Health and Safety Support

Overview

The School Safety Officer is currently Dr Richard Cutting who can be consulted regarding anything safety related.  If you’re a new starter, you should receive a safety induction (which can be arranged by speaking with your line manager and Richard Cutting).  You can also book to go on a relevant safety training course at any time; these are listed on the university’s course page. Below is a summary regarding safety for the three main areas you’ll likely run into as research staff (risk assessments, COSHH forms for chemicals, and laser safety).  It is our intention here to minimise any difficulty associated with this, so please let us know if you have any suggestions for improvement.

Risk assessments

Any potentially dangerous general procedure in the work place needs to be covered by a risk assessment signed by the PI responsible.  A copy needs to be given to Dr Richard Cutting and another kept in the lab.  For those in Simon Building, please also send a copy to Dr Michael Flynn.  Risk assessments are intended to ensure you are aware of and have documented and quantified the risks associated with the particular task.  The assessments should generally be activity-based with all users affected listed (rather than one per person for the same task).  Examples of the kinds of activities which should be risk assessed include: Lifting heavy equipment, working in hazardous environments (e.g. high/low temperatures), working in noisy environments etc.  Note that risks associated with chemicals or lasers are covered separately (see below).  The University offers guidance on risk assessments and general health and safety (use the site menu on the left). The school also provides health and safety information including other risks such as lone working and leaving equipment on overnight. • Risk assessment forms can be downloaded from the school’s risk assessment forms page. • Examples of completed risk assessments for guidance can be found on the CAS health and safety page (under risk assessment).  You will need to speak with Dr Michael Flynn for an account to access the CAS intranet; alternatively Dr Richard Cutting may be able to provide you with an example completed risk assessment form.

COSHH forms

COSHH is a type of risk assessment specifically for hazardous chemicals.  When completing COSHH risk assessments, the risks associated with the specific procedure of use need to be documented, not just the general dangers of the chemicals themselves.  You’ll also need to provide the chemical data sheets.  If these don’t come with the chemical during purchase, then they may be available in the following places. • The manufacturer’s website • Oxford university chemical index (this is now defunct but provides links to other equivalent places) The completed form needs to be signed by the person responsible for the lab, with copies given to Dr Richard Cutting (and also Dr Michael Flynn for those in CAS).  For common tasks needing a COSHH assessment, one form per lab for all is sufficient with all users it applies to listed.  For specific more complicated tasks, it may be better to produce an assessment for each individual. • COSHH forms can be downloaded from the school’s chemical safety page. • Examples of completed COSHH forms for guidance can be found on the CAS health and safety page  (under chemicals).  You will need to speak with Dr Michael Flynn for an account to access the CAS intranet; alternatively Dr Richard Cutting may be able to provide you with an example completed COSHH form.

Laser safety

Generally if you are using lasers, you need to be registered as a laser user.  The university’s laser safety website contains all necessary information and a list of forms (LS1/2/4/5) which need to be completed. • Forms LS1 and LS2 to do with registering new lasers and activity will need to be completed by your PI • You will also need to have had your eyes tested by Occupational Health (this is for comparison in case you suffer an eye strike with the laser beam).  Fill out form LS5 and get it signed by both your PI and the school laser safety advisor (currently Dr Michael Flynn).  Once this is fully complete, you can contact Occupational Health and book an eye test.  There are two sites for Occupational Health where the eye tests are performed: Oxford Road and The Mill on North Campus.  For our school, you must have the eye test performed at the Mill.  You can arrange an appointment by contacting them. • You must also and have attended (and passed) the laser safety training course.  To book a place, you can visit the list of health and safety training courses and send an email as instructed. • Don’t forget to use form LS4 as the checklist of requirements • When you are finally registered and certified as a laser user, you will still need to complete risk assessments for all activities using lasers as outlined above in the risk assessment section.