The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.
Personnel work in accordance with work instructions and standard operating procedures which incorporate all relevant aspects of OHS legislation and the codes, guidelines, regulations and Australian standards applying to environmental hazards and dangerous goods.
OHS legislation is state and territory based and includes general OHS Act and hazard specific regulations and Codes of Practice especially those relating to environmental hazards and dangerous goods.
Industry standards, codes and guidelines include:
AS 2243 Safety in laboratories
AS 2982 Hand washing facilities
AS 2243.8 Fume hoods
AS 2252 Biological safety cabinets
SAA HB9 Occupational personal protection, and other relevant standards for protective, clothing (for example, AS 2161, AS 2210, AS 1337 and AS 1338)
AS 1678 Emergency procedures guide for hazardous materials
AS 2500 Storage of goods
AS 2503 Safety storage and handling of information cards
AS 1940 Storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
AS 3780 Storage and handling or corrosive liquids
AS 4452 Storage and handling of toxic substances
standards for the segregation of wastes, such as AS 2243.3 and AS 2243.4
AS/NEC/ISO 14000
Australian Dangerous Goods Code
Australian Code for Transport of Dangerous Goods
guidelines for the operation of classes of laboratories
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service guidelines for the importation of biological products
National Code of Practice for the labelling of workplace substances (NOHSC:2012)
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) guidelines for working with genetically altered organisms.
Routine checks may include:
general housekeeping checks, such as obstructions which may cause trip hazards
checking of safety equipment, such as eye wash stations
checking reagents and equipment are safe to use
checking availability of emergency equipment
checking functionality of personal protective equipment.
A hazard is a source or situation with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill health, damage to property, the environment or a combination of these. Physical hazards may be considered to be sources of energy that, if not controlled may cause injury or damage.
Hazards may include:
electric shock
microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, human or animal tissue and fluids
solar radiation, dust, noise
chemicals, such as acids, heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons
aerosols from broken centrifuge tubes, pipetting
radiation, such as alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray, neutron
sharps, broken glassware and hand tools
flammable liquids
cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen
fluids under pressure, such as steam, hydrogen in gas liquid chromatography, acetylene in atomic absorption spectrometry
sources of ignition
high temperature ashing processes
disturbance or interruption of services
occupational overuse syndrome, slips, trips and falls
manual handling, working at heights and in confined spaces
crushing, entanglement, cuts associated with moving machinery or falling objects
pedestrian and vehicular traffic
vehicle and boat handling.
Addressing hazards may include:
hazard and incident reporting and investigation procedures
elimination
substitution, such as review of nature of substances or processes used
isolation, such as:
use of appropriate equipment, such as biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets
Class PCII, PCIII, and PCIV physical containment laboratories
engineering
administrative procedures, such as:
ensuring access to service shut off points
recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs
labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials
handling and storage of all hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, materials safety data sheets and manufacturer's instructions
identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions
cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using recommended procedures
applying containment procedures
following established manual handling procedures for tasks involving manual handling
use of appropriate equipment and procedures to avoid personal contamination and contamination of others
following risk control measures to minimise environmental hazards
use of practices which minimise waste
reporting to appropriate personnel of abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/waste water, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates
minimising exposure to radiation, such as lasers, electromagnetic and ultraviolet
use of material safety data sheets (MSDS)
use of signage, barriers and service isolation tags
use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, sunscreen lotion, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, gown, body suits, respirators and safety boots.
Factors, such as inadequate work practices, lack of training or fatigue are not hazards but are conditions that may result in the loss of control of the hazard and cause injury or damage.
Designated personnel may include the laboratory manager, supervisor, OHS coordinator and OHS representative.
Enterprise policies and procedures may include instructions for:
all OHS specific procedures, such as for hazard and incident reporting, communication, consultation and issue resolution and risk management
controlling known hazards
minimising environmental threats
minimising and disposing of waste
responding to safety, emergency, fire and incidents
selecting/using personal protective clothing and equipment.
An incident is an event that has cause or has the potential for injury, ill-health or damage. Incidents and emergencies may include:
workplace injury and accidents - cutting, stabbing, puncturing, crushing, immersion in water, suffocation, hypothermia, burns, heat stress, animal bites, allergic reactions, assaults
biological, chemical or radioactive spills; fire; bomb threat; security threat; explosion.
Emergency equipment may include first aid equipment, eye wash kit or shower and fire extinguisher.
Participating in OHS activities include:
seeking assistance to clarify obligations and procedures
clarifying work instructions that impact on safety and legal liability.
OHS and environmental issues which may need to be raised by employees with designated personnel may include:
identification of hazards not otherwise addressed
assessment of risk and decisions on measures to control risk
risk reduction measures
problems with implementation of controls
problems with recycling, by-product collection and waste disposal
investigation of injury and incidents
clarification of understanding of OHS policies and procedures.
Health, safety and environment
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.
All operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.