Biomedical Engineering (BME)

Laboratory Induction

Laboratory Manager: Juan Alberto Panadero Pérez - Senior Technical Officer

University
[email protected] ofGalway.ie
Laboratory Access
Card access will only be provided when the following are completed:

• Alice Perry Building Induction.

• BME Laboratory Induction - Presentation and Quiz

• HSA Chemical Safety in the Workplace:

https://hsalearning.ie/mod/page/view.php?id=37
(Complete introductory level and level 2 and send certificates to the
Laboratory Manager)

• Fire Safety course in Sitepass (send certificate to the Laboratory

Subheading
Manager). Code: NUIG-FIRE
https://www.sitepass.ie/nuig-reg/

• Project Risk Assessments (PRA) signed by the PI/supervisor (send to

the Laboratory Manager)
Alice Perry Building
Induction
If you have not already completed the
building induction, please do so now.
• Alice Perry Engineering Building Induction
Video

•Subheading
Building Induction Quiz

• Return here and complete the rest of this

lab specific induction.
 4
Roles and Responsibilities
Staff Hierarchy:

• Management of the laboratory space resides with the lab manager

• Responsibility for Researcher Safety, project work and Project

Risk Assessments (PRAs) lies with Principal Investigators (PIs)

• PRAs are subject to review by the lab manager

• STOs report directly to the Chief Technical Officer

•Subheading
Responsibility for Health and Safety resides with ALL lab users
BME Lab Induction
Prior to gaining access to the BME laboratory spaces, you
are required to read through the following guidelines and
regulations for use of these spaces.

After finishing the material, complete the questionnaire.

6

School of Engineering
Head of School Reporting Structure

Chief Technical
Officer

Principal Investigator Principal Investigator Principal Investigator Senior Senior Senior

Technical Officer Technical Officer Technical Officer

Research Staff Research Staff Research Staff • All levels may consult directly with
Post Docs Post Docs Post Docs Technical Staff
Postgrads Postgrads Postgrads
Undergrads Undergrads Undergrads
 Biomedical Labs

ENG 1002 — Prototyping / 3D ENG 1003 – Research Lab ENG 1004 – General Laboratory ENG 2004 — Cell Culture /
Printing Molecular Biology

ENG 2005 — Microscopy ENG 2006 — Mechanical ENG 2011 — MicroCT / ENG G042 — NanoCT
Testing / Histology Nanoindenter
Why is Induction Required?
• Laboratories are risky environments

• This induction promotes best practice and enhances safety for

all lab users.

• Potential Risks in Biomedical Laboratories include, but are not

limited to:

• Biological e.g. bacteria

• Chemical e.g. corrosive, toxic
• Radiation
• Mechanical e.g. moving parts, centrifuge
• Physical e.g. fire
• Electrical
• Ergonomic e.g. repetitive work
Key Issues for you as an Biomedical lab user
• Safety Documentation / Risk Assessments (Slides 10-12)
• Lab Housekeeping (Slides 13-18)
• Out-of-Hours Working (Slides 19-20)
• Equipment Management (Slides 21-22)
• Accidents and Alarms (Slides 23-25)
• Chemical Safety (Slides 26-32)
• Biological Safety (Slides 33-42)
• Sharps Safety (Slide 43)
• Sustainability (Slide 44)
• Spill Management(Slides 45-46)
• Radiation Safety (Slides 47-49)

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Lab Safety Documentation
• Risk Assessments (RA)
• Safe Operating Procedures (SOP)
• Safety Signage

• The School of Engineering Health & Safety folder

in SharePoint contains RA for Projects, Equipment,
Biological Agents by hazard Group and Chemicals
by band. CMRs have individual RA located there
also.

• RA and SOP are available on Teams, in the group

BME Laboratories (work in progress) Consult with
Senior Technical Officers (STO)

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ofGalway.ie
 Risk Assessments / Standard Operating Procedures

Prior to commencing a new project / Individual pieces of equipment must All Risk Assessments and Safe Research-related Risk Assessment
experiment, a detailed Risk Assessment also have their own Risk Assessment Operating Procedure documents must Documentation must be stored on the
must be completed. document, as well as a Safe Operating be completed in conjunction with the School of Engineering Health & Safety
Procedure. supervisor / PI and provided to the Lab SharePoint
Manager prior to commencing https://nuigalwayie.sharepoint.com/sites
experimental work. /enghealthandsafety

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ofGalway.ie
12

Project Risk Assessment (PRA)

Workflow
PRA stored on Engineering H&S Experimental Design
SharePoint Start

List of relevant RAs required

• Equipment
PRA available to Lab Manager Project Risk • Manual Handling
Assessment • Chemicals
• Activities

All RAs captured and summarised

in overall PRA
Relevant RAs completed and
approved by your PI

SOPs read and understood for all

activities and equipment University
ofGalway.ie
Lab Housekeeping
• Ensure work areas are kept tidy. Ensure cables are
properly managed and kept away from
thoroughfares. Slips, trips and falls are all
preventable.

