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Accidents involving electricity are usually very serious.

1. All items of portable electrical equipment will be inspected every three years by a competent person.
2. If you have any reason to believe that any portable equipment is damaged or defective, you should:
   • Unplug the equipment
   • Take steps to prevent anyone plugging it in again (eg. tape a warning sign over the plug)
   • Inform the Estates Office who will arrange to have it repaired by a competent person (Electrician)
3. You should regularly look at the condition of electrical equipment you use. If you see anything that looks unsafe eg. a cracked plug, frayed wire, report it immediately so that it can be repaired by an appropriately trained and qualified person.
4. Electrical equipment, apart from new equipment, should never be used in the Office without first being inspected and passed by a competent person. Electrical appliances brought from home should not be used until they have been inspected. Contact Estates Office to arrange inspection of any equipment.

• Extracts from the article in Nature Chemistry July 2023 - “Insights from a laboratory fire”

The Radiation Protection Service must be consulted on and approve the use of any sources of ionising radiation.

• Ionising Radiation Safety Arrangements
• APPENDIX 1 Radiation risk and dose units
• APPENDIX 2 Risk assessment for general labs
• APPENDIX 3 RPS Duties
• APPENDIX 4 Template for local rules
• APPENDIX 5 Contamination monitoring procedures
• APPENDIX 6 Audit form
• APPENDIX 7 Classified workers
• APPENDIX 8 Lab decommissioning
• APPENDIX 9 X-ray Equipment Form
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• Iso inventory system user instructions
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Local Rules

• Geology
• Institute of Medical Sciences
• Marischal Museum
•  
• Rowett local rules
• XRF (UoA Premises)
• XRF (Non UoA Premises)

Advice on the use of lasers is available from the Radiation Protection Service. The Service should always be consulted on the purchase and use of lasers in Classes 3 and 4.

• Guidance on the purchasing and use of laser pointers

Noise is part of everyday life, but prolonged exposure to loud noise can permanently damage hearing. Young or old, once someone loses their hearing they can never get it back.

Symptoms and early signs of hearing loss include

• Conversation becoming difficult or impossible
• Family members complaining about the television being too loud
• Having trouble using the telephone
• Finding it difficult to catch sounds like 't', 'd' and 's', so you confuse similar words
• Permanent tinnitus (ringing, whistling, buzzing or humming in the ears) can also be caused

Generally hearing loss is gradual. By the time it is noticed it, it is probably too late. We aim instead to avoid exposure to levels of noise which could cause hearing loss.

Noise levels require investigation if people have to raise their voices to have a normal conversation when they are 2 metres apart. Contact the University Safety Advisers who can arrange for a noise survey. Noise surveys should also be undertaken before hearing protection.  This ensures the correct type of protection is being supplied.

Further information

Following a power failure affecting a University building, emergency lighting powered from batteries will switch on automatically.

The emergency lighting is expected to last for at least one hour. Its purpose is to illuminate exit routes from the building. It is not there to enable building occupants to remain in the building and continue working.

Read the to be taken following a power failure.