Safetywise, Vol. 1, No. 1

Abstract

[evdate 1992-08-15] SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICE lntroducing the SEPO Newsletter I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you the first issue of the HKUSTSEPO Newsletter. In these changing times, the world's citizenry is becoming increasingly aware of the fragility of the environment of our home, the planet earth. Furthermore, we are more informed about factors influencing our own personal safety and health. The HKUST is committed to protecting our environment, as well as providing a safe and healthful work environment. Jhe SEPO has been established to ensure that HKUSJ activities live up to that commitment. Jhe SEWS role is tobearesourcetothecampuscommunitytoinRiateand implement programmes which will protect and enhance the health and safety of the campus community and the surrounding environment. This newsletter is intended to provide a forum for the dissemination of information and the discussion of issues relating to occupational and environmental health. I think that this newsletter has the potential to play a vital role in promoting occupational and environmental health and safety. I encourage all of us at HKUSJ to make use of this forum and to take advantage of the expertise available in our SEPO so that we share in promoting Its goats and objectives. I F C Macpherson PVqAB} Potentially hazardous operations at HKUST are regulated Many of HKUSJ's operations may impact the safety of its personnel. Safety concerns in an academic institution range from various teaching and research activities, to house keeping, machine shop and construction operations. These operations may involve the useof dangerous mechanical or electrical equipment, hazardous chemicals, pathogenic microorganisms as well as ionizing or non-ionizing radiation sources. From a compliance perspective, industrial safety and employee exposure to toxic chemicals are regulated by the Labour Department. The storage and use of dangerous goods are regulated by the Fire Services Department. Radioactive substances and irradiating machines are regulated by the Radiation Board. While many of our operations fall under the control of the above-mentioned regulatory requirements, operations in the research area are frequently not regulated by existing regulations. For such operations, international standards, professional judgement and an internal administrative scheme will be employed to assure safety. Complying with Environmental Regulations In the environmental protection area, we need to ensure that our liquid effluent, air emission and hazardous waste will not be deleterious to the environment. The Environmental Protection Department has, in the past couple of years, promulgated regulations in these areas to preserve or to improve the quality of our environment. Furthermore, we need to set a milestone in areas of resource conservation, recycling and waste minimization. Organizational Roles & Individual Responsibilities The specific role of SEPO is to provide guidance to assure that operations at HKUST will not only comply with regulatory requirements but are in deed safe and environmentally sound. This includes the development of policies and procedures, the provision of design criteria and performance evaluation of hazards control and environmental protection equipment, sampling and analysis of personnel exposure, as well as monitoring and characterization of waste streams and effluents. SEPO will also be involved in program compliance evaluation and interaction with regulatory agencies. In an effort to promote personnel awareness and understanding of the nature of various hazardous agents and their control, SEPO will offer various training courses. To meet this charter, SEPO integrates the following disciplines within its organizational structure: ionizing&non-ionizing radiation safety, chemical and biological safety, industrial safety, environmental protection, training and medical surveillance. Each discipline is headed by a senior professional staff with the support of various technical personnel. Departmental management is responsible for the implementation of policies through the establishment of departmental procedures. Safety officers have been appointed by each head of department to assist in the planning and implementation of departmental safety programs and to enhance the interaction with SEPO. SEPO will be on hand to assist the departmental effort. The names of the departmental Safety Officers are listed at the back page. Employees are responsible for complying with requirements including familiarization with and conformance to relevant safety and environmental protection policies and procedures. Furthermore, they can make great contributions to this effort by being our eyes and ears in reporting accidents, incidents, close calls, etc. Through close cooperation, we can all work towards maintaining a safe and environmentally sound campus.

