Health and Safety

Health and Safety is central to both teaching and research activities in the School of Medical Sciences. This commitment to H&S can be seen in SoMS's active H&S Committee, which was first formed in 2001, in the appointment of Safety Supervisors for Radiation, Biological and Chemical Safety, and in the School's appointment of a full time H&S co-ordinator to facilitate H&S initiatives within the School.

The school is committed to meet the requirements of the UNSW H&S policy and implement the aims and strategies outlines within.

News

23 May 2012

Work Health and Safety (WHS) Legislation

On the 1st January, 2012, the new Work Health and safety (WHS) laws were introduced in NSW. This includes the Work Health and Safety Act, Work Health and Safety Regulation and Codes of Practice. The new Code of Practice for consultation is called “Work Health and Safety Consultation, Co‐Operation and Co‐Ordination.” At the recent (21 May 2012) SOMS L3 Health and Safety consultation committee meeting, members voted on the two possible consultation mechanisms (A and B, shown below) available for health and safety consultation within the School.

Option A: Continue with your work group’s existing consultation arrangements. i.e. Maintain the existing L3 Health and Safety committees with elected HS Consultation Committee members. Any new members would need to complete the 2 day UNSW Consultation training course. These committees would continue to meet on quarterly basis.

Option B: Develop your own consultation arrangements for your work group, which may include the new option of electing a “Health and Safety Representative (HSR)” if it has been requested by the work group, and the majority of the members of the workgroup elect that particular person. You would need to have evidence to prove that the majority of the workgroup have voted for that particular person.

Option A, which maintains the existing structure, was unanimously agreed by attending committee members. Further information is available in the L3 Committee minutes, available from the consultation link shown below.

Dr Mark Hill
Chairperson, H&S Consultation Committee, School of Medical Sciences

Further information:
SOMS Health & Safety Consultation
SOMS Health & Safety and UNSW Health & Safety webpage
UNSW Health & Safety

17 May 2012

Working with cytotoxic drugs

Following a recent incident it appears there may be some confusion over the definition of cytotoxic drugs.

Some cytotoxic drugs may be listed as a Prohibited and Restricted Carcinogens in the Work Health & Safety Regulations e.g. Cyclophosphamide is a notifiable carcinogenic substance. Most cytotoxic drugs are classified as hazardous substances and working with them must comply with hazardous chemicals risk management procedures.

Cytotoxic drugs cause the death of certain type of cells and are used to treat conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and some ophthalmic conditions. Not all drugs prescribed for cancer are cytotoxic. Cytotoxic drugs are known to be highly toxic to non-target cells, mainly through their action on cell reproduction. Some have been shown to be mutagenic (causing changes to DNA) or teratogenic (causing birth defects) in various experimental systems.

UNSW procedures that apply include:
OHS434 Carcinogens guideline
OHS335 Prohibited and notifiable carcinogens procedure
OHS332 Hazardous substances and dangerous goods procedure

For more information on cytotoxic drugs see the WorkCover cytotoxic drugs guidance.