Research
Overview
A research program or project may involve hazards that have the potential to cause harm to health and safety. It is essential that any hazards are properly managed to ensure safe undertaking of the project.
Systems, tools and procedures
Orientation
New researchers and research staff should be oriented in:
- - general EHS procedures (such as emergency evacuation, hazard reporting, accident/incident reporting and first aid) and
- - specific high risk hazards relating to the research project.
At orientation it is advisable to provide a copy of written safety procedures to the researcher, such as the Safety Rules and Procedures for Researchers Manual (PDF format, 1.6 Mb) used by the Faculty of Science. A record of the orientation should also be kept by the research supervisor.
Risk Assessment Tools and Procedure
Where a system of work and the working environment has hazards that have the potential to cause harm to health and safety, it is a legal requirement to assess the health and safety risk arising from those hazards. This is called an EHS Risk Assessment.
It is the responsibility of the research supervisor to see that an EHS Risk Assessment is conducted on research work activities to make sure that EHS risks are properly managed.
At the design stage of a research program or project, when funding is sought, the Chief Investigator (CI) is required to identify EHS risks as part of the funding application. The research funding application form, or Research Information Form (RIF), facilitates an initial overview of possible OHS and ethics risks at the design stage of a research program. It allows the CI to identify whether the project/program has any foreseeable hazards that might arise from the research work. The CI also makes a judgement of the overall risk presented by the research project/program. The application process flags to the CI any steps required to be taken well before commencement of any work in order to manage risk. This includes contacting UTS Biosafety or Ethics committees who then assess risk in detail, or consulting with technical staff who will have specific risk control measures available.
| Hazard or source of risk | Examples |
|---|---|
| Physical | Noise, hazardous plant/equipment, lasers, ionising radiation source or apparatus, extreme temperature, compressed gases, pressure vessels, lifts/hoists/cranes, electrical equipment, lifting or moving awkward or heavy objects, repetitive or awkward movements |
| Work Environment | Outdoor work, work in confined space, work in isolation, work at a height, potentially volatile or violent clients/interviewees |
| Genetically Modified Organisms | Any dealings with GMOs, genetic manipulation |
| Pathogenic Micro-organisms | Pathogenic bacteria, parasites, fungi or viruses, human blood or bodily fluids. |
| Imported Biological Material | Imported: cell lines, culture media, laboratory animals, microorganisms, reagents of biological origin, animal serum, animal tissue extracts |
| Ionising Radiation | Radioactive substances |
| Chemical | Dangerous goods, hazardous substances, dust, fumes, vapours and gases |
| Cytotoxins | Carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens |
When the actual project is about to commence, the Researcher is required to complete a Research Risk Assessment form (MS Word format, 152 Kb) for research work having EHS hazards listed in the above Hazard Table. This is a detailed assessment which leads the assessor through the risk assessment process step by step and flags a range of possible hazards and control measures. Copies of completed assessments can be kept in the research laboratory.
Where dangerous goods or hazardous substances are used in research work, a Chemical Risk Assessment (MS Word format, 152 Kb) must be documented.
