Health & Safety Information Placard - Safety.hku.hk

Health & Safety Information PlacardPolicyExperience has demonstrated that occasionalincidents of flooding and chemical spills at HKUcould have been dealt with more expeditiously ifrelevant information was readily available. Apilot trial was recently carried out in theDepartment of Chemistry, and arrangementshave since been extended to cover alldepartments that contain hazards indicated onthe placard legend. The Fire ServicesDepartment and Occupational Safety and HealthInspectors also expect this type of hazardinformation to be provided._________________________________ResponsibilitiesThe Department Head must:• arrange to be posted on the entrance door toeach laboratory, workshop and any otherarea of potential hazard a laminated copy ofthe health and safety placard.Department Safety Representatives will:• regularly review the hazards within therooms and update the placard with any newhazard as it is introduced.• ensure all relevant data is included,especially contact numbers for staff in casesof emergency.• review the placard at least annually toensure all information is correct and to datethe placard annually to confirm it is up todate._________________________________Prepared by: Safety Office Approved by: Safety, Health & Environment Committee Issue Date: Oct. 2006Health & Safety Information Placard v. 1.0 Page 1 of 2 Review Date: Oct. 2008(d)Irene/…/H&S placard 22May07.doc

GuidancePurposeOne purpose of the health and safety informationplacard is to inform anyone about to enter theroom that hazards exist inside, what they are andwhether some form of personal protection isrequired. This should be useful to warn nonregularentrants such as visitors, maintenancestaff and contractors.In addition, in the event of an emergency whichcould be life threatening or where equipment orpossessions can be damaged the person presentwill immediately have some contact numbers tocall for assistance. In such circumstances theperson responsible for the room or laboratorymay be the only person who knows the details ofthe room's contents and his/her knowledge couldmake a huge difference in how the incident ishandled.Finally, the attending emergency service willhave immediate information to hand to indicatethe possible hazards they are likely to face ifthey have to enter the room.Placard DetailsThe placards, in A3 size, are to be posted on alllaboratory and workshop doors, and doors of allother rooms which contain potentially hazardoussubstances or articles.1. The placard is in Excel format. AfterDownloading to a hard disk or floppy, it canbe customized with the Excel commands.2. Complete the data fields and in particularensure all the responsible persons details areincluded together with their emergencycontact numbers.3. To select appropriate warning and advisorylabels refer to the attached explanatory notes.4. The symbols and wordings can behighlighted, deleted or moved by drag anddrop using the mouse.5. Print in A3 size, laminate for durability andpost securely on the outer door of therelevant room.6. If only A4 colour printer is available,enlargements are available from thereproduction company in Room 420,Knowles Building.7. The document is only any good if it kept upto date. Arrangements should be made toensure the placard is reviewed on a 6-monthly basis, so please print review date onplacard.If you require any further information, pleasecontact Mr. Peter Yeung of Safety Office at2859 2402._________________________________Prepared by: Safety Office Approved by: Safety, Health & Environment Committee Issue Date: Oct. 2006Health & Safety Information Placard v. 1.0 Page 2 of 2 Review Date: Oct. 2008(d)Irene/…/H&S placard 22May07.doc