SAFE - Chemical and biological safety in research laboratories
| Keywords |
| Classification |
Keyword |
| CNAEF |
Engineering and related techniques |
Instance: 2023/2024 - 2S (edição n.º 1) 
Cycles of Study/Courses
Teaching Staff - Responsibilities
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
The general objectives of the training unit are:
- Train students who carry out activities in laboratories to act in accordance with safety standards.
- Identify risks of accidents arising from the handling of toxic, corrosive and flammable agents, failures in laboratory infrastructure or operational conditions and ways to solve these problems.
- Create and maintain standardized documents for use in laboratories.
Learning outcomes and competences
It is intended that students acquire knowledge on the following topics:
1. Fundamentals of laboratory safety in chemistry laboratories.
2. Biological hazards
3. FEUP Internal Security Plan
4. Emergency laboratory procedures
The theoretical-practical module will have a total duration of 14 hours, including an experimental component in the laboratory where the researcher develops the activity, allowing learning through a learning by doing approach.
Working method
Presencial
Program
1. Fundamentals of laboratory safety in chemistry laboratories.
1.1 Laboratory risks: causes of accidents, definitions of danger, risk and safety, risk assessment
1.2 Dangerous substances and their classification.
1.3 Prevention and protection in the use of chemical substances: Danger symbols, labeling and safety data sheets; storage
1.4 Individual and collective protection equipment. Equipment and safety information in laboratories. General/personal conduct in the laboratory.
1.5 Waste management
2. Biological hazards
2.1 Basic notions of microbiology and epidemiology.
2.2 Classification, hazards and effects of exposure to biological agents.
2.3 Criteria for assessing exposure to biological agents.
2.4 Collective and individual prevention and protection measures
2.5 Special cases:
2.5.1. Airborne virus transmission, measurement methods, airborne viability, DEQ and laboratory safety rules
2.5.2. Legionella: aspects to be taken into account in research laboratories
3. FEUP Internal Security Plan
3.1 Self-protection measures, FEUP security organization, security team
3.2 Training and safety information
3.3 Simulations
4. Emergency laboratory procedures
4.1 Action in case of emergency: fire or explosion, gas leak, spill of hazardous substances, flood, electric shock, earthquake, medical emergency
4.2 Use of first aid measures in case of fire: fire extinguisher and fireproof blanket
4.3 Use of eyewash stations and emergency showers
4.4 First aid measures
4.5 Evacuation: emergency plant and muster points
The theoretical-practical module will have a total duration of 14 hours, including an experimental component in the laboratory where the researcher develops the activity, allowing learning through a learning by doing approach.
Mandatory literature
World Health Organization ;
Guidelines on the prevention of toxic exposures: Education and public awareness activities
Teaching methods and learning activities
The main methodology is learning based on the development of an experimental procedure, with a detailed description of the security measures associated with it (example: associated risks, prevention measures, waste disposal, …). The supervisor is responsible for establishing an initial experimental work plan in the context of a research and innovation project, integrated in a team. The student develops the activities foreseen in the work plan, actively observing all the associated security measures, and attends the defined pedagogical component, which must be approved, in accordance with the respective rules. At the end, the student draws up a report on the work done, which is evaluated by the supervisor and approved by the person in charge of the training unit. Written evaluation of the 4 theoretical-practical modules (50%) and evaluation of the final report (oral presentation and written report (50%)) will be the two components of the final classification. If the evaluation is positive, the student may also request a certificate of completion of the course.
Evaluation Type
Distributed evaluation without final exam
Assessment Components
| Designation |
Weight (%) |
| Teste |
40,00 |
| Trabalho escrito |
60,00 |
| Total: |
100,00 |
Amount of time allocated to each course unit
| Designation |
Time (hours) |
| Frequência das aulas |
90,00 |
| Trabalho escrito |
10,00 |
| Total: |
100,00 |
Eligibility for exams
Class attendance is compulsory, according to the conditions determined by FEUP.
Calculation formula of final grade
Final mark (FM): FM = 0.4 T + 0.6R
T - Four tests, one per module
R - Final report