RISK ASSESSMENT FORM Use this form to assist you to complete risk assessments for hazardous activities and processes. Any serious or ongoing hazards should be reported via RiskWare to ensure that appropriate corrective actions are tracked and completed. Faculty/School: Risk Assessment Reference Number: School of Life and Environmental Sciences (SOLES) RA005.1 Initial Issue Date: Jun 2017 Next Review Date: Jun 2018 Risk Assessment Name: Prepared by: Use of Biosafety II cabinets Rhiarn Hoban and Wen Li Responsible supervisor/s: Markus Hofer (Chair WHS committee) Identify the activity and the location Activity or process: Use of class II biosafety cabinet Identify who may be at risk This may include fellow workers, students, visitors, contractors and the public Persons at risk: All staff and students at SOLES that use the class II biosafety cabinet Location: Teaching and research labs at SOLES Risk assessment team (Who was consulted?): Safety Committee at SOLES List of Legislation, Code of Practice, Australian Standards, Guidance Materials used to determine control measures See SWP005 for use of class II biosafety cabinets. For work with pathogens and/or human samples see respective SWPs; Use OGTR guidelines and rules when handling GMO; follow SWP for waste disposal and other relevant SWPs. Risk Assessment Methodology Assessing the risk is a brainstorming exercise, which is most effectively carried out in a team environment with the people required to complete the activity or process. Most activities or processes are broken down into a variety of separate tasks. For each task, consider the hazards, the potential harm or negative outcomes and the conditions required for those negative outcomes to occur. Whenever assessing the health and safety risks associated with a task, always consider the following primary risk factors. The physical activities required to complete the task e.g. repetitive movement, high force, physical exertion, awkward posture The work environment e.g. lighting, work layout, traffic, thermal comfort, working in isolation The nature of the hazard itself e.g. working with chemicals, microorganisms, radiation, machinery, potentially violent clients The individual workers involved, e.g. level of training, skills, experience, health, age, physical capacity The information gathered from the risk assessment process must be used to develop a Safe Work Procedure (SWP).
RISK ASSESSMENT FORM Task or scenario Hazard/s Associated harm, e.g. what could go wrong? Handling of GMOs and infectious organs Use of Bunsen burner or other source of open flames Infection and/or release with pathogens and GMOs into the environment Fire in cabinet Infection with and release of GMOs and pathogens Burns, spread of fire Existing Risk Controls PPE (especially lab coat and gloves). Correct training of personnel in the use of class II biosafety cabinet, personal protective equipment, follow specific SWPs for pathogens and GMOs Before commencing work check that biosafety cabinet inspection is in date. Bunsen burner and other sources of open flames are not permitted inside a class II cabinet Current risk rating Use the Risk Matrix Any additional controls are required? 1 Residual risk rating Use the Risk Matrix Use of ethanol and other flammables Fire in cabinet / explosion of cabinet Burns, spread of fire, explosion Avoid using ethanol in cabinet (use nonflammable disinfectant); if ethanol is required use squeeze bottle (spray bottles are not permitted) and limit amount UV light Burns to eyes and skin Blindness, burns All cabinets should be equipped with safety switch that prevents UV light from being activated while cabinet is open Workers with preexisting conditions (allergies, immunecompromise status) and pregnant workers Increased risk of allergic reactions, severe infection including those of the unborn, pathogens could cause malformation and death of the unborn. Allergic reaction, infection Workers with pre-existing conditions and pregnancy are not permitted to work with pathogens unless approval has been obtained from WHS services. Workers should consult with their GP or specialist doctor before commencing work. 1 Always consider whether or not it is possible to eliminated the hazard or hazardous task altogether. If this is not possible, refer to the hierarchy of risk controls.
