Elements of a

Laboratory Safety
Programme
 Objectives
 Identify the critical components of a laboratory
safety programme
 Describe the roles and responsibilities of the
various personnel in the laboratory in relation to
the operation of a successful safety programme
 Laboratory Safety Programme
 Laboratories have unique problems
 Safety programme must be tailored to the
individual laboratory activities and staffing
 Safety Participation
 Management
 Supervisors
 Safety officers
 Employees
 Management Responsibilities
 Policy
 Safe workplace
 Funds
 Assess progress
 Safety committee reports
Safety Officer Responsibilities
 Technical advisor for safety programme
 Develop safe work methods
 Advise management
 Inspections
 Assist safety committees
 Publicity
 Determine safety equipment needs
 Review plans
 Provide technical assistance
 Maintain records
Supervisor Responsibilities
 Training
 Inspections
 Reports
 Eliminate accident causes
 Correct unsafe conditions
 Safety meetings
 Daily effort
Employee Responsibility
 Use safety equipment
 Follow safe procedures
 Report injuries
 Report hazards
Review of Safety Programme
Elements
 Policy is predicated on internal and external requirements
 The safety supervisor or safety officer is the person who has
the responsibility for advising the total laboratory staff
 Safety officer has obligation to both staff and
management.
 Safety manual details basic practices and procedures to be
applied in routine as well as emergency situations
 Safety manual should be a dynamic document that is
regularly reviewed and updated
 The safety manual should be supplemented with other
information such as hazard notices, special safety data, and
other similar pertinent technical information
Review of Safety Programme
Elements
 Safety oriented employees are the absolute essential
element to a successful safety programme
 Other elements of programme are meaningless without
employees who are dedicated to participation in safety
program
 Safety committees advise management, assure
laboratories are in compliance with external
requirements, review protocols, accidents, and incident
reports
 Training of personnel in routine and emergency
procedures is essential
 Safety performance of employees is predicated on
adequate training
Review of Safety Programme
Elements
 Accident and incident reports have their value
in identifying unsafe conditions or practices
 Accident and incident reports are used as
basis for developing safer procedures or
practices
 Always consider safety requirements in
development of all research protocols and
procedures
Summary
 Implementation of elements of programme by
those assigned to specific tasks is key to its
success
 Participation of all staff at all levels is critical to
success of laboratory safety program