This document provides an overview of laboratory safety and good laboratory practices. It defines a laboratory and describes different types of laboratories in Hong Kong. It outlines the core principles of occupational safety and health, including the responsibilities of governments, employers, and workers. It defines hazards and risk, explaining that risk is the combination of the likelihood and consequence of a hazardous event. It also describes some common causes of accidents in laboratories, such as unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. Finally, it provides an overview of occupational diseases, how they are categorized, and the relevant ordinances in Hong Kong.
This document provides an overview of laboratory safety and good laboratory practices. It defines a laboratory and describes different types of laboratories in Hong Kong. It outlines the core principles of occupational safety and health, including the responsibilities of governments, employers, and workers. It defines hazards and risk, explaining that risk is the combination of the likelihood and consequence of a hazardous event. It also describes some common causes of accidents in laboratories, such as unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. Finally, it provides an overview of occupational diseases, how they are categorized, and the relevant ordinances in Hong Kong.
This document provides an overview of laboratory safety and good laboratory practices. It defines a laboratory and describes different types of laboratories in Hong Kong. It outlines the core principles of occupational safety and health, including the responsibilities of governments, employers, and workers. It defines hazards and risk, explaining that risk is the combination of the likelihood and consequence of a hazardous event. It also describes some common causes of accidents in laboratories, such as unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. Finally, it provides an overview of occupational diseases, how they are categorized, and the relevant ordinances in Hong Kong.
TC S110F Laboratory Safety and Good Laboratory Practice
Fundamentals of Laboratory Safety and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
Content Introduction and Overview Definition of Laboratory Fundamental Principles of Occupational Health and Safety Concepts of Laboratory Hazards and Risk Cause of Accidents Occupational diseases Occupational health services in Hong Kong Liabilities, Hygiene and Safety Legislation
Introduction and Overview LABORATORIES Testing Laboratory is a body that performs conformity assessment services, known as Conformity assessment body
A laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed.
Testing laboratories in Hong Kong Government laboratory (http://www.govtlab.gov.hk/) Product conformity assessment bodies Research laboratories Medical laboratories
Occupational safety and health (OSH) is generally defined as the science of the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of hazards arising in or from the workplace that could impair the health and well-being of workers, taking into account the possible impact on the surrounding communities and the general environment.
Main Objectives: 1. The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers; 2. The prevention of workers from any adverse health effects caused by their working environments; 3. The protection of workers from risks due to any adverse factors; and 4. the adaption of work to workers.
Core OSH principles 1. All workers have rights 2. Occupational safety and health policies must be established 3. A national system for occupational safety and health must be established 4. A national programme on occupational safety and health must be formulated. 5. A national programme on occupational safety and health must be formulated. 6. Social partners (that is, employers and workers) and other stakeholders must be consulted 7. Occupational safety and health programmes and policies must aim at both prevention and protection 8. Continuous improvement of occupational safety and health must be promoted 9. Information is vital for the development and implementation of effective programmes and policies 10. Health promotion is a central element of occupational health practice 11. Occupational health services covering all workers should be established 12. Compensation, rehabilitation and curative services must be made available to workers who suffer occupational injuries, accidents and work related diseases 13. Education and training are vital components of safe, healthy working environments 14. Workers, employers and competent authorities have certain responsibilities, duties and obligations 15. Policies must be enforced
Rights and duties The responsibilities of governments, employers and workers should be seen as complementary and mutually reinforcing in the common task of promoting occupational safety and health to the greatest extent possible within the constraints of national conditions and practice. Workers right 1. the protection of life and health at work and have a duty to take care of their own safety 2. to adequate knowledge, and a right to stop work in the case of imminent danger to safety or health 3. to understand occupational risks and dangers properly informed of hazards and adequately trained to carry out their tasks safely 4. have to cooperate with employers Employers responsibilities 1. ensure that the working environment is safe and healthy, must prevent, and protect workers from, occupational risks 2. entailing knowledge of occupational hazards and a commitment to ensure that management processes promote safety and health at work Governments duties 1. drawing up occupational safety and health policies and making sure that they are implemented. (e.g. regulations or legislation) 2. the maintenance and promotion of workers health and working capacity; 3. the improvement of work and working conditions so that they are conducive to safety and health; and 4. the development of work organizations and preventive safety and health 5. cultures in a direction that supports safety and health at work
Concept of Hazards and Risk Hazards 1. An exposure to an actual or potential cause of loss, in terms of injury, death, or damage to properties or the environment, for example, chemical and electrical hazards and hazards associated with working at height. 2. Basically, a hazard can cause harm or adverse effects (to individuals as health effects or to organizations as property or equipment losses). 3. Sometimes a hazard is referred to as being the actual harm or the health effect it caused rather than the hazard. For example, the disease tuberculosis (TB) might be called a hazard by some but in general the TB-causing bacteria would be considered the "hazard" or "hazardous biological agent".
