College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences
Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology
COSHH, Risk Assessment and Chemical Safety
The following information and instructions supplement the Safety Policy for the Institute,
and are key elements to ensure that the Safety Policy is implemented effectively.
COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
A COSHH Risk Assessment Form (RA1 – chemical risks) should be completed [sample to be
attached – what is in current use in Davidson blg, is it the same form as in GBRC], and easily
accessed by users in the laboratory, be kept updated with regular reviews and available for
inspection by a member of the Institute’s safety committee.
COSHH (2002) The Risk Assessment exercise for any activity is the key link to ensuring that we
comply with legislation for safety at work. Written evidence, where appropriate, is the key factor
in ensuring that there is a consistency of high standard across the department and that all staff
and students are aware of, and respond correctly to potential hazards.
COSHH 2002 requires certain factors to be taken into consideration when compiling a risk
assessment. These are:

The hazardous properties of the substances (i.e. the intrinsic property of that substance
to cause harm. This is different from the 'risk' which is the likelihood of that hazard
causing harm in the context of its use, and by what means that harm will be expressed.
The Risk assessment is to establish how the harm could be expressed, and what
measures are needed to prevent it being expressed, hence the following questions)

How it will be used

The amount of the substance to be used

Information on health effects provided by the supplier (e.g., the material safety data
sheet)

The level, type and duration of exposure (note particularly if the initial exposure is to a
higher quantity of the substance prior to extracting a smaller quantity for use)

Activities such as maintenance where there is the potential for a high level of exposure

Any relevant occupational exposure standard

The results of monitoring of exposures

The risks presented by combinations of exposures to substances
Remember, however, that not all work needs to be assessed in such detail. Only that which poses a
realistic foreseeable risk to people needs to be assessed. If the quantities of a substance are tiny
(i.e., even from the first moment of collecting the chemical), the hazard small and therefore the risk
negligible the assessment need only record the substances involved, that they will be used in
accordance with the supplier's Material Safety Data Sheet and the conclusion that because the
substances pose little or no risk, no further detailed risk assessment is warranted.
Chemical Safety – storage, handling and disposal
See also SEPS Health & Safety Notes at
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/seps/chemicalsafety/
Storage of Chemicals
 All containers of substances within MVLS laboratories must be clearly labelled to
indicate the nature of the substance (no formulas). This includes the removal of all old
labels, and replacing of damaged ones.

No chemicals may be stored unlabelled at any time to avoid risk of error and ensure
correct storage and disposal. Safety database sheets, where provided, should be made
accessible to all users of that substance in the laboratory.

Highly toxic substances and carcinogens should not be stored on open shelves.
Schedule 1 poisons must be kept in a locked cupboard or drawer.