Cold fusion experiment accident A research scientist at the Stanford Research Institute was killed when a piece of experimental apparatus exploded. The accident involved an investigation and understanding of excess heat production in electrolytic experiments using palladium as host metal for deuterium. Three other scientists were injured in the accident. Preliminary findings indicate that the accident was caused by an oxygen-deuterium explosion. The final report is pending. Magnetic fusion experiment accident Another scientist was seriously injured while working on a magnetic fusion experiment at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. While monitoring an alignment operation, he leaned over the opening of a vessel in which nitrogen was used for cooling of the optics. To increase the visibility, he covered his head with a shroud and peeked into the open port. This restricted the natural ventilation and enhanced the nitrogen buildup in his breathing zone. As a result of the lack of oxygen, he collapsed and became unconscious. After spending several days in intensive care, he finally regained consciousness. Fortunately, he suffered only loss of short-term memory. Nitrogen can be dangerous Large quantities of non-toxic gases, such as nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, helium and neon are frequently used in a variety of laboratory experiments. They are physiologically inert and normally do not pose a health hazard. Yet when present at high enough concentrations, these gases can displace available oxygen in one's breathing zone to a level that will not support life. Serious injury and even death can result in an extremely short period of time. When liquified gases are used, they are potentially more hazardous due to their cryogenic properties and large volume expansion when changing into the gaseous phase. For example, liquified nitrogen (boiling point = -196OC ) can cause tissue burns (frost- bite) and will undergo 650 times increase in volume when warning up to become gaseous nitrogen. The best method for controlling the hazards caused by these gases is to replacethem with compressed air. If not feasible, either dilution ventilation or local exhaust ventilation can be used. In an effort to assure that safety and environmental issues receive proper management attention and support, the Vice-Chancellor, on recommendation of the Standing Committee of the University Council, has appointed an Environmental Health and Safety Committee to advise him on programme planning and implementation. The committee membership includes: Mr. I.F.C. Macpherson, Chairman Professor Thomas Stelson, Member Professor H. Hiraoka, Member Mr. Mike Hudson, Member Mr. Neal Wolfe, Member Mr. C. Y. Yip, Member Dr. Ming Fang, Member Dr. Joseph Kwan, Ex-officio Member and Secretary As technology advances into the 90's, fire protection systems are being upgraded. HKUST employs a wide spectrum of advanced fire protection devices. They are basically divided into two categories : fire warning equipment and fire fighting equipment. The fire warning equipment automatically detects afire or the bi-products of a fire by sensing the heat or smoke source. Other manual warning device includes the break glass warning switch to manually trigger the fire alarm. Furthermore, CCTVare installed in key positions andare monitored by security staff. Therefore, the outbreak of a fire can promptly be detected. The fire fighting equipment include automatic sprinkler system and manual fire fighting apparatus. The automatic sprinkler will deliver a shower of water into the affected area when the temperature reaches a dangerous level. Manual fire fighting equipment includes the hose reel which can be found at many locations around campus. Portable fire extinguishers are also available in places where equipment are sensitive to water such as a computer room or a chemical store in which chemicals might react dangerously with water, With these types of modern equipment, the risks of personal injury and loss of properties are minimized. Jo further reduce these risks, personnel should become familiar with the use of thse types of fire fighting equipment and the emergency response procedures.

