Purpose
The procedure is intended to ensure that all work involving chemical substances, biological agents and genetically modified microorganisms (GMM) is undertaken in an appropriate manner and in conformity with regulations. The procedure shall ensure that room managers are appointed and are provided with a description of their functions.
Area of application
This procedure applies to all units at UiO where work involving chemicals, biological agents amd GMMs is undertaken.
Responsibility
The manager is responsible for ensuring that all work involving chemicals, biological agents and genetically modified microorganisms (GMM) managed and documented, and in conformity with HSE regulations
Procedure
Risk assessment
Risk assessments must be undertaken as defined in the procedure for risk assessments.
Local emergency plan
The manager shall ensure that the local emergency plan encompasses emergency situations in laboratories, is kept updated and communicated to all members of staff.
Local procedures
Wherever UiO’s central procedures are insufficient, the manager shall ensure that local procedures are prepared, kept updated and communicated to all members of staff.
Room managers
- Room managers are appointed by the manager who must also ensure that a description of the room managers’ functions is available.
- The manager shall ensure that staff members who are working at the premises have easy access to information on the identity of room managers.
Premises and equipment
The manager shall ensure that the premises are suitable for the work which is undertaken in them, including availability of necessary safety equipment.
Containment measures and classifications
- Biological agents: The manager shall ensure that sufficient containment measures have been taken in order to reduce the risk of infections to the greatest possible extent wherever work with biological agents in infection risk groups 2, 3 or 4 is undertaken.
- GMM: The manager shall ensure that sufficient containment measures have been taken with regard to work involving GMMs.
Marking
The manager shall ensure that all laboratories are marked with the statutory warning signs and information in Norwegian and English; templates for signs can be used:
- Laboratories where gases are used shall be marked with the warning sign for gases
- Laboratories where flammable materials are used shall be marked with the warning sign for fire hazard.
- Laboratories where work involving GMMs is undertaken shall be marked with a biohazard sign.
- Laboratories where work involving biological agents is undertaken shall be marked with a biohazard sign.
- Waste disposal rooms and storage facilities shall be marked in the same way as laboratories.
Applications and notifications
- Biological agents: The manager shall ensure that a notification of use of biological agents in classes 2, 3 and 4 is sent to the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.
- GMM: The manager shall ensure that all laboratories and tuition rooms have been approved by the Directorate of Health and that an amended notification is submitted in the event of changes. Notification of the use of GMM shall be sent to the Directorate of Health before the work can start. The manager is responsible for keeping all approvals updated.
Personal protection equipment
The manager shall ensure that sufficient and appropriate personal protection equipment is available and is being used by the members of staff.
Materials archive and substitution
The manager shall ensure that the materials archive is kept updated as defined in the procedure for materials archives. For documentation of substitution assessments completed in the context of work involving chemical substances, the functionality in ECOonline can be used. Procedures and equipment shall also be assessed with a view to substitution.
Archiving
Archiving of HSE documents (Norwegian).
References
Document ID
- Compiled by: Unit for HSE and emergency preparedness
- Authorized by: University Director Gunn-Elin Aa. Bj?rneboe
- Date of authorization: 19.05.2017
- Version: 3
- Case and document no. in ePhorte: 2012/11454-94