Department Safety Manual

In Case Of Emergency (Fire, Ambulance, Theft, Safety)
From University telephones: 36111
From any other telephone: 533-6111

DOs And DON'Ts While Working in the Laboratory and Shop Areas
Safety Officers
Introduction
Expectations
Queen's Policy Statements On Health, Safety, And Environmental Management
Occupational Health & Safety Act
Department Safety
Laboratory And Workshop Safe Practices
Personal Protective Equipment And Safety Equipment
Emergency Equipment And Procedures
Building Evacuation Plan
Procedures In The Event Of Accident Involving Injury Or Death
Responsible Care
References
Floor Plans

1.0 DOs and DON'Ts While Working in Research and Laboratory Areas

1.1 DO:

Wear protective eyewear when soldering or working with live circuits.

When analyzing components in live circuits (taking measurements using meters, oscilloscopes and other analyzers):
- Ensure area is free of clutter
- De-energize all circuits if you need to leave the workspace
- Do not work alone

When modifying or repairing electrical equipment of any kind
- Physically disconnect all power sources when performing any wiring. Any equipment that cannot be physically disconnected must be locked and tagged at the breaker.

Read MSDS before working in any lab using chemicals, solvents, or other hazardous substances.

Wear the appropriate protective clothing for the task:
- The supervisor and worker must determine what is considered appropriate protective clothing in their work area.

Always work in the lab with another person

1.2 DO NOT:

Smoke
Eat, drink, or chew gum
Store food, dishes or drinks
Wear:

Sandals or open-toed shoes
High-heeled shoes
Items that could become entangled in moving equipment, such as

unconfined long hair
loose jewellery
ties or loose clothing

Engage in horseplay / practical jokes / rough housing / pranks

2.0 Safety Officers

Queen's Environmental Health and Safety:

Dan Langham Director Phone (613) 533-6000 x74980, Internal 74980
Peter Rowsome, Department Manager Phone (613) 533-6000 x74948

3.0 Introduction

The purpose of this manual is to outline procedures, rules and cautions to be observed by everyone in the Department. "Everyone" includes; researchers, graduate students, undergraduate students, administrative staff, professors, technicians, technologists, post-doctoral fellows, employees, contractors, and visitors. We must all work together to ensure that the Department is a safe place to work and study.

This manual is directed towards the most common activities pursued in the department. Extra precautions may be necessary in some areas because of the specific nature of the hazards which exist. It is the responsibility of the supervisor to establish these procedures and ensure they are followed.

Safety includes: good laboratory practice; good housekeeping; environmental safety; and ensuring that equipment, buildings, and surroundings are free from hazards.

Personal safety depends on sincere safety-mindedness and good judgement on the part of each individual as an integral part of their daily activity. Most health and safety problems in a laboratory or workshop environment can be avoided by practising common sense based on informed knowledge of the hazards.

A Safety Bulletin Board is located in the hallway on the fourth floor adjacent to WLH 401. It contains important safety information and should be checked regularly for new additions.

Safety audits are performed by members of the safety committee to look for unsafe acts and conditions which exist in the department and to help researchers improve their health and safety practices. Equipment inspections are also performed to ensure that safety equipment will perform properly when it is needed.

4.0 Expectations

Everyone, must read this manual before commencing work in the department. Safety of visitors is the responsibility of the person in department who is hosting them or bringing them into the department. If a visitor will only be in the department for one day or less, AND will not be performing any laboratory duties, they should be accompanied at all times so we ensure they are kept safe. If the visitor will be staying for longer than one day AND/OR they will be working in a laboratory, they should read this safety manual. Under OHSA, visitor safety is our responsibility.

Anyone in the department who brings in an independent contractor or service person shall ensure that:

relevant safety standards are communicated to the person or company.
the contractor or service person follows the Electrical and Computer Engineering safety standards, OHSA Regulations and OHSA Industrial Regulations.

Following these safety standards and regulations is a condition of doing work in the department.

5.0 Queen's University Policy Statements

5.1 POLICY STATEMENT ON HEALTH AND SAFETY

Queen's University is committed to the prevention of illness and injury through the provision and maintenance of a healthy and safe campus. The University endeavours to meet its responsibilities for the health and safety of the members of its community by adhering to relevant health and safety standards and legislative requirements, and by assigning general and specific responsibilities for workplace health and safety.

