The overall safety program at UBC is overseen by the Department of Health, Safety and Environment: www.hse.ubc.ca; UBC Policy #7 provide the frame work for Safety Implementation: http://www.universitycounsel.ubc.ca/policies/policy7.pdf

Health and Safety Work Philosophy

Our Department is committed to ensure that every employee, student and visitor is exposed to the safest environment possible. http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/chem_dept_safety.shtml

Responsibility for Health and Safety

Employees will participate in the Safety Program and recommend actions to improve its effectiveness. They will follow the established policies, directives and procedures. They will work in a diligent, safe manner and report real or potential hazards to the Safety Committee members. http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/chem_dept_roles.shtml#staff

Emergency Procedures

Posters with procedures are located in every lab, workshop and common area of the Department. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the information on the poster, where you can find:

• Emergency phone numbers
• Evacuation routes
• First Aid information
• Spill control information
• Fire safety procedures
• Procedures for other emergency situations

Safety Manual

The Department Safety Manual is available online at www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual.shtml. The Manual is a comprehensive guide to the safety practices at the department. Here are some of the areas covered in the Manual:

• WHMIS  http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/whmis.shtml
• Chemical Hazards http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/hazard_chem.shtml
• Spills/ Incidents http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/spill_control.shtml
• Biohazards http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/biohaz.shtml
• Chemical disposal http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/waste.shtml

First Aid

For immediate response contact the first aid attendant of your area  see the department safety web page at www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety.shtml, or obtain first aid by calling 2-4444 or 911.

Procedures for Reporting Incidents or Unsafe Conditions

Report all incidents or unsafe conditions as soon as possible to your supervisor and to the Safety Officer (7-5216, or chemsafe@chem.ubc.ca). http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/UBC_Faculty_Staff_IA_Form.pdf

Right to Refuse Unsafe Work

Supervisors must inform employees regarding all known hazards and potential risks in their work environment. All employees have a right to refuse dangerous work in the event that they find themselves in a position where they may have reasonable cause to believe that a danger exists.

 Safety Committee

The goal of the Safety Committee is to create a healthy and safe work environment for all personnel. List of committee members is available at http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safetymembers.shtml

 Safety Board

The Safety Notice Boards are located on the 3rd floor of the A building (next to the entrance) and outside the Safety Office A237. Last 3 minutes from Safety Committee meetings; WCB inspection reports; Safety events and other notices are posted. Safety committee minutes are available also online http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_minutes/safety_minutes.shtml

 Safety Training

Training must be completed before start of work according to employee’s work hazard

Work Hazards

The following are the type of hazards that may be found in different labs and shops in the department: Chemical, Radiation, Biological, Noise, High Pressure, Temperature, Electrical, Mechanical.

Working Alone

Outside regular hours:

• Let someone (your supervisor or someone from the next door lab) know that you work alone, so they can come and check up on you.
• Let the AMS SafeWalk program know that you will be working late arrange for check up at least once during every shift, call (604) 822-5355, or visit the website: www.ams.ubc.ca/services/ams-safewalk/
• Check hourly with someone.

Workplace Violence

Reporting:

• If you are faced with imminent threat of violence call “911” followed by Campus Security (604-822-2222)
• Report all incidents of violence to your supervisor, the Safety Committee, and the ESH Department

 Fire Safety

• Know who your fire warden is www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/warden_team.shtml
• Know where the fire exits are 
• Know the location of the fire extinguisher (by the entrance to the lab/ shop and in hallway) 
• In the case of fire/evacuation, know where the meeting place is outside of the Chemistry Department http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/fire_assembly_areas.shtml 
• Familiarize yourself with the Emergency Procedure Poster and emergency phone numbers: http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/fire_phone.shtml

Ergonomics

Be aware of factors causing ergonomics injuries and of sign and symptoms musculoskeletal illnesses or injuries http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/ergonom.shtml . Contact the safety office for ergonomic evaluation 7-5216

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Use appropriate personal protective equipment. The basic PPE in the chemistry labs include: safety glasses, lab coat, close top shoes, gloves http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/protective_equip.shtml

Housekeeping

• Keep doorways and aisles clean of boxes, equipment and supplies
• Keep work area clean and tidy
• Keep emergency eyewash station and fire extinguisher unobstructed
• Ensure that spills are cleaned up immediately
• Pick up objects off the floor, avoid tripping hazards
• Close drawers  of desk and filing cabinets when not in use
• File or store heavier items at the bottom of the shelves
• Use ladder or step stool to reach high places

Safe Work Practices

• Be aware of the hazards of your workplace 
• Familiarize yourself with the Chemistry Safety Manual 
• Always read MSDS before handling chemicals http://www2.chem.ubc.ca/safety/safety_manual/whmis_MSDS.shtml
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, lab coat, etc) for the job
• Know where the eyewash station is
• Know where the closest spill cart is  (A352, B170, D413, E415)
• Use a buddy system if you have to work alone