UWA Safety Induction

School of Plant Biology

University of Western Australia
Updated March 2013
 Your Induction Needs….
• The ‘broad’ UWA/PB Safety Induction (this one…compulsory)
• Site Specific Induction (for your immediate workplace…
compulsory)
• PB Vehicle Induction (if applicable)
• Specific Equipment Induction (if applicable)
• Plant Growth Facilities Induction (if applicable)
 Today’s Aims
• Demonstrate UWA’s commitment to safety.
• Impart safety knowledge to you (policies and procedures).
• Introduce key safety personnel in the School of Plant Biology.
• Ensure your time at UWA is safe, productive and enjoyable.
Topics To Be Covered Today
1. General safety information 3. Safety Personnel
– UWA safety policy – Head of School
– Some specific policies – Building Wardens
– Employee Assistance – First Aid Officers
Program – Safety Personnel
– Safety notes
– Other work locations
4. Specific workplace requirements
– Computers
2. Emergency procedures – Laboratories
– Evacuation – Vehicles
– Machinery/Equipment
– Fire Extinguishers – Waste Disposal
– First Aid

5. Training requirements
– Specific for your work
 Work Health and Safety Policy
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/management/about/osh-policy

• Objectives: provision of a safe and healthy

work environment for employees, students,
contractors and visitors is not just a moral and
legal responsibility but also a prerequisite for it to
achieve its primary mission of conducting teaching,
research and scholarship at the highest international
standards.
 Work Health and Safety Policy
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/management/about/osh-policy

• Objectives
• Responsibilities
• Application
• ‘Duty of Care’
 Work Health and Safety Policy
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/management/about/osh-policy

• ‘Duty of Care’
• Do not put yourself or others at risk
• Follow all safety policies & procedures
• Report all known or observed incidents, injuries & hazards
 Policies, Procedures and Guidelines
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/induction-and-training
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/induction-and-training

• Management
• Incidents & emergencies
• Waste management
• Hazard management
– Chemical
– Biological
– Physical
– Ergonomic
 Smoking Policy
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/health/uwa_is_smoke_free_2012

– UWA is smoke free

– Smoking is prohibited in, or at, all of the University’s

buildings, properties and workplaces.

– The ban on smoking applies to staff, students, visitors and

contractors.
 Safety and Health
Issue Resolution Process
Issue develops
Notify immediate supervisor
Issue unresolved
S&H Rep and HOS notified
Issue unresolved
Safety and Health Office notified
Issue unresolved
Referred to the University Safety Committee
Issue unresolved
WorkSafe WA may be notified if there is a risk of
imminent injury or harm
 Hazard Report Forms
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/incidents-injuries-emergency/notification
• Presents an official means of documenting a hazard
• Help to prevent possible incident or injury resulting from
the hazard
• Can be filled in by anyone, staff, student or visitor
 Incident Report Forms
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/incidents-injuries-emergency/notification

• MUST be completed when an incident of any description has

occurred. Injury does not have to have happened.
• The first page MUST be filled in and sent to Safety and Health
office within 24 hours of the incident.
• Part 2 is to be completed by the supervisor or SSO or S&H Rep
or a combination. This then is to be forwarded to the Safety and
Health office as soon as completed.
• For electrical incident, you must ring UWA electricians
immediately 2036
 Workers Compensation
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/workers_compensation

• A policy outlining workers compensation is

available on the SHO website.
• We hope you will never need this policy.
 Employees Assistance Program
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/eap

• Counseling is available from PPC Worldwide for staff

members

• Counseling available from the Student services for

Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.
 Employees Assistance Program
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/eap

The EAP provides assistance for issues such as:

• difficulties in relationships with work colleagues;
• coping with organisational change;
• mediation;
• harassment;
• stress with work;
• career issues;
• alcohol and substance misuse;
• relationships and family issues;
• emotional stress;
• concerns about children;
• financial and legal problems;
• grief and bereavement;
• health and lifestyle issues;
• trauma and critical incidents;
• coaching and mentoring for managers and supervisors.
 Equity and Diversity Services UWA
http://www.equity.uwa.edu.au/

• Equity and Diversity Services promotes and supports

UWA's vision to provide an equitable and inclusive
environment for all staff, students and the broader
community
• Individual staff or students seeking advice about the
University equity and diversity policy environment, or
who wish to discuss a matter of concern that may fall
within policy or the law, should initially make contact with
an Equity and Diversity Adviser
 Electrical Safety
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/electrical_safety