The University takes all reasonable steps to acquaint its employees with their rights and duties in the workplace and applicable regulations and procedures for protecting their health and safety. Where appropriate, the University establishes special arrangements and programs to assist in maintaining safe conditions and work practices and facilitating employee participation in health and safety activities, including health and safety committees.

All individuals shall protect their own health and safety by complying with prevailing regulations and standards and with safe practices and procedures established by the University. Employees must report any health hazards and unsafe conditions or practices to supervisory staff for corrective action.

It is a primary duty of all faculty and staff who are supervisors, as defined under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, to ensure that any persons under their direction are made aware of and comply with all applicable health and safety policies and procedures. They are responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the workplace, including teaching and research sites, are safe and that any risks, hazards, and safety violations drawn to their attention are investigated and corrected promptly.

This policy statement was accepted by the Board of Trustees at its regular meeting held on December 03, 2004

5.2 POLICY STATEMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Queen's University is committed to the protection of the environment through the implementation of an effective environmental management program. The University endeavours to meet and exceed its formal obligations for protecting the environment, out of a sense of responsibility for the safety of the environment as a shared resource. Members of the University community shall be aware of the manner in which their activities must be conducted in order to have the least possible impact on the environment.

The University shall assign general and specific responsibilities for environmental management. The responsible individuals will ensure that the University adheres to relevant standards and legislative requirements and maintains a proactive attitude towards environmental protection.

All departments and persons utilizing University premises shall comply with, and if reasonably possible, exceed all environmental statutes and regulations as well as Ministry of Environment policies and guidelines and internal University policies and procedures. All employees and students shall carry out their activities in an environmentally sound manner. They must report any health hazards and unsafe conditions or practices to supervisory staff for corrective action.

The University shall take all reasonable steps to acquaint its employees with their duties and obligations to prevent, contain and clean up the release of pollutants generated at Queen's and with the applicable regulations and procedures for protecting the environment. Where appropriate, the University shall establish special procedures and programs to assist in preventing releases of pollutants, the containment of pollutants, cleaning up spills, recycling materials and reusing them. The University shall facilitate and encourage participation in activities to protect and preserve the environment.

It is a primary duty of all faculty and staff who are defined as having responsibility under the Environmental Protection Act to ensure that any persons under their direction are made aware of and comply with all applicable policy and procedures. They shall be responsible for ensuring that all aspects of Queen's premises, including teaching and research sites, pose minimal environmental impact and that any environmental risks and/or hazards are investigated and corrected promptly.

This policy statement was accepted by the Board of Trustees at its regular meeting held on December 03, 2004.

6.0 Occupational Health & Safety Act

In Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act & Regulations, has established safety regulations and laws. Items below in italics are direct quotations from the Act.

6.1 SUPERVISORS AND THEIR DUTIES

6.1.1 Definition of a Supervisor

A "supervisor" is defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act & Regulations a person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker. (OH&S Act & Regulations, Section 1).

The person supervised is an employee of the supervisor or their institution or firm. This means that:

The professor directing the research of a graduate student is the direct supervisor of that student if the student is paid a salary for the research work; i.e., the student is an employee.

If graduate students do not receive a salary for their research work, being supported entirely through other funds (scholarships, savings, etc.), then they are not an employee and the professor is not their supervisor in the present sense of the Act. The department operates on the basis that the professor in this case IS the direct supervisor of the students and morally has the same responsibilities towards them in the work place as they do towards an employee doing the same work.

6.1.2 Duties of Supervisor

The duties of a supervisor (OH&S Act & Regulations, Section 27) are:

A supervisor shall ensure that a worker,

- works in the manner and with the protective devices, measures and procedures required by this Act and the regulations; and

uses or wears the equipment, protective devices or clothing that their employer requires to be used or worn.

Without limiting the duty imposed by subsection (1), a supervisor shall

advise a worker of the existence of any potential or actual danger to the health or safety of the worker of which the supervisor is aware;
where so prescribed, provide a worker with written instructions as to the measures and procedures to be taken for protection of the worker; and
take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.

A supervisor also has special responsibilities, indicated in Section 12 of this manual, in dealing with accidents involving personal injury or death.

