Arrow (HK Science Park) Open Lab

User Safety in Laboratory and Disclaimer

Introduction

As an Arrow Open Laboratory user, your safety is paramount.

This statement identifies potential hazards in the open laboratory and specifies control procedures to minimize the risks associated with each specific hazard.

Using laboratory equipment and facilities to perform any kind of experiment involves some elements of risk, particularly the power system labs. Good work habits are essential for your safety and the safety of others around you.

Your compliance with the rules of the laboratory using a common sense approach to your activities will ensure your safety.

Laboratory Rules

General Rules of Conduct in the Laboratory:

• You should have an appointment before using our open laboratory, equipment or facilities.
• You are expected to work in our open laboratory area only, except when you have the permission from the laboratory manager.
• You should follow our working hours and finish your work before the end of our working hours or according to your appointment.
• You must not enter a laboratory unless you have permission from the laboratory manager.
• You are expected to follow the instructions, written or oral, given by the laboratory manager during laboratory work.
• You should behave appropriately at all times in the lab.
• You must not stand or sit on the benches in the laboratory.
• Keep the workbenches tidy and do not place your coats and bags on the benches, put all rubbish into the disposal bins.
• At the end of your laboratory session, all equipment used must be returned to the place where you found it.
• If you find a piece of equipment or tooling broken or damaged, you should return them and inform the laboratory manager.
• You must not remove any test equipment, test leads or power cables without permission.
• Eating, smoking and drinking in the laboratories are prohibited in the laboratory area.
• You must not divulge information about the laboratory area to outside parties through email, or by mobile devices or other equipment, photos and videos are not to be taken.
• You must not damage or tamper with any equipment in the laboratory.
• You should inspect laboratory equipment for damage before using it, if there is a problem with a piece of equipment, you should report this to the or laboratory manager.
• Always use an appropriate stand to hold a soldering iron.
• Turn off your soldering iron if it is not in use.
• Never leave a hot soldering iron unattended.
• Please use appropriate tools, approach laboratory work with a responsible manner and use common sense when performing your work to avoid injury from electric shock, heat, explosion, etc.
• Do not bring chemicals, flammable, etching properties, cultrate, sharpness, or anything that may cause hazards into the laboratory.
• Rubber soled shoes that cover the feet and appropriate personal clothing should be worn at all times in the laboratory.
• You should familiarize yourself with the location and operation of safety and emergency equipment, such as emergency power off switches, emergency telephones, and emergency exits.
• Do not remove laboratory equipment without permission from a or the laboratory manager.
• Never open or remove the cover of a piece of equipment in the laboratory without permission from the laboratory manager.
• Report to the laboratory manager immediately in case of an emergency.
• Never make changes to a circuit without first isolating it by switching it off and removing connections to power supply
• Extra precautions should be taken if voltage is to be increased.
• Be familiar with the location and operation of safety and emergency equipment, such as emergency power off in the laboratory
• Remove metal bracelets or watchstraps when you are working with electrical equipment.
• Use an extension cord only when necessary and only on a temporary basis.
• Do not use damaged cords, cords that have become hot, or cords with exposed wiring. Inform the instructor when you see a damaged cord.
• You should be familiar with the correct handling procedure for batteries, cells, capacitors, inductors and other high energy-storage devices.
• Inform the laboratory manager if experiments are left unattended. Such experiments should be isolated from the power supply.
• If an on-going experiment is left unattended for a special reason, a barrier must be placed around the equipment and a warning notice provided.
• Report accidents as soon as possible to the laboratory manager. Dial the emergency number without the doubt once if the laboratory manger is not in the laboratory.
• In the event of a small electrical fire, try to disconnect the electrical power source, if possible. Do not put yourself at risk. If the fire is not extinguished, use the fire extinguisher, if it is out of control, evacuate the premises immediately.
• Never use water to put out an electrical fire.
• Fire extinguishers and first aid kit are available in the event of an emergency or accident, please refer to the floor plan for their locations.
• There is a risk from the flux fumes. The vent should be switched on to minimize the inhalation of fumes. Stop immediately and try to get some fresh air if you suffer from nausea.
• When there is a fire, evacuate the premises immediately by following the common fire escape procedure. Do not use the lift, evacuate through the nearest exit and stairs, and follow the fire warden’s instructions for safe evacuation.
• Cables or objects must not obstruct walkways and paths. If you see a pathway blocked, inform the laboratory manager immediately.
• Before using any device, tool or laboratory unit, you must become acquainted with its operation, read the notices and warnings related to equipment and pay special attention to user safety.
• Laboratory equipment and units should be used for the purposes they are intended for, in the way described in their operation manuals and only within the scope of the work being carried out. The equipment should be operated in a careful, delicate and thoughtful manner, bearing in mind its high value.
• Equipment and investigated circuits intended to be supplied from the mains should be connected using the protective earth (PE).

Exceptions from this rule are if:

1. it is explicitly permitted in the operation or exercise manual,
2. the unit comes with a factory-made two-connector (L and N) plug,
3. the unit is supplied through an isolating transformer,

• You can use the three-phase mains only upon the consent of the laboratory manager.
• Working with circuits supplied with a voltage higher than the extra-low voltage is allowed only in presence of another person and requires special attention.

Extra-low voltage (ELV), in electricity supply, is one of several means to protect against electrical shock. The International Electrotechnical Commission and its member organizations define an ELV circuit as one in which the electrical potential of any conductor against earth (ground) is not more than either 25 volts RMS (35 volts peak) for alternating current, or ripple-free 60 volts (contradicts the table) for direct current under dry conditions. Lower numbers apply in wet conditions, or when large contact areas are exposed to contact with the human body.

The IEC defines three types of extra-low-voltage systems (FELV, PELV, and SELV), which are distinguished by their successively more restrictive safety properties.

• Changes and switch-overs in circuits supplied with a voltage higher than the extra-low voltage or including high-current or inductive loops can only be made after disconnecting or switching off the power source.
• Do not touch the metal surface and elements of supplied circuits to avoid an electric shock or scalding. Safety-grounded housings in justified cases are an exception.
• When conducting experiments where noxious fumes may be emitted, the room where the experiment takes place must be adequately ventilated. For reasons of hygiene, after the experiment the room should be aired by opening the windows and doors.
• When carrying out laboratory work where there is a risk of objects getting into the eye, you must put on safety glasses.
• When a piece of equipment has malfunctioned or acting abnormally, it should be switched off immediately and the laboratory manager should be informed.
• Wearing of shorts or skirts above knee caps is prohibited in the lab.
• No mischievous or malicious behavior is allowed in the lab.
• Experiments that produce an open flame or noticeable amount of smoke are prohibited in the lab.
• No hazardous or toxic chemicals and materials or dangerous equipment and tools are allowed in the laboratory. When in doubt, check with the lab staff.
• You should take full responsibility to find out about and follow the safety instructions on how to utilize laboratory tools and equipment, you may bring approved tools or equipment/chemicals/materials into the lab provided that you are familiar with their operation and properties.
• Never improperly use a tool or a piece of equipment, e.g. using a soldering iron to enlarge a hole on a plastic box to fit a switch through.
• Leave all maintenance and repair work to the maintenance personnel.
• Tidy up your workplace before leaving the laboratory; do not throw away items that are reusable, e.g. wires.
• Report any incident, accident or injury to the laboratory staff immediately, then follow emergency procedures as necessary.
• Always check with the laboratory staff when in doubt.
• To avoid an electric shock, you should insulate yourself from the ground, wear rubber soled shoes and avoid stepping on wet areas on the floor, and work with only one hand with electricity.

I have read and understood the above safety rules and regulations.

In order to avoid damage to equipment and injuring myself and others, I promise to observe these laboratory safety rules and regulations at all times.

Arrow reserves the right to pursue the matter through any channel.

DISAGREE | AGREE