Faculty of Engineering
Activity or Experiment-Based Risk Assessment Form
Department:
Division of Bioengineering
Name of Experiment/Activity:
Location:
E3A-07-02
Name of Person in-charge:
Last Review Date:
Use of HFNH4 etchant solution
Name of PI:
Next Review Date:
1. Hazard Identification
No.
1
Task
Hazards
2. Risk Evaluation & Control
Possible
Consequences
Existing Risk
Control
(if any)
To Take / use:
HF is toxic, acidic
Contact with HF;
Use correct
acid out of
and volatile.
also diluted HF is
pipetting
storage bottle, to
Harmful to skin
toxic; contact with
equipment
dilute and
and mucous
HF may not be
Wear full personal
portioning them,
membranes. Spill
recognized
protective equip-
add small
hazards and
immediately.
ment especially
amounts to
evaporation of HF.
Irritation and or
safety goggles,
experimental
damage of skin
face shield and
sample
and nerve
body shield.
system. .
Perform all work in
S
L
R
2
1
4
2
1
3
fume hood.
Antidote calcium
cluconate is
available in the
lab.
2
Dr. Dieter Trau
Etching process
Same as under 1.
Mainly spill
Same as under 1
Same as under 1.
Etch in
Additional /
New Risk
Control
S
L
R
Action By
Deadline
hazards. Wash
polypropylene
etched substrate
closed box.
carefully before
Antidote calcium
removing from
cluconate is
etching area.
available in the
lab.
3
Disposal of HF
Acidic, corrosive,
Spill and vapor.
Mix slow and
Partially
carefully with other
evaporative or
reagents if
fuming,
necessary.
development of
Dispose only in
heat causing
designated bottles
eruptive
for HF. Dilute HF
evaporation,
and dispose into
irritant or harmful
calcium chloride
to mucous
solution to form
membranes
harmless Calcium
Might react with
fluoride. Antidote
other substances,
calcium cluconate
be dangerous to
is available in the
environment
lab.
2
1
4
First Aid Measures
Inhalation:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. CALL A PHYSICIAN
IMMEDIATELY.
Ingestion:
Administer milk, chewable calcium carbonate tablets or milk of magnesia. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
CALL A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY.
Skin Contact:
Wipe off any excess material from skin and then immediately flush skin with large amounts of soapy water. Remove contaminated
clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before re-use. Apply bandages soaked in magnesium sulfate. CALL A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY.
Eye Contact:
Immediately flush eyes with gentle but large stream of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Call a
physician immediately.
Note to Physician:
For large exposures, systemic effects (hypocalcemia and hypomagnesia) may occur.
Conducted by: (Name, designation)
Dieter Trau
Signature:
Date:
Approved by: (Name, designation)
Signature:
March 2010
Date:
Dr. Dieter Trau
Risk Assessment Matrix
Likelihood
Severity
Minor
Moderate
Major
Remote (1)
Occasional (2)
Frequent (3)
1
2
3
2
4
6
3
6
9
(1)
(2)
(3)
Severity Categories
Level
Human (Impact to
Physical Being)
Biological Impact
Environmental
Damage
Property Damage (S$)
(1) Minor
No Injury or light injury
requiring only first aid
treatment (MC < 4 days
MC)
Any injury/ill health
leading to ≥ 4 days MC or
≥ 1 day hospitalisation or
leads to temporary
disability
May not cause human disease, if does, the disease
is unlikely to spread to the community and there is
usually effective prophylaxis or treatment available;
Reversible
Up to $5,000
Can cause severe human disease, not ordinarily
spread by casual contact from one individual to
another; it may spread to the community, but there
is usually effective prophylaxis or treatment
available
Reversible but takes
years
$5,001 to $50,000
Fatality, permanent
Disability or life
threatening disease
Can cause lethal human disease, may be readily
transmitted from one individual to another, or from
animal to human or vice-versa directly or indirectly,
or casual contact, it may spread to the community;
usually no effective prophylaxis or treatment
available
Irreversible
More than $50,000
(2) Moderate
(3) Major
Likelihood Categories
Level
(1) Remote
(2) Possible
(3) Frequent
Events Frequency
Undesired event which may occur but unlikely, once in 5 years
Undesired event which is probable, once in a year
Undesired event which probably occur in most circumstances, once or more in a month
Risk Level and Acceptability Criteria
Risk Score
Risk Level
Acceptability
of Risk
<3
Low Risk
Acceptable
Medium Risk
Moderately
Acceptable
3–4
Recommended Actions
No additional risk control measures required. To continue to monitor to ensure risk do not escalate to higher level.
Acceptable to carry out the work activity; however, task need to be reviewed to bring risk level to As Low As Reasonably
Practicable.
Interim control measures such as administrative controls can be implemented. Supervisory oversight required.
Job must not be carried out until risk level is brought to at least medium risk level.
>4
High Risk
Not Acceptable
Risk controls should not be overly dependant on personal protective equipment. Controls measures should focus on
Elimination, substitution and engineering controls.
Immediate Management intervention required to ensure risk being brought down to at least medium level before work can
be commenced.