New Project/Experiment
As a professor, you are responsible for ensuring that the health of your staff and students is protected and that accidents are prevented within ETH Zurich. You are obliged to designate safety officers and to inform your staff/students of the essential points on safety and intervention should an event occur.
For an overview of your health and safety responsibilities as a supervisor, download this DownloadSuva brochure (PDF, 927 KB)vertical_align_bottom.
Various aspects on the topics of safety, security, health and environment must be considered even in the early planning stages for a new project or experiment.
Find out in advance what topics are relevant for you. You can find information on them here.
Are all escape routes clear? Have hazardous substances been stored correctly? Does everyone know how to react in the event of a fire or evacuation?
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The key hazardous waste disposal tasks and responsibilities for supervisors (at ETH basically every professor, workshop manager, institute director, department head, staff manager, etc.) are
- Being familiar with the DownloadETH Waste Disposal Guideline (PDF, 307 KB)vertical_align_bottom
- You perform briefings in accordance with the disposal guidelines of ETH Zurich or have these performed by a qualified employee
- Monitoring adherence to these instructions
- Ensuring that hazardous waste is avoided wherever possible and that low-pollutant and low-emission products are being used
- Checking quantities used and ensuring that not more than necessary is purchased
- Being aware that the responsibility for hazardous waste rests with the supervisor until final disposal
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Further Information
SSHE cares for a healthy and safe working environment at ETH and advises you in health protection issues.
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Sitting for long periods at the office, working in front of screens and at computers, repetitive movements and one-sided stresses can sometimes lead to tension and pain in the musculoskeletal system. Headaches, neck pain or pain in the shoulders and arms are such symptoms. An evaluation of the personal work/study space and the associated adjustments according to ergonomic aspects can help to reduce such complaints or even make them disappear completely. A major effect can be achieved with only minor changes, for example adjusting the desk height or the office chair. Using the Download?Factheet ergonomics at computer workstations? (DOCX, 373 KB)vertical_align_bottom, you can carry out an initial evaluation of your computer workstation and make small adjustments on your own.
For further information, you can find a course on “Ergonomics at computer workstations” at SSHE’s overview of courses. In this session, the experts from the Occupational Medicine and Health Protection Section teach the basics of ergonomics at computer workstations and explain how you can work in front of a screen in a healthy, fatigue-free way.
Personal consultation and/or workstation evaluation is carried out in individual cases and as required. For example, this is the case if employees suffer from complaints that cannot be reduced by adapting the existing ergonomic conditions. After consulting with your supervisor, contact SSHE Occupational Medicine and Health Protection via email.
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As an expectant mother, you and your child have the right to special health protection. Please contact the Safety, Security, Health and Environment Department (SSHE) already if you plan to become pregnant, at the latest if you become aware of your pregnancy so that they can carry out an individual risk assessment of your work/study space at an early stage. The purpose of a risk assessment is to exclude any possible health risks for mother and child by taking the appropriate protective measures. Upon request, the risk assessment is carried out confidentially.
Health risks for mother and child
The DownloadSSHE leaflet on pregnancy and breastfeeding (PDF, 174 KB)vertical_align_bottom provides detailed information on the possible health hazards and risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are exposed to such a risk, contact the SSHE Department. You can also find a list of prohibited tasks in the external pagematernity protection brochurecall_made of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
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All persons who conduct or manage animal experiments or are responsible for laboratory animal keeping must complete a mandatory basic education and, in addition, attend to continuous trainings. The basic education and continuous training should provide expertise and practical skills ? for animal-friendly husbandry and breeding, its responsible usage as well as for a gentle handling of the animal. At the end of 2014, ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich (Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, LTK) signed a cooperation agreement and, as of then, jointly offer a broad portfolio of legally required or optional training courses in the field of laboratory animal science and animal welfare. Information on the content and course dates of the LTK modules can be found external pageherecall_made.
In addition, a further training course tailored to animal caretakers is provided, which takes into account the needs of this professional group (more information can be obtained from ).
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The goal of occupational health and safety is to prevent injuries, accidents and illnesses at ETH Zurich. Whether in the laboratory or workshop, during practical student courses and excursions, in the service room or the office: Occupational safety is always based on teamwork. That means that supervisors, employees, lecturers, students, learners and SSHE have to work closely together.
The DownloadETH Zurich biosafety concept (PDF, 574 KB)vertical_align_bottom contains detailed information on the regulation of Biosafety levels (BSL) 1, 2 and 3 activities at ETH Zurich.
Are you planning work with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pathogens, invasive/foreign organisms and/or with samples of human origin such as blood or cell cultures?
