Laboratory introduction
All lab-users must be introduced to laboratories at Geoscience i the following way:
- Early on inform the head of Geoscience laboratories Charlotte Rasmussen about your project (requirements, content, timeframe and involved finances).
- Complete online e-learning: "Geoscience laboratory safety course" (AU staff, students and guests that have an AU-ID).
- Participate in a 1:1 introduction to safety and labs (60 minutes) with Charlotte or a staff member appointed by Charlotte. This normally can take place Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays between 10-14 o'clock. The briefing is coordinated by Charlotte and Charlotte will reserve a relevant location. Please provide a schedule for your availability for the next 2-3 weeks.
- Personal training and supervision in a specific process by laboratory technologist or other technical staff member. Please note that this instruction must always contain information regarding, for example, risk assessment, the nearest escape route, relevant emergency equipment, waste disposal, personal protective equipment and how to act in the event of an error, chemical spill, etc., i.e. the list from the second half of the 1:1 introduction checklist.
- Physical access with a key and key card to certain laboratories requires permission from Charlotte: Send an email to sekretariat@geo.au.dk requesting access to x laboratory (building+room number) with c.c. to Charlotte. Some areas require special instruction from Charlotte, e.g. regarding radiation protection (even if you are not working with it yourself, but are simply in the same room). You may only access the Sharepoint reservation file (and reserve equipment) once all safety introductions have been completed.
The purpose of the 1:1 introduction is to clarify the responsibilities of the laboratory user and the requirements for future instruction.
Teachers and teaching assistants in laboratories have a special responsibility with regards to student safety, e.g. during emergencies, sudden errors or evacuation situations. Students may never work alone without supervision from the responsible teacher, the teaching assistant or a lab technologist during lab courses on any level.
Note that some processes require additional action, i.e. x-rays, epoxy and cleanlab. Anyone who will teach or assist teaching in the laboratories have special responsabilities. See further info below.
Geoscience Online Safety
To prepare for the 1:1 safety introduction all lab users must complete our online safety course.
The content of the course has been developed by the local working environment committee (LAMU) at the Department of Geoscience. Therefore, it takes Danish laws and regulations into account, and contains the guidelines that apply at Aarhus University.
The information is divided into different modules, each module ends with a few questions that you have to answer. It takes 2-3 hours to complete all modules and tests.
To register for the e-learning system, you must send your AU-ID (usually of the format au12345) via e-mail to sekretariat@geo.au.dk. The system we use for e-learning is supported by Aarhus University, so currently users without an AU-ID are not accepted.
1:1 safety introduction
Before starting laboratory projects all new lab users (employees, students and guests) must receive a basic introduction to work environmental issues at the Department of Geoscience, as well as safety issues related to laboratories.
Head of the Geoscience laboratories, Charlotte Rasmussen, covers the following during the briefing:
- General checklist, including information about insurance etc.
- AU evacuation procedure (i.e. walkthrough the content of an evacuation box).
- Examples of emergency equipment.
- Important phone numbers.
- Escape routes.
- Rules and regulations from the work environment committee (i.e. "Rules and information regarding fieldwork, work in the laboratories and electronic/metal-shops", "Working alone", "Working with HF-acid" and "Pregnant and breastfeeding women").
The lab user signs for receiving the above information. All new lab users are registrated and will recieve mails with information regarding planned maintenance and errors on equipment or infrastructure in the laboratory. You also gain access to reserve labs and equipment in the online booking file.
Further instructions must be carried out by a laboratory technologist or other member of our technical staff regarding the specific work process.
Note that students are not allowed to instruct other students.
X-Ray Safety
The department has several instruments where the technology utilizes radioactive radiation:
- 3 instruments contain an X-ray generator (e.g. X-ray diffraction or X-ray fluorescence) that creates ionizing radiation inside an X-ray tube, initiated by high voltage.
- 1 instrument contains a sealed radioactive source (Cs-137) that continuously emits beta- and gamma radiation.
All instruments are regularly checked with Geiger counters.
Especially for the radioactive source, Cs-137 (room 1672-039)
The Danish Health Authority and Danish radiation protection legislation require that we pay extra attention to ensuring working conditions, especially around the use of radioactive sources. If you are going to be working in this laboratory, maybe directly with the GEOTEK logger and the Cs-137 source, we must ensure the following:
- All operators of the GEOTEK logger and people working in the room with the GEOTEK logger must participate in a 2-hour special safety briefing to gain basic knowledge about radiation protection. This briefing is carried out as needed by the local radiation protection officers, head of laboratories Charlotte Rasmussen or occupational health and safety representative Rikke Brok Jensen.
- All operators of the GEOTEK logger undergo personal training by the manufacturer.
Epoxy
Epoxy basically consists of two components: A base (the "resin") and a hardener (the "accelerator"). When these are mixed they turn into a 2-component glue which is incredibly strong once it dries. Epoxy is therefore used to make thin sections, or casts of minerals, rocks, metals or other materials.
Working with epoxy in a workrelated setting requires a 2-day Danish safety course provided by many technical colleges in Denmark. Alternatively use a local, certified laboratory technologist to carry out the epoxy work for you.
Cleanlab for isotopes
The department's cleanlab is metal free and special rules apply to maintain the high level of cleanliness and safety that is required. Users of the Cleanlab facility must undergo further safety training coordinated by Rasmus Andreasen.
HF-acid
A lot of lab-work at the Department of Geoscience involves concentrated or diluted HF-acid. We produce more than 2 tons of this type of hazardous waste every year (2019 level).
When working with HF-acid the department guidelines regarding HF-acid applies.
The department has HF drills on a regular basis for relevant lab-users where the HF emergency kit is scrutinised and we may simulate an accident. All participants are encouraged to try on the full-bodysuit, gloves, mask and air tank.
