The School of Materials Science and Engineering is a Smoke Free Workplace

As a post graduate student you are expected to know about normal safety procedures in laboratories and other places, and if you happen to do something foolish, you are likely to be held responsible.

The obvious person to ask for advice is your supervisor, but the technical staff in the school are also there to help you.

Please remember: equipment and materials found in the school belong to somebody. You are not allowed to touch or use anything without asking this "somebody" first.

Even if you have permission to use certain items of equipment to-day, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are free to use them next week, and it certainly doesn't mean that you are free to let "friends" from other schools use them.

If you borrow something, remember to return it.

All postgraduate students must attend a course of instruction on Laboratory Safety. This will be arranged by the Post-Graduate Studies Co-ordinator, and will take place in the mid-year break.

Responsibility for safety in laboratories lies directly with the supervising member of staff, but it is expected that students will contribute to safe working practices by using common sense as well as the training and instructions given by trained staff.

Where there is any doubt by a student of any procedure, he or she is expected to approach their supervisor or an authorised member of staff, to have it resolved.

Students cannot be instructed to undertake work practices that will place them in conflict with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (1983).

When working after normal hours, there must always be at least two persons in laboratories where chemicals or machinery are used.

Suitable cotton or cotton/polyester laboratory coats or boiler suits will be worn in laboratories as directed by research supervisors or the staff member responsible for service laboratories. Shorts and light shirts are not considered appropriate.

Eye protection should be worn at all times whenever chemicals or glass apparatus under pressure are handled. Suitable protection shall be worn in areas where welding is carried out.

Gloves shall be worn when working with strong acids, strong alkalis or organic liquids. They should also be worn when handling dust or fibres such as furnace insulation.

Safe footwear appropriate to the particular hazard (e.g. foundry work, welding) should be worn. Barefoot students will not be allowed into laboratories.

Respirators with suitable filter elements must be used when working in dust or vapour atmospheres or with fibres such as furnace insulation.

Leather aprons and leggings must be worn when working in welding laboratories or for certain procedures in foundries.

Face shields are to be worn near furnaces where metals are being poured or heat radiation is present.

Gas cylinders must not be subjected to heat or shock. Cylinders must be secured by chains or straps to prevent falling while in laboratories. Gas cylinders shall be transported by suitable trolleys, and when being lifted by electric hoist shall be properly secured by straps and slings. Cylinders must under no circumstances be lifted by the neck or valve or moved with the regulator attached.

The electric hoists in the School are to be operated only by authorised members of staff whose names appear adjacent to the hoist main switches.

Do not open the main cylinder valve to remove dirt from the thread in cylinders containing flammable or oxidising gases.

No student will interfere with, nor alter, any permanent electrical installation, electrical appliance or apparatus.

No student shall operate any machine unless under the supervision of their supervisor or the officer in charge of that machine.

Students who demonstrate a degree of competence that satisfies the officer in charge may be allowed to operate machines or equipment that are not normally used in their education program.

This can be done only with the supervisor's agreement. A source of funds must be provided (account number).

If you need to

Gas requisition forms may be obtained from the School Office and sent to the Chemistry store, from where the gases may be picked up a few days later. An account number is needed.

For minor purchase (<$1,000): Credit Card Fax Orders can be used, and they are available from the School Office.

For larger purchases: Purchase Requisition Book is available from the School Office. An account number is needed..

Small items (UNDER $100) bought with private funds may be reimbursed through the 'Petty Cash' system subject to prior approval by the student's supervisor. An account number is needed..

Ask at the School Office, and provide an account number.

The purpose of a formalised review process is to both monitor and assess the progress of the postgraduate students.

Outlined below is the current postgraduate student review process.

The student will meet (informally) with his/her supervisors within the first month of enrolment. The purpose of this meeting is as follows:

In the event that the student appears to exhibit a poor ability to speak English, the supervisors may recommend that the student enrol in an English course given by the University's English Support Unit (x4980). In addition, all students who did not graduate from this must enrol in a seminar course which will be offered by the School.

A research supervisory committee will be appointed to a student no later than the end of his/her first session of enrolment. The committee shall consist of three to four members; with at least two of the members being academics from the School of Materials Science and Engineering. It is recommended that the committee consist of the following:

You should obtain a full copy of the review from Ms. Lana Strizhevsky as this will acquaint you with all of the specific written and oral requirements and the timing of your presentations.

At the end of each session, you must have prepared certain written aspects of your work. These components are intended to serve as first drafts of chapters of your thesis. Written documents must be submitted at least one week prior to the date of review (i.e., in Week 13).

At the end of certain Sessions, you must make an oral presentation to your Review Committee and/or the public. These components are intended to allow your Review Committee to assess your rate and amount of progress in detail.