General laboratory design and equipment
Codes of Practice and guidance on general laboratory design and equipment.
These Codes of Practice are aimed at general or chemical laboratories and should be followed to ensure compliance with legislation and to ensure all laboratory users are working in a safe environment.
The University Health and Safety Policy - Framework: Arrangements Section 26 - Chemical safety must also be consulted.
CS CoP003 Laboratory design covers floors, walls and ceilings in laboratories, some basics on fume cupboards (although also see CS CoP004 Local Exhaust Ventilation and Guidance note accompanies this CoP which covers the general safety guidance, installation and design, safe use, environmental considerations and recirculatory fume cupboards), laboratory furniture and sinks and emergency showers, pressurised gas supplies (also see CS CoP005 Pressurised gas for more detailed guidance), and storage of gas cylinders, and liquid nitrogen storage.
CS CoP004 Local Exhaust Ventilation details the safe management of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems. This CoP was approved by the University Safety, Health and Wellbeing Committee at it's November 2022 meeting. A Guidance note accompanies this CoP which covers the general safety guidance, installation and design, safe use, environmental considerations and recirculatory fume cupboards.
In addition, a short Guide for Schools and Departments has been produced to assist Schools/Departments in implementing the new CS CoP004.
Appendix 2 - example log book in WORD format for local amending.
Appendix 3 - contractor induction in WORD format for local amending.
CS CoP005 Pressurised gas covers building design, storage and handling of gas cylinders.
CS CoP006 Cryogenic material and equipment covers building design, properties of cryogenic materials, and safety precautions to take.
CS CoP008 Glass apparatus details general safety requirements, guidance on glass vacuum lines and pipetting.
Hazardous electrical equipment in laboratories guidance.
Biological and radiation laboratories have other considerations and the specific guidance published on the Biosafety and Radiation websites must be consulted.
Chemical Laboratories
Laboratory hygiene
Following Code of Practice CS CoP001 Laboratory hygiene will minimise risk to laboratory users.
Good laboratory practice
The object of Code of Practice CS CoP002 Good laboratory practice is to provide a standard for good laboratory practice when working with chemicals rather than attempt to be specific regarding either substances or procedures.
Please also ensure you have read and understood all the Codes of Practice relating to chemical hazards.