6.2 WORKERS AND THEIR DUTIES

6.2.1 Definition of a Worker/Employee

A "worker" (employee) means a person who performs work or supplies services for monetary compensation, i.e. staff, faculty, teaching assistants, lab demonstrators, paid research assistants, post-doctoral fellows, technicians, technologist . . . but NOT undergraduate students or members of the visiting public.

6.2.2 Duties of Workers

The duties of a worker (OH&S Act & Regulations, Section 28) are:

A worker shall,

work in compliance with the provisions of this Act and the regulations;
use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing that their employer requires to be used or worn;
report to their employer or supervisor the absence of or defect in any equipment or protective device of which they are aware and which may endanger themselves or another worker; and
report to their employer or supervisor any contravention of this Act or the regulations or the existence of any hazard of which they know.

No worker shall,

remove or make ineffective any protective device required by the regulations or by their employer, without providing an adequate temporary protective device and when the need for removing or making ineffective the protective device has ceased, the protective device shall be replaced immediately;
use or operate any equipment, machine, device or thing or work in a manner that may endanger himself/herself or any other worker; or
engage in any prank, contest, feat of strength, unnecessary running or rough and boisterous conduct.

6.3 Students

Undergraduate students taking laboratory courses in the Department, or unpaid graduate students are not employees under OH&S Act & Regulations. Nevertheless, it is the policy of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering that the instructors in these courses shall act as direct supervisors, assuming the same responsibilities towards the students doing laboratory work under their direction as if the students were employees, AND the students shall act as workers and follow the worker guidelines for performance.

6.4 Right to Refuse or to Stop Work Where Health or Safety in Danger (OH&S Act & Regulations, Section 43(3) & (4)

A worker may refuse to work or do particular work where he or she has reason to believe that,

any equipment, machine, device or thing the worker is to use or operate is likely to endanger himself, herself or another worker;
the physical condition of the workplace or the part thereof in which he or she works or is to work is likely to endanger himself or herself; or
any equipment, machine, device or thing he or she is to use or operate or the physical condition of the workplace or the part thereof in which he or she works or is to work is in contravention of this Act or the regulations and such contravention is likely to endanger himself, herself or another worker.

Upon refusing to work or do particular work, the worker shall promptly report the circumstances of the refusal to the worker's employer or supervisor who shall forthwith investigate the report in the presence of the worker and, if there is such, in the presence of one of;

a committee member who represents workers, if any;
a health and safety representative, if any; or
a worker who because of knowledge, experience and training is selected by a trade union that represents the worker, or if there is no trade union, is selected by the workers to represent them, who shall be made available and who shall attend without delay.

7.0 Department Safety

7.1 General

Know and follow the safety rules and safe procedures.
Treat any unknown area, substance, or equipment as hazardous.
Contact a member of the Department Safety Group or the Applied Science Safety Committee if you have any questions or concerns. Always report unsafe conditions and accidents promptly to your supervisor or the safety officer.
FIRE DOORS MUST be kept closed at all times.
Locate all safety equipment in your work area and become familiar with their use. (telephone, exits, fire extinguishers, pull boxes, first aid kit, evacuation route and meeting site).
Keep your area locked to avoid unauthorized entry.
Do not use the elevator other than during normal working hours (you may be trapped in case of a power failure or elevator breakdown). The elevator is not a fire exit and shall not be used in the event of a fire.
Do not walk and read at the same time.
Use the handrail at all times when using the stairs. If you do not have a free hand, use the elevator.
Practice good housekeeping at all times. This is essential for the prevention of fires, accidents, and personal injury. A crowded or cluttered workplace is a dangerous place in which to work.
Never block emergency exits, emergency equipment or electrical panels.
Ensure drawers and doors are closed after use so they do not present a bump or trip hazard.
Ensure shelves and bookcases are secured to the wall to avoid tipping.
Check furniture for any loose parts or sharp edges.
Store heavy items on the lower and middle shelves of storage areas.
Never Store liquid above eye level.

7.2 Working Alone

Working alone is defined as the performance of work by a person who is out of audio and visual range of other persons. Depending on the type of work being done, the work area, and the time of day or night, working alone can be harmless or it can be dangerous.

People should work alone only if there is minimal potential for an accident to occur which might render the person helpless to call for assistance.