Store chemicals below shoulder level. Safety bottle carriers (found in each lab) must to
be used for transport of liquids to and from the laboratory.
See Appendix for ‘Unsafe Combinations of Chemicals in Storage’
Types of Specialised Storage Available
Acid cabinets - These are made of acid-resistant materials and contain a tray to catch any
leakage or spillage.
Flammable solvent cabinets - These are made of material with a minimum fire resistance of
a 30 minute British Standard 476 (some are to 90 minute standard).
Ventilated cabinets - These are cabinets which are fitted with forced ventilation. They may
be free-standing with their own extract system, or may be situated beneath a fume-cupboard
and attached to its duct.
Note: Fume Cupboards should be kept clear for operational work and not be used for
storage, as unnecessary materials disrupt the air-flow making the fume cupboard less
efficient.
Handling of Chemicals
Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the steps required for assessing the risks of laboratory
activities. For activities that already have a completed COSHH form, do not assume that all
the risks are covered - review any changes you make in a process and take time to check the
nature of the substance with which you are working in relation to what you are doing with
it. Make sure that you sign against COSHH Risk Assessments for work you are involved
with.
Contact lens wearers are advised that it is preferable to wear spectacles when working with
chemicals because volatile solvents could be trapped between the lens and eye. MVLS
policy states that safety glasses must be worn by contact lens wearers at all times where a
risk of this nature may arise.
Containers or vials of volatile or hazardous substances must be opened only in fume
cupboards.
MVLS policy states that laboratory coats should be worn at all times in laboratories, and
additional protective clothing should be considered where appropriate as part of a Risk
Assessment of an activity.
Disposal of Chemicals
Disposal of water-miscible substances
Small quantities of water-miscible solvent may be flushed down the sink provided there is a
sufficient accompanying flow of water to produce a high dilution. For non-water
immiscible chemicals, each laboratory should have two containers clearly labelled
'flammable' and 'non-flammable'. Each container must carry a label which details the
individual substances which it contains.
Acrylamide stained gels
Special arrangements are in place for disposal of gels stained with this mutagenic
compound. Gels must be only disposed into plastic drums labelled 'Ethidium Gels' and
carrying a Biohazard sign. These drums must be removed when full by technical staff to the
disposal point:Davidson/Wolfson Link building – Davidson solvent store
GBRC –
Bower - .
Disposal of surplus chemicals, solvents and waste chemical produce
To dispose of unwanted or surplus chemicals and waste chemical produced by your lab,
please complete the “waste disposal quotation sheet”, and forward the completed list to
Robert McNab (robert.mcnab@glasgow.ac.uk) or, in the Bower Building, to Craig Carr
(craig.carr@bio.gla.ac.uk), or GBRC.
Important Notice
Ensure that chemicals in your laboratory remain clearly and securely labelled with their
contents - it is currently not possible to dispose of unknown chemicals.
Other Useful Web Links
Understanding chemical risk phrases and symbols and http://www.hse.gov.uk/chip/phrases.htm
Use of Carcinogens and other Controlled Drugs
Toxic substances (including carcinogens) should be kept in a separate locked cupboard as
should Controlled Drugs governed by the Medicines Act, 1968.
There is confusion about what regulations are applicable when using carcinogens.
However, in the United Kingdom the use of "carcinogens" is governed by COSHH and its
associated Approved Codes of Practice, the CHIP regulations and EH40/2005 Work Place
Exposure Limits.
Exposure Limits
EH40 Occupational Exposure Limits Supplement 2005. HSE. ISBN 0717620832 available via the Health and Safety Executive web pages.
The COSHH Carcinogen Approved Code of Practice only applies to substances bearing the
risk phrases R45 "May cause cancer" and R49 "May cause cancer by inhalation." It does
not apply to substances labelled "suspected carcinogen" or appearing in lists produced by
other countries. Note that all COSHH records should be kept intact as part of the
laboratory's (and University's) safety records.


All the reagents should be contained in a metal tray and all implements in contact
require to be treated as carcinogen and decontaminated or sent to toxic waste. These
should be carefully kept aside on a metal tray and stored for inactivation
immediately at the end of the experiments.
One stage at which a carcinogen is most potent is when it is being solubilised or
added to a chemical reaction. These Modifications should be carried out in a class I
or class II cabinet.
Storage of Carcinogens
Storage facilities for chemical carcinogens should always be locked, and a record kept of
each chemical deposited.
Recording Data
By law, a register of all carcinogen users within MVLS is held and records are maintained
for 20 years. On purchasing any chemicals with the Risk Phrase "R45" and "R49", Paul
Phillips should be informed with the substance, where it was purchased from, the quantity
and date of purchase.
Inactivation and disposal of carcinogens

Where possible use prepared commercial solutions of ethidium bromide (ETBr)
and acrylamide gels. The low levels of ETBr present in gel buffers can be
flushed down the sink. Particular care should be taken when viewing DNA gels
by transilluminator. Buffer splashes should be dried by wiping with a tissue and
alcohol solution and the tissue discarded into the yellow plastic bags provided
for the disposal of solid carcinogen waste.

Outdated carcinogens or ones no longer is use should be arranged for disposal.
Flammable Solvents
Solvent supplies in laboratories should be kept to a minimum, preferably not more than will be
needed during the working day. Solvents must be returned to flame-proof cupboards when not in
use. Ether is especially dangerous because of its flammability.
Not all concentrations of a flammable vapour in air are flammable. For each vapour, there is a
concentration below which and above which propagation of a flame will not occur. These are
known as the lower and upper explosive limits, and vary widely for different substances, e.g.:Hydrogen
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Disulphide
Benzene
4% - 74%
12.5% - 74%
1% - 50% (the autoignition temp
is 90°C - about the same temp as a cup of
hot tea!)
1.% - 8%
“Many common solvents have a flammable range of about 1% to 10% and so would appear to be
safer than those substances with a wide flammable range. This is only partially true, however, as
most of these solvents give concentrations of vapour in the flammable range at room temperature.
The most useful parameter of flammability is the "flashpoint". This is the lowest temperature at
which a vapour-air mixture will ignite, if an ignition source is introduced. Some solvents such as
diethyl ether and carbon disulphide are so flammable that they have flashpoints below 0 degree
celsius, e.g., at -45 °C enough diethyl ether will evaporate to be ignitable. (This is the reason why it
is so dangerous to store flammable solvents in a domestic, i.e., non-spark proof, refrigerator). Most
of the common organic solvents have flashpoints at or below room temperature and are thus a
significant fire hazard.
The autoignition temperature is the lowest temperature at which a substance (solid, liquid or gas)
will self-ignite and sustain combustion in the absence of a spark or flame. For solids, this value is
greatly influenced by the size, shape and rate of heating."
Waste Solvents should be disposed of via the same route as waste chemicals.
4.1.4 Toxic Hazard Classification of Chemicals
All materials can be classified into one of four toxic hazard categories:Very High (V) High (H) Medium (M)
Low (L)
and are defined by the following criteria:In the following definitions the letter R denotes an EC Risk Phrase; LC = lethal concentrations; LD
= lethal dose
Very High Hazard V
A material which meets any of the following criteria:

