3. Introduction

For more detailed guidance, readers should refer to specific safety instructions within their respective units. When necessary, individual departments or divisions will create customized safety guidelines based on their expertise.

Literature related to safety in chemical laboratory work is available on a designated shelf in the Library of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and may also be accessible in divisional libraries.

These safety instructions align with the Work Environment Act (Arbetsmiljölagen) and aim to minimize the risk of illness and accidents associated with laboratory work.

Responsibilities at Kemicentrum

Each person working at Kemicentrum has the following responsibilities:

• Study and follow General Safety Regulations: Read the General Safety Regulations found on this web pages and/or in the handbook, along with any relevant special instructions specific to your department or division.
• Know who is responsible for your working environment: The department/division head holds this responsibility for their respective area.
• Be aware of the principal and local Health and Safety Representative (HSR) within your division/department:  You can find the list of Kemicentrum’s HSRs (in Swedish) here: Skyddsområde och skyddsombud.
• Emergency preparedness: Understand who to contact and what to do in case of emergencies, evacuations, ventilation failures, and power or water outage.
• Accident reporting: Report any accidents or injuries to the Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) committee via the Lund University IA system.
• Understand and use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always use the necessary protective equipment (such as laboratory coats, eye protection, gloves, etc.) and ensure its availability.
• Be aware of EX-classified areas: Know which areas within the laboratory that are EX-classified.
• Understand waste handling: Know how to handle different types of waste, including chemical, biological, and radioactive materials.
• When using higher-risk materials or conducting higher-risk experimental procedures: Consult with the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Coordinator and/or the Departmental Safety Committee when working with higher-risk materials such as use of particularly hazardous substances or conducting higher-risk experimental procedures that require special safety precautions.

Prohibited items

• Use of candles and/or tea lights is prohibited within Kemicentrum.
• Lithium-ion batteries intended for means of transport or lithium-ion batteries larger than 10 Ah may not be charged, stored or otherwise handled within Kemicentrum.
• Within Kemicentrum you may only charge electrical equipment provided by Lund University. The exception is private mobile phones and private laptops/tablets.

Signing the Affirmation

As per the central policy for the work environment at Lund University, it is essential to verify that employees and students have understood the safety instructions and affirm their compliance. 

After thoroughly reading and comprehending Kemicentrum’s General Safety Regulations, follow these steps:

Employees and guests

1. Affirmation document: Retrieve the affirmation document from the Introduction folder on the Kemicentrum  Canvas page. 
   Introduction folder at Kemicentrum Canvas page -canvas.education.lu.se (login using your Lucat-ID).
2. Print and sign: Print out the document and sign it.
3. Submit to your local administrator: Hand over the signed document to your local administrator for filing within your division. 

Students

The affirmation document will be handled by responsible personnel for the student laboratories.