Induction Seminar for New Laboratory Technicians Mr W

Induction Seminar for New Laboratory Technicians Mr W C HO 30/9/06

Risk Assessment ► An analysis of a practical activity to identify hazards and to take precautions to minimise the risk ► Procedures: § Identifying hazards (Materials / Procedures / Equipment) § Assessing how likely the hazard will actually cause harm (risk) § Deciding what control measures to reduce risk to acceptable level § Finding how to dispose of hazardous residues § Review

Procurement and Management of Laboratory Equipment/Chemicals Acquisition Record Keeping Storing / Organising Write-off / Disposal

Composite Furniture & Equipment Grant ► Replace recurrent and non-recurrent F&E grants for aided schools ► Greater flexibility in the use of resources ► Expenditure incurred should be reasonable and necessary for educational purposes ► Cover the costs and maintenance/repair fees for F/E items, insurance premium for non-standard F&E items ► $13, 690 per class for 2006/07 ► EMBCM 150/2006 ; EMB Circular 2/2001 A ► http: //www. emb. gov. hk/oebg-e

Science Subject Grants For purchase of consumables ► EMBCM 150/2006 ► Aided Schools ► http: //www. emb. gov. hk § Operating Expenses Block Grant (資助學校營辦開支整筆津貼 ) § Adm. Cir. 27/2000 § S 1 -3 Science, AL Biology and ASL/AL Chemistry ► Govt. Schools § Subject & Curriculum Block Grant (官立學校科目及課程整筆津貼 ) § Finance Cir. 2/2000

Reference Lists of F/E ► Consider whether item is safe before purchase (e. g. chemicals, electrical equipment, plants & animals) ► Specifications of the EMB Reference List of F&E ► http: //www. emb. gov. hk

Thermometer Digital thermometer ► No-roll thermometer sleeve ► Break-safe thermometer (encased in a PVC coating, 10 -100 o. C) ► Low toxicity non-mercury filled thermometer, max 110 / 330 o. C ►

Thermometer Holder ► clips onto the rim of a beaker or other vessel to hold a thermometer vertically near the side of the container

Hand Protector 隔熱護手墊

Heating Device ► Alternative to Bunsen burner or heating mantle ► Aluminium heating block (~$100) ► Commercial heating device

Plasticware ► Reduce breakage of glassware § Plasticware (e. g. dropper, beaker, funnel, measuring cylinder) § Polypropylene, polymethylpentene (TPX))

Microscale Chemistry Equipment Pipette 多用滴管 Microspatul ar Glass Combustion tube Wellplate 孔井穴板 Universal Indicator Chart

Microscale Version Pins Shampoo Solution 0. 4 M Na. OH

Reduction of Cu. O Microburne r 5 M HCl Galvanized iron coil

Reactions of Chlorine Bleach + HCl KI Na. Cl KBr

Microscale Chemistry Equipment Distillation cap Set up for reflux http: //www. mcl. hk Set up for distillation

Asbestos ► Naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals ► May cause lung cancer, mesothelioma (間皮瘤 )& abestosis (石棉沉著病 ) ► Asbestos-containing products should not be used in schools ► Beware of equipment with heat insulating materials e. g. wire gauzes, bench mats, ovens ► Bench mats should be made of glass reinforced cement. Wire gauzes should be with ceramic centres. ► Add “Asbestos free” requirement when purchasing ► Do not dispose of asbestos-containing products as common garbage

Procurement of Chemicals Before purchase, assess the hazardous nature of chemicals, check your inventory, whether it will be used in experiments in the near future ► Acquire safer alternatives e. g. Volasil 244 instead of CCl 4 ► Avoid over-stocking of chemicals ► Keep quantities to a minimal especially for water-reactive chemicals e. g. Na, K, Ca 2 C, Si. Cl 4, hazardous chemicals e. g. Br 2 (ampoule package), conc. acids and alkalis and flammable chemicals e. g. P, ether, ethanol, etc ► Clearly labelled and date-stamped the date of arrival ► Keep a clear and updated record of chemical stocks (locations) ►

Safer Alternatives to chlorinated hydrocarbons ► Displacement reactions of halogens § Cyclohexane or Volasil 244 (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, (CH 3)8 Si 4 O 4) § Less dense than water, they form an upper layer § Cyclohexane is much less expensive than Volasil 244. The collected waste can be treated with 1 M sodium carbonate solution before recycling or disposal.

