Laboratory Regulations for the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Metrology and Control Engineering

Scope of application

• The following laboratory regulations are valid for all laboratories and teaching rooms with laboratory character (FUP rooms, workshops, temporary used rooms for departmental work) of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Measurement and Control Technology.

Organization

• FH-Prof. DI Dr. Mario Jungwirth (Head od Department)
• Ing. Christian Hollinetz (technician coordinator)

Applicable regulations

• Campus rules
• Fire regulations
• IT Guidelines for computer rooms
• General Safety Guidelines for the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences School of Engineering
• Maternity
• "Lone Work General Guidelines"
• Access authorization for the laboratories of DEE
• Emergency Plan of Action for Electrical Accidents

Validity

• The laboratory regulations apply to all persons who work in the named rooms of DEE. These laboratory regulations also apply to technicians, full-time and part-time employees, as well as research staff in all areas, unless there are additional written agreements to the contrary for special groups of persons. All matters not explicitly regulated otherwise remain applicable in accordance with the laboratory regulations.

Introduction

• These laboratory rules are intended to ensure safe and economical use of laboratories, which is achieved through proper and expert handling of installations and equipment and economical use of energy, water and supplies in such a way that
• the health and safety of laboratory users is maintained,
• accidents can be avoided,
• unnecessary pollution is avoided
• and the cleanliness of the laboratory space and equipment is ensured.
• The teacher(s)/supervisor(s) of laboratory and project classes undertake to teach the students the rules for orderly operation and safety regulations at the beginning of the course.

The laboratory rules must be known and followed by users.

If a laboratory user is found to be in breach of the obligations under these provisions, the users permission to work in the laboratories can be withdrawn.

Instruction obligation for students

• Teachers of laboratory and project events instruct the students and interns at the latest at the beginning of the laboratory access about the dangers of electric current, the basic rules of accident prevention, about the behavior in the laboratory and about all guidelines for an orderly and safe operation or/and assure themselves about the provided proof of this knowledge in the form of the online laboratory safety tests.
• Without the proven instruction, the students and interns are not allowed to enter the laboratories and named rooms and thus cannot participate in the events.

Maternity

• Pregnant women and nursing mothers must inform the instructor prior to the lab as special work restrictions apply.

Access to the laboratories

• Access to the laboratories is forbidden to unauthorised persons. This means that access is only permitted in the presence or knowledge of an instructor.

General guidelines for laboratory use

• Knowledge of these regulations is a precondition for participation in the various laboratory exercises.
• Bringing food and drinks and their consumption in laboratories is prohibited without exception.
• All equipment in the laboratory may only be operated after instruction in its use by the responsible technician or operator.

• The information in equipment instruction manuals about dangers must be heeded. Device-specific warnings are attached to the respective devices and must be heeded also.
• At the end of each lab course, all equipment which has been used must be returned to its original location. It is important to ensure that all instruments are switched off. The gas, air and water supply must be turned off.
• The user has not only to log off, but must also switch off PCs.

• No liability is accepted for any damage caused by negligence on the part of students participating in lab courses.
• When carrying out tests/experiments the work rules/process specifications and instructions given must be followed. Tests conducted according to self-devised, untested regulations are prohibited.
• In the vicinity of rotating machinery extra care is required. Long hair, ties, etc. must be protected.
• For participants it is in their own interest to take all precautions to reduce the risk of accidents in the laboratory.
• Some test set-ups cannot be fully protected for reasons of accessibility for measurement purposes. The supervisor/instructor of the practical must make this clear and the relevant instructions must be followed.

• Everything should be avoided which could harm equipment and components. Potential damages must be reported to the instructor immediately.
• Before switching on measurement devices, it must be checked that they are connected properly and the correct effective range/range of measurement has been selected.
• For every setup the corresponding limits must be adhered to.
• The instructions of the supervisor must be followed at all times.
• Escape routes must be kept clear at all times.

PSE = Personal safety equipment

Lone Work

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

Safety, safety equipment

• The circuit assembly and all circuit modifications must always be carried out in a de-energised state. The only exceptions to this are exercises carried out exclusively using protective extra-low voltages. The following 5 safety rules must be observed:

1. Disconnect all poles and all sides.
2. Secure against reconnection.
3. Determine the absence of voltage at all poles.
4. Earth and short-circuit.
5. Cover or isolate adjacent live parts.

• Bare live parts of the circuit must always be avoided. Any set-ups that are absolutely necessary must be arranged in such a way that accidental contact is excluded (cover).
• Only the equipment or facilities available in the laboratory must be used. The use of private equipment is prohibited.
• Switch-on permission, circuit release: The switch-on permission must be obtained from the trainer.
• Every person who energises systems or circuits must ensure that no other persons are in the vicinity of the circuit. This applies in particular to bare parts.
• There are particularly dangerous installations and set-ups with voltages > 60V DC or 25V AC and additional mechanical hazards such as the danger of being pulled in, cut and crushed. The use of these installations and set-ups is only permitted in the direct presence of teachers and in compliance with the additionally applicable safety regulations (stickers, attached safety regulations etc.).
• Permanent set-ups (test and experimental set-ups) may not be changed and may only be operated under the supervision of teachers.
• In the vicinity of rotating machinery extra care is required. Long hair, ties, etc. must be protected. Remove loose clothing.
• Personal safety equipment must be used when using machines. When using metal-cutting machines protective goggles must be worn.
• Each laboratory training station is equipped with an emergency stop switch and a residual current circuit breaker. In case of danger to persons, the emergency stop switches must be actuated immediately.
• Protective devices (covers, etc.) attached to installations must not be removed or rendered ineffective.

First aid, fire

• It is the duty of all persons to protect themselves and others from harm. If an emergency occurs, the emergency plan "electrical accidents” must be followed.

Order and cleanliness

• The lab spaces are to be left tidy after the exercises. Food and drinks may neither be taken into the laboratory nor consumed.
• Unnecessary clothing or other materials are to be stored in the lockers provided.
• Smoking is absolutely prohibited in the laboratory.

Miscellaneous

• Failure to comply with the laboratory regulations will result in the student being excluded from the course.
• Removal of laboratory equipment or facilities, equipment and measuring instruments is prohibited without the permission of the person responsible for the laboratory.
• No liability will be accepted for any damage of any kind that occurs due to negligence on the part of the students participating in the exercises.