• Please try not to bring in electrical equipment from

home.
• All equipment MUST be inspected by FM ($) or a
competent person before use.
• Bar heaters are not permitted due to the fire risks.
• All heaters must have 1 hour timers fitted by FM.
• Testing and tagging program.
 Screen Based Equipment
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/working_comfortably_with_computers

• Ensure your computer is set up in the

best possible way.
• Make sure you have a break every 20
minutes.
• Have a stretch.
• Screen glare due to window directly
behind computer.
• UWA Safety Office can assist in
workstation setup.
 Plant Biology Safety Notes
• Located on the School’s staffnet web page
http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au/staff/safety_and_inductions

• A copy of the safety notes should be available in every

lab.
• These are for your safety, if there is something you think
should be added, please bring it to our attention (make
note at end of hardcopy manual; refer to School
Manager or Safety and Health Representative, SHR)
Plant Biology Safety Web
 Work Site Specific Inductions
• For your specific work area at
UWA, you must undergo a site
specific safety induction, e.g.,
laboratories, Plant Growth
Facilities;
• When working in conjunction
with another department or
institution, please follow their
safety instructions. They are
the experts in their field.

Examples: UWA Field Stations; CSIRO; Hammersly Iron, DAFWA;

Straits Resources; other UWA School’s, even Antarctica.
 Just covered:
UWA OHS policy
UWA Safety Policies & Procedures
Resolving Safety Issues
Hazard Reporting
Incident Reporting
Workers Assistance
Workers Compensation
School Safety Notes
Site Specific Inductions

ANY QUESTIONS??
 Emergency Evacuation Procedures
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/emergency_fire_and_evacuation

• Make sure you know the quickest way out of the

building.
• Then find the next quickest way. The first path
might be the path into danger.
 Emergency Evacuation Procedures
• If YOU activate the alarm, YOU must meet with
the Building Warden.
• YOU are the one with the most information
about the situation.
 Emergency Assembly Points
• Botany building, meet INSIDE the taxonomic gardens
• Agriculture Central Wing building, meet either at the
East muster point (Thurling Green) or in front of the
CLIMA building
 Fire Extinguishers
• DO NOT use unless you are very confident that you’re not
going to hurt yourself in the process.
• Use caution when operating the carbon dioxide
extinguishers, your hand could freeze to the nozzle.
• Always point at the base of the fire.
• Practical training in the use of fire extinguishers is
periodically offered by the Safety and Health Office.
 Types of Fire Extinguishers
Three types available in Plant Biology;
– Carbon dioxide, to be used on flammable liquids and
electrical fires

– Water, to be used on paper, wood, textile and fabric

fires

– Dry chemical powder, to be used on flammable

liquids, flammable gases and electrical hazards
 Fire Extinguisher Use
The use of the wrong type of extinguisher can
be VERY dangerous. Please do not use
them unless you are VERY sure of what to
do.
Fire Suppression system - Herbarium
• Gas dump of nitrogen+argon
• Evacuate room/building as per normal
procedure
 First Aid Kits
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/incidents-injuries-emergency/first-aid

• First aid kits in each of the labs

• Both field and snake bite first aid kits available from the
admin office in Botany building.
• First Aid officers are: Hai Ngo (Botany); Natalie Jagals
(Central Wing); Elizabeth Halladin (Teaching Labs) and
Bill Piasini (PGF)
 School Safety Committee
http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au/staff/safety_and_inductions/safety_committee
School Manager and Safety Officer: Alan Luks (2541)
Safety & Health Rep: Hai Ngo & Elizabeth Halladin (3598 & 2573)
Radiation Safety Officer: Guijun Yan (1240)
Research Safety Rep: Matthew Nelson (3671)
Postgrad. Safety Rep: Adam Jalaludin
AHRI Safety Rep.: Danica Goggin (7041)
Kings Park Rep: Lucy Commander
PGF Safety Rep: Robert Creasy (8549)
Diving Safety Officer: Warren (Starry) Starr (7314)
Biological Safety Rep: Patrick Finnegan (8546)
Field Safety Rep: Hai Ngo (3598)
Chemical Safety Rep: Greg Cawthray (1789)
UWA Safety Office Rep: Peter Carlyon (7934)
 School Safety Committee Web
http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au/staff/safety_and_inductions/safety_committee
 Safety Management Structure
Head of School
W/Prof Tim Colmer

*Safety Reps. *School Manager

Hai Ngo & *School Safety Officer All Supervisors
Elizabeth Halladin Alan Luks

Safety Committee
All Staff & Visitors All Students
Members
 PB Safety Personnel
W/Prof. Tim Colmer
*Head of School

