to protect in the same way and over-glasses must be worn as well for the required protection.

Safety glasses are mandatory in all laboratories and workshops where the relevant sign is displayed on the door.

Anyone found not wearing safety glasses in these rooms will be reported initially to their supervisor and persistent offenders will be reported to the Head of the Department.

Visitors' safety glasses

Visitors' safety glasses are available in all synthesis laboratories and other areas around the department. These glasses are identified by a green stripe on the side arm and should not be worn by chemistry personnel who are supplied with a personal pair.

Goggles and face shields

Goggles or face shield should be worn where a higher standard of protection is required. These are available from the Department of Chemistry main store.

A face shield is available in each research laboratory, normally hung on the wall adjoining the main sink. It is an offence to cover the visor and it must be returned to its location after use. To keep them clean and free from general laboratory contamination visors are normally stored in a polythene bag.

Laboratory coats

Laboratory coats offer a degree of personal protection against small spillages and splashes and protect everyday clothing against contamination. In biological areas they also reduce the risk of contaminating biological samples. Laboratory coats must be properly fastened in use and be regularly laundered.

To prevent the risk of spreading contamination to clean areas laboratory coats should be removed when leaving the lab and must not be worn in the common room, write-up rooms, NMR laboratories or computer rooms.

Laboratory coats must be worn all in laboratories and workshops where the relevant sign is displayed on the door. Red Labcoats have flame retardant properties and should be worn when performing tasks with a fire risk, for example when undertaking manipulations with pyrophorics substances. A variety of sizes are distributed throughout the department. Along with the flame retardant properties these lab coats also help co-workers understand that your work has a higher risk of fire.

The department offers a laundering service by contacting Stores.

Other PPE is available as required and following consultation with the Departmental Safety Officer.

Back to top

Security

Workers using the department outside normal working hours are responsible for closing the door of their laboratory when leaving to reduce the risk of fire spreading should an accident occur.

The main doors to the building should be locked. Keys/swipe access will be withdrawn from individuals found disregarding these rules.

Back to top

Special experimental areas

Autoclave room

A high-pressure autoclave service is operated by the Technical Manager, Joseph P Quick j.p.quick@sheffield.ac.uk. No one may enter the autoclave room without gaining permission from the technical manager. Gases, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and nitrogen, are available for use and the area is protected by gas sensing equipment.

In the case of a gas escape a warning horn will sound and a red flashing light will be activated. Evacuate the area immediately on hearing the alarm and do not enter the area until it has been declared safe by the technical manager.

Carbon monoxide

Laboratory D31 has been designated as the only area (other than the autoclave room) where carbon monoxide may be used. Before working with carbon monoxide training must be obtained from the Technical Manager, Joseph P Quick j.p.quick@sheffield.ac.uk. The laboratory is used to produce and test catalysts and hydrogen is also used for experimental work.

The area is protected by gas monitors sensitive to carbon monoxide and hydrogen connected to a gas alarm system, which will sound a horn and activate a flashing light in the case of a gas escape. Evacuate the area immediately on hearing the alarm and do not enter the area until it is safe to do so. A mimic board is situated outside the laboratory, do not enter the room unless the indicators show zero.

Back to top

Supervision of students

Students must be adequately supervised at all times. This is a legal duty which cannot be discharged by relying solely upon a student's status or competence. Adequate supervision (particularly for postgraduates) does not necessarily mean constant attendance but does require an active, regular oversight of the activity concerned.

It is the responsibility of the Head of Department to ensure that:

• Student projects are properly assessed, for compliance with the law, relevant codes of practice, University local rules and existing departmental procedure.

• Any agreed precautions are discussed between the student and supervisor and in all but the most elementary circumstances committed to writing.

• Regular checks are carried out by the supervisor (or a suitably qualified and authorised nominee) to ensure that the student is following the agreed procedure.

• The student understands that variations from that procedure must be authorised before further work commences.

A simple scheme for project categorisation can be used such as the one detailed below:

Category A

Those activities where the risks are insignificant and carry no special supervision considerations.

Category B

Those activities with risk (other than category C, D and E) where extra care must be observed but where it is considered that workers are adequately trained and competent in the procedures involved.

Category C

Those activities where work may not be started without the task supervisor's advice and approval but may be carried out without supervision once additional training in the procedures involved has been carried out.

Category D

Those activities where work may not be started without the task supervisor's advice and approval this may involve additional training in the procedures involved, and in the initial phases of work, the direct supervision by a specified member of staff continuously present in the room where the work is performed.

Category E

Those activities where work may not be started without the direct supervision of a specified member of staff, continuously present in the room where the work is performed.

Back to top

Visitors

More information to come.

Back to top

Working hours

The University has distinct working hours, the department is open to all workers Monday to Friday 8.00am until 6.00pm.

Outside these times, anyone working in the building must have completed an online Out of Hours Awareness Training course (valid for three years). Within the Department of Chemistry there is also a requirement to attend an Introduction to Working Out of Hours session (valid for nine years).

All building users must enter their details in the Out of Hours Book, located on the Porters desk, to show that they are in the building. This information is essential in the event of an incident occuring out of hours, Security Services and the Fire Service, may need accurate information.

If the evacuation alarm sounds out of hours, you should exit the building via the nearest exit, but you must report to the main entrance to ensure others know you are safe.

Back to top