The HSE safety inspection was carried out according to schedule. As in previous years, two questionnaires were sent out prior to the safety round, one for offices and the other for laboratories. In total, 53 people provided feedback for offices and 22 people for laboratories. We aim to conduct a safety round for the algae pilot at Mongstad in January 2024.
| Date | Time | Area |
| Tuesday 7th of November | 09.00-11.30 | A-block 1st -3rd floor |
| Friday 10th of November | 09.00-11.30 | B-block : 1st -3rd floor |
| Tuesday 14th of November | 12.00-15.00 | B-block: 4th and 5th floor |
| Tuesday 21st of November | 09.00-11.30 | BIO-block: 3rd floor |
| Friday 24 November | 0900-11.30 | BIO-block: LC-MS lab, 4th + 5th floor |
| Thursday 7th of December | 0900-12.30 | Espegrend |
| Friday 8th of December | 09.00-12.30 | Austevoll, Mussel project |
| January 2024 | National AlgaePARC Mongstad |
Those who experience problems with temperature, inadequate lighting or ventilation noise in their offices are encouraged to report this to LYDIA. In this way, you can arrange a time for an inspection. Some people experience noise from common areas outside normal lunchtime, so we would again encourage everyone to show consideration for people in neighboring offices. Contact Jarle if you do not have a computer mouse or headphones.
On the safety inspection of laboratories, we focused on tidiness, gas cylinders and checked the age of hoses connected to propane gas. For your information, the gas hoses must be replaced every 5 years. Most have hoses from 2021, while hoses connected to LAF benches were from 2019. The laboratories were generally well organized, and no deviations were recorded. Space is tight in several laboratories and storage space is limited. If possible, it is desirable not to place boxes on top of the cabinets and on the floor. If it is necessary to store boxes on the top of the cabinets, it should be ensured that only light items such as single-use plastics are stored, and not heavier items.
The following was pointed out during the safety inspection.
- Desiccator with blue silica gel. Blue silica gel contains cobalt chloride, which may cause cancer by inhalation (H350i). It is therefore desirable that anyone who has blue silica gel replaces it with orange silica gel. Orange silica gel is not harmful. Blue silica gel must be handled as hazardous waste and declared with waste number 7091 (inorganic salts and other solids).
- Respiratory protective equipment. Respiratory protection (full or half mask with attached filter) should be stored in a closed container to preserve the filter. For more information on the correct use of respiratory protective equipment, see the HSE-gateway and the 3M filter guide (only available in Norwegian).
- The freezer – and cold rooms, especially in A and B block, are full. We therefore encourage users to set aside time to tidy up old sample materials.
- The response to the questionnaire for laboratories shows that we need to raise awareness among staff and students about UiB’s new chemical inventory list (stoffkartoteket). It is particularly important that work with chemicals subject to registration is registered in the exposure system available in the chemical inventory list. All chemicals labelled with H340, H350 and H350i require registration. See the HSE-gateway for more information about the chemical inventory and the exposure register.
All employees and students can log in to the chemical inventory using FEIDE login information. Use the link to the chemical inventory, https://stoffkartotek.uib.no/, to find information regarding safety data sheets, risk assessments and information where to find a specific chemical.