SAIL - Safety Documentation Portal
Your comprehensive resource for laboratory safety procedures and risk assessments
School of Physics, University of Sydney
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST ⚠️
All laboratory equipment must be operated in accordance with approved Risk Assessments and Safe Work Procedures.
Before using ANY equipment:
- Complete required safety training
- Read and understand the Risk Assessment and Safe Work Procedure
- Be listed on the authorised users list
- Perform all mandatory pre-operation safety checks
Risk Assessments
Risk Assessments identify hazards, assess risks, and define control measures for laboratory equipment and processes.
3SAE Combiner Manufacturing System (CMS)
Risk assessment and safe work procedure for the 3SAE CMS fibre optic processing system utilising thermally stabilised plasma technology (>3000°C). Covers extreme thermal hazards, high-pressure gas systems, electrical hazards, optical radiation, and sharp materials.
Key hazards: High-temperature plasma (>3000°C), compressed air (90 psi), electrical hazards, optical radiation, sharp glass fibres, vacuum system
View Risk Assessment →Bambu Lab H2D Laser Edition
Risk assessment and safe work procedure for the Bambu Lab H2D 3D printer with 10W Class 4 laser module, covering laser radiation, thermal, electrical, mechanical, fire, and airborne emission hazards (UFPs and VOCs) from FDM printing and laser operations.
Key hazards: Class 4 laser radiation, fire risk, thermal burns, ultrafine particle emissions, volatile organic compounds, toxic fumes
View Risk Assessment →Formlabs Form 3 SLA 3D Printer
Risk assessment and safe work procedure for the SAIL Formlabs Form 3 stereolithography 3D printer, covering print preparation, printing, part washing in isopropyl alcohol, curing and maintenance.
Key hazards: Skin and eye contact with uncured photopolymer resin, isopropyl alcohol (highly flammable), hot surfaces, moving parts
View Risk Assessment →General Optical/Laser Lab Safety
Foundational risk assessment and safe work procedures covering general safety requirements for all SAIL laboratory areas including optical hazards, lab access, conduct, room-specific hazards, daily procedures, and emergency protocols
Key hazards: Optical hazards, laser exposure, slips/trips/falls, manual handling, room-specific hazards (CO2, sharps), general lab conduct
View Risk Assessment →SAIL Temperature Controlled Room (116B)
Risk assessment and safe work procedure for occupancy of and work within the SAIL temperature controlled room (Room 116B), a sealed room with recirculating air conditioning, covering carbon dioxide accumulation, working in isolation, and electric shock from flood water.
Key hazards: Carbon dioxide accumulation and asphyxiation, working in isolation in a sealed room, CO2 monitor or ventilation failure, electric shock from flood water
View Risk Assessment →📄 Create a New Risk Assessment + Safe Work Procedure
Each RA/SWP pair is generated from a single YAML file in documents/ — the web pages, Word documents, and PDFs are all rendered from it automatically.
Start by copying documents/_example.yaml, or open a New Equipment issue to have a draft generated for you.
Safe Work Procedures (SWPs)
Safe Work Procedures provide detailed step-by-step instructions for safely operating laboratory equipment.
3SAE Combiner Manufacturing System (CMS)
Risk assessment and safe work procedure for the 3SAE CMS fibre optic processing system utilising thermally stabilised plasma technology (>3000°C). Covers extreme thermal hazards, high-pressure gas systems, electrical hazards, optical radiation, and sharp materials.
Includes: Pre-operation safety checks, plasma system operation, fibre cleaving procedures, emergency shutdown, mandatory training requirements
View Safe Work Procedure →Bambu Lab H2D Laser Edition
Risk assessment and safe work procedure for the Bambu Lab H2D 3D printer with 10W Class 4 laser module, covering laser radiation, thermal, electrical, mechanical, fire, and airborne emission hazards (UFPs and VOCs) from FDM printing and laser operations.
Includes: Mandatory safety checks, emergency procedures, cleanup protocols, training requirements
View Safe Work Procedure →Formlabs Form 3 SLA 3D Printer
Risk assessment and safe work procedure for the SAIL Formlabs Form 3 stereolithography 3D printer, covering print preparation, printing, part washing in isopropyl alcohol, curing and maintenance.
Includes: Pre-start checks, printing and finishing procedure, maintenance schedule, emergency and spill procedures, training requirements
View Safe Work Procedure →General Optical/Laser Lab Safety
Foundational risk assessment and safe work procedures covering general safety requirements for all SAIL laboratory areas including optical hazards, lab access, conduct, room-specific hazards, daily procedures, and emergency protocols
Includes: Access requirements, induction content, daily procedures, emergency protocols, visitor management, incident reporting
View Safe Work Procedure →SAIL Temperature Controlled Room (116B)
Risk assessment and safe work procedure for occupancy of and work within the SAIL temperature controlled room (Room 116B), a sealed room with recirculating air conditioning, covering carbon dioxide accumulation, working in isolation, and electric shock from flood water.
Includes: Mandatory door open rule, pre-entry checks, CO2 alarm response, flood and electric shock response, lone working notification, training requirements
View Safe Work Procedure →Additional Resources
📋 Document Source Files
Every RA/SWP pair is defined by one YAML file — the single source of truth for the web, Word and PDF versions.
Browse document sources →🔧 Authoring Guide
How to create and update documents, the YAML schema, and document control procedures.
View Guide →⬇️ Download All Documents
Every current Risk Assessment and Safe Work Procedure as PDF and Word, in a single zip archive.
Download zip →Quick Safety Reference
🚫 Universal Safety Prohibitions
- NEVER operate equipment you are not trained and authorised to use
- NEVER defeat or bypass safety systems or interlocks
- NEVER leave hazardous equipment unattended during operation
- NEVER operate damaged or malfunctioning equipment
- NEVER skip mandatory pre-operation safety checks
📋 Pre-Operation Checklist
General steps that apply to most laboratory equipment:
- Sign in to the equipment log book
- Perform visual inspection for damage
- Test all safety systems and interlocks
- Verify emergency equipment is accessible
- Check environmental controls
- Clear work area of hazards
- Review the specific SWP before operation
If ANY check fails: DO NOT USE - Lock out and report immediately
🚨 Emergency Contacts
| Emergency Services | 000 |
| University Security | [Insert number] |
| Supervisor: Chris Betters | [Insert number] |
| Safety Officer | [Insert number] |
| First Aid | [Insert number] |
Document Management
✅ Creating New Documents
- Select the appropriate template (RA or SWP)
- Complete all sections thoroughly
- Consult with users and safety officer
- Submit for review and approval
- Add to this index when approved
📅 Review Requirements
All documents must be reviewed:
- Annually at minimum
- After any incident or near-miss
- When equipment is modified
- When new hazards are identified
- When procedures change
📊 Document Statuses
- Work in progress
- Ready for use
- Superseded version
❓ Questions or Concerns About Safety?
Contact your supervisor or safety officer immediately.
Do not operate equipment if you have any doubts about safety procedures or equipment condition.
Remember: Safety documentation exists to protect you and others. Always follow approved procedures and never take shortcuts with safety.