Department of Chemistry and Department of Biology and Biochemistry: Generic Risk Assessment: The Use of
Centrifuges.
The assessor should assign values for (a) the level of harm (hazard severity) that could result from using the hazard, and (b) the likelihood of it
occurring (taking into account the frequency and duration of exposure) on a scale of 1 to 5, then multiply them together to give the rating band:
Degree of Harm
(A)
Likelihood of Occurrence
1 – Trivial
(eg discomfort, irritation, slight bruising, self-help recovery)
2 – Minor
(eg small cut, burn or abrasion, basic first aid need)
3 – Moderate (eg strain, sprain, infection, poisoning, incapacitation > 3 days, fire)
4 – Serious (eg fracture, hospitalisation >24 hrs, incapacitation >4 weeks, severe
damage to building)
5 – Fatal
(single or multiple)
1 – Remote
2 – Unlikely
3 – Possible
4 – Likely
5 – Very likely
(B)
(almost never, not expected at all)
(foreseeable, but only occurring rarely)
(could occur, but uncommon)
(recurrent but not frequent)
(could occur frequently)
The risk rating (high, medium or low) indicates the level of response required to be taken when designing the action plan.
Risk Assessment Matrix
(B)
(A)
Risk Rating Bands (A x B)
Trivial
Minor
Moderate Serious
Fatal
Remote
1
2
3
4
5
Unlikely
2
4
6
8
10
Possible
3
6
9
12
15
Likely
4
8
12
16
20
Very likely
5
10
15
20
25
LOW RISK
(1 – 8)
MEDIUM RISK
(9 - 12)
HIGH RISK
(15 - 25)
Continue,
but review
periodically to
ensure controls
remain effective
Continue,
but implement
additional reasonably
practicable controls
where possible and
monitor regularly
STOP THE ACTIVITY
Identify new controls.
Activity must not proceed
until risks are reduced to a
low or medium level
Risk Assessment of: Centrifuge use at Bath
University.
Assessor(s):
Overview of activity / location / equipment /
conditions being assessed:
The use of centrifuges in any experimental/ research work in the Department of Chemistry or
Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Bath.
Centrifuge summary:
A laboratory centrifuge is a piece of equipment, generally driven by a motor that puts an object in
rotation around a fixed axis, applying force perpendicular to the axis. The centrifuge works using the
sedimentation principle, where the centripetal acceleration is used to separate substances of different
density or particle size.
Hazard
Who could be
harmed?
How could they be
harmed?
Mechanical
Laboratory users,
staff, support staff,
PG and UG
students,
contractors and/ or
visitors to the
laboratory.
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Mechanical failure of
rotor parts (often
violent)
Small differences in
mass of the load can
result in a large force
imbalance when the
rotor is at high speed.
This force imbalance
strains the spindle and
may result in damage
to centrifuge or
personal injury.
Centrifuge rotors
should never be
touched while the
Work Authorised by:
Risk Before
controls
Implemented
A
B
AxB
Date:
Control measures needed to minimise risk

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PPE – Lab coat and glasses must be worn at all
times.
All operators should be trained on proper
operating procedures before operating the
centrifuge.
A risk Assessment must be filled in,
understood and signed before operating
any centrifuge.
Before used check the rotor, lids and seals
are clean and no damage. A build-up of
chemicals from spillages may cause tube
to jam in rotor or corrosion which could
lead to rotor failure. Damages rotors must
not be used and should be reported to the
person in charge of the centrifuge.
Risk after
controls
implemented
A
B
AxB
rotors are moving,
because a spinning
rotor can cause serious
injury.

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Electrical
Electric Shock


Centrifuges should be visually inspected before
use and any concerns reported to workshop staff.
Centrifuge must not be used until a competent
person has confirmed the oven is safe.
PAT testing must be up-to-date.
Centrifuges must be used as per manufacturer’s
instructions.
Centifuges should be switched off when not in
use.
Plugs should be labelled as to the equipment/ rig
that they power and should be easily accessible
in an emergency situation.
Leads should not be left trailing.

Use as per manufacturer’s instruction.

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Fire or
explosion
Fires can occur if centrifuges
are not cleaned regularly, if
samples are not loaded
correctly or not used as per
manufacturer’s instructions.
Check tubes and bottles for cracks and
deformities before each use.
Never fill centrifuge tubes above the
maximum recommended by manufacturer.
(refer to instruction manual )
Never exceed the maximum stated speed
for any rotor.
Always use sealed safety cups or sealed
rotors with O-rings when working with
infectious agents.
Wipe exterior of tubes or bottles with
disinfectant prior to loading.
Open rotor in biological safety cabinets
when working with infectious agents.
Stop the centrifuge immediately if an
unusual condition (noise or vibration)
begins.
Decontaminate safety carriers or rotors
and centrifuge interior after each use.
Chemical
Exposure to chemicals.

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
Cuts and grazes
From material or broken
vessels in centrifuge.

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All work with hazardous chemicals should be
Risk Assessed.
Any spills should be cleaned up as detailed in the
chemical MSDS.
Any biological spills should be decontaminated
according to the RA.
Centrifuges should be cleaned regularly using
appropriate PPE.
All breakages should be cleared up immediately.