Team:UiOslo Norway/Safety/General

General Safety Sheet

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Table: General Safety.

Risk Impact Countermeasures
Infection with E. coli. Low;
We do not use pathogenic E. coli.
E. coli already exist harmlessly as commensals in the human body.		 Washing hands; wearing gloves; observing sterile technique.
Using mutant E. coli that are dependent on a specific growth medium, without which they will die.
Release of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the lab to the environment. Potentially significant;
Spread of antibiotic resistance.		 Washing hands; wearing gloves; observing sterile technique.
Using mutant E. coli that are dependent on a specific growth medium, without which they will die.
Release of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the filter to the environment. Potentially significant;
Spread of antibiotic resistance.		 The filter is a closed system;
only air goes in and out.
Using mutant E. coli that are dependent on a specific growth medium, without which they will die.
Accidents in the lab
  • cuts
  • spills
  • fires
 Potentially significant;
Damage to skin, eyes, lungs (inhalation of dangerous compounds).		 All members go through HMS-tour of the lab;
Proper instruction and supervision;
Minimum two people at a time in the lab, with supervision;
First aid kits, fire blanket, extinguisher, eye wash.
Accidents resulting from methane
The gas may displace air and/or cause explosions, highly flammable.		 Potentially high impact;
Fire and burn injuries.		 Using specific systems and chambers when working with methane.
Monitoring pressure.
Avoiding open flames.
Exposure to dangerous organisms (the lab is a level 2 facility and contains organisms that can cause mild disease in humans). Moderate;
The lab does not contain highly pathogenic or dangerous organisms, but exposure should be avoided.		 Washing hands;
wearing gloves;
observing sterile technique.
Containment of dangerous organisms
- working in assigned places.

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