Laboratory Safety

Each laboratory environment is unique and poses various sets of hazards, which may include biological, chemical, fire, physical, radiological hazards and others.

The University has established the Laboratory Safety Management Policies and a framework as well as a series of manuals, guidelines, and codes of practice. All laboratory personnel (e.g. principal investigators, laboratory in-charges, and research personnel) should take steps to learn these requirements and ensure proper implementation in their working areas.

Laboratory Design

Each laboratory is designed and constructed with proper safety facilities and equipment to meet user requirements identified in the design stage. In other words, existing safety provisions (e.g. fixed fire services installations (FSIs), ventilation systems, fume cupboards, emergency systems) of individual laboratory may limit the nature, types or scales of laboratory work to be done there.

Therefore, if a laboratory user plans to introduce new equipment or new research activity to their laboratory, they must carefully assess potential risks from the change, and evaluate if existing safety provisions are adequate and proper. Existing layout of the laboratory, access ways and surrounding environment may also pose concerns for safe delivery, installation and/or maintenance of the new equipment and/or associated parts or materials to be used. Users are advised to consult HSO, if necessary.

Under the current Space Allocation Policy, departments shall inform the Campus Development and Space Allocation Committee (CDSAC) if they plan to change the purpose of use of any room (including laboratories) allocated to them. CDSAC will coordinate with CDO, CFSO and HSO for follow up.

General Laboratory Safe Practices

• Assess risks from your laboratory activities and implement proper safety measures before commencing work
• Check and ensure current safety provisions and emergency equipment in your laboratory allow safe conduct of work and are functioning properly
• Establish Safe Operating Procedure (SOP)
• Ensure all laboratory personnel have proper safety training and are registered with HSO
  Note: All laboratory users (except undergraduates working under direct supervision by a competent laboratory supervisor) must complete proper laboratory safety training (classroom or online), pass an online test and register with HSO before being allowed to work in a laboratory involving use of chemicals, biological agents, ionizing radiation sources (e.g. X-ray, radioactive substances) or non-ionizing radiation sources (e.g. Class 3b or above lasers, UV, radiofrequencies)
• Conduct regular self-inspections to identify and rectify potential hazards
• Maintain regular housekeeping checks
  Note: Hazardous substances must be properly stored in accordance with their compatibilities while keeping storage quantities to a minimum. Unwanted chemicals should be disposed of properly

Our Scope of Services

HSO supports laboratories by executing the following functions:

• Conducts both regular (announced) and irregular (unannounced) inspections
• Provides advice on laboratory safety design
• Provides advice on safe use, storage and disposal of hazardous substances
• Provides advice relating to use and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Delivers health and safety training for laboratory users
• Maintains an up-to-date chemical inventory
• Provides essential chemical hazard information
• Coordinates licenced contractors for disposal of chemical wastes