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