Safety Information of Chemicals Scottish Schools Equipment Research Centre http: //www. sserc. org. uk International Chemical Safety Cards http: //www. ilo. org/public/ english/protection/safewo rk/cis/products/icsc/

CLEAPSS http: //www. cleapss. org. uk

Chem. Labels CD-ROM ► http: //www. merck. de/english/ services/chemdat/english/inde x. htm ► http: //www. sigmaaldrich. com

Controlled Chemicals diversion of chemicals to illicit (非法 ) manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances e. g. heroin (海洛英 ) ► Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Cap. 145) ► Acetylating Substances ► Prevent § Ethanoyl chloride (乙酰氯 ), ethanoic anhydride (乙酰酐 ) § Licence ► Potassium Permanganate (高錳酸鉀 § Storage approval ► List of Controlled Chemicals (Customs & Excise Dept, Tel. 2541 4383) )

Chemical Weapon Precursors ► ► List of chemical weapon precursors controlled under the Import and Export Ordinance (Annex A of STCC No. 16/04) http: //www. stc. tid. gov. hk/english/circular_pub/stc 16_04. html Items under the control lists of two international control regimes - the Australia Group which aims to minimize the risk of chemical and biological weapons proliferation; and the Chemical Weapons Convention which aims to prohibit the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and on their destruction. ► Schools wishing to purchase chemicals e. g. Na. F, KF flouride, PCl 3 or PCl 5 for expts should first sign an undertaking. By doing so, TID can trace the location of the chemicals and how they are used. No fee would be required. ► Trade and Industry Department 業貿易署 Enquiry tel. : 2398 5625 ►

Other Issues ► Obtain animals e. g. healthy rats for dissection from licensed animal traders (registered with AFCD, Tel. 2150 6645) or the University Animal Units ► Plant materials may contain irritants ► 3 -pin adaptors and extension units comply with safety standard (BS 546 or BS 1363) ► Class II laser (< 1 m. W) ► 2, 4, 6 -Trinitrophenol (Picric Acid 苦味酸 )

Flammable Liquid Cabinets constructed from 20 swg zinc coated steel with welded seams ► door front built with an integral lip to assist in providing a vapour seal with the doors ► doors have reinforced vertical panels and continuous hinge to prevent distortion due to heat under fire condition ► all internal and external metal surfaces finished in textured high quality stove enamel which will not emit toxic fume during fire conditions ► label “DANGER flammable materials” and symbol ►

Acid Storage Cabinet Constructed from 20 swg zinc coated steel with welded seams ► Door fronts with dia. 30 mm plastic ventilation cap ► doors have reinforced vertical panels and continuous hinge to prevent distortion due to heat under fire condition ► Finished in white polyester powder coating giving a surface which is resistant to most acids and alkalis ►

Organising and Storing

Semi-open Storage/retrieval System ► Not uncommon for teacher go in and out of prep. room to fetch things that s/he wants for further experiment, or to replace an item ► Allows ‘self-service’ by teachers Cupboards with glass doors General items Plastic trays as standard containers Transparent plastic boxes Automatic self-checking system – facilitates checking and counting of items returned by students § A system of locating equipment – location code and a plan § § §

General Storage Cupboards ► Glass-fronted cupboards ► Advantages § Ease of seeing what is stored § Ease of locating missing bottles § Visibility of deteriorating stock ► Disadvantages § Need for frequent cleaning of glass § Effect of sunlight on the chemicals § UV causing embrittlement of the plastic used for many chemical bottles

Labelling ► Using card case for labelling storage cabinets – easy update

Storage cabinet ► Facilitate self-service by teachers and students Safety Spectacles

Transparent plastic boxes ► boxes of different sizes are available inexpensively

General Items ►A neat and convenient way of keeping connecting leads

Plastic trays as standard containers ► Trolley with trays

Record Keeping ► MS Excel ► Inventory program available at http: //hklta. org. hk/

Using MS Access for Inventory ► Database, table, query, form, report

Commercial Inventory Program ► Master program (~$3000) ► Optional items § User program (~$2000 per user) access to master database through LAN § Bar code scanner § Label printer § Data collector for stock taking

