SCHOOL OF PHYSICS

SAFETY INDUCTION
Developed By : Jay Jay Jegathesan & John Moore - Updated
th

Todays Aims

Demonstrate UWAs commitment to safety

Impart safety awareness & knowledge to
you
Introduce OSH personnel in the School of
Physics
Ensure your time at UWA is a safe productive and an enjoyable experience
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Topics To Be Covered Today

General safety
information

UWA safety policy

Some specific policies
Employee Assistance
Program
Safety notes

Emergency procedures

Safety Personnel

Head of School
Building wardens
First aid officers
Safety & Health Reps &
Officers

Specific workplace
procedures and
requirements

Occupational Safety and Health

Policy

Commitment
Objectives
Responsibilities
Application
UWAs commitment to the policy can be
found at:

http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/occupational_safety_a
nd_health
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Policies, Procedures and

Guidelines

Management
Incidents & emergencies
Waste management
Hazard management

Chemical
Radiation
Biological
Physical
Ergonomic

Full details at following website:

http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies#management
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Safety and Health: Issue Resolution Process

Hazard Report Forms

If properly investigated and followed-up presents

an official means of documenting a hazard
Helps to prevent possible incident or injury
resulting from the hazard
Can be filled in by anyone - staff - student or
visitor
Forms available on Safety & Health section of
School of Physics Website
http://www.physics.uwa.edu.au/information_for/intranet/safety

Incident / Injury Report Forms

Incident report forms are to be completed when an

incident of any description has occurred. An 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 School
Safety Officer (SSO) or School Safety and Health Rep or
a combination. This then has to be forwarded to the UWA
Safety and Health as soon as completed.
Forms available on Safety & Health section of School of
Physics Website
http://www.physics.uwa.edu.au/information_for/intranet/safety

Workers Compensation
A policy outlining workers compensation is
available on the UWA Safety and Health
website:
www.safety.uwa.edu.au
We hope you will never need this policy.

Employees Assistance Program

Counselling is available from OSA for staff members and

immediate family members including those in a close
relationship to staff members
OSA ph. 1300 361 008 (24 hrs)
OSA www.osagroup.com.au
Counselling also available from Student services
2nd floor Guild building Ph. 6488 2423
www.counselling.uwa.edu.au
An unhappy worker is not a safe worker

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PPE
Personal Protective Equipment

Please ensure your PPE is maintained and USED

PPE includes:

Gloves Safety glasses

Fully enclosed footwear
Lab coats
Ear protection

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Electrical Safety

All electrical equipment

used in the School, regardless
of origin, must have a current
test label attached to it, indicating
that it has passed the AS3760 test. Please
report untested or out of date equipment to
your supervisor or demonstrator.
Bar heaters are not permitted due to the fire
risks.
All heaters must have 1 hour timers
fitted by Facilities Management.
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Electrical Safety

In Western Australia, the Electricity

(Licensing) Regulations 1991 provide that
electrical work may only be carried out by
persons with the appropriate electrical
worker's licence. Electrical work can be
defined as work on any appliance or
equipment which is supplied by a voltage
exceeding 50V AC or 115V DC. Work of this
nature can be done by the Electronics
Workshop.
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Just covered:
Resolving Safety Issues
Hazard Reporting
Incident Reporting
Workers Assistance
Workers Compensation
PPE
Electrical safety
QUESTIONS

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UWA Emergency Phone Number

2222
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Smoking Policy

All workplaces within the university are non-smoking

areas. These include:

All enclosed rooms, lobbies, foyers and corridors

All offices, laboratories and workshops
Common rooms, tea rooms and staff rooms
Substantially enclosed courtyards (e.g. Social Sciences & Arts)
Within 10 metres of access points to buildings (doors, windows,
air-conditioning vents, ducts)
All University owned vehicles, boats, etc

Exceptions

NONE

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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures

What would you do in an

emergency situation?

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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures

When should you attempt to

put out a fire?

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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
What do you do if you have seen
something that would require the
evacuation of the building but the
alarms havent gone off?

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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
What do YOU do if YOU trigger
the fire alarm?

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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
What do you do if the building
wardens are telling you to leave
but the alarms are not sounding?

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Emergency Evacuation
Procedures

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.
Follow the directions of wardens

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Emergency Assembly Points

Assemble in an orderly fashion on the lawn

of the Reid Library in front of Physics

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Fire Extinguishers

DO NOT use unless you are very confident that

youre not going to hurt yourself in the process.
Use caution when operating the carbon dioxide
extinguishers - youre 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 UWA Safety and
Health.

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Types of Fire Extinguishers

Three types available;

Carbon dioxide to be used on flammable

liquids and electrical fires
Water to be used on paper, wood, textile
and fabric fires - not involving electricity!!!
Dry chemical powder to be used on
flammable liquids - flammable gases and
electrical hazards
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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.
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First Aid Room & First Aid Kits

The First Aid Room is Room B11, on the Basement

Floor beside the lifts
Apart from this, First aid kits at the following
locations in the Physics building:
3rd floor passage near Room 3.50
Room 1.74 CMM (optical microscope room)
Room G.58 CMM (chemistry lab)
1st floor passage near Room 1.2
1st floor passage near Room 1.39
(there is also a stretcher at this site)
Basement passage in MWS near Room B.10b
Basement passage in FSM area near Room B.31

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Physics Safety Personnel, 2008

Head of School:

A/Prof Ian McArthur (2737)

Safety Committee Chair:

Jay Jay Jegathesan (2740)

School Safety Officer:

Jo Colletti (95025)

Safety & Health Rep:

John Moore (2005)

Safety & Health Rep (Gingin):

Steve Pople (9575 7591)

Building Fire Warden:

Gary Light (2753)

Laser Safety Officer:

A/Prof Andre Luiten (2728, 7028)

Laser Safety Officer (Gingin):

Dr Chunnong Zhao (1771)

Biological Safety Officer:

A/Prof Tim St Pierre (2747)

Radiation Safety Officer:

Dr Robert Woodward (2751)

Industry (Rio) Safety Rep:

Dr Frank van Kann (2689, 2730)

First Aid Officer:

Lance Maschmedt (2752, 95024)

First Aid Officer (Gingin):

Steve Pople (9575 7591)

Floor Wardens:

Various Refer Website

Student Safety Rep:

Paul Guagliardo

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Screen Based Equipment

Ensure your computer is set up in the

best possible way
Rest breaks are recommended
5 minutes for every 30 minutes of
work or 10 minutes every hour
It is preferable to have a variety of
tasks in order to get a change in
posture
Stretch regularly
Avoid glare by having the monitor 90
degrees to light source
Free ergonomic assessment
If you are experiencing discomfort
report this early and contact UWA
Safety & Health

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Extra Info Screen Based Equipment

The Following website has a computer &
workstation checklist which assists in constructing
an ergonomic environment:
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/forms/computer_workstati
on_and_office_safety_checklist

Also available is a brochure on screen based

equipment which recommends some exercises that
can be performed in the office:
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/31264/Worki
ng_Comfortably_with_Computers_32792.pdf

Basic workstation ergonomic guidelines can be

found at:
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/computer_workst
ation_ergonomics

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Just covered
Emergency Procedures
Evacuation Assembly Point
Fire Extinguishers
First Aid
Safety Personnel
Screen Based Equipment
QUESTIONS
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Specific Work Place Hazards

Each work area will have its own specific

hazards. These SHOULD be discussed with you
by your supervisor.

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Labs and Hazardous Substances

Comprehensive Lab Safety covered by

compulsory UWA one day course.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Safety and Risk Phrases
Chemical labelling
Chemical spillage
Waste disposal
Radiation (Laser Safety)
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Chem-Alert & Chemical Storage

Chem-Alert is a centralized web based tracking and

monitoring system that has been put in place to monitor
all chemicals purchased and stored at UWA
All involved in the purchase of chemicals should attend
the course
Various classes of chemicals cannot be stored in close
proximity to each other (Toxic, Flammable, Oxidizing,
Explosive, Corrosive)
A Segregation Table of Dangerous Goods is available
with the UWA Chemical Safety Officer. Please consult
him/her when uncertain
Physics Chem-Alert is co-coordinated by John Moore
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Chemical Labels

Full information on chemical labels is required by WorkSafe WA.

Required for decanted chemicals.
Labels can be obtained from Chem-Alert

Chemical labels should have:

Solution
Users name
Date the solution was made
Room it will be kept in
Users extension number
Description of use

Recipe
HAZCHEM number
UN number
DG Class
Packaging group number
Risk phrase
Health hazards

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Chemical Spillages

Important steps in cleaning up a chemical spill

Ensure your own safety and that of the other people

around you
Contain the spill (use quartz sand or vermiculite)
Only attempt to neutralize if you are confident you know
what to use
Contact Safety Personnel for advice or assistance

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Waste Disposal

Waste chemicals are not to be

disposed of down the sink. They
should be labeled fully and stored in an
appropriate place to await disposal.
The waste manifest can be obtained
from Safety Personnel
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies#
Waste
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Waste Chemical Manifest

Chemical name
Type of waste (solid, liquid or gas)
Condition of container
Description of waste (explosive, flammable)
Approximate percentages of all the
components in the waste
Container size - volume of waste and
number of containers to be disposed of
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Machinery and Equipment

No matter what
you are asked to
use in the course
of your study or
work, please
ensure you are
given full
instructions for
their use.
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Security

The buildings of the School of Physics are

locked outside the hours of 7.00 am to 6.00 pm
Monday to Friday.
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
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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 or out of certain
buildings
It is also your library card
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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
Keep the load close to your body
Dont twist while holding a heavy load
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Certificates and Qualifications

Do you need any specific training?

Manual handling (on demand, free)

First aid (cost associated)
Lab safety compulsory for experimental research
(For staff and students , $40pp, School to fund)

Radiation
Fire Extinguisher / Fire Warden training (available upon
request)

Anything else you can think of ?

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Health

A healthy body is less prone to injury.

Some suggestions to help you on your way.

Walk or ride a bike on campus

Use the stairs, not the lift
Join the gym
Have you even been for a
stroll along the river in your
lunch break? Why not???

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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
When unsure please ask
Safety is a TWO way street, and the OSH policy places
responsibility on both the employer and employee to
contribute to the construction and maintenance of a safe
workplace
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The End Presentation

Print out the following pages
only, and fill in the
questionnaire for
confirmation by Supervisor
and lodgment with School
Manager
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SAFETY INDUCTION CHECKLIST

Employee Name
Position
Supervisor
Group/Location
Supervisor: These actions should be completed during the first week or as soon as practicable after the employee commences. Tick off each action and sign
when all actions have been completed. Please retain this checklist and provide a photocopy to the employee and to the General Office within two weeks of
commencement date.
Employee: You should sign the form where indicated when you are satisfied that the items have been completed.

General safety information provided and discussed:

UWA Occupational Safety and Health Policy
UWA occupational safety and health policies and procedures refer to a
copy of the current index and discuss parts including:

smoking policy

resolving occupational safety and health issues

hazard reporting show a copy of the hazard report form

accident, injury and incident reporting show a copy of the report form

workers compensation and rehabilitation

Employee assistance program advise

School occupational safety and health manual provide link
http://www.physics.uwa.edu.au/information_for/intranet/safety?f=113079
Safety Personnel in School/Section. Introduce and discuss, where
applicable, the safety roles and responsibilities

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Emergency Procedures:
Explain the Emergency Procedures for fire, evacuation, bomb threats and
other events
Show locations and discuss use of fire extinguishers
Show means of escape from building and assembly locations
Show location and use of other emergency equipment
Show location of First Aid box advise of nearest First Aid Officer

Specific workplace procedures and requirements:

Discuss specific workplace hazards and procedures to be followed, including:
screen based equipment

laboratories and workshops inc. hazardous substances requirements

machinery and equipment discuss/demonstrate safe working

procedures
waste disposal procedures

Provide and discuss proper use and care of personal protective equipment
Inform how to go about or who might assist in obtaining any necessary
certificates, permits, licenses or other qualifications as required

Supervisors Signature

Date

Employees Signature

Date

Comments

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