• Be wary of hazards such as spillages, loose carpets,

tiles etc. Mitigate the risk, if safe to do so, and report
immediately to the Lab Manager.

Subheading
• Before leaving the lab return equipment to their
designated location.

• Report any defects to the Lab Manager.

General Precautions
• No open‐toed foot‐wear.
• A lab coat must ALWAYS be worn while working in the
lab.
• Adhere to the PPE policy for the lab and for the work
being conducted according to the Risk Assessment and
Safe Operating Procedures.
• Dispose of wastes in accordance to Hazardous Waste
Procedures (Covered in later slides).
• Evacuate labs promptly when alarms sound.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the lab. This
is the easiest way to be protected from biological agents.
• Report all incidents and accidents to the lab manager.
Lab Housekeeping
• Ensure the laboratory is appropriately lit, if required
switch on lighting.

• No working at heights under any circumstances.

• Eating or drinking is not permitted in the laboratory

spaces. Please use the canteen or breakout spaces
instead.
Subheading
Lab Housekeeping
• In the event of a fire, proceed as per building
evacuation plan.

• Lab access is controlled via swipe card, do not leave

doors open “on the latch” under any circumstances.

• All doors are Fire Doors and must be free to close

fully in the event of a fire.
Subheading
• Lab access may be revoked at the discretion of the
School of Engineering.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in BME Labs
Lab Coats Nitrile Gloves Safety Glasses
Thermal gloves

When they are Face shield

Always remove the
required by RA,
Must be bottoned up gloves before
safety glasses must (for handling liquid
to the neck while leaving the lab and
wash hands
be worn nitrogen)
working independently if
thoroughly.
General labcoats regular glasses are
must not be brough used.
into cell culture
rooms 2004B and
2006B Face mask
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ofGalway.ie
One Glove Policy
• If you need to carry samples outside the lab around the
building, you must wear only one glove in one hand and
the other hand must be non-gloved for opening doors, lifts,
phones etc.

• Good practice must be followed within the lab and

throughout the building. If you accidentally touch a door
handle with a contaminated glove, you must decontaminate
it (see “Decontamination of Equipment and Surfaces” in
later slides).
Out-of-hours Working Policy And
Procedures
• The University requires that out-of-hours work shall only be undertaken
having due regard to the health, safety and personal security of the
individuals concerned directly and indirectly.

• Out-of-hours working must not substitute for work that can reasonably be
carried on during normal working hours.

• Out-of-hours working is defined as follows:

• Any Laboratory / Experimental work undertaken outside of 9am-5
pm Monday – Friday.
• Any other work undertaken outside of 7am-10pm Monday – Friday
and during the hours of 9am-6pm on Saturday, Sunday &
Bank/Public Holidays.

• NOTE: All buildings must be vacated by 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays

and Bank/ Public holidays when they will be subject to full lock up.
Out-of-hours Working Policy And
Procedures
• No PG student shall be allowed to work alone in a
laboratory/workshop under any circumstance. The Buddy
System must be used.

• Buddy refers to another authorised member of staff or a PG

student who is in the same working area (within
visual/vocal contact range) and who is reasonably familiar
with the work being done and knows what to do in the
event of an emergency involving their buddy.

• Out-of-hours working needs will be assessed on a case-by-case

basis, subject to risk assessments. The researchers get access to
the lab out of hours only after they apply with a form, signed
by the PI and approved by the Laboratory Manager.
Equipment Use
• No equipment is allowed to be used without contacting the
Laboratory Manager for training and booking privileges.

• SOPs are located on Group_BME Laboratories on Teams, in the

channel “Cell Inventory and Safety Documentation”.

• All instrument components must remain in the locality of the

instrument.

• After use of biological material, equipment must be

decontaminated. (see “Decontamination of Equipment and
Surfaces” in later slides).

• Report any service issues immediately to the relevant

Laboratory Manager.
Equipment Booking
• https://app.clustermarket.com

• Clustermarket: Online platform for all equipment booking

and equipment related communications.

