ohsrm PART B
School of Molecular Bioscience.
HAZARDOUS PROCEDURE: UV LIGHT SOURCES
(TRANSILLUMINATOR, BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET, LAMINAR FLOW HOOD,
CROSSLINKER, & HAND HELD UV LAMP).
Step 3. Assess the risk
Ref. #
1
Description of the hazard or hazardous job
Priority
Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure to eyes can cause pain and inflammation after
brief exposure, and blindness after long exposure.
Identification Date
31/3/10
UV damage can occur after only a few seconds, but onset of symptoms may be
delayed for several hours post-exposure.
4
2
UV light can cause burns to skin after only a few minutes exposure.
5
31/3/10
3
UV light can cause cancer after repeated exposure.
5
31/3/10
4
Heat generated by UV lamps can cause burns on contact
5
Heat generated by UV lamps can start fires.
31/3/10
5
5
31/3/10
What makes it hazardous? Consult with the workers to find out which factors are relevant:
 The nature of the hazard itself
 The individual(s) involved
UV light is used to surface-sterilize workstations and equipment, to visualise nucleic
acids, to ‘fix’ nucleic acids to nitrocellulose membranes, and to visualise fluorescing
proteins in biological samples or systems. Failure to observe safety measures exposes
the user, and potentially other work colleagues, to significant risk of physical injury.
Requires specific training by authorised staff in the safe use of UV sources.
Record the names of those consulted when assessing the risk
Date
Nick Coleman, Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Robert Czolij.
31/03/2010
Step 4. Control the risk(s)
Control the risks(s) by addressing the risk factors found in Step 3.
Consider the hierarchy of hazard control and record what controls will be used in the short term and longer term.
Who is responsible
Describe the risk control(s)
Due by date
for implementation
ALWAYS wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including: long sleeve lab
Individual user and
coat, nitrile gloves (overlapping sleeve), and UV-certified perspex face shield (for
their supervisor
21/04/2010
‘naked’ UV sources)
Individual user and
MINIMISE the time spent working with UV light sources to minimise exposure.
their supervisor
21/04/2010
Individual user and
NEVER use ‘naked’ UV transilluminators without a protective shield in place.
their supervisor
21/04/2010
NEVER use enclosed UV transilluminator (eg BIORAD’s GelDoc or KODAK’s
Individual user and
GelLogic) or crosslinker equipment when the door safety interlock is not working
their supervisor
21/04/2010
properly. NEVER attempt to override safety interlock.
ALWAYS check that UV lights are OFF before opening Biological Safety Cabinets
Individual user and
and Laminar Flow hoods.
their supervisor
21/04/2010
ALWAYS use hand held UV lamps in an enclosed area to prevent accidental
Individual user and
exposure to colleagues, ALWAYS direct the UV light away from your body.
their supervisor
21/04/2010
Individual user and
ALWAYS turn off the UV light source as soon as you have finished using it.
their supervisor
21/04/2010
Do NOT touch recently used UV lamps in Biological Safety Cabinets, laminar flow
Individual user and
hoods, or in hand-held UV equipment. They become very hot during use and retain
their supervisor
21/04/2010
the heat for a long period after the device has been switched off.
KEEP hand-held UV lamp clear of combustible or flammable material, and allow to
Individual user and
21/04/2010
cool BEFORE packing away.
their supervisor
SMB Safety
POST warning signs next to UV sources to alert staff and students of hazard.
Committee
21/04/2010
Supervisor of
Proper training of staff and students is essential prior to using UV equipment.
researcher / student
21/04/2010
SMB Safety
Development and updating of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Committee
21/04/2010
Consult SOP before using UV light sources, and observe all risk control
Individual user and
recommendations.
their supervisor.
21/04/2010
Record the names of those consulted when deciding on risk control measures
Nick Coleman, Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Robert Czolij.
PART B completed by:
Craig JACKSON
Date:
31/032010
31/03/2010