Exposure Standards <0.1 ppm for vapour or <0.1 mg/m3 for dusts

Is very toxic by acute exposure:
 LC50 rat 0.5 mg/L/4hr or less: R26 VERY TOXIC BY INHALATION
 Dermal LD50 rat or rabbit £ 50 mg/kg: R27 VERY TOXIC IN CONTACT
WITH SKIN
 Oral LD50 rat 25 mg/kg or less: R28 VERY TOXIC IF SWALLOWED

Subacute toxicity with oral no effect level <0.1 mg/kg/day or equivalent dosage by
other routes.

Potent carcinogen: R45 MAY CAUSE CANCER, R49 MAY CAUSE CANCER BY
INHALATION

Respiratory sanitizer: R42 MAY CAUSE SENSITISATION BY INHALATION

Substances of unknown toxicity which after inspection of the structure or of other data
are likely to be classified at V by analogy.
High Hazard H

Exposure Standards >0.1 ppm & <10 ppm for vapour or >0.1 mg/m3 and <1 mg/m3
for dusts.

Is toxic by acute exposure:
 LC50 rat 0.5 - 2 mg/L/4hr: R23 TOXIC BY INHALATION
 Dermal LD50 rat or rabbit 50 - 400 mg/kg: R24 TOXIC IN CONTACT WITH
SKIN
 Oral LD50 rat 25 - 200 mg/kg: R25 TOXIC IF SWALLOWED

Subacute toxicity with oral no effect level <1 mg/kg/day or equivalent dosage by other
routes.

Corrosive: R34 CAUSES BURNS, R35 CAUSES SEVERE BURNS

Extreme skin or eye irritants: R41 RISK OF SERIOUS DAMAGE TO EYES.

Proven animal carcinogen or materials with suspected carcinogen activity but unknown
potency: R45 MAY CAUSE CANCER, R49 MAY CAUSE CANCER BY
INHALATION, R40 POSSIBLE RISK OF IRREVERSIBLE EFFECTS

Substances of unknown toxicity which, after inspection of the structure or of other
data are likely to be classified as H by analogy.
If the resultant hazard classification is Very High or High, try to reduce the hazard by
eliminating a material or by using a substitute.
Medium Hazard M
A material which meets any of the following criteria but does not fall into class V or H

Exposure Standards <500 ppm for vapour or <10 mg/m3 for dusts.

Is harmful following acute exposure:
 LC50 rat 2.0 - 20 mg/L/4hr: R20 HARMFUL BY INHALATION
 Dermal LD50 rat or rabbit 400 - 2000 mg/kg: R21 HARMFUL IN CONTACT
WITH SKIN
 Oral LD50 rat 200 - 2000 mg/kg: R22 HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED.




Subacute toxicity with oral no effect level of 1-50 mg/kg/day or equivalent dosage
by other routes.
Skin or eye irritants: R36 IRRITATING TO EYES.
Skin Sensitizers: R43 MAY CAUSE SKIN SENSITISATION BY SKIN CONTACT.
Low potency carcinogens.
Low Hazard L
A material which meets any of the following criteria but does not fall into class V, H or M

Exposure Standards >500 ppm for vapour or >10 mg/m3 for dusts.

Substances which are non-harmful following acute exposure:
 LC50 rat >20 mg/L/4hr
 Dermal LD50 rat or rabbit >2000 mg/kg
 Oral LD50 rat >2000 mg/kg.

Subacute toxicity with oral no effect level of >50 mg/kg/day or equivalent dosage
by other routes.

Non-irritant material.

Non-genotoxic and non-carcinogenic materials.

