10. Technical Safety
10.1 Introduction to Technical Safety at the Institute
This section covers general technical safety issues that affect most persons at the Institute, directly or indirectly. Special training and/or specialized safety manuals or pamphlets are available for the technical staff (e.g. cleaning, electricity, gardening). Generally, safety issues concerning the grounds (e.g. gardening, parking, roads) and construction are the responsibility of the Construction and Physical Plant Maintenance Division. The Head or Acting Head of the Gardening Unit, or the contractor, is responsible to fence, post signs and/or appoint a responsible person to direct persons away from any danger when work is undertaken which can lead to personal injury (such as operation of mobile equipment, felling or pruning trees, digging ditches and excavations, etc.).
Under the supervision of the Safety Unit, the floor Safety Wardens and laboratory Directors help ensure safe practices are followed, and that safety arrangements for all the technical equipment in the building (lights and emergency lighting, heating, air-conditioning, elevators, conduits, stairwells, corridors, etc.) are maintained in good working order. All escape routes (passageways, corridors, stairwells, doors, special escape hatches, gates, etc.) must be clear, properly illuminated and marked, and available for safe use. Exit signs and direction arrows (if necessary) are posted along escape-ways and exits, whose purpose and location may not be clear. Closed corridors and locked halls along or close to the escape-ways are marked "no exit."
10.2 Safety Considerations in Building Planning
The Construction and Physical Plant Maintenance Division and the officials designated above are responsible for planning and implementing architectural, technical and technological safety considerations (general, fire, biological, radioisotopes, etc.) when adding to, altering or erecting buildings, in accordance with Israeli laws and Institute policy. In order to assure these safety considerations, construction plans must be presented for consideration by the Safety Unit and Technical Department, and a written opinion solicited from an authorized safety engineer unconnected with the suggested project. Topics include an environmental impact study, access and egress for emergency response vehicles and persons, building and equipment resistance to fires and general fire prevention, emergency power and lighting, electrical safety, safety signs, and provisions for hazardous equipment and materials.
Weizmann engineers will ensure the necessary dovetailing in the planning and implementation of new projects. In every case, they will select and determine the solutions taken in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations, and ensure receipt of the relevant professional authorizations from national inspection authorities.
10.3 Electrical Safety Provisions and Regulations
In case of an electrical failure, emergency power will be supplied through Institute generators to most vital installations (e.g. cold rooms, elevators, emergency lighting, compressed air, water pumps, sewage, liquid air) and all laboratories (i.e. emergency sockets). Projects requiring continuously working electrical instruments, ventilation and lighting must be conducted in areas where sufficient emergency power is available. The Construction and Physical Plant Maintenance Division can be contacted for electrical information and services:
Night: ext. 2999
According to the Israel electricity laws, only a currently licensed electrician is authorized to do electrical work, and a person who infringes these laws is liable to imprisonment and/or a fine. An individual is forbidden to install or alter an electric appliance without meeting the Israeli conditions by obtaining a special permit from the Director of the Electrical Authority. It is the responsibility of all persons who purchase or receive new equipment to note potential or actual electrical problems with equipment or plugs to inform the electrician. The electrician then examines any new or damaged instruments, inspect old instruments periodically, and ensures that electrical equipment is properly grounded. Damaged electric appliances or equipment must not be used until repaired. Do not drill holes in the wall, floor or ceiling, or excavate or bore in the ground outside without permission, because of the possibility of exposing electric cables or wires. Consult with the Construction and Physical Plant Maintenance Division.
Every hand-held electric appliance (drill, mixer, etc.) requires double insulation and should be marked accordingly. Any electrical appliance or instrument plugged into the electricity supply, which is not intended to be mobile, must be unplugged before it is moved or shifted. Extension wires may be used only for temporary purposes and for a short time. Mobile multiple sockets are forbidden.
Electrical equipment must not be operated with wet hands. Avoid splashing water on electrical equipment. Ensure that no electric cables pass through hot places, over an open flame, near substances which can attack the insulation, or in places where they can be damaged mechanically. Inform the electrician in any case of odor, smoke, sparks or overheating induced from any electrical instrument or appliance. Do not operate any electric equipment or attach any switch or fuse that is labeled "must not be attached" or "must not be operated". Maintain access to electric boards, switches, fuses and controls.
10.4 Equipment Maintenance Regulations and Practices
The unit director is responsible for the maintenance of electric and gas systems and appliances, and authorizes use or operation of machines, instruments or appliances. When planning and ordering laboratory equipment, consider safety aspects with respect to equipment, materials and location, and consult the Construction and Physical Plant Maintenance Division staff and the Safety Commissioner on these matters.
On receipt of the appliance, examine the safety precautions required in detail, and give written operating instructions and safety precautions to the personnel using it. Each appliance is the responsibility of an individual who will ensure that its use, periodic maintenance, and any mechanical or electrical safety additions are entered in the appliance logbook. Appliances which are not protected as demanded by law may not be used.
Effective guards must be installed around mobile accessories, such as pump shafts, belts and wheels of vacuum pumps or compressors. Every pressurized vessel or appliance is periodically examined by an Institute authorized tester. Safety valves of pressure vessels demand particular attention with regard to their state of repair and emission outlet. Vessels for high pressure work (which is liable to increase during work) demand special protective devices (consult the Safety Commissioner). Additional technical equipment requiring special EHS practices include centrifuges and autoclaves (see Biology Safety Manual), and ovens and baths (see Biology or Chemistry Safety Manuals).