Writing Off Equipment (1) ► To free up storage space ► For aided schools: § prepare a destruction certificate § endorse by the school head under witness by a senior teacher § certificate should be kept in school for record purpose

Writing Off Equipment (2) For government schools: ► Departmental Controlled Stores § list of Unserviceable DCS for Disposal (G. F. 277) § approve by school head and retained for future audit inspection ► Inventory Stores § list of Materials for Condemnation as Unserviceable (G. F. 233) § certify by relevant panel teacher(s) as the Member of Board of Condemnation § submit to Senior Supplies Officer (EMB)

Fixtures

Major Repair Estimates ► For aided schools ► Non-recurrent ► For repair work of laboratory fixture costing $8, 000 or more ► Approval depends on recommendations by ASD / Housing Dept / EMB & the availability of fund ► EMBCM 091/2006 (around May each year)

Major Repair Dilution Tank Catchpot Recovery Trap

Island Bench ► Leg room

Fume Cupboard Drip Cup Remote Control Air Foil Wired or Tempered Glass Proprietary type (UK Building Bulletin 88)

Exhaust ducts Weather Cap Outlet of Exhaust duct

Measuring Face Velocity Regular checking, Test Report Anemometer

Emergency Repair of Lab Fixtures emergency situations (eg breakdown of fume cupboard fan) costing $8, 000 $200, 000 ► Standard Request Form to ASD or Housing Dept with a copy to REO ► Adm. Cir. 57/1999 ► For

Fume Cupboard Pulley counterweight system of the sash door

Safety and Laboratory Facilities ► Building Bulletin 80 – Science Accommodation in Secondary Schools: A Design Guide. http: //eric. ed. gov ► L 14 Designing and Planning Laboratories, CLEAPSS ► Science Facilities Standards (Texas) http: //www. utdanacenter. org/s ciencetoolkit/safety/

Almost there!

Managing for Safety Regulations & policies http: //www. justice. gov. hk ► Promote awareness on laboratory safety ► Safety precautions to minimise laboratory accidents ► Adopt safer alternatives ► Regular safety inspections ► Emergency plans & drills ► Records & filing ► Effective Communication ► Experience sharing & training ► Review / Evaluation ►

Iron/sulphur Reaction “Safer Chemicals Safer Reactions”, L 195, Sept 2003, CLEAPSS Form toxic sulphur dioxide ► Exothermic reaction, carried out in borosilicate test tubes as demonstration or in smaller ignition tubes by students ► Mineral fibre plug to stop sulphur vapour leaving the test tube and possibly catching fire ►

Immediate Remedial Measures ► What should you do while waiting for first aider in the following accidents? § Chemical splashes in the eye/on skin/in mouth, perhaps swallowed § Burns § Toxic gas § Hair on fire § Clothing on fire § Electric shock § Serve cuts § Asthma attack

First Aid Training ► First Aid Certificate Course 急救訓練課程 (30 hours) ► Hong Kong St. John Ambulance 香港聖約翰救護機構 http: //www. stjohn. org. hk ► Hong Kong Red Cross 香港紅十字會 http: //www. redcross. org. hk

Professional Development ► Certificate for Laboratory Technicians § Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Shatin) § part-time day release (2 -yr course) http: //www. vtc. edu. hk/vtchome/main. jsp ► Training Courses organised by the Occupational Safety and Health Council ► Professional knowledge & experience ► 香港實驗室技術員協會 http: //hklta. org. hk ► 教育統籌局實驗室技術員協會 http: //alated. uhome. net

Open Source Content Management System ► XOOPS (http: //www. xoops. org) ► Gallery 2 a popular open source web-based photo album that allows a user to easily create and maintain albums of photos via an intuitive interface http: //www. xoopsgallery. org/ ► http: //www. echemhk. org/web Username: peter Password: “qwerty”

Laboratory Technicians Contribute in departmental meetings Display signs alerting students to take proper safety precautions ► Familarise with the curriculum content to facilitate the preparation of materials for practical lessons ► Familarise with new trends of curriculum development – purchase necessary equipment ► Maximise the use of resources and minimise wastage of materials by recycling and reuse ► Label drawers and cabinets to facilitate easy access ► Update professional knowledge ► Remember “Safety is everyone’s responsibility” ► ►

Thank you ! cdosc 21@emb. gov. hk Tel. : 3698 3438 Fax: 2194 0670