RESEARCH PROJECT EHS RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
· To be completed by First Chief Investigator prior to commencement of each research project.
· To be completed for ALL research projects. Excludes conferences and visits.
· Send a copy of the completed and signed Plan to your Faculty Office.
· This Plan should be regularly reviewed (every 6 months), or when changes to project affect risk, for the duration of the project.
DOES THIS RESEARCH PROJECT INVOLVE ANY SOURCES OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH OR SAFETY RISK:
- HAZARDS: GMOs, pathogenic microorganisms, ionising radiation, cytotoxins, hazardous chemicals, physical hazards
- OFFSITE ACTIVITIES: Work in healthcare settings, fieldwork, site visit/excursions, work in overseas hazardous facility
[ ] YES à Complete this form, sign and lodge form with your Faculty Office. Specify these sources of risk in the Risk Documentation section.
[ ] NO à Just complete sections (1), (2) and (4)(i) and lodge form with your Faculty Office.
(1) PROJECT DETAILS
Full Title of the Research ProjectProject Start Date
Estimated Project End Year
Location(s) of research work.
Facility name / room number or external location (e.g. lab or workshop).
Brief Description of Research Project
(2) RESPONSIBLE INVESTIGATOR
NameType / [ ] First Chief Investigator
[ ] Supervisor of undergraduate, honours, MSc, PhD research students
Faculty and unit name
Co-investigator / Student Names
(3) FUNDING
Type / Trim Code / Activity Code (when available)[ ] External
[ ] Internal (UTS funded) / -----
[ ] Faculty Funded / -----
(4) SIGNATORIES
(i) First Chief Investigator or Project Supervisor
I confirm that:
· EHS hazards and risks arising from this project have been identified and EHS risk assessed as noted in this Risk Management Plan.
· Control measures will be implemented to reduce these risks to an acceptable level.
· Information, instruction & training will be provided to research staff and students as required by risk assessments.
· As new hazards arise during the life of the project, risks will be re-assessed and control measures implemented.
First Chief Investigator - Print Name / Signature / Date(ii) Head of School or Institute Director
I certify that risks have been identified, safe work procedures will be followed and project is approved to proceed.
Head of School or Institute Director - Print Name / Signature / Date(iii) Associate Dean (Research)
I certify that risks have been identified, safe work procedures will be followed and project is approved to proceed.
Associate Dean (Research) - Print Name / Signature / Date(5) PERSONS CONSULTED
Consult those involved in the design and operation of the project on environment, health and safety risks. This includes other investigators and support staff, for example: Chief Investigator, Research Assistant, Laboratory Manager, External Investigator, Research PartnerConsultation should also be done whenever the risk assessment is reviewed.
Position / Name / Signature / Date
Note regarding employee consultation
Work health and safety (WHS) legislation requires that staff involved in the project must be consulted where WHS matters may affect them.
Consultation means that staff should have meaningful and effective input and participation in any decision-making about managing WHS risk.
(6) RISK DOCUMENTATION
Note below the sources of risk involved and measures taken to manage that risk.
FIELDWORK
Does this project involve … / Yes / No / If the answer is ‘Yes’ - thenAny research conducted at sites other than the regular campuses of the University and involving overnight stays or longer (including outside Australia)? / [ ] Document UTS Fieldwork Risk Assessment will prior to fieldwork.
[ ] Send fieldwork excursion details to Head of School prior to any fieldwork excursions.
[ ] Provide extended first-aid equipment and first-aider
[ ] Provide training for driving four wheel drive vehicle.
Refer to UTS Fieldwork Guidelines
WORK IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS
Does this project involve … / Yes / No / If the answer is ‘Yes’ - thenAny work in a healthcare setting not controlled by UTS (includes hospital, clinic, allied health service or household)? / [ ] Complete the Work in Healthcare Settings checklist prior to conducting the research.
Refer to UTS Work in Healthcare Settings
WORK IN OVERSEAS RESEARCH FACILITY
Does this project involve … / Yes / No / If the answer is ‘Yes’ - thenAny work in overseas hazardous facility, such as laboratory, workshop or factory? / [ ] Complete the Overseas Hazardous Facility Research Health and Safety Checklist and forward it to the UTS Chief Investigator prior to the intended commencement of the research work.
Refer to UTS Work in Overseas Research Facilities
BIOSAFETY DEALINGS (Pathogens, GMOs, Radiation Sources or Cytotoxins)
Does this project involve ... / Yes / No / If the answer is ‘Yes’ - thenPC2, PC3 or PC4 pathogens? / [ ] Obtain Biosafety Approval prior to any biosafety dealings.
[ ] Summarise risk assessments in Risk Assessment Register section of this Plan.
[ ] Provide training in microbiological handling techniques.
[ ] Provide training in Sealed and Unsealed Radiation Sources.
Genetically modified organisms?
Imported biological material or genetically modified organisms?
Radioactive isotopes?
Cytotoxins?
Consult with the manager of the research facility. Refer to UTS Biosafety Committee
HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
Does this project involve ... / Yes / No / If the answer is ‘Yes’ - thenHazardous chemicals/dangerous goods? / [ ] Document chemical risk assessments and summarised in Risk Assessment Register section of this plan.
[ ] Provide Chemical Safety training.
Compressed gas?
Cryogens e.g. liquid nitrogen/argon?
Hazardous dust/fumes/vapours/gases?
Risk of fire/explosion?
Consult with the manager of the research facility. Refer to UTS Chemical Safety Guidelines
LABORATORY / WORKSHOP RELATED EQUIPMENT
Does this project involve ... / Yes / No / If the answer is ‘Yes’ - thenHazardous laboratory / workshop equipment? / [ ] Document chemical risk assessments and summarised in Risk Assessment Register section of this plan.
[ ] Record and summarise risk assessments of any laboratory or workshop activities will be / have been in the Risk Assessment Register.
Tools/equipment with moving part(s)?
Tools/equipment that vibrate?
Design or manufacture of equipment that could cause harm?
Noisy equipment (sound level monitoring may be required)?
Consult with the manager of the research facility. Refer to the UTS Online Risk Register
DIVING
Does this project involve … / Yes / No / If the answer is ‘Yes’ - thenDiving? / [ ] Engage Dive Officer
[ ] Register dive sites and dive proposals with the Dive Officer prior to diving.
[ ] Provide Scientific diver / Rescue diver / Dive Master
PLUG-IN ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Does this project involve ... / Yes / No / If the answer is ‘Yes’ - thenUse of any plug-in electrical equipment in a “hostile operating environment”? / [ ] Assess, test & tag plug-in electrical equipment
Consult with the manager of the research facility. Refer to UTS Electrical Safety Guidelines
OTHER HAZARDOUS ACTIVITIES
Are there any other hazards that have NOT been assessed as part of risk management strategies noted above?
Does this project involve … / Yes / No / If the answer is ‘Yes’ - thenIonising radiation equipment / Document the hazards, risks and controls in the RESEARCH RISK ASSESSMENT REGISTER of this Plan.
Work with bodily fluids/parts
Working with animals/insects
Plant/equipment/4WD/boats
Pressure vessels/boilers (license may be required)
Sharps/needles
X-ray equipment
Hazardous waste (biological or chemical)
Working at a height
Working with lasers, microwaves or ultraviolet light
Working in isolation for extended periods
Working in a confined space
Manual handling: repetitive or awkward movements
Manual handling: lifting or moving awkward or heavy objects
Violent or volatile clients/interviewees
Electrical wiring (license may be required)
Emissions to atmosphere
Discharge to soil and water bodies (including stormwater run-off)
Nuisance noise or odour
Extreme temperatures
Slippery surfaces/trip hazards
Poor ventilation/air quality
A work area that is not suited for the task
EHS Research Project Risk Management Plan Page 3 Version October 2012
RESEARCH RISK ASSESSMENT REGISTER
This section is for persons working on the project to add all potentially hazardous activities relating to the research work as they arise during the project. This Register can summarise detailed risk assessments already performed, such as laboratory activity/equipment risk assessment, chemical risk assessment, or Biosafety Committee risk assessment. Research students and other researchers should use this Register to list their assessments.
Project Title: / Trim Code or Activity Code:Assessor Name / Date / ACTIVITY / HAZARDS / INHERENT RISK - Harm that could occur from these hazards if controls fail or are not in place. / CONTROL MEASURES - Proposed Action to minimise risk to an acceptable level. / Residual Risk Level (H,M,L) / Chief Investigator
Approval / Laboratory Manager
Approval
BELOW ARE EXAMPLES ONLY – PLEASE DELETE AND REPLACE WITH YOUR OWN
e.g.
Michael Bacter / 1 Feb 2011 / Culture organisms in liquid media. / Various PC2 pathogenic organisms / Could cause disease in pregnant or immunocompromised individuals. / Follow PC2 laboratory practice as detailed in Biosafety Committee application 2011-23-R-P / L
e.g.
Dr D Riffords / 12 Oct 2011 / Field excursions in response to weather events / Driving on dirt roads / Car accident / 4WD training provided to all drivers as detailed in Fieldwork Guidelines risk assessment. / L / NA
e.g.
Dr D Riffords / 12 Oct 2011 / Moving large(20L) sample containers of water into 4WD. / Manual handling / Muscular strain or back injury / Installed small crane. / L / NA
GUIDANCE NOTES FOR USE OF RESEARCH RISK ASSESSMENT REGISTER
ACTIVITY
Describe here any hazardous activities that are part of the research project. If a specific assessment has been done elsewhere (i.e. for use of chemicals, electrical appliance, biological hazards, radionuclides, GMOs, student placement, fieldwork and diving) just make a note here.
HAZARDS
List any other hazards that persons may be exposed to as part of the activity. See the Risk Management Form for names of hazards.
INHERENT RISK
Provide details of the harm that could be caused to people or the environment if something goes wrong. For example: inhalation of fumes, laceration, injury to back, infection, burns to skin or eyes. Think about what could happen if a control measure is not in place or if a control measure fails.
CONTROL MEASURES
This is proposed action to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Apply the “Hierarchy of Controls”, listed below, when deciding the best control measure to apply. Control types closer the top of the list are preferable.
1. Eliminate the hazard. For example: use a different less dangerous piece of equipment, fix faulty machinery, use safer materials or chemicals
2. Isolate the hazard from the people. Separate people from the danger. For example: use shielding, use lifting equipment or trolleys, remove dust or fumes with exhaust system, lock-out machinery.
3. Change the way the job is done. For example: change work practices, provide training, information and signs, write work procedures.
4. Use personal protective equipment (PPE), noting specific PPE is required for each job. For example: respirator, hearing protection, gloves. Training and information is required for the use of PPE.
RESIDUAL RISK LEVEL (H, M, L)
Estimate risk taking into account the way the activity is run and control measures put in place. The level of risk can be determined by combining consequence and likelihood using the risk matrix below. Residual risk should be reduced to a level acceptable by management.