RISK ASSESSMENT
SCHOOL:
EXPERIMENT: 6.1 Reactivity of metals
Description of procedure (attach a copy of the experiment)
HAZARDOUS substance as classified by NOHSC
Reactant name and
concentration
Dangerous
goods
Hazard
level
Risk phrases
Safety phrases
Hydrochloric acid 2M
Yes
High
Causes burns.
Keep locked up.
Cumulative effects may result
following exposure.
Do not breathe
gas/fumes/vapour/spray.
Harmful by inhalation
Avoid contact with skin.
Risk of serious damage to
eyes.
Avoid contact with eyes.
Cumulative effects may result
following exposure.
Wear eye/face protection.
Wear suitable gloves.
Wear suitable protective
clothing.
Use only in well-ventilated
areas.
Keep container in a wellventilated place.
To clean the floor and all
objects contaminated by this
material, use water and
detergent.
Keep container tightly closed.
Immediately take off all
contaminated clothing
In case of contact with eyes,
rinse with plenty of water and
contact Doctor or Poisons
Information Centre.
In case of accident or if you feel
unwell IMMEDIATELY contact
Doctor or Poisons Information
Centre.
This material and its container
must be disposed of as
hazardous waste.
Magnesium ribbon
Yes
High
Highly flammable.
Never add water to this product.
Contact with water liberates
extremely flammable gases.
Do not breathe dust.
Spontaneously flammable in
air.
Avoid contact with eyes.
Inhalation may produce
health damage.
Cumulative effects may result
following exposure.
May produce discomfort of
the eyes.
Avoid contact with skin.
Wear eye/face protection.
Use only in well-ventilated
areas.
Keep container in a wellventilated place.
MSDS
date
Reactant name and
concentration
Dangerous
goods
Hazard
level
Risk phrases
Safety phrases
In case of contact with eyes,
rinse with plenty of water and
contact Doctor or Poisons
Information Centre.
This material and its container
must be disposed of as
hazardous waste.
Iron
No
Moderate
Inhalation may produce
health damage.
Do not breathe dust.
Cumulative effects may result
following exposure.
Wear eye/face protection.
May produce discomfort of
the eyes and respiratory
system.
Avoid contact with skin.
Use only in well-ventilated
areas.
Keep container in a wellventilated place.
In case of contact with eyes,
rinse with plenty of water and
contact Doctor or Poisons
Information Centre.
Copper
No
Moderate
Harmful to aquatic
organisms.
Inhalation may produce
health damage.
Cumulative effects may result
following exposure.
May produce discomfort of
the eyes, respiratory tract and
skin.
Do not breathe dust. Avoid
contact with skin. Avoid contact
with eyes. Wear suitable
gloves.
Wear eye/face protection.
Use only in well-ventilated
areas.
Keep container in a wellventilated place.
In case of contact with eyes,
rinse with plenty of water and
contact Doctor or Poisons
Information Centre.
Steel wool – Steelo
No
Moderate
Irritating to eyes.
Avoid contact with skin.
Ingestion may produce health
damage.
Avoid contact with eyes.
May produce skin discomfort.
Wear eye/face protection.
Wear suitable gloves.
To clean the floor and all
objects contaminated by this
material, use water and
detergent.
In case of contact with eyes,
rinse with plenty of water and
contact Doctor or Poisons
Information Centre.
If swallowed, IMMEDIATELY
contact Doctor or Poisons
Information Centre.
MSDS
date
NON-HAZARDOUS substance as classified by NOHSC
Reactant name and
concentration
Dangerous
goods
Hazard level
Risk phrases
Safety phrases
Dishwashing liquid – Morning
Fresh
No
Moderate
Harmful to aquatic
organisms, may cause longterm adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.
Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapour.
Ingestion may produce
health damage.
Wear suitable gloves.
Cumulative effects may
result following exposure.
In case of contact with eyes, rinse with
plenty of water and contact Doctor or
Poisons Information Centre.
May produce discomfort of
the eyes and skin.
Possible respiratory and skin
sensitiser.
Aluminium
No
Zinc
Yes
Moderate
Moderate
Avoid contact with skin.
Avoid contact with eyes.
Wear eye/face protection.
In case of accident by inhalation, remove
casualty to fresh air and keep at rest.
Contact with water liberates
extremely flammable gases.
Never add water to this product.
Spontaneously flammable in
air.
Avoid contact with skin.
Inhalation may produce
health damage.
Keep container in a well-ventilated place.
Do not breathe dust.
Use only in well-ventilated areas.
Contact with water liberates
extremely flammable gases.
Never add water to this product.
Spontaneously flammable in
air.
Avoid contact with skin.
Very toxic to aquatic
organisms. May cause longterm adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.
Inhalation and/or skin
contact may produce health
damage.
Cumulative effects may
result following exposure.
May produce discomfort of
the respiratory system and
skin.
Do not breathe dust.
Wear suitable gloves.
Use only in well-ventilated areas.
Keep container in a well-ventilated place.
Do not empty into drains.
This material and it’s container must be
disposed of in a safe way.
Use appropriate container to avoid
environmental contamination.
Avoid release to the environment.
This material and its container must be
disposed of as hazardous waste.
Other hazards and possible risks
Protective measures
Lab coat
Safety glasses
Gloves
Yes
Yes
Yes
Fume cupboard
Other
Use only in well-ventilated areas.
Student clean-up and disposal of wastes
Return all waste to the laboratory technician.
To clean the work bench and all objects contaminated by these materials, use water and detergent.
Assessor’s signature: __________________________________
Date: __________________
***** This assessment is not valid until it has been completed and signed by an assessor
approved by the school. The assessment will cease to be valid 5 years after the above date.
All teachers are to sign the following statement before conducting this experiment.
I have read this risk assessment and I understand the safety procedures and risks involved.
Teacher’s Name
Teacher’s signature
Date:
Disposal of wastes (Lab technician notes)
Disposal may be subject to local laws and regulations and these should be considered first.
Recycle wherever possible.
Bury residue in an authorised landfill.
Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
****NOTES:
 Individual schools have a legal obligation to acquire their own manufacturer’s MSDS and produce a risk
assessment relevant to their own situation.
 This risk assessment sheet is provided for your guidance only.
 Disposal of waste is subject to the laws and regulations of states, territories and local authorities.
 It is not to be assumed that products bought from supermarkets are non-hazardous.
DISCLAIMER:
These guidelines are designed to serve as a general reference only. They do not replace the school's legal obligation to
provide a valid risk assessment to ensure the safety of the staff and students conducting this experiment. While the
Publisher has endeavoured to ensure that the material provided is free from error, the Publisher does not warrant the
accuracy, adequacy or completeness of that material or that the material is suitable for your intended use. To the fullest
extent permitted by law the Publisher disclaims all responsibility for any actions taken or not taken in relation to the material
provided.