Staff

Staff

Health & Safety » Things you should know

Everybody

  • Most injuries at the university are due to back-pain. You must set-up your computer workstation correctly
  • The UNSW 24-hour emergency number is x56666
  • The list of trained first aiders and fire wardens for Wallace Wurth is located next to the lift
  • If you have an accident you must report it using myUNSW
  • Know the risks relevant to your work, this will be found in the risk assessment or safe work procedure
  • Electrical equipment must not be used unless it is tested and tagged, or has a new-to-service tag.
  • Electric-bar heaters are prohibited
  • Regular H&S news updates are shown on the H&S home page

If you work in a lab:

  • You must know all the risks in the lab: Check the safety notice on the door and local risk assessments and safe work procedures (SWPs)
  • All work with genetically modified micro-/organisms requires approval from the university’s Gene Technology Research Committee
  • Work with radiation requires a licence and approval from the university’s Radiation Safety Committee
  • Import of certain biological agents require an AQIS license
  • Work with Schedule 8 drugs of addition requires written approval from Department of Health, contact UNSW RECS.
  • Work with Schedule 10 carcinogens require written approval from SafeWork NSW.
  • Work with Schedule 14 hazardous chemicals require health monitoring
  • Working alone or after-hours requires approval from your supervisor (and Head of School during Christmas shut-down)
  • Visitors/contractors are not allowed into a lab without supervision and/or induction and/or training.
  • When you purchase equipment or hazardous goods you must complete a pre/post purchasing checklist
  • Check what immunisations you need
  • Know how to dispose of hazardous waste
  • Know how to transport hazardous substances around the building
  • Know how to access Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals that are in your lab
  • Know what to do if there is a spill or release of a hazardous substance
  • Be familiar with the spills kit
  • Know the location and how to operate the emergency shower and eye wash
  • Know how to operate the biological safety cabinet and fume cupboard
  • Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC) and fume cupboards must not be used if the test date has expired
  • Know what personal protective equipment (PPE) is required and where it is stored