Materials which are not skin sensitisers.
Note - Chemicals known or suspected of being absorbed through the skin will have the notation
SKIN in their hazard data. The absence of this notation does not guarantee that the material will not
be absorbed through the skin.
Hazard Classification – Very toxic, Toxic, Harmful
Under the “Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances”
Regulations there are certain definitions which are also used in the COSHH
Regulations. The following definitions of “very toxic”, “toxic” and “harmful” apply.
Category
Very Toxic
Toxic
Harmful
Toxic Levels
LD50 absorbed
LD50 absorbed
orally rat mg/kg
percutaneously in
rat or rabbi mg/kg
25
50
25 to 200
50 to 400
200 to 2000
400 to 2000
LC50 absorbed by
inhalation in rat
mg/litre (4 hrs)
0.5
0.5 to 2
2 to 20
LD50 and LC50 (Lethal Dose 50% and Lethal Concentrations 50%) are terms used to
describe animal toxicological experiments. The LD50 of a substance is the dose which
causes death in 50% of test animals. LD50 is the term used if the substance was
administered orally or percutaneously, LC50 the concentration in air if it was
administered by inhalation.
If facts show that for the purposes of classification it is inappropriate or inadvisable to
use LD50 or LC50 values as a principal basis because the substance produces other
effects, then the substance should be classified according to the magnitude of these
other effects.
Dealing with Spillages
Spilling a liquid or any dangerous substance can be a trigger for a number of different
serious incidents.
It is important when working with any hazardous substances that you have read (or
completed) a risk assessment in relation to the substances you are working with, and
that you have all the materials to hand to respond appropriately. The following
minimum guidelines apply:
Be aware of, and alert, potentially affected individuals round about you.

Where appropriate, protective clothing, eg, suitable gloves and eye-shields,
should be worn during the cleaning up procedure. Lab coats should be fully
fastened.

Water and ice should be mopped up immediately as spills constitute a slip
hazard.

Always contain spillages immediately by appropriate means, ensuring at the
same time, that your bench set-up can be left unattended for the duration.

The preferred method of treating spills is to contain the liquid by the use of
absorption granules.

Double-bag all the waste in yellow plastic bags, label with chemical name and
"Destroy without opening" tapes, and notify the senior technician for most
appropriate method of disposal.

For spillage of powder, damp down the spillage immediately with water 70%
methanol. Then add absorption granules and treat as above.

Residual strong acids can be neutralised with an excess of solid sodium
carbonate.

Residual caustic alkali solutions can be neutralised with ammonium chloride
and plenty of water.

Specialist advice for dealing with carcinogenic material is provided in the
section on Carcinogens.

Review the events that led to the spillage (eg, lack of clear bench space or
layout of equipment) and take remedial action as appropriate.