Risk means the combination of the likelihood and consequence of a specified hazardous event occurring; Risk = likehood x consequence Example of Risk The risk of developing cancer from smoking cigarettes could be expressed as "cigarette smokers are 12 times more likely to die of lung cancer than non-smokers". Another way of reporting risk is "a certain number, "Y", of smokers per 100,000 smokers will likely develop lung cancer" (depending on their age and how many years they have been smoking). These risks are expressed as a probability or likelihood of developing a disease or getting injured, whereas hazards refer to the possible consequences (e.g., lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease from cigarette smoking).
Factors that influence the degree of risk include: how much a person is exposed to a hazardous thing or condition, how the person is exposed (e.g., breathing in a vapour, skin contact), and how severe are the effects under the conditions of exposure. Case 1: Hazard: electricity. Risk: The likelihood that a worker might be electrocuted because of exposure to electrical wires that is inadequately insulated. Case 2: Hazard: 40kg bag. Risk: The likelihood that a worker might suffer back strain from manually lifting 40kg bags.
Cause of Accidents Accident - Any undesired circumstance which gives rise to all health or injury; damage to property, products or environment; production losses; or increased liabilities. Someone may elaborate Accident to be A management error the result of errors or omissions on the part of management. Incident - all undesired circumstances & near miss which have the potential to cause accidents
Pyramid of accidents Serious injury Minor injury Properties damages Incidents (near miss)
The DISINTEGRATION of a revolving vessel, wheel, grindstone or grinding wheel that is operated by mechanical power. The COLLAPSE or failure of a lifting appliance (except the breakage of chain or rope slings).
An EXPLOSION or FIRE that- causes damage to the structure of any workplace, or to any plant or substance at a workplace; and prevents the continuation of ordinary work at the workplace. An EXPLOSION of a receiver or container used for the storage at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure or of any gas or gases (including air) or any liquid or solid resulting from the compression of gases. A total or partial COLLAPSE of a roof, wall, floor, structure or foundation of premises where a workplace is located.
A total or partial COLLAPSE of any overburden, face, tip or embankment within a quarry. (Not usually in T&C industry)
The OVERTURNING of, or a collision with any object by-(Not usually in T&C industry) a bulldozer, dumper, excavator, grader, lorry or shovel loader; a mobile machine used for the handling of any substance in a quarry.
Cause of Accidents 1. Indirect causes A. Personal factors Lack of knowledge/skills, e.g. insufficient training/instructions Conflicting motivations, e.g. saving time and effort Physical and mental incapacity B. Source causes Lack of preventive maintenance Bad management practice 2. Direct causes A. Unsafe acts Any act deviates from a generally recognized safe way of doing a job and increases the likelihood of an accident For example: i. Use of defective equipment ii. Horseplay iii. Failure to use personal protective equipment properly B. Unsafe conditions Associated with the bad conditions of the working environment For example: i. No safety guards ii. Protruding objects iii. Failure of local exhaust fans Occupational diseases What is the occupational disease? Diseases having specific or strong relationship with occupations, generally with only one causal agent, and recognized as such. Diseases affecting the working population Diseases without causal relationship with work, but may be aggravated by occupational hazards to health. Examples are hypertension and diabetes An employee who is incapacitated by an occupational disease as prescribed in relevant ordinance will be entitle to receive compensation if he/she fulfils the requirements. Most of diseases are prescribed in the Schedule 2 of the Employees Compensation Ordinance (CAP 282). Silicosis and asbestos-related disease are covered by the Pneumoconiosis (Compensation) Ordinance (CAP 360) while induced deafness by reason of employment is covered by the Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Ordinance (CAP 469).
Under the Employees Compensation Ordinance, there are several categories of occupational diseases: i. Group A Caused by Physical Agents (9 diseases) ii. Group B Caused by Biological Agents (12 diseases) iii. Group C Caused by Chemical Agents (22 diseases) iv. Group D Caused by Miscellaneous Agents (5 diseases) v. Pneumoconiosis diseases caused by the inhalation of mineral dust (2 diseases) vi. Occupational deafness noise induced deafness results from trauma to the sensory epithelium of the cochlea. Total 51 (48 + 3) diseases
Classification of Prescribed Occupational Diseases Since 1991, there have been 4 amendments to the list of prescribed occupational diseases in the Second Schedule to the ECO : adding a total of 13 new occupational diseases and expanding the coverage of 3 occupational diseases. i. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Avian ii. Influenza A in Feb 2005 (ECO) iii. Mesothelioma in 2008 (PMCO) Occupational health services in Hong Kong In Hong Kong, Labour Department is a regulatory authority to monitor the factories (including laboratories) and provide the occupational safety and health services. It has the following divisions Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre Occupational Medicine Division Occupational Hygiene Division Boilers and Pressure Vessels Division Occupational Safety and Health Centre Occupational Health Clinic
The Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre provides the following training courses for personnel in public and private sectors.
The Centre is responsible to recognize mandatory safety training courses under a number of occupational safety and health legislation administered by Labour Department.
Legislation - Related Safety and Health Courses for Trainers Major Safety Regulations related to Industrial Accident Prevention Major Health Regulations related to Industrial Accident Prevention Safety Management Regulation and Safety Inspection Programme and Accident/Incident Investigation Legal Requirements related to Risk Assessment Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention in Office Work
Briefing Sessions on Safety and Health Legislation 1. Legal Requirements on Working in times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment 2. A Brief Introduction to Safety Regulations related to Working on Construction Sites and A Brief Introduction to Codes of Practice related to Working on Construction Sites 3. Legal Requirements of Working at Height and Codes of Practice on Scaffolds 4. Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear Regulations and Codes of Practice for Safe Use of Cranes 5. Major Safety Regulations related to Renovation, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition Works 6. Major Safety Regulations related to Working in the Catering Trade 7. Occupational Safety & Health Ordinance and Regulation 8. Legal Requirements on Manual Handling Operations 9. Dangerous Substances Regulations
Talks on Occupational Health Occupational Health for Office Workers Occupational Stress First Aid Care in the Workplace Work & Healthy Life Style Workshop
The major work of the Occupational Medicine Division & Occupational Hygiene Division include: providing advisory services to the public on health and hygiene aspects of occupational health problems such as prevention of occupational diseases in workplaces conducting field surveys to ensure that the requirements of health and hygiene at workplaces are complied with enforcing legislation relating to occupational health and hygiene investigating and providing treatment to suspected occupational disease cases conducting sick leave clearance interview of employees with compensation claims organising exhibitions and delivering talks to promote the awareness of occupational health
The Boilers and Pressure Vessels Division is responsible for enforcing the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Ordinance (Cap.56) to ensure the safe operation of boilers and pressure vessels. Its major work includes : registration of boilers and pressure vessels carrying out spot checks on pressure equipment in work sites conducting examinations and issuing certificate of competency to qualified candidates as competent persons for various types of boiler and steam receiver monitoring the courses for the training of competent persons promoting safe use of boilers and pressure vessels by issuing Codes of Practice and through activities such as holding seminars and exhibitions providing technical support to the Fire Services Department in connection with pressure equipment covered by the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap.295)
Occupational Safety and Health centre provides employers and employees with information and advisory service on occupational safety and health. The Occupational Safety Health Council was established in 1988, the Council is a statutory body for promoting safety and health at work and sustaining the valuable workforce of Hong Kong. The Council's services include promoting occupational safety and health in the community; education and training; consultancy services; research and strategies development, information dissemination and facilitating exchanges between the government, employers, employees, professionals and academics.
Occupational health clinic provides the following services: Diagnosis and treatment of occupational diseases, and provision of appropriate occupational health counseling. Workplace inspection to identify and assess hazards in the working environment and to recommend preventive and control measures. Use of publications, video shows and display boards to enhance patients' awareness of occupational health. Formation of occupational disease support groups to facilitate experience sharing and mutual support among patients.
Liabilities, Hygiene and Safety Legislation Liability is a duty to compensate as a result of being held responsible for an act or omission. A newer, related concept is strict liability.
Criminal liability (fine & imprisonment) Factory & Industrial Undertaking Ordinance Occupational Safety & Health Ordinance Other legislation Civil liability (compensation) Law of contract Law of tort
Factory & Industrial Undertaking Ordinance Chapter 59 of Hong Kong Law provides for the safety and health protection to workers in the industrial sector. applies to industrial undertakings, i.e. factories, construction sites, catering establishments, cargo and container handling undertakings, repair workshops and other industrial workplaces.
General Duties This ordinance imposes general duties on proprietors and persons employed at industrial undertakings to ensure safety and health at work. Every proprietor should take care of the safety and health at work of all persons employed by him at an industrial undertaking by: providing and maintaining plant and work systems that do not endanger safety or health; making arrangement for ensuring safety and health in connection with the use, handling, storage or transport of plant or substances; providing all necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision for ensuring safety and health; providing and maintaining safe access to and egress from the workplaces; and providing and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
Every person employed at an industrial undertaking should also contribute to safety and health at work by: taking care for the safety and health of himself and other persons at the workplace; using any equipment or following any system or work practices provided by the proprietor.
Duties of Employees Take care for the safety and health of himself and of other persons who are at the workplace. Co-operate with employer or other person so far as may be necessary to enable safety and health requirements are complied with. do not damage or obstruct means of escape from a workplace. do not damage or interfere with fire safety measures. use the mechanical aid and protective equipment provided by the employer for use in manual handling operations and conform to the system of work and work practices established by the employer for these operations.
Employee Rights as far as possible, to have any risks to your health and safety properly controlled to be provided, free of charge, with any personal protective and safety equipment if you have reasonable concerns about your safety, to stop work and leave your work area, without being disciplined to tell your employer about any health and safety concerns you have to get in touch with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or your local authority if your employer won't listen to your concerns, without being disciplined to have rest breaks during the working day, to have time off from work during the working week, and to have annual paid holiday
Employee Responsibilities RESPONSIBILITY to comply with all policies and procedures RESPONSIBILITY to report all unsafe acts and conditions RESPONSIBILITY to be a team member - to assist others incompliance RESPONSIBILITY to offer suggestions that may have a positive impact on safety
Duties of Person Responsible for a Workplace Accident Prevention Fire Precautions Workplace Environments Hygiene at Workplaces First Aid at Workplaces Manual Handling Operations Risk assessment Preventive and protective measures
Notification of Workplaces A person having the management and control of a factory or other industrial establishment (but excluding a construction site) should notify the Commissioner for Labour in a prescribed form before commencement of operation. Any subsequent changes in the particulars of the workplace, e.g. its name, location or the industrial processes, should also be notified to the Commissioner for Labour in a prescribed form. A contractor should notify the Commissioner in writing within 7 days after commencement of any construction work under the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations.
Subsidiary Legislation Under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, there are 33 sets of subsidiary regulations covering various aspects of hazardous work activities in factories, building and engineering construction sites, catering establishments, cargo and container handling undertakings and other industrial workplaces. The subsidiary regulations prescribe detailed safety and health standards on work situations, plant and machinery, processes and substances.
CAP 59 Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance 59A: Factories and Industrial Undertakings Regulations 59B: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Confined Spaces) Regulations 59C: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Blasting by Abrasives) Regulations 59D: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (First Aid in Notifiable Workplaces) Regulations 59E: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Notification of Occupational Diseases) Regulations 59F: Quarries (Safety) Regulations 59G: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Woodworking Machinery) Regulations 59H: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Electrolytic Chromium Process) Regulations 59I: Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations 59J: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations 59K: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Cargo and Container Handling) Regulations 59L: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Abrasive Wheels) Regulations 59M: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Work in Compressed air) Regulations 59N: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Spraying of Flammable Liquids) Regulations 59O: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Goods Lift) Regulations 59P: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Dry Batteries) Regulations 59Q: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Guarding and Operation of Machinery) Regulations 59R: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Cartridge-Operated Fixing Tools) Regulations 59S: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Protection of Eyes) Regulations 59T: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Noise at work) Regulations 59V: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Fire Precautions in Notifiable Workplaces) Regulations 59W: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Electricity) Regulations 59X: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Asbestos) Special Regulations 59Z: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Officers and Safety Supervisors) Regulations 59AA: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Carcinogenic Substances) Regulations 59AB: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Dangerous Substances) Regulations 59AC: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulations 59AD: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Asbestos) Regulations 59AE: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Confined Spaces) Regulations 59AF: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Management) Regulations 59AG: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Loadshifting Machinery) Regulations 59AH: Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (CAP59)(appointed day under section 6BA(17)) Notice 59AI: Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Gas welding and flame cutting) Regulations
CAP 509 Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance 509A: Occupational Safety and Health Regulation 509B: Occupational Safety and Health (Display Screen Equipment) Regulation
Other Ordinances related the testing and certification industry Cap 145 Control of Chemicals Ordinance Cap 578 Chemical Weapons (Convention) Ordinance Cap 595 Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance Cap 303 Radiation Ordinance Cap 303A Radiation (Control of Radioactive Substances) Regulations Cap 303B Radiation (Control of Irradiating Apparatus) Regulations