As a condition for the issuance of a licence for HKUST to discharge waste water into the municipal sewage treatment plant, EPD requires us to conduct monthly sampling and analysis of our waste water. Periodically, EPD will also perform its own sampling and analysis to verify that various discharge parameters are met. To meet these criteria, we need the support and cooperation of all personnel on campus. Except for those evaluated and approved by SEPO, no chemical waste material may be discharged into the sewer. Even items like oil and grease must be restricted. Failure to comply may result in internat disciplinary action as well as legal prosecution. Recently, a moderate quantity of mercury was found disposed of at a HKUSJtoilet. Needless to say, this was in violation of HKUST policies and EPD regulations. (Note: mercury is quite expensive and can be easily recycled!) Questions on whether an item may be discharged into the sewer system can be answered by referring to the Hazardous Waste Management Plan or by contacting SEPO. The Hazardous Waste Management Plan can be obtained from the Departmental Safety Officers. Fume hoods are among some of the most important pieces of engineering control equipment in the laboratory. They are designed to contain, and discharge noxious or hazardous vapours, fumes, and dusts generated within them. Jhey are not intended to capture contaminants generated elsewhere in the room. Proper operation of fume hoods include the following : 1. Verify that the fume hood is exhausting and that any turbulence generating device within the hood has been turned off. Working in an office environment is not generally regarded as high risk. However; each year, a large number of accidents do occur in offices. Common accidents in offices include trips, falls and fire due to poor house keeping and mishandling of electrical equipment; back injuries resulting from incorrect lifting techniques; ergonomic-type injuries and strains due to inappropriate set-up of work stations, etc. An awareness program coupled with periodic assessment can reduce these types of injuries. Contact SEPO if you would like to arrange for a safety meeting to address these issues. 2. Set the sash at the proper height as indicated by the red line. If set at positions above or beiow this mark, the performance of the hood witl be compromised. 3. Locate work at least 6 inches inside the hood. 4. Do not block the face of hood with shielding panels, large equipment, etc. 5. Do not block the space between the tapered metal front lip and the work surface, eg., with spill paper. 6. Do not block rear exhaust slot, Place bulky items to the rear and sides on a supporting mesh; elevate at least two inches, 7. Secure papers and other light weight materials to prevent their entrainments in the exhaust fine. 8. Avoid directing releases of contaminant gases, vapours or aerosols towards the opening. 9. Minimise the amount of arm movement required to carry out a process or to make adjustments to apparatus. In summary, the purpose of a fume hood is to provide a safe work environment by preventing or minimizing the escape of contaminants from the hood into the laboratory and to the operator's breathing zone. Therefore the proper use of fume hood is very important to ensure personal protection. If you have any questions about the use of fume hoods, do not hesitate to contact our ofice.

DepV Office ACCT ARR BICH BIOL DBM CCST CHEM CIVL COMP ELEC EM0 DENG ETC FNEC FO Name Miss Winnie Y F Li MS Christine Chau Miss Vivien Lau (General Off ice) Mr Louis Lim (Research Lab) Dr Raymond S C Wong (overall) Dr Maria L Lung MS Rovena Kwan Mrs Ophelia Yao Prof Hiraoka MS Mariana Leung Miss Angela Yu Mr K M Fung Mr William Ho (EM) Mr C K Li (BS) Miss Codana Chan (5/F) Mr Albert Au-Yeung Miss Sana Lai Miss Eva Chang Mr C P Liu GAC/PVCAB MS Shirley Conway DHSS Mr Mervyn Cheung IANC MS Candice Poon LIB Mr Jerome Donen MATH Miss Priscilla Wong Tel. E-mail 7553 ACWINLI 6615 ARCHRIS 7297 BCVIVIEN 7300/7280 BCLOUIS 7271 BCRAYW 7307 BOMARIA 7536 BMROVENA 6183 CCOPHE 7355 CHHIRAOK 7153 CEMLEUNG 7007 CSANGElA 7048 EEKMFUNG 6453 EOMSHO 6476 EOCKLI 6438 EOCODANA 6957 EGALBERT 6803 ETSANA 7668 FNEVCH.AN 6370 FOCPLIU 6326 GACON 7769 SHMERVYN 7850 LCPOON 6786 LBJSD 7427 MAPRISWG DepV Office MCPC MECH MFC MGMT OLS PA0 PC0 PHYS PO PVCAA PVCRD/RC SAO DSCI SerC_o vco Name Mr Jiaqi Zheng MrSKLi Mr Chung Wing Leong Miss Winnie Chan MS Wileen Chu Mr Bobby Sham Dr George Delehanty Mr Kingsley K Y Wong Mr P K Chiu Mr Vincent Cheung Dr Ming Fang Mr Kenny Chow (Sports & recreation facilities & amenities) Ms Yvonne Leung (Halls of residence & Visitor Centre) Mr Donny Siu (SAO office & Catering outlets) Miss Flora Tai Mr Jackson Tang Miss Anita Wong (will be taken over by COI) Tel. E-mail 6866 MCJZHENG 7191 MECHSKLI 7211 MFCCHUNG 7728 MNWINNIE 6883 LSWILEEN 6312 PABOBBY 6283 PCGEORGE 7510 PHKINGSL 6603 POPKCHIU 6129 AACKC 6916 RCMFANG 6656 SAKCHOW 6658 SAYLEUNG 6659 SAKMDSIU 7266 SSTFLORA 7936 6104 VCAN ITA