If you are working alone on non-hazardous activities after regular hours you may wish to: have a buddy work with you; keep your door locked; inform security that you are working alone, set up a call-back procedure, and inform them when you are leaving; and/or call the Walk-home Service or Campus Security Escort Service when you are finished.

Hazardous work performed after hours on normal work days, on weekends, or holidays should be kept to a minimum. If these activities are necessary the following procedure must be followed:

After hours, laboratory work must have your supervisor's approval.
Set up a buddy system with a friend, or
Call security at 36733 to tell them who you are, what you are doing, your location and phone number, how long you expect to be, and who to contact in case of emergency. They will then set up a check-in routine with you.
Call security when you have completed your work.

Walk-home Service 39255 (on campus), 533-9255 (off campus)
Campus Security Escort Service 36080 (on campus), 533-6080 (off campus)

7.3 Promptly Report Accidents, Abnormal Wear, and Damage or Loss

Report minor accidents, wastage of materials, and abnormal wear or malfunction of equipment to your project supervisor. Report more serious accidents, equipment breakdowns and malfunctions to your project supervisor, or if they are unavailable, to one of:

Head of Department
Administrative Assistant
Department Safety Officer

7.4 Electrical Safety

Lethal Voltage and Current
- As little as 50 volts ac can kill under certain conditions. In general anything above 25ma is considered dangerous since it can potentially cause the heart to go into ventricular fibrillation, which can happen in as little time as ¼ second. Currents in the range of 70ma to 300ma are potentially fatal without immediate first aid. With currents through the body of greater than 25ma you may not be able to “let go”. You can use ohms law (E=IR) to calculate body current. Dry skin has a resistance from 100k to 600k ohms. With wet skin the resistance drops to around 1k ohm. With an open skin cut, the resistance drops between 100 and 500 ohms. Thus, one needs to be extremely careful with higher voltages. 120VAC can Kill!
- If the experiment requires more that 50V (e.g., battery pack or power supply), use insulated tools and wear rubber sole shoes. Only make use of proper cables and connectors.
- When an activity is complete, or during manipulation, power down equipment, ensure that the equipment is unplugged and that all capacitors are discharged before touching any high voltage leads or the interior of the equipment.
- Make sure that equipment chassis, cabinets, or any other enclosures are properly grounded.
- Do not operate equipment on a wet area.

Electrical Equipment and Components
- Electrical components can cause serious injury. Make sure you understand electrical components before using them.
  - A resistor that is operated over its wattage rating can burn causing a fire, or explode causing an arc and flying debris.
  - Capacitors can “blow up” proplelling the end cap with enough force to damage one’s eye. This will happen if a polarized or electrolytic capacitor is hooked up in the wrong polarity or connected to a voltage above its rating.
  - Opening an inductive circuit suddenly can cause a large voltage spike, usually for a very short period of time, but may cause the heart to go into fibrillation, depending on conditions.
  - Batteries (mainly 12vdc car type batteries) can explode due to escaping hydrogen gas, which is very explosive. Car battery explosions are very serious and can cause significant injury. Use extreme care with tools around batteries. Always keep a cap or protective cover over the positive battery terminal. Work in well-vented areas and wear safety glasses and gloves. Always have a neutralizing agent, such as baking soda, available. C and D cells can also explode, especially rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries. Appropriate caution should be taken when working with them.
  - Electrical cords–don’t connect multiple electrical strips or cords to make a longer extension cords. All extension cords need to be one cord only.
    - Be familiar with the locations of circuit breakers and fuse boxes
    - Watch for frayed cords and broken plugs. Take these items out of service and have them repaired.
    - Avoid the use of extension cords on the floor as this creates a trip hazard.
    - Never remove the ground pin from a 3 pronged plug.
    - Remove electrical cords from the receptacle by grasping and pulling the plug not the cord.
  - Use only trained and qualified people to construct, repair or modify electrical or electronic equipment.
  - If electrical equipment emits smoke or a burning smell, shut off the power immediately and take it out of service for repair.
  - Use only carbon dioxide, halon, or dry chemical extinguishers on electrical fires.
  - All electrical equipment must be certified by an approved authority such as CSA, ULc, or the Electrical Safety Authority
- Soldering
  - Splash resistant safety glasses must me worn for all soldering.
  - Soldering irons must be used with care and always placed in the approved receptacle when not in use. Soldering irons can cause severe burns, fires and property damage.
  - Solder vapours are harmful. Use a vent hood or fan to remove the vapours.