For all hazardous spillages, complete an Accident and Dangerous Occurrence
form.
See also:
Spillages of Dangerous Chemicals, University of Glasgow Safety and Environmental
Protection Services (SEPS)
First Aid for Chemicals, University of Glasgow Safety and Environmental Protection
Service (SEPS)
Appendix – RA1 COSHH Risk Assessment (Chemical)
Dealing with Sharps
Hypodermic Needles and Syringes
Under no circumstances should needles be resheathed with the needle cover prior to
disposal in a cinbin. The needle cover is there to provide sterility to the needle.
Resheathing increases the likelihood of a needlestick injury because the needle can
easily penetrate the cover.
scapel blades and lancets
Scapel blades and lancets must always be disposed of in CinBins. Full CinBins,
clearly marked with budget code, should be dropped off at the relevant point for each
building. (Davidson: loading bay : Bower: GBRC)
Broken Glass
Broken glass should never be disposed into Cinbins, but safely boxed and put out with
general waste, provided there is no additional chemical or biological hazard, a dustpan
and brush should be used for this purpose (a piece of blu-tak or wad of wet tissue roll
can be useful for collecting awkward slivers of glass which do not brush up easily). If
a chemical is involved, proceed as for chemical spillages, then sweep up the glass.
Pasteur pipettes which are not contaminated with hazardous material can be disposed
of in the broken glass container.
Contaminated glassware should always be autoclaved before disposal.
Sharp objects or broken glass which are contaminated with radioactivity should be
placed in a plastic CinBin labelled with radioactive warning tape and with the
name/number of the lab from which it comes. When full, the Cinbin containing
radioactive sharps should be sent to the University Radiation Protection Service for
disposal.
See also:
The Avoidance of 'Needlestick' and Similar Sharp Induced Injuries, Health and Safety
Note 98/017, SEPS, University of Glasgow
Appendix – RA1 COSHH Risk Assessment (Chemical)
1 Assessment Ref Nr: ………………………
1.1 Institute or School:………………………..………….……………….
2.0 TITLE OF ACTIVITY:
_______________________________________________________________
Postdoctoral, postgraduates or senior technical staff may complete the form but the responsibility for
ensuring that the risk assessment is completed and checked lies with the academic supervisor.
Completed by: ______________________
Staff No: ___________________________
E-mail address: ______________________
Signature: __________________________
Date: ______________________________
Checked by: _____________________
Staff No: _________________________
E-mail address: ___________________
Signature: _______________________
Date_____________________________
3.0 Brief description of work: It is only necessary to give broad outlines of the
components of the activity covered by the risk assessment. (e.g., size of group,
location, level of supervision, nature of work)
HAZARDS AND RISKS as defined by COSHH legislation
The Hazard of a substance is the intrinsic property of that substance to cause harm: its toxic, carcinogenic,
flammable properties, etc.
The Risk involve analyzing how , by what means, and to what extent this potential for harm could be
expressed in the activity described in section 3.0 above.
These terms are clearly not synonymous, and for this reason a risk assessment is much more than
the collection of hazard data: a common misunderstanding.
4.0 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION:
What are the hazards?.
4.1
Name the substance or group of substances and the quantities required to be used in this activity
and list in the table below. Verify that no safer alternatives could be used.
4.2
Classify each of the substances according to one of the following categories in the column below:Very toxic [VT]; Toxic [T]; Corrosive[ CO]; Irritant [IR]; Harmful [H]; Flammable [F];
Carcinogen/Teratogen/Mutagen [CTM]. Include actual risk phrases where appropriate.
4.3
What are the maximum exposure limits (MEL) and occupational exposure standards (OES)if
available ?
4.4
Consider: skin contact or absorption through skin, contact with eyes, inhalation, ingestion or
injection
You may find it useful to consult the Approved Supply List 3rd Edition CHIP - Chemical (Hazard,
Information and Packaging) Regulations (see http://www.hse.gov.uk/chip/phrases.htm#abbrev), other
sources include the manufacturer's data sheet and chemical databases
Appendix – RA1 COSHH Risk Assessment (Chemical)
4.5 Hazard Rating
4.1 Name of chemical(s) or
substances( s)
4.2 Risk Phrase /
4.4 Routes by which
4.3 MEL/OES
Classification
exposure can occur
LOW/MEDIUM/
HIGH
http://www.gla.ac.uk/ibls/local/t
emp/safety/54hazardclass.htm
4.4 Physical (heat, electricity, UV, etc) N/A
N/A
5.0 RISKS.
What are the risks associated with this activity? This is a critical part of the risk assessment.
After identifying each significant hazard, estimate the severity of the risk, to people or property, associated
with the hazard. It is very difficult to quantify a risk precisely but it is very important to decide how likely it
is that a risk would occur during the activity and the routes by which exposure to these substances are likely
to occur in the absence of suitable control measures.
Single acute exposure
Repeated low exposure
Adverse effect could be
Effects could be hazardous to human
reproductive systems
Serious
Serious
Long term
Yes
Not serious
Not serious
Short term
No
Not known
Not known
Not known
Not known
5.1 GROUNDS FOR CONCLUDING EXPOSURE IS NOT A RISK
Quantities or rate of use of substance(s) are too small to constitute any risk to health under foreseeable
circumstances of use, even if control measures broke down.
If there are reasonable grounds for reaching the conclusion that risks are insignificant,
finish this assessment now by ticking this box.
[ ]
Please ensure that all persons involved in or affected by the activity enter their
name on the final page.
6.0 GENERAL CONTROL MEASURES
Measures required to contain the substances where the risks are either medium or high:
6.1
6.1.1
Where is the work to be done?
Location (incl room number and building) ______________________________________________
If parts of the work cannot be done on the open bench please specify where these stages will
be carried out, e.g., in a fume cupboard or in specialised containment rooms.
On the open bench [ ]
Other (specify) _____________________________________________
6.2
What protective equipment is required? Specify what is required and when this needs to be
worn. Note - laboratory coats must be worn in all laboratories.
Gloves [ ], Safety glasses [ ], Mask [ ],Visor [ ], Respirator [ ]
Other ............................................................
None required [ ]
6.3
What arrangements have been made to provide workers with the information to carry
out the procedure safely?
Routine procedure described by trained staff [ ]
Simple verbal instructions [ ]
Written scheme of work [ ] – complete section 7.0
6.4
How are the training and supervision of personnel to be provided?
Supervisor supplying initial training [ ] Specific training courses [ ]
Appendix – RA1 COSHