School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Personnel working after hours or in isolation – Policy and procedures

Undergraduate students are not permitted in any laboratory after hours unless they are directly supervised by a member of staff.

Staff/student who have any medical condition which may give rise to a dangerous or life threatening situation when working alone should notify their laboratory supervisor of their condition.

A risk assessment must be filled forall tasks to be carried out while working alone (see below). Permission for working alone shall be subjected to the approval of the supervisor/PI based upon the experience and training of the individual involved.Permission to work alone can not be granted if the risk assessment identifies high risk hazards (see below).

Personnel who are to work alone after hours, in isolated or in hazardous areas can only do so if:

  • they are authorized by their supervisor/PI
  • they tell the supervisor/PI of the timing
  • they have completed a risk assessment form and there are no high risk hazards
  • a working telephone is available and emergency contact numbers are readily available in the laboratory
  • they know the emergency procedures
  • they complete the after hours log book when remaining in, entering and leaving the School after hours

High risk hazards

Working alone or after hours is not permitted when any of the following high-risk hazards exist. This list is not exhaustive, and any high-risk hazards that become evident as a result of the risk assessment must be treated as if on this list. High-risk hazards that may be encountered include the following:

  • Working with, or near, highly toxic or corrosive substances where there is a significant risk of exposure to the substance
  • Using apparatus that could result in explosion, implosion, or the release of high energy fragments or significant amounts of toxic or environmentally damaging hazardous material.
  • Working with exposed energized electrical or electronic systems with powers exceeding 100 VA and voltages exceeding 40 V.
  • Operating equipment or machinery, including workshop machinery capable of inflicting serious injury, such as chainsaws, firearms, lathes and power saws.
  • Working with hydrofluoric acid.
  • Working with explosive and potentially explosive substances.
  • Working with naked flames associated with flammable solvents.
  • Working with solvent stills where flammable liquids are used.
  • Working with spontaneously combustible substances or substances that emit flammable gases when wet.
  • Working with toxic or flammable gases.
  • Working in environments not at atmospheric pressure.
  • Working with microorganisms of Risk Group 3 and higher, or which require the use of a Containment Level 3 facility or higher containment level

Working alone: Work carried out in an area where normal means of contact (e.g.verbal, sight) with other staff are not available. This may include working in isolated areas on or off-site, either during or outside normal working hours.

After hours: Work carried out between 1800 and 0800 Monday to Friday and any time on weekends, public and University holidays.

113/11/01-RS