7.5 Ergonomics

The study of ergonomics is concerned with the way a job, task, or workplace "fits" the worker. Some problems which may arise if this is overlooked are; fatigue; repetitive motion injuries; monotonous work; biomechanical stresses such as strains, aches, or injuries, eye strain from video display terminals. Design your workspace to avoid these potential problems. If problems do exist, contact your supervisor, or a member of the Department Safety Working Group.

8.0 Laboratory and Workshop Safe Practices.

8.1 General

Read and follow the guidelines on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) before handling any chemical.
Approved safety glasses with side shields are the minimum required eye protection when handling chemicals or equipment in the laboratory or shop. See also Section 9.0, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT and SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
Keep doors locked when no one is in the room.
Aim to avoid emergencies by careful thought and planning of your work.
Read and understand the operating instructions before attempting to operate any machine or instrument.
Beware of moving parts of machinery. Shut down the machine to make adjustments rather than risk injuring yourself or damaging the machine. Ensure that safety shields or guards are in place.
Be sensitive to the strength (or fragility) of materials. Do not exert brute force on sticky controls, bottle tops, ground-glass connections, and such; there is usually a non-destructive way of freeing them. Screwed fittings should be tightened but not overdriven (extra turns will only damage or seize the threads and weaken the connection).

8.2 Laboratory - General

Communicate with fellow researchers and advise of experiments in progress.
Work involving hazardous materials should be done in fume hood or other containment facility.
Do not leave an experiment running unattended when prudence dictates that you should be there to monitor performance. Exercise control, and avert the development of critical conditions. Post a sign on the door indicating; your name, date, what experiment is underway and who to contact in case of problems if it is necessary to leave an experiment unattended.
Label reagents and samples according to WHMIS legislation. Experimental codes, or your initials are not sufficient. Any person entering the lab should be able to identify the contents of a container.

8.3 Workshop - General

These guidelines are not all inclusive, other references will be necessary to cover all specific activities carried out in the workshop. All workshop personnel shall carry out their duties and handle equipment, tools and machinery in a manner so as to keep themselves and others around them safe at all times.

9.0 Personal Protective Equipment and Safety Equipment

Be aware of the safety clothing and equipment available for your use and under which circumstances you are required to wear or use them. It is the responsibility of the supervisor to provide the required equipment. It is each person's responsibility for maintaining equipment in good condition.

9.1 Eye Protection

Determine the possibilities of flying particles, splashes and spills when determining the appropriate eye protection needed for a job.
Approved Safety Glasses are the minimum protection needed when working with equipment in any laboratory. Safety glasses provide protection against flying objects and partial protection from splashing liquids, and provide no protection against irritating vapours.

9.2 Respiratory Protection

Carbon filters must be used at all soldering stations. A soldering station is available for use in Walter Light Hall room 101. Soldering stations, if present in the lab, must only be used if proper carbon filters are used. It is also imperative that no food or drink be consumed in the same room as the soldering station.

9.3 Protective Clothing

Protective Clothing is designed to protect a person's skin and clothing from damage or injury caused by splashes or spills of chemicals, excessive heat, or falling objects.
When using the soldering station, long sleeves must be worn to protect the skin. Wash your hands after finishing with the soldering station.
Approved Safety Footwear must be worn in the Department on jobs with hazards of foot injury.

9.4 Fire Equipment

The department has 2 types of extinguishers located throughout the building:

Carbon Dioxide is the most useful type for general lab purposes. A cloud of CO2 gas (heavier than air) plus some "snow" is discharged through the nozzle. When directed at the base of the fire, the CO2 gas halts combustion by displacing oxygen.
Dry chemical contains powdered sodium bicarbonate which is propelled by carbon dioxide or nitrogen. It is effective on flammable liquids.

9.5 First Aid Equipment

First Aid Kits are available throughout the building. A map detailing the location of each kit is posted on the Health and Safety Notice Board adjacent to room 101. Kits are sealed. If you need supplies from the kit, break the seal, then inform the department safety officer that you've taken contents from the kit so it can be replenished.

