Almost everybody works behind a computer screen. At a university, developping complaints of arms, neck and/or shoulders (CANS) is one of the most important and most underestimated risks. CANS was formerly referred to as RSI, repetitive strain injury. How you can prevent CANS/RSI, is in AMD information sheet A021. CANS is not only a risk factor in the office, but also in the laboratory. Read RhL030 RSI and ergonomics in the lab.

Many employees do also work in a lab. A warehouse is also a workplace and support staff and third parties may work anywhere in the buildings. Your workplace can also be outside the university's premises: at home, in the field, or during a trip or internship abroad. You can read more information about all these workplaces in AMD information sheet A020 My workplace.

Depending on your activies, at your workplace you may be exposed to several types of risks. Some activities are subject to regulations or permits. Your physical and mental fitness may also affect the way in which the work has to be arranged. Think of pregnant women who work with chemicals or ionising radiation, pacemaker wearers and magnetic fields or of medication that reduce alertness. Please read AMD information sheet A030 What to report?

At the workplace, risks and rules are communicated with signs that you can find in AMD information sheet A022 Safety signs.

Safety at your workplace does not only depend on your own activities, but also on the risks in the rest of the building. Please be aware of your environment and explore your escape route: how to find the nearest emergency exit upon alarm? Where is the nearest fire extinguisher and first aid kit?
In a laboratory it is also wise to know your route (blind!) to the emergency shower and at which sink you can find an eye wash bottle. More info can be found on the page about Evacuation.

When your office is near laboratories, or when you just sometimes need to be in a laboratory for your work, it is useful to know what signs and symbols on the lab doors mean. This information can be read in AMD information sheet A050 Betreden van labs: werken in een laboratoriumomgeving (Dutch only).

It is important that, before you start, you receive proper instruction about the risks in your workplace. In this way, mistakes and incidents can be prevented. Instruction will mainly occur at your specific workplace, however some instructions are given by or arranged via the AMD:

Instruction and fire exinguisher training for new employees

New employees receive an onboarding magazine and information on safe work conditions at the start of their employment.

Are you going to work in a laboratory? Then you will receive an invitation to participate in the safety training.

A couple of times a year, the AMD organises a fire extinguisher training for employees who have never put out a fire before. In order to be able to register for this event, the faculty board also sends an e-mail, but you can also look at the Events page for data and application. Search for "fire extinguisher training".

Working with GMO’s and biological safety

New employees, guests and students who are going to work withh GMO themselves or who will work in a GMO classified lab have to register with the biological safety officer (BSO). They need to follow the GMO instruction (in English). Without having followed this instruction, you cannot work in a GMO lab or with GMO's.

Working with radioactive substances or radiation equipment

Before working with these, you should follow an external course (called "5B" course) and pass the exam. Please report to the AMD when you want to work with radiation.

Working with hydrogen fluoride (HF)

It isn't the acid part that does the harm, HF is in fact a nerve poison! You may NEVER work with HF without the special anti-HF kit (with antidote) at hand! Please contact the AMD for a kit and the HF-instruction before you start working with HF. The AMD can also organise a goup HF training if necessary.

Working with lasers

Before you are allowed to start working in a class 3 or 4 laser lab, you should do the e-learning laser safety (in English) and pass the test. Registration for the e-learning laser worker is possible via the form.

• Chemicals
• Gasses and cryogenic substances
• Biological material
• Radiation, lasers and magnets