The activities mentioned (BSL1 and 2) must be reported to the federal authorities in accordance with the Swiss Ordinance on the Contained Use of Organisms (ESV); without official notification, such activities may not be carried out at ETH Zurich. To register in the database, please contact . In addition, a biosafety officer (BSO) must be appointed and a during the planning phase.
Work with samples of human origin (usually BSL2) must be assessed by the ETH Zurich Ethics Commission. For such activities, we recommend that you be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. Please note that, for safety reasons, it is forbidden to use your own blood; likewise, taking blood samples from other members of the same working group should be avoided if possible. It is best to use tested blood from the blood bank.
For biosafety-relevant work with plants, special regulations and safety measures apply in some cases, which are defined in official enforcement aids. Analogous regulations also exist for corresponding work with animals; here, the animal welfare officers of ETH Zurich must also be consulted.
ETH Zurich does not have a general import licence for biological materials it is not needed for most human pathogenic and genetically modified substances. If you do require an import licence, e.g., because the supplier insists on it, because the substances fall under the Goods Control Ordinance or are considered biological weapons under the War Material Act, you must apply for it yourself to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) or the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO). As the applicant, you bear the costs of issuing the document. The regulations and forms applicable to the import of animal pathogenic substances and material of animal origin can be found on the FSVO website.
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Documents
- Download vertical_align_bottom Biosafety Concept (PDF, 574 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Checklist: Self-Inspection Animal Facilities (PDF, 157 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Checklist: Self-Inspection Greenhouses and Plant Chambers (PDF, 142 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Checklist: Self-Inspection Laboratories (PDF, 131 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Notification of biosafety relevant activities (PDF, 261 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Prohibition of Food in Laboratories and Workshops (PDF, 680 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Working safely with ethidium bromide (EtBr) (PDF, 176 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Working with Acrylamide (PDF, 368 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Form: Request Prescription Safety Goggles (PDF, 232 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Information Sheet: Working with Sharps (PDF, 38 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Poster: Emergencies in the Lab – What to Do? (PDF, 1.4 MB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Template: Group-Specific Biosafety Concept (ZIP, 736 KB)
Areas with special hazards (e.g., chemistry lab, workshop, bio lab, chemical cabinet, gas bottle cabinet, etc.) and those that require special protective measures (e.g., laser safety goggles, safety goggles, hearing protection, etc.) must be marked accordingly
Do you need hazard labels, warning notices, mandatory signs? Browse our ?DownloadCatalogue (PDF, 1.4 MB)vertical_align_bottom? and order them at .
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You work with hydrofluoric acid, with nanomaterials, with ethidium bromide, with a chemical with acute or chronic toxicity, with a caustic chemical, a flammable solvent or with a chemical that is new to you? You have questions about the safe handling, about the required personal protective equipment, about storage etc.? You want to install a new gas in your lab and do not know if gas detection is required? You work with a 3D printer and are not sure if ventilation is necessary? You are the safety officer for your lab and have read the safety datasheet for a chemical but still have questions?
For any of these or other questions about a chemical, a test setup, technical measures, or safety in your lab, contact .
Cytostatics are medications that inhibit cell growth, the main target being all tumor cell fractions that are in cell division. In case of exposure, mutagenic, reproduction toxic and carcinogenic side effects are possible. Depending on the classification, hormones, monoclonal antibodies and other substances are counted among the cytostatics.
There are special requirements for working with cytostatics. Contact for more information .
Lab coats need to be washed periodically, but not in a normal washing machine. ETH Zurich offers a Downloadlaundry service for lab coats (PDF, 180 KB)vertical_align_bottom in cooperation with Herrera Laundry.
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Documents
- Download vertical_align_bottom Checklist: Lab Safety (PDF, 185 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Duties occupational safety and health protection - Suva (PDF, 927 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Gas Monitoring (PDF, 164 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Prohibition of Food in Laboratories and Workshops (PDF, 680 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Safe handling of Hydrofluoric acid and Hydrogen fluoride (PDF, 406 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Form: Laundry Service for Lab Coats (PDF, 180 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Simplified labeling of hazardous substances (PDF, 425 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Form: Overnight Reaction Authorization (PDF, 758 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Form: Request Prescription Safety Goggles (PDF, 232 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Guidelines: Cryogenic liquefied gases (cryogenic gases) and dry ice (PDF, 234 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Guidelines: Gas cylinders with compressed and liquefied gases (PDF, 131 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Guideline: Safe Handling of Nanomaterials in the Lab (PDF, 418 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Information Sheet: Working with Sharps (PDF, 38 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Poster: Emergencies in the Lab – What to Do? (PDF, 1.4 MB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Template: Group-specific safety concept (ZIP, 591 KB)
Do you work with a class 3B or 4 laser? Then you must appoint a laser safety officer with the respective duties and report this to the section Operational Environmental and Radiation Protection (BUSS). The legal requirements pertaining to laser protection in Switzerland can be found in the brochure ”, the section BUSS is glad to assist you.