Mr. Greg Cawthray

Mr. Alan Luks
*School Manager
*School Safety Officer
*Building Warden (Central Wing)
*Chemical Safety Officer
*Field Safety Officer
*Building Warden (Botany)
 PB Safety Personnel

Dr Guijun Yan
*Academic Rep Dr Patrick Finnegan
*Radiation Safety Officer *Biological Safety Officer

Mr Robert Creasy Mr Bill Piasini

*Plant Growth Facilities rep *PGF First Aid Officer
 PB Safety Personnel

Mr. Hai Ngo

*Safety & Health Rep. Mrs. Elizabeth Halladin
*Field Safety Officer *Safety & Health Rep.
*First Aid Officer (Botany)

Dr Danica Goggin Dr Matthew Nelson

*AHRI Safety Rep *Research Safety Rep.
Radiation Licence holder
 PB Safety Personnel

Ms Natalie Jagals
*First Aid Officer (Central Wing) Adam Jalaludin
*Postgraduate Safety Rep.

Mr Warren (Starry) Starr

*Diving & Boating Safety Officer
Just covered:
Emergency Procedures
Evacuation Assembly Points
Fire Extinguishers
First Aid
Safety Personnel

QUESTIONS??
 Specific Work Place Hazards
• Each specific work area will have its own specific hazards. These
SHOULD be discussed with you by your supervisor.
• Specific lab hazards are indicated by signage on laboratory &/or
office doors.

• The PB Site Specific safety Induction covers these hazards and

should be conducted with your supervisor as soon as is practicable.
http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au/staff/safety_and_inductions
 Specific Work Place Hazards
• Some broad issues will now be covered

– Biological Safety
– Radiation Safety
– Chemical Safety
– Laboratory and Hazardous Substances
– Field Work Safety
– Dive Safety
– Machinery and equipment
– Vehicle usage
– PPE
– Manual Handling
 Biological Safety
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/biological_safety

PB Biological Safety Officer: Patrick Finnegan

Biologicals of concern
• Plant infectious / pathogenic agents
• Animal infectious / pathogenic agents
• Genetically modified / transgenic organisms
 Radiation Safety
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/radiation
PB Radiation Safety Officer: Guijun Yan

•All radioisotope users at the University are required to have attended and
passed the Unsealed Radioisotope Handling Course within the first year of
using radioisotopes, and preferably prior to starting such work.

•Neutron Moisture Probe (Nuclear moisture density gauge).

•Personal radiation monitors are required to be worn by all persons handling

radioisotopes.

•Please see Guijun Yan, to find out which laboratories are registered for use of
radionucleotides.

•All procedures involving radioactive materials at UWA requires the user to

have completed a protocol application before commencing the work.
 Chemical Safety
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/about_chemical_safety
PB Chemical Safety Officer: Greg Cawthray
• Comprehensive Lab Safety covered by compulsory UWA one day
course
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Safety and Risk Phrases (R&S phrases)
• Chemical labelling
• Chemical spillage
• Waste disposal
 Labs and Hazardous Substances
What Is an MSDS?
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/about_chemical_safety/chemalert

• It is a document that contains all the information you

would need on any particular chemical.
– Includes PPE, storage, handling, lethal dose, safety
hazards.
• Can be obtained via ChemAlert, from the supplier if you
are purchasing the chemical from them for the first time,
or upon request.
• Hard copy should be kept in the laboratory where used.
 Labs and Hazardous Substances
Labeling Chemicals
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/about_chemical_safety/labelling_chemicals

• Full information on chemical labels is required by

WorkSafe WA.
• Required for decanted chemicals.
• Diamond labels can be obtained from Safety and Health
Reps or the School Safety Officer.
• Labels can also be generated with ChemAlert.
Chemical Hazard / Spill / Gas Leak

 Raise the alarm

 Ensure immediate safety of everyone
 Treatment of serious injuries takes precedence over containment
and decontamination
 Evacuate immediate area
 Report to supervisor and safety personnel
 Restrict unnecessary movements
 Turn off air conditioning (gases, vapours)
 Barricade and label
 Clean up / decontaminate (two persons)
 Report incident
 Labs and Hazardous Substances
Waste Disposal
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/about_chemical_safety/chemical_waste_collection

• UWA now has campus wide waste collection coordinated bi-

annually by the Safety Office, next deadline is 15th March
• Use of this service consolidates costs associated with overheads of
collection, please make use of this service
• Many waste chemicals can not to be disposed of down the sink.
They should be treated or labelled fully and stored in an
appropriate place to await disposal.
• When in doubt ask the Chemical Safety Officer
• Dispose sharps, biological hazards as per policy.
 Field Work Safety
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/field_work
PB Field Work Safety Officers: Hai Ngo and Greg Cawthray

•Submit field work plan for approval by the HOS one week before the trip.
(Field Work Procedures in Rural and Remote Areas)

•If the use of a 4WD is required for off-road use, people must undertake the
UWA 4WD course or similar course approved by UWA (e.g., Worsley on-site
training; Shawsett).