• Contact Laboratory Manager for access.

• Some equipment will require training for booking

privileges.
Accidents
2 First Aid kits in BME Labs:
• ENG-2004
• Corridor between ENG-2004 and ENG-2006

2 Eye Washers
• ENG-2004
• ENG-2006

For major accidents, call emergency numbers 112 or

999.

Report all accidents to the Laboratory Manager.

Gas Detection Alarms
Flashing AMBER - Warning
• Gas (CO2/O2) detected at warning levels
• Standby for evacuation
• Contact Laboratory Manager

Flashing RED - Danger

• Gas (CO2/O2) detected at dangerous levels
• Evacuate promptly
• Insist on others evacuating
• Do not re-enter while red alarm persists
• Contact Laboratory Manager / Security (Ext: 3333)
Fire Alarms
• In the event of a fire, proceed as per building evacuation plan.

• Evacuate the lab and the building.

• Leave in an orderly manner and go to the Assembly point: F1.

Never use the lift in the event of fire.

• Follow the Fire Marshal instructions.

• All doors are Fire Doors and must be free to close fully in the
event of a fire.
 Chemical Work

En
vir
on
Ha m e
za nt
rd al

Irr
ita
nt

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ofGalway.ie
Chemical Management
• Consult chemical inventory for availability before purchasing
additional chemicals:
BME Labs Chemical-Inventory-2023-In progress.xlsx
• Buy only what is needed, do not buy in bulk (expensive to dispose).
• Consult Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for risks and to assist RA
preparation before chemical use. SDSs for the School of
Engingeeniring are found here: SDS
• Store chemicals according to their chemical band. See document:
Purchasing New Chemicals.docx
• Wear appropriate PPE as specified in the MSDS / RA.
• Labelling is essential-Use chemical labels provided for any
chemicals and reagents that are not in their original container.
Always note opening date for the original containers.
 Inventory & MSDS
• All chemicals must be placed on Group_BME Laboratories on Teams, in the channel Chemical
Inventory and Safety Documentation.
• Please, when you get a new chemical, add the new MSDS sheets to inventory.

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 CMR Health Hazard Symbol

CMRs
• Carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxins.

• Extreme caution!!

• Use only in the fume cupboard, and limit time exposure as CMR Storage Cabinet
indicated in individual RA.

• All CMRs must have their own risk assessment.

• Located in locked CMR storage cupboard in Lab 2006A.

• For access contact Laboratory Manager.

 Chemical Waste Disposal
Bulk Chemical Wastes:
• Small Chemical Waste:
• This is waste produced in larger volumes that
can be combined between research groups in • Any waste chemical up to 5 L in volume that
bottles located in the cabinets in Lab 2006A. cannot be combined in bulk
• Store in winchesters or appropriate volumen
Such Waste Includes: bottles / containers that are in good condition
• Histological/Fluorescence stains
• Alcohol wastes – Ethanol/isopropanol • Store in accordance to their primary risk by
• Fixative wastes –Paraformaldehyde (PFA), chemical band (i.e flammable / corrosive /
Formaldehyde, Formalin and Glutaraldehyde carcinogen in their appropriate cabinets within
(GTA) the labs)
• Xylene
• Label with chemical name, concentration and
When the bottles are full contact the Laboratory group generating the waste
Manager. • Contact Laboratory Manager for waste
disposal
LABELLING OF WASTES IS CRITICAL TO AVOID
“UNKNOWNS”. PLEASE CONSULT WASTE PROCEDURES IN
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MSDS ofGalway.ie
Chemical Storage
Lab 2004D
• Cabinets: 1 Toxics

Lab 2006A
• Cabinets: 1 Flammables, 2 Corrosives and 1 CMRs

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 BIOLOGICAL WORK

Biological Agents include:

• Cells
• Tissue
• Blood

Classification by risk (Groups 1 to 4) – Only 1 & 2 in Biomedical

Engineering

• Group 1:
• Unlikely to cause human disease is in this Risk Group

• Group 2:
• Can cause human disease and may be a hazard to employees.
• It is unlikely to spread to the community and there is usually
effective prophylaxis or effective treatment available
 Fume Hood vs Biosafety Cabinet (BSC)
Fume Hoods Biosafety Cabinets (Class II)
• For use with fuming chemicals • For use with:

• Extracts to external environment • Biological Agents requiring

aseptic condictions
• Chemically resistant surfaces • Harmful Biological Agents
• Check for satisfactory air flow • All air is HEPA filtered
before use and have sash opening
• 20% of the air intake is recirculated into
as small as posible when working
room
• Clearfume hood when work is • Never use fuming chemicals in a Biosafety
finished Cabinet
• Does not provide sterility for • Do not load / clutter work space
Biological Aseptic Work • Do not work in a BSC while it is in an
Alarm state
• When turned on, wait until the display University
indicates that it is safe to use ofGalway.ie
 Biological Work: Cell Culture

• Training in cell culture practices is required

• Cells can be stored temporarily at -80 C
• For long-term storage, liquid N2 is required
• The liquid nitrogen (N2) tank located in outside in the
back of the building
• Check relevant SOPs
• Wear face shield, lab coat and thermal gloves when
handling liquid N2
• Cell inventory is kept in the Group_BME Laboratories
on Teams, in the channel “Cell Inventory and Safety
Documentation”.
• GM cells must be highlighted in the inventory.
 Biological Work: GMM

• Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMM)

• Some groups have a license to work with GMM of class

1 (related to containment) in the labs ENG-2004 and
ENG-2006.

• Only people trained specifically for GMM can work

with GMM, but all people working in these labs has to
complete a briefing with the Lab Manager.

• List of GMMs in Biomedical Engineering available on

signage at the lab entrance.
Biological Work: Blood and Animal Tissue
• All sources of tissue must be from a reputable local authority approved Abattoir or a Department of
Agriculture Approved Abattoir.
• Sources of tissue and other animal byproducts imported from other countries must be kept on record
to comply with regulations.
• Human blood and unfixed human tissue (UHT) are considered Group 2 Biological Agents.
• Carry out all work in a Biosafety Cabinet.
• Wear PPE, including face mask N95/FPP3.
• All researchers in Biomedical Engineering Labs must consider undertaking an Hepatitis A&B
Vaccination program.
• Students can contact the Student Health Unit. Staff must contact their GP.

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 Biological Work: Decontamination of
Equipment and Surfaces

• All surfaces and equipment must be decontaminated

after being used with biological materials.
• If you have touched door handles while working with
biological agents, you must decontaminate the handles.

Decontamination Procedure:
• Remove any visible organic material with paper towels
soaked in 1% Virkon.
• Wipe the surface with paper towel soaked in 1% Virkon.
• Then follow up with wipe down with paper towels
soaked in 70% Ethanol.
• Dispose all the paper towels used as solid cell culture
waste.
 Biological Work: Autoclave

• The autoclave is used for sterilising solid tools and

liquids (PBS, H2O, media).
• It is operated weekly by a designated researcher.
• The designated person does not have to re-fill
pipette tips! Please re-fill tip boxes when you finish
them.
• Never fill any bottle of liquid more than 50% of its
maximum volume.
• Leave the bottles to be autoclaved with the cap
unscrewed and put autoclave tape in the cap.
• Always label the contents and the user.
 Biological Waste: Cell Culture (non-GMM)

• Contaminated Liquid waste must be treated with 1%

Virkon & Presept tables and poured into the sinks.
• Contaminated Solid waste must be placed in autoclave
biohazard bags in red bin.
• Gloves used for cell culture work are considered solid
biological waste.
• Only contaminated items to be placed in the biohazard
bags.
• When the autoclave bags are ¾ full, they must be tied
and put into the Blue Wheelie bin in lab ENG-2006.
• Do not overfill the Blue Wheelie bin. If it is full, please
bring it down to the big yellow biological waste bins in
the Service Yard. When doing so, follow the one glove
policy, as detailed in Slide 18.
 Biological Waste: GMM Class 1

• Solid waste goes to a specific rigid bin,

labelled accordingly.

• When the bin is full, seal it and contact the

Laboratory Manager.

• Liquid waste is disposed as non-GMM liquid

biological waste.
 Biological Waste: Blood Waste

• Blood contaminated plastics and vessels must

be placed in EU approved blood bins.
• Liquid volumes must be stored in sealed
containers, with sufficient wicking material in
event of spill and placed in UN approved blood
bins.
• Do not over fill the bins.
• When bins are full, seal lid and inform the
Laboratory Manager.
 Biological Waste: Animal Tissue

