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General Safety Guidelines for the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences School of Engineering

Head of Laboratory: laboratory manager for the laboratory-assigned Head of Department
Teacher: teacher of a laboratory class (“laboratory exercises”)
Technician: the respective laboratory assigned technical specialist

Pregnant women are required to inform the laboratory manager of their pregnancy before entering the laboratory facilities.
Expectant and nursing mothers are subject to statutory maternity protection/law and are restricted as to working time, physical effort and exposure to environmental influences.
Pregnant women are not allowed to work in chemical laboratories.

FH employees (card with P-number).
The lone work regulation according to “Lone Work General Guidelines” apply.
Students (card with S-number)
Students are not permitted to work alone in the laboratories.

Electrical hazards: DC voltage> 60 V AC or> 25 V
Mechanical hazards: danger of cuts, danger of draw-in/entanglement, danger of crushing
Chemical hazards: poisoning and suffocation with CO and CO₂, explosive atmospheres of hydrogen and hydrocarbons, corrosive acids and bases
Biological hazards: environmental hazard in case of release of genetically-modified
organisms
Thermal hazards: risk of burning by very high temperatures and open flames, freezing by liquid nitrogen
Radiation exposure: eye damage from UV and laser radiation
Exposure to high sound volume: hearing loss due to increased sound pressure level of machines and acoustic tests

Long hair must be secured by suitable hair protection.
Clothes must be close-fitting, protruding accessories must be secured or removed (ties, jewelery etc...).
Suitable footwear must be worn (closed front, slip-resistant, perforation resistance).
Protective goggles must be worn when using machine tools.
In the chemistry laboratories work coats (cotton, fastened), gloves and goggles are to be worn.
During hot work(s) (with ovens, extruders, etc.) heat-protective clothing (gloves, boots, protective helmet with face shield, suitable footwear) must be worn.
While working with UV and laser radiation, depending on the strength, goggles must be worn.
For high sound pressure level work suitable hearing protection should be worn.

Attendance at a safety briefing and evidence that the guidelines have been understood are preconditions for entry into a laboratory.
Work in the laboratories is possible
- under the guidance/supervision of a laboratory class teacher
- accompanied by a suitable person after approval by the laboratory manager
Immediately after entering a laboratory you must find out where the relevant safety devices and other requirements, such as a safety shower, emergency stop button, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, gas sensors, the escape route(s) etc. are and check that the devices work.
Before starting any activity the LEV (local exhaust ventilation) must be switched on (in laboratories with chemicals, gases, combustion engines...).

Escape routes are always to be kept clear.
Slow, deliberate movements.
Only the equipment in the laboratory must be used: tools, experimental set-ups, chemicals, gases, excipients, etc.
Existing installations and superstructures may only be modified if instructed by the laboratory manager.
Persons with appropriate training may only operate machine tools and hoists.
Equipment (e.g. electrical cables, hydraulic hoses...) must be checked for defects before use. Defective laboratory inventory must be reported to teaching staff immediately.
Before operating a machine or device, switching on a circuit set-up or triggering a chemical or biological reaction, the permission of the teacher or the laboratory manager must be obtained.
Running machines, electrical tools (e.g. soldering irons), circuitry, as well as chemical and biological reactions must be constantly supervised and secured against third party interference.

Drugs and alcohol are strictly forbidden.
Equipment from other laboratories or private equipment, in particular hazardous substances, must not be placed in the laboratory.
Protective devices such as covers, emergency stop switches, overload protection, backup fuses etc. must not be removed or rendered ineffective. Fire protection doors must be able to close automatically.
Standing under suspended loads is prohibited.
In general, no loads heavier than 13 kg may be lifted.

Before use of chemicals in general the risk potential must be studied in relevant literature (Safety Data Sheets, Hazard and Precautionary Statements (H&P), disposal regulations).
Poisons may only be taken from the poison cabinet as directed by the instructor. The removed quantities must be entered in the poisons record book and the weight of the container must be measured after removal and also recorded in the poisons record book. Poisons must then be returned to the Poison Cabinet for storage.
The safety data sheets are prominently displayed in the respective laboratory at the entrance or archived by the technician of the laboratory.
The use of chemicals and gases is restricted to the laboratory with the necessary safety equipment such as extraction systems and gas detection systems. It is forbidden to remove such substances with potential hazards from the laboratory.
The maximum allowed amount for removal of combustible gases and liquids is 10% of the lower explosion limit (see specific guidelines for each laboratory).
Chemicals must be labeled even if kept only for a short time during an experiment (name of chemical, name of person responsible, date).
Disposal of chemicals must be in accordance with the instructions of the laboratory manager, teacher or technician.
The gas supply cabinets may be opened only by technicians and laboratory managers.

In the event of injury the emergency services must be informed (144: Who? What? Where?).
In the event of an accident the laboratory manager must be informed as soon as possible.

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