DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
TEACHING LAB EXPERIMENT RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
This form must be completed jointly by the Lab Officer in charge and the Lecturer in charge. A
hardcopy of the completed form should be kept in a file together with the Project Risk
Assessment.
Name of Principal Investigator
Name of Lab Officer in Charge
Module / Expt No.
A/P Tan Choon Hong/Asst Prof
Zeng Huaqiang
Activity being assessed:
Low Eng Hah
CM 3291/Expt 3
Oxygen Uptake By a Cobalt Complex
Known or expected hazards associated with the activity:
Hazards of reagents, solvents and known reaction products.
State each substance and the approximate amounts to be used/produced.
1. Salicylaldehyde [2.1 ml] : Warning! Combustible liquid and vapor. May be harmful if
swallowed. Causes severe eye irritation. May cause severe skin irritation.
2. Ethanol [ 170 ml ] : Warning! Flammable liquid and vapor. Causes respiratory tract irritation.
Causes severe eye irritation and moderate skin irritation.
3. Ethylenediamine [ 0.7 ml ] : Harmful if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin.
4. Cobalt (II) Acetate [ 2.2 g ] : Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
5. Dimethyl sulphoxide [DMSO] [5ml] : Skin, eye and respiratory system irritant. Readily
absorbed through skin. Toxic if swallowed.
6. Chloroform [ 10ml ] : This material causes cancer in laboratory animals, and is IARC listed as
a probable human carcinogen. Inhalation and ingestion are harmful and may be fatal.
Incompatible materials (special precautions):
1. Salicylaldehyde : Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with strong bases, strong reducing
agents, strong acids, strong oxidizing agents.
2. Ethanol : Stable. Substances to be avoided include strong oxidising agents, peroxides,
acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, alkali metals, ammonia, moisture. Forms explosive
mixtures with air.
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3. Ethylenediamine : Incompatible with aldehydes, phsophorus halides, organic halides,
oxidizing agents, strong acids, copper, its alloys and its salts. Hygroscopic.
4. Cobalt (II) Acetate : Stable.
Incompatibilities: moisture and heat. Hazardous combustion or decomposition products
Toxic fumes of : carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide ,cobalt/cobalt oxides.
5. Dimethyl sulphoxide [DMSO] : Incompatible with a very wide range of materials, including
acid chlorides, strong acids, strong oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents, phosphorus
halides, moisture, copper wool + trichloroacetic acid.
6. Chloroform : May decompose on exposure to light. Incompatible with a wide variety of
materials, including peroxy compounds, alkali amides, strong bases, alkali metals, magnesium,
aluminium, strong oxidizing agents. Exposure to alcohol may increase toxic effects.
The risk of injury and its severity likely to arise from these hazards:
Salicylaldehyde: May be harmful if swallowed. Causes severe eye irritation. May cause severe
skin irritation.
Ethanol : Causes skin and eye irritation. Ingestion can cause nausea, vomitting and inebriation;
chronic use can cause serious liver damage.
Ethylenediamine : Harmful if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. May cause
allergic reactions. May cause burns to the skin. Very destructive of mucous membranes
Cobalt (II) Acetate : May cause sensitization by skin contact. Irritating to eyes, respiratory
system and skin.
DMSO [dimethyl sulphoxide] : Readily absorbed through skin.
Chloroform: It is carcinogen. Inhalation and ingestion are harmful and may be fatal.
Who is at risk?
The students who do the experiments. May have the effect on all occupants.
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Measure to be taken to reduce the level of risk:
1. Wear safety goggles
2. Wear disposable hand gloves
3. Wear lab coat
4. carry out experiments in the fume hoods
5. Safety shower and eye wash
6. first aid kits
7. fire extinguishers
8. spillage kits.
Training prerequisites:
Advise students on the hazards of reagents used. Refer to prepared risk assessments on use
of glassware, use of fume hoods and use of standard electrical equipment.
Use of Glassware
Use of Standard Electrical Equipment
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/PSSO/Safety/Risk/Solvent.htm
Level of risk remaining:
Low
Emergency action if :
Spill:
1. Salicylaldehyde : Eliminate ignition sources. Prevent from entering drains.
Use solvent absorbent. Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this material, use water and
detergent.
2. Ethanol : Eliminate ignition sources. Use solvent absorbent
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
3. Ethylenediamine : Eliminate ignition sources. Prevent from entering drains.
Use solvent absorbent. Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
4. Cobalt (II) Acetate : Avoid dust. Sweep to safe place. Use water for cleaning.
5. DMSO : Absorb with solvent absorbent. Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
6. Chloroform : Prevent from entering drains. Absorb with solvent absorbent.
Fire:
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1. Salicylaldehyde : Use dry powder fire extinguisher [provided in the lab.]Dry chemical, .
2. Ethanol : Keep containers cool. Water spray or Use powder fire extinguisher [provided in the
lab.]
3. Ethylenediamine : Keep containers cool. Water spray or Use powder fire extinguisher
[provided in the lab.]
4. Cobalt (II) Acetate : Water spray.
5. DMSO : Water spray.
6. Chloroform : Water spray.
Is the experiment suitable for out-of-hours operation?
Yes
No
References if any:
Signature of Lab Officer in Charge::………………………………………………………………..
Date:…………………………
Signature of Lecturer in Charge:………… ……………………………………..
Date:… ……………………..
Prepared Risks Assessments for standard equipment and operation are with the kind permission of Dr. Ken MacNeil,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol.
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Activity being assessed:
Note any activity to be used which entail risk (e.g. use of glass vacuum apparatus, high pressures, high
voltage, radiation, high temperatures). Give reference to any special protocols to be followed, and if
appropriate attach copies to the risk assessment form. State any additional precautions taken to minimise
risk.
Known or expected hazards associated with the activity:
FOR EACH CHEMICAL, read the MSDS and note:a) Particular hazards (e.g. highly toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive, flammable, pyrophoric, explosive, volatile,
dust hazard). Note any dangerous combinations of properties (e.g. volatile and toxic).
b) Requirements for safe handling (e.g. fume cupboard, inert atmosphere, low temperature).
c) How to dispose of residuals
 Dispose to drain, with water dilution
 Neutralise, then to drain with suitable dilution
 To flammable liquid waste receptacle
 To non-flammable liquid waste receptacle
 Keep for recovery/recycling
 Keep for special disposal later (e.g. heavy metals)
 Double bag and dispose to dry waste
 Special procedure (specify)
Incompatible materials (special precautions)
Note any dangerously incompatible materials and hazards arising from contact of any reagents and
substances used with common materials such as paper, benches, hoses, etc.
Measures to be taken to reduce the level of risk
Include hazards of previously unknown products.
Location of work – laboratory, open bench, fume cupboard
Level of risk remaining:
Likelihood and consequences of any accident or unforeseen events whilst carrying out the activity. When
this has been done, choose the appropriate procedure:a) Close supervision and/or attendance of trained first-aider needed.
b) Specific approval of supervisor needed.
c) Training is needed prior-to or during the operations specified.
d) Training is complete and only general laboratory competence required.
e) No risk perceived.
Emergency action:
a) Any special requirements to deal with accidental spillage or leakage.
b) What to do in the event of accidental exposure (skin contact, inhalation, etc.).
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