• Place animal tissue waste in biohazard bags and

store in the fridge in ENG-2004 (a.k.a. the “stinky”
fridge) or at –20 C in the freezer on ENG-2006 for
longer term storage.
• Label as shown in the label on the left, indicating if
you want to keep the material or dispose it.
• Animal Tissue waste is disposed of by the Laboratory
Manager.
Sharps Waste
• Sharps are a primary risk: i.e. regardless of what
they’ve been used for, their primary risk is their
sharpness.
• All sharps (scalpel blades, needles and glass slides)
must be placed into approved sharps containers.
• Sharps contaminated with GMM are segregated into
different sharps bin.
• NEVER RE-SHEATH / RE-CAP NEEDLES. Throw
the sheaths into the sharp waste separately.
Sustainability
• The School of Engineering participates in the My Green Lab
Certification Program.
• The School of Engineering Sustainability Committee has been
established to promote sustainable measures within the School.
• Sustainability begins with an awareness of the impact of our actions.
• Please take the time to read how you can improve and implement
sustainability measures in our laboratories:
• Waste
• Energy
• Water
• Green Chemistry

• The above information does not just apply to our laboratories. These
sustainability best practices should be applied to shared / common
equipment use and spaces.
Sustainability

• The School of Engineering:

• Encourages laboratory sustainability best practices .
• Facilitates mechanisms to recycle material e.g., packaging, Electronic
Equipment (WEEE).
• Promotes sharing of equipment and resources to minimise waste and to
improve efficiencies.
• Encourages lab users encouraged to checks existing stocks before
purchasing additional supplies.
• Encourages the usage of greener alternative tools / solvent selection
guide (substitution or avoidance) to identify greener chemicals.
Waste Reduction - Sustainability

• Guidance can be found in the Green Labs channel of

the Group_BME Laboratories on Teams, and on lab
signage.
• Unused media, serum, PBS etc. must be disposed of
down the sink. Their vessels can be placed into
recycling bins (green bins) or re-utilized, for example
for used pipette tips.
• Most non-contaminated plastics can be placed into
recycling bins after cleaning and drying. Please
consult BME Green Labs channel and signage.
• Micropipette sheaths go into recycling bins.
Spills and Spill Kits

• Spill Kits located in ENG-2006A, on the left of the

fridge, and in ENG-2004D, next to the door.

• Serve as Chemical and Biological Spill kits, although

for biological spills a cleanup with Virkon can be
made, see next slide.

• SOP on how to use them within the kit and on Teams

at BME Labs Group
 Spills Clean Up
Biological: Chemical:
1. Alert people in immediate area that a spill has occurred. 1. Alert people in immediate area that a spill has occurred and evacuate
2. Wear PPE (Lab coat, safety googles, nitrile gloves). the area.
3. Pour fresh 1% Virkon into the centre and around edges of the 2. Consult MSDS. Ensure that the spill can be dealt with by spill kits.
spill. Allow 20 minutes contact period with the spill. If not contact the Lab Manager immediately.
4. Use paper towels soaked in fresh 1% Virkon to mop up the 3. Wear PPE (Lab coat, safety googles, nitrile gloves).
spill into a biohazard bag. 4. Get a 3M Chemical spill kit. Use the sorbent sheet to soak up the
5. Endure that spill area has been thoroughly cleaned and is dry chemical spill. Use the 2nd sorbent sheet to ensure all liquid has been
before walking away. soaked up.
6. Report spill and actions taken to the Laboratory Manager. 5. Place the used sorbent into the disposable dustpan, as well as any
glass debris.
6. Place the used kit and used gloves into the disposal bag provided.
Seal the bag with the cable tie provided, label the bag with the label
provided and dispose of in accordance to the Chemical Disposal
Policy.
7. Report spill and actions taken to the Laboratory Manager.
LABELLING OF WASTES IS CRITICAL TO AVOID “UNKNOWS”.
PLEASE CONSULT WASTE PROCEDURES IN MSDS University
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RADIATION HAZARDS

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X-Rays Hazards / Training µCT 100 light alert Versa 620 light alert (red)

The X-rays CT scanners in BME (Scanco µCT 100 and

Zeiss Xradia Versa 620) can only be used after training.
The protection elements must be closed when the X-
rays light alert is on.
For the µCT 100, the protection element is the shield. The
light is orange when X-rays are on.
For the Versa 620, the protection elements are the doors. The
light is red when X-rays are on.
The Radiation Awareness and Safety Training in Canvas must be
completed, for the modules Foundation Test and X-ray Safety
Test. Please contact the Lab Manager for enrolment.
 Important Message
• Safety comes first

• Do it the right way

• Do it the safe way

• Do it every day
 Please complete the Biomedical
Engineering Lab Induction Quiz Test

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