RISK ASSESSMENT FORM Implementation of Additional Risk Controls Additional controls needed Resources required Responsible person Date of implementation RiskWare Reference Safe Work Procedure (SWP) Train workers to complete process in accordance with SWP University and local WHS training DONE Time supervisor and workers Time WHS committee Supervisor Supervisor List emergency controls for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances and/or emergency shutdown procedures Follow general emergency and spill procedures. Ensure that emergency equipment (eye wash, emergency shower, fire extinguisher are in place and working / have been tested. Ensure disinfectant and spill kit are in place and complete. In case of exposure to hazardous and infectious substances or release of GMOs to the environment, submit RiskWare incident within 24 hours. Follow hazard-specific procedures listed in respective SWP. If seriously injured call 000 for immediate emergency care. Contact your local first aid officer and notify campus security on 9351-3333. REVIEW Scheduled review date 1 year 2 years 3 years Are control measures in place (YES/NO) Are controls eliminating or minimizing the risk (YES/NO) Are there any new problems with the risk (YES/NO) Reviewed by: Actual Review date:
Risk Matrix. RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE Use this form to document Safe Work Procedures for hazardous activities and processes. The information in your Safe Work Procedure (SWP) should be supported by a risk assessment. Faculty/School: School of Life and Environmental Sciences (SOLES) Initial Issue Date: Jun 2017 Next Review Date: Jun 2018 SWP Reference Number: SWP005 Version:1 Version Issue Date: Jun 2017 SWP Title: Prepared by: Use of Biosafety II cabinet Rhiarn Hoban and Wen Li Responsible supervisor/s: Markus Hofer (Chair Safety Committee) List the Hazards and risk controls as per risk assessment Associated risk assessment reference: Hazards Risk controls RA005.1 Infection and/or release with pathogens and GMOs into the environment. Fire. Burns to eyes and skin. Risk of allergic reactions, severe infection including those of the unborn PPE (especially eye protection, lab coat and gloves) Personal Training Spill kits Eyewashes/safety showers List resources required including personal protective clothing, chemicals and equipment needed 1. Lab coat or lab gown gown is preferred for working in a PC2 lab 2. Nitrile or latex gloves 3. Fully enclosed shoes (preferably leather) with non-slip soles 4. Hair tied back if long 5. Safety glasses if hazardous or infectious substances are handled outside the biosafety cabinet. List step by step instructions or order for undertaking the task You need to know the location of spill kits, eyewashes, safety showers before starting work. 1. Book a time to use the biosafety cabinet (BSC) if a booking system is available. Check with the room or equipment custodian 2. Turn on UV light for at least 20 min before using the cabinet to sterilise prior to use. 3. Turn on the blower in the cabinet at least 10 min before placing infectious materials into the hood. 4. Check the certification sticker and Magnehelic gauge (if present) to verify that the biosafety cabinet is working properly. If not, do not use cabinet, and consult your supervisor. 5. Check the air flow indicator or LED display for error messages to verify that the air flow is operating properly. 6. Put on PPE as described above. 7. Ensure UV light is OFF before starting work. UV is damaging, especially to eyes. 8. Ensure a spill kit is close at hand, and that you know how to use this kit. o o Note: Use of bleach in a BSC is not optimal since the bleach will corrode the stainless steel. Use alternatives if possible (e.g. Virkon). Note: Use of ethanol in a BSC can cause an explosive atmosphere. Use alternatives (e.g. Virkon)
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE 9. DO NOT disrupt the airflow through the hood by placing ANY item on the air vents. Minimise the amount of material in the hood as much as possible to assist with maintaining good airflow. Allow gaps between items at the back of the hood such that air can flow around these. View video on "Demonstration of air flow in Biosafety Cabinet". 10. The interior of the hood should be considered to be a contaminated zone, even though efforts should be made to keep the surfaces clean. 11. Do NOT use spray bottles to dispense decontamination agents inside or immediately outside the cabinet. The small aerosol droplets produced when using a spray bottle are damaging to the filters within the cabinet air flow system. 12. Swab the inside surfaces of the BSC with 80% ethanol before and after beginning work. If you are working with agents that will not be killed by ethanol, use an alternative disinfectant e.g. Viraclean, Virkon or Biozidal FF. Do not use bleach routinely in the BSC as this will corrode the steel surfaces of the cabinet. 13. Use aseptic technique when working in the cabinet. Be mindful of which items are contaminated these must not leave the cabinet without first being decontaminated or contained in a sealed strong container. 14. Allow the blower to run for at least 10 minutes following use. 15. Turn on the UV light between different procedures in the BSC (at least 5 min) and then at the end of the day (20-30 min). List emergency shutdown procedures 1. In the event of an emergency or spill most BSC will have an emergency air shut off button that will activate once shutter is completely down. Alternatively when shutter is completely down power can be switched off from power source. 2. Decontaminate and remove all items within BSC if possible to do so and store them appropriately. 3. Keep BSC in standby mode once completely decontaminated OR switch off at main power during extended periods between use. List Emergency procedures for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances 1. If seriously injured call 000 for immediate emergency care. Contact your local first aid officer and notify campus security on 9351-3333. 2. If you are exposed to infectious materials or if you become sick and you suspect this is due to biological agents you have handled at work, you must report this to your supervisor as soon as possible, and fill in an online incident report form. 3. Any injuries or incidents must be reported immediately to your supervisor and within 24 h using Riskware. Near misses (hazardous situations not leading to an incident) should also be reported. List Clean up and waste disposal requirements All biohazard spills must be cleaned up immediately (see appropriate Biohazard Spill SWP004.1). If you need to use bleach to do this, ensure you follow up with a water-soaked wipe such that the bleach residues are not left in the cabinet, these will corrode the surfaces. List references used in the development of this SWP, e.g. codes of practice BSC s must be inspected annually by properly-certified individuals (not just regular users of the cabinet). Especially important is that the airflow is checked, the filters cleaned or replaced and the UV lights replaced (these will reduce in intensity over time, and need replacing approximately annually). RA/SWP006: Biosafety II Cabinet RA/SWP004: Biohazard Spills RA/SWP013: Working with Flammables RA/SWP026: Working with Risk Group 2 Microorganisms Refer to forms specific to work as needed. Page 2
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE List competency required qualifications, certificates, licensing, training - e.g. course or instruction: Work Health and Safety Induction Chemical Safety Certificate Biosafety Certificate Staff approved to assess competence for this SWP Laboratory Supervisor / Manager SWP Sign off sheet SWP name and version: In signing this section the assessor agrees that the following persons are competent in following this SWP. Name Signature Date Competent Name Assessor/Authoriser of Assessor/Authoriser signature Page 3