Contact:
Machinery may be placed on the market and operated only if, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, it does not present any or only a minor risk to the safety and health of users and third parties. The work and operating equipment must comply with the basic health and safety requirements.
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Documents
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Procurement of Safe Work Equipment (PDF, 301 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Safety Features (PDF, 327 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Guideline: Additive manufacturing / 3D-Print (PDF, 337 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Guideline: Machinery, and Amending Directive 2006/42/EC (PDF, 1.4 MB)
Do you work in the field of medical technology and develop technical devices for use on patients, such as infusion pumps, pacemakers, dialysis machines, or prosthetic devices of all types?
For questions, e.g. on product safety or materials to be used, or for advice on your work procedures, please contact us.
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The supply of narcotics in Switzerland is regulated by the Narcotics Act (BetmG) and the Narcotics Control Ordinance (BetmKV). Institutions involved in scientific research may be granted a licence by the relevant cantonal authority to cultivate, acquire, store and use narcotics to the extent required for their own needs. Within ETH Zurich, a separate licence is required for each organisational unit (research group, platform, etc.). The organisational units shall appoint a person in charge of the controlled substances and entrust him/her with the following tasks:
- Ordering
- Internal organisation
- Storage
- Issuance
- Control
Compliance with these legal provisions is essential for the organisational units of ETH Zurich that want to obtain narcotics. Both those who already work with narcotics and those who are new to it are required to appoint a person in charge and obtain the necessary licence. A licence for scientific institutions is generally valid for 5 years and costs CHF 250. These costs are borne by the respective organisational unit. For logical reasons, the respective executive of the organisational unit is usually appointed as the person in charge, as this is the person who bears the responsibility.
These are the most important tasks and responsibilities regarding work with narcotics for professors and supervisors (at ETH Zurich, this means in particular every workshop supervisor, institute director, department head, office director, et al.):
- Taking note of the legal basis and acting accordingly
- Appointing a person in charge of narcotics for the organisational unit
- Applying to the Cantonal Office for Therapeutic Product Control for a licence. Work with narcotics is only permitted after a licence has been issued
- Informing SSHE about the appointment or change of the person in charge within the institute/area. Please send this notification by e-mail to
Contact:
The employer provides personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever required for an activity at a study or workplace. The use of PPE is mandatory and an important element of preventive healthcare.
PPE includes:
- Gas masks and particle filter masks
- Gloves
- Head protection
- Hearing protection
- Protective clothing
- Protective footwear
- Rope fastening
- Safety goggles
Would you like advice on the subject of PPE or do you need support in selecting suitable PPE products? We are happy to help.
- Do you wear glasses, will you be you employed at ETH Zurich for at least one year and do you need prescription safety goggles? Fill out the Downloadonline form (PDF, 263 KB)vertical_align_bottom now.
- Do you need assistance to get a quote for laser safety goggles? Fill out Downloadthis form (PDF, 73 KB)vertical_align_bottom and we will contact you.
Contact:
Documents
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Eye and Face Protection (PDF, 116 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Protective Gloves (PDF, 234 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Respiratory Protection (PDF, 134 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Form: Request for Quotation - Laser Protective Eyewear/Laser Alignment Eyewear (PDF, 73 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Form: Request Prescription Safety Goggles (PDF, 263 KB)
Working with ionizing radiation, e.g. with radioactive materials of a particular activity and/or X-ray instruments, is subject to authorization. In addition, a radiation protection officer who has received training approved by the Swiss Federal Department of Public Health (FOPH) must be appointed.
To apply for a permit, temporarily carry out research with radiation exposure abroad or if you have any general questions about radiation protection, please contact Dr. Silke Kiesewetter.
