Electrum organization for work environment and safety
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Potentially dangerous operation
The Electrum Laboratory operation is of such a kind that authority permits for, e.g., handling of flammable and other dangerous goods are required. The operation is also classified as a potentially dangerous operation “Farlig verksamhet” according to the regulations in SFS 2003: 778 “Lag om skydd mot olyckor” 2 kap §4. This means that that the laboratory is obliged to keep necessary rescue material and personnel available around the clock and to establish risk assessments, handling instructions for potentially dangerous operations and action plans for incidents and accidents.
The Electrum Laboratory approves all purchases of chemicals and gases after an evaluation according to the authority permits, to overall usage in the laboratories and to any hazards related to the gases and chemicals. A list of approved gases and chemicals is maintained.
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On call duty and alarm group
In order to fulfill the authority demands on the laboratory to keep knowledgeable personnel available around the clock, Electrum laboratory organizes an Alarm group during ordinary working hours and provides one person "on call duty" at home out of ordinary working hours.
The Alarm group consists of personnel from the Electrum Operation group and experienced laboratory users of about ten persons with a fair knowledge and understanding of the laboratory. With ten members at least four to five of them should be present at normal work hours, and be able to carry out the alarm group tasks when needed. The group has equipment and protective gear for dealing with fire, wet chemicals and gases. On a regular basis the routines and equipment of the alarm group are used and trained in drills, giving the group members the competence to handle most incidents which may occur. At severe incidents (e.g., a fire) the Alarm group collaborates with the rescue services.
All relevant alarms are forwarded automatically by SMS to personnel that has "on call duty". In case of an alarm outside office hours, personnel arrives not later than 45 minutes after the initial alarm. "On call duty" is shared between around five persons, who all have a deep knowledge and understanding of the laboratory. Nevertheless, the response of the person with "on call duty" cannot be compared with the capacity and efficiency of the alarm group present at working hours. Thus, persons working at odd hours are informed about the increased risks and that an accident may lead to greater consequences than otherwise.
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Safety coordination
According to the legislation, Work Environment Act, SFS 1977:1160 (“Arbetsmiljölag”) the employer has the overall responsibility to offer its employees a safe work environment. The Electrum Laboratory is a common workplace for employees from several different employers, and the law states that the organization in control of a common workplace is responsible to identify issues and coordinate activities related to work environment and safety. (SFS 1977:1160 3 chapter §§7d-g). KTH is the organization which has the coordination responsibility. At Electrum Laboratory the Director has the task as safety coordinator by delegation from the Dean of KTH EECS.
The safety coordination is made by the Safety group and in Safety inspections.
The Safety group consists of the Laboratory responsible persons and safety representatives from all organizations with personnel working in the laboratories. The Safety group meets regularly a few times per year to plan and follow up the safety inspections, and at other times if needed, e.g., due to an incident or if requested by any of the Safety group members.
Safety inspections are held yearly in the laboratories and other areas. To the inspections Room responsible and Laboratory responsible persons are invited. Protocols are written with clear statements of safety remarks, suggested corrections, responsible person and time frame for the correction.
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Tasks
Responsibility for tasks to related to work environment and safety:
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Tasks of Electrum Lab:
- Continuously follow up on the work environment and evaluate implemented measures.
- Follow up on the safety and work environment related legislation and inform the users about relevant rules
- Coordinate the Safety Group
- Carry through the Safety inspections
- Organize "on call duty"
- Organize and train the Alarm Group
- Approve and purchase chemicals and gases used in the laboratories.
- Maintain authority contacts and necessary permits for the lab activities
- Maintain registers of laboratory users, tools, chemicals and gases used in the laboratories
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Tasks of User Groups:
- Follow legislation and Electrum Laboratory rules.
- Continuously follow up on the work environment and evaluate implemented measures.
- Make risk analysis of work routines, tools and chemicals.
- Participate in Safety inspections
- Correct the errors and weaknesses identified.
- Establish an action plan for corrections not immediately made.
- Report information about users, tools, driving licenses, gases, chemicals and processes to Electrum Laboratory.
- Appoint personnel to the Alarm Group and, if needed to "on call duty".
- Perform improvements of the work environment, when needed.
- Appoint Laboratory Responsible, Room Responsibles, Tool Responsibles, and Practical Coaches with relevant competence for their tasks
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