•Use of any UWA vehicle requires the user to be conversant with the
appropriate policy (Use of University Vehicles).

•Driving in remote locations is covered by UWA policy, and again people

undertaking this work must be familiar with the policy (Driving in Remote
Locations).

•SPOT devices from Alan Luks (School Manager) should be taken on trips
 Dive Safety
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/diving_and_boating

Diving and Boating Safety Officer: Warren (Starry) Starr

•All people who undertake diving and/or work with boats must converse with
the Diving and Boating Safety Officer to assess your qualifications.
 Machinery and Equipment
• No matter what you are
asked to use in the course
of your study, please
ensure you are given full
instructions for safe
operation.
 Vehicle Use
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/use_of_university_vehicles

• You must first undertake the PB

Vehicle Induction.
• Many vehicles types are utilised.
Please ensure that you have the
correct training and licenses
before you operate any
vehicles.
• e.g., 4WD, boats, tractors
• Use of any UWA vehicle
requires the user to be
conversant with the appropriate
policy (Use of University
Vehicles)
 PPE
(Personal Protective Equipment)
• PPE includes:
– Gloves
– Safety glasses
– Fully enclosed footwear (especially in laboratories)
– Lab coats
– Ear protection
• Please ensure your PPE is maintained and USED
 Manual Handling
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/manual_handling
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/manual_handling
• Assess the load you are about to lift
• Get help, or a trolley, if you need it
• Bend your knees and lift with your legs
• Keep your back in a neutral position (not straight)
• Keep the load close to your body
• Don’t twist while holding a heavy load
• Free course offered by UWA SHO
 Security
http://www.security.uwa.edu.au/

• Botany building is locked outside the hours of 8am to 5.15pm

Monday to Friday.
• FNAS Central Wing building is locked outside the hours of 7:30am
to 6pm.
• Please ensure you keep the doors locked if you are here outside
these hours.
• Personal items are not covered by UWA insurance for theft from
offices
• Security staff can escort you to vehicle after hours, call X: 3020
 Insurance
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/insurance

• Volunteer Workers Insurance

• Corporate Travel Insurance
• Student Personal Accident Insurance
• Motor Vehicle Insurance
• 457 Visa Insurance
• Industrial Special Risk (University Property) Insurance
• Marine Hull Insurance
• Transit Insurance
• Public Liability
 Staff ID Cards
• If you are here outside of

business hours, please carry

staff ID card. Security can ask
for this at any time on their rounds.
• Staff or student cards are also the swipe card you need to
get into certain buildings. It is also your library photocopy
card.
 Certificates and Qualifications
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/induction-and-training/courses

• Do you need any specific training?

– Manual handling (on demand, free)
– First Aid (OSDS, no cost)
– 4WD (Full Day, external)
– Lab Safety, 4th April (Full Day, $40pp)
– Gene Technology (see Patrick Finnegan)
– Radiation and Moisture probe, (3 days, see Guijun Yan)
– Laser Safety (1/2 day, $20)
– Boat Handling (see Gary Kendrick or Warren Starr)
– Fire awareness and extinguisher training (3 hours, no cost)
– Safety and health for managers and supervisors (3.5 hours, no cost)

– Anything else you can think of?

 Health
• A healthy body is less prone to injury
• Some suggestions to help you on your way
» Walk on campus, don’t use a vehicle.
» Use the stairs, not the lift.
» Join the gym.
» Go for a swim at the UWA Aquatic centre ($4/session)
» Go for a stroll along the river in lunch break.
» Join Plant Biology Yoga classes!!
» Go fishing at lunchtime on the river…beautiful!
» Attend Friday Morning Tea and meet other staff & students in
the School.
 Final Thoughts
• “DUTY OF CARE”
• Think about what you are about to do.
• Develop good housekeeping habits.
• Observe and be aware
• In all areas at all times take notice of (and obey) all signs
and directives – they are there for your safety.
 Just covered:

WAY TOO MUCH!!!

ANY QUESTIONS??
 Phew……that’s it……
1. Your supervisor to sign your induction form
2. Submit original form to Natalie in main PB
admin office
3. Keep a copy for your own records (legal
document)
4. Please do so by 8th March 2013