10.0 Emergency Equipment and Procedures

10.1 Definition

In the definition officially used at Queen's:

AN EMERGENCY IS AN INCIDENT, ACCIDENT OR OTHERWISE, WHICH REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PREVENT LOSS OF LIFE, PERSONAL INJURY, SEVERE PERSONAL HARDSHIP OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO UNIVERSITY PROPERTY OR EQUIPMENT.

10.2 General Advice

When faced with an emergency:

Try to remain calm; do not panic.
As quickly as you can, size up the situation and decide what to do.
If you are in personal danger, plan first to get to safety, second to activate fire alarms and/or summon aid, and third to do what you can to bring the situation under control. Put life ahead of saving property.
Consider what chain of events may follow, in view of the existing situation. If possible, take steps to prevent or limit any further incidents and complications. Act yourself or communicate your ideas to those in charge.
If there is danger that the area affected by an emergency may grow, take steps to ensure that this threat is recognized and dealt with (warn people in adjacent areas to leave or take appropriate action, warn those in charge, etc.).
If you are asked to leave the area; make your area safe, if time permits, by turning off hazardous experiments or equipment and closing the door; and then leave promptly. Do not re-enter the area until you have been instructed to do so.
If you feel you cannot assist in dealing with the situation, leave the emergency area and stay away. Make sure that those involved in the operations know you are safe, should there be any question.
Do not use the emergency telephones for other than emergency calls. During a serious emergency, do not use any telephones for other calls.
All incidents which require first aid or require alteration to equipment to prevent reoccurrence of similar incident must fill in the following form.
Off campus activities require event supervisor to complete the following risk assessment by completing this OCASP form

10.3 Emergency Reporting Procedures

Queen's maintains an Emergency Report Centre to provide a central point where emergency situations on campus can be reported regardless of when they occur. The personnel at the Centre have been instructed on the action to take in response to emergency calls. It is important that they receive sufficient details of the emergency to enable them to react properly.

11.0 Building Evacuation Plan

11.1 Preparedness and Prevention

Familiarize yourself with the location and use of all fire extinguishers, fire alarm switches and fire exits in your area.

Report any matters relating to fire hazards to the department safety officer.

11.2 In Case of Fire

Notify others in the immediate area that there is a "FIRE".
Leave the fire area and close the doors & windows. Activate nearest wall-mounted fire alarm.
Do not attempt to extinguish the fire if you cannot do it safely.
Assist physically impaired to a safe location (stairwell or office with a telephone). Check to ensure area has been evacuated.
Leave building promptly (do not use elevator) Phone the Emergency Report Centre at 36111 or 9-911.
Do not re-enter building until authorized to do so by the Fire Department.
Remain in the area to guide Fire Department to scene of fire and location of physically impaired.

11.3 When Fire Alarm Sounds

Leave the building quickly through the appropriate fire escape exit (see Section 11.4). Do not use elevator.
Proceed immediately to the front of building on opposite side of Union street.
The safety officer will go to Union Street opposite the main door where he will await the arrival of the Fire Department to direct them to the location of the fire.
Be available to the safety officer to pass on any information.
Verify that all personnel are safe and accounted for once they are out of the building.

11.4 Building Exits

First Floor / Basement

Exit at the West end of the building adjacent to Walter Light Hall room 101. Proceed to the south side of Union Street. Secondary exit it located at the East end of the building at the end of the hall. Proceed through the back exit and then to the south side of Union Street.

Second Floor

Exit via the main entrance of the building, down the steps and across to the south side of Union Street. Secondary exit at the East end of the building, proceed through the door and down the back stairwell, exiting to the East of the building. Proceed to the south side of Union Street.

Third Floor

Fourth Floor

Fifth through to Seventh Floor

Exit via the bridge at the West end of WLH leading to Goodwin Hall, down the steps and across to the south side of Union Street. Secondary exit at the east end of the building, proceed through the door and down the back stairwell, exiting to the East of the building. Proceed to the south side of Union Street.

12.0 Procedures in the Event of Accident Involving Injury or Death

12.1 Accidents Involving Injuries

The supervisor (see Section 6.1) is responsible for ensuring that the procedures below are followed. The supervisor should be contacted immediately after an accident, if they are not available contact the Department Safety Officer or Department Head.
Seek Medical Attention. First aid should be given by someone who has had appropriate training. Names of people qualified to administer first aid is on the front of the first aid kits.
In the case of minor injuries that cannot be satisfactorily treated by first aid, or if there is any doubt, the injured person shall be sent or taken to the hospital emergency centre, or the doctor of their choice. You must also inform your supervisor so that he/she can give you assistance and complete the Form 7. If the supervisor or form 7 is not available proceed to the hospital and form 7 should be submitted to the Environmental Health and Safety department within 48 hours of the supervisor becoming aware of the injury/illness. The EH&S department is responsible for investigating workplace injuries. They will forward the Form 7 to the Human Resources department who will complete the payroll information where required and file the claim with the WSIB.
In the case of injuries that are more than minor the injured person should, after giving first aid as is immediately necessary and possible, be taken to the Kingston General Hospital Emergency Centre. If the person is severely injured, or if in any doubt, an ambulance should be called immediately 36111. A SEVERELY INJURED PERSON SHOULD NOT BE MOVED without the advice of medical or ambulance personnel. The supervisor must be informed immediately.

12.2 Accidents Involving Critical Injury or Death Immediately call 36111 for assistance.

As soon as possible, notify (a) Supervisor; (b) the Head of the Department or Safety Officer, and (c) the Department of Occupational Health and Safety. The Department of Occupational Health and Safety will notify the appropriate government agencies.
The following pertinent excerpt from the Act should be noted by all:

". . no person shall, except for the purpose of

saving life or relieving human suffering;
preventing unnecessary damage to equipment or other property, interfere with, disturb, destroy, alter, or carry away any wreckage, article or thing at the scene of or connected with the occurrence until permission so to do has been given by an inspector."

12.3 Accident Reports

The supervisor must ensure that the Form 7 is completed and submitted to the Department Safety Officer and Queen's Occupational Health & Safety Department as soon as possible. Answers to FAQ are available from the WSIB

Note: Form 7 must be submitted to Queen's Occupational Health and Safety within 48 hours of the accident and they will forward it to WCB. The WCB will levy a penalty of $250 and you may also be liable, on conviction, to a fine of up to $25,000 for late submission of the report.

12.4 On Calling Ambulances

The following points should be noted:

Call 36111, the local ambulance telephone number. Say where the injured person is; e.g., "There has been an accident at Queen's. Please send an ambulance for an injured person located in Room XXX, Walter Light Hall, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building, on Union Street. Please tell your people to enter by the Union Street entrance."
If possible, have someone go to the building entrance to meet the ambulance attendants at the door and lead them to the injured person. This is particularly necessary when the outside doors are locked (during hours when the building is closed), or they need to use the elevator which is located in Goodwin Hall..

13.0 Responsible Care

13.1 Purpose

Successful practices of this Code will result in new products, processes and uses which present an acceptable level of risk to employees and customers, the public at large and the environment. Responsible Care results in public and employee confidence in research and development.

13.2 General

Includes; health & safety, hazard identification, training, information, and documented results.
Security considerations include; access by public, after hours work by employees, access to confidential information.
Compliance with the Code should be reviewed in regular performance assessments.
Responsibility and accountability must be clearly assigned.

13.3 Guidelines For Safe Projects and Activities

R&D operations will not occur unless they can be done in accordance with this Code.
Project checklist should include; (checklists are available in the main office)

identify any/all health, safety & environmental hazards, o special personal protection equipment needed,
written standard operating procedures,
training,
regular reviews of project status for; continuation or cancellation; new hazards; etc

Projects include new procedures for an existing facility, change in raw materials etc.
Each new project or activity must have: a written policy on health and safety; and waste; training; MSDS for all chemicals; products and by-products and documentation of results.
Records should be kept in dated, bound lab notebooks which are regularly checked and signed by the project supervisor. Reporting of results done in this manner will be ethical and maintain the legal value of the data.

14.0 References

Following are some useful references on safety, laboratory practice, and material properties, all available in Engineering and Science Library (Douglas Library). If you cannot find what you need in these references, don't stop; you may find it in other books or by asking questions.

Ontario Ministry of Labour, The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1978, and Regulations for Industrial Establishments. The Ministry, Occupational Health and Safety Division, (1979).
Mustard, R.A., Fundamentals of First Aid (2nd ed.), St. John Ambulance Canada, 321 Chapel Street, Ottawa (1972).