Laboratory Safety Unit
The Laboratory Safety Unit (LSU), established in 2019, operates under the Office of the Vice-President (Research) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK). The LSU is dedicated to fostering a culture of safety and health among laboratory personnel. Notably, CityUHK is a pioneer university in Hong Kong, implementing an electronic system to manage chemical and radiation safety, as well as conducting risk assessments.
The LSU is tasked with overseeing laboratory safety and ensuring regulatory compliance in both teaching and research activities. It plays a pivotal role in formulating University policies and procedures to enhance safety management and regulatory adherence. The LSU’s responsibilities are divided into two main areas: laboratory safety management and risk management.
In terms of laboratory safety management, the LSU supervises and provides guidance on various health and safety programs. These include ensuring the humane and safe handling of animals in research, managing biological hazards to protect personnel and the environment, overseeing the safe use and storage of chemicals, implementing safety measures for the use of lasers, and ensuring the safe use of radioactive materials and equipment.
Beyond these programs, the LSU offers professional safety advice, services, and support in several areas. This includes facilitating the procurement of chemicals, ensuring the safe disposal of hazardous materials, managing dangerous goods storage, assessing and mitigating risks associated with hazardous gases, conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards, advising on the design of safe laboratory spaces, certifying laboratory apparatus and gas systems, registering and monitoring the use of lasers, managing the safe dispensing of liquid nitrogen, installing and maintaining personal safety alarms, certifying pressure vessels to ensure their safety, conducting safety checks before the commencement of laboratory work, supplying essential safety equipment, and monitoring radiation exposure using TLD badges.
On the risk management front, the LSU has developed the Risk Assessment Reporting System (RARS), an effective and efficient tool to assist academic and research personnel in conducting risk assessments for their projects and courses. This system ensures that potential hazards are identified and mitigated before any work begins.
To comply with local legislation, the LSU has also established two online control systems. The Chemical Control System (CCS) monitors the procurement, use, and disposal of chemicals, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. The Radiation Control System (RCS) oversees the management of radioactive materials, from procurement to disposal, and ensures adherence to licensing requirements.
By integrating these systems, the LSU ensures a comprehensive approach to safety and regulatory compliance, making CityUHK a pioneer in laboratory safety management in Hong Kong.