Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) & Biological Safety
A variety of hazardous substances such as chemical and biological materials are used throughout the CLF.
RAL is subject to the COSHH Regulations (2002) regarding the use of substances for general and experimental use and HSE inspections.
Any person wishing to use a hazardous substance in the CLF must obtain advice from the nominated COSHH officer in charge of the area they are to work in. This person will be listed in the local safety card for the area(s) in which you will be working.
Work involving bio-samples may only be carried out within designated biolabs and full training is required prior to work. A completed bioCOSHH MUST be approved by the Biological Safety Officer (BSO) before commencing work with bio-samples. This person will be listed in the local safety card for the area(s) in which you will be working.
Prior discussion and subsequent authorisation MUST be sought before bringing any hazardous substance or biological sample on site. A COSHH or biological risk assessment must be carried out. In certain cases, site licence extensions from the user institution may be required to cover RAL site or a new application may need to be made to the HSE for approval of biological samples.
At present the CLF restricts use of pathogens to Hazard Groups 1 & 2, as categorised by ACDP (4th Ed. 1995) HMSO booklet "Categorisation of biological agents according to Hazard and categories of containment". It should be noted that to work with certain biological agents the HSE must have 30 days prior notice. Further advice can be sought from the Biological Safety Officer.
If any person believes that they have suffered exposure to a hazardous substance they MUST IMMEDIATELY seek medical attention. The COSHH officer or another CLF member of staff should be notified and telephone the local First Aider, Occupational Health Centre (ext 6666) or the ambulance (ext 2222) if the urgency of the situation demands it.
In the particular case of working with Beryllium (Be) the CLF has appointed Be Handling Officers. The authorised officers are identified on the local safety card for the area(s) in which you will be working, and can authorise additional temporary Be handlers as part of pre-authorised work or experiments. Only authorised people may work with Be.