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In accordance with Article 8 of the Verordnung über die Verhütung von Unf?llen und Berufskrankheiten, VUV (Ordinance on the Prevention of Accidents and Occupational Diseases), employers can only assign tasks that involve special hazards to employees who are appropriately trained. In addition, employers must arrange for an employee to be supervised if the employee is performing hazardous tasks alone. The basic principle is that working alone is not permissible if the work can lead to an injury that requires the immediate assistance of a second person. This applies in particular in the following cases (the list is not exhaustive):
Work where constant supervision by a second person is mandatory (regardless of the time of day):
- Work on live electrical installations
- Work involving running bodies of water
- Work in thermotechnical installations, tall chimneys and connecting ducts
- Work in containers and confined spaces
- Work in shafts, pipelines, pits and sewers
- When entering and working in silos
- Work in underground mining structures, in rock strata containing natural gas
- Work with radiation sources outside irradiation areas
- Work with compressed air and respiratory protection
- Deconstruction or demolition work
- Rope access work
- Work with rope protection (fall arrest system)
- Forestry work with special hazards, e.g., work with chainsaws, work in steep terrain, logging, climbing trees
- Work on train tracks
- Work on electrical towers
Work that may only be carried out within eyeshot and earshot of other people (regardless of the time of day):
- Work on technical systems in special operation, e.g., installing, rectifying faults, maintenance work
- Work in usually inaccessible and unsecured hazard areas
- Work with a risk of being caught by rotating parts and tools
- Work with chemicals or laboratory glassware
- Climbing higher than 3 m
Requirements for persons working alone: they must be
- Mentally and intellectually suited to working alone (danger awareness!)
- Physically suited to working alone
- Of age
At ETH Zurich, there is the possibility of coming into contact with hazards at various study and work spaces. Since it cannot always be assumed that a second person is within eyeshot or earshot outside normal working hours, the requirements for working alone must be complied with accordingly. This means that without the presence of another person or a suitable alarm system, none of the work which has a higher risk potential and which is prohibited according to the above list may be carried out on principle. Routine work where the exact procedure is known or work processes involving hazardous substances or equipment where personal injury is prevented by appropriate technical or structural measures may be carried out alone. The corresponding guidelines must therefore be specified in writing, either in general or specific to the study or work space. To assess the need for monitoring persons working alone and to determine the appropriate monitoring system, please contact
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The general principle is that safety precautions must be taken against falling at heights of over two meters. Even a ladder that allows you to climb to a height of over two meters makes you a rope access technician!
Whenever possible, collective protection measures are taken against falls, e.g. scaffolds, railings, aerial platforms, safety nets, etc. For repair work, installation or maintenance work, it is not always possible to use such equipment. In these cases, personal protective equipment (PPE) against falls from heights must be used.
Working with rope protection is considered “work involving special hazards”. PPE against falls may only be used by specially trained and qualified persons. Training must be taken at least over the course of one day. Working at heights may never be performed alone.
The most important tasks and responsibilities regarding work at height for professors and supervisors (at ETH Zurich, this means in particular every workshop supervisor, institute director, department head, office director, et al.) are the “8 vital rules” of SUVA:
- Favouring, whenever possible, collective protection measures or other technical solutions such as mobile elevating work platforms
- Only allowing employees to work with rope protection if they have been accordingly trained
- Systematically organising timely inspections of the personal protective equipment (PPE) against falls from heights according to the manufacturer’s specifications
- Selecting working procedures, safety systems and PPE in order to minimise the risk of falling
- Determining suitable anchor points
- Providing PPE that can be optimally adapted to the body and is suitable for the intended use according to the manufacturer’s specifications
- Ensuring that their employees are trained to climb fall arrest ladders and have the correct safety equipment at their disposal
- Ensuring that a rapid rescue with on-site resources is guaranteed before work is started. Empowering employees to behave correctly in an emergency through regular rescue drills
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You need to work on an unusual material and are not sure if you can do this safely in your workshop? You find it somewhat loud in your workshop and sometimes also rather dusty? You have retrofitted your old machine and would like to know if it meets machine regulations? You need to perform some welding for the first time and want to know if the guidelines are the same as for soldering? Should you have any of these or other questions on a material, a work process, technical measures, or safety in your workshop, please contact us.
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Further Information
chevron_right Workshop PlatformDocuments
- Download vertical_align_bottom Checklist: Lab Safety (PDF, 185 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Duties occupational safety and health protection - Suva (PDF, 927 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Gas Monitoring (PDF, 164 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Prohibition of Food in Laboratories and Workshops (PDF, 680 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Factsheet: Simplified labeling of hazardous substances (PDF, 425 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Form: Request Prescription Safety Goggles (PDF, 232 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Guidelines: Cryogenic liquefied gases (cryogenic gases) and dry ice (PDF, 234 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Guidelines: Gas cylinders with compressed and liquefied gases (PDF, 131 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Information Sheet: Working with Sharps (PDF, 38 KB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Poster: Emergencies in the Lab – What to Do? (PDF, 1.4 MB)
- Download vertical_align_bottom Template: Group-specific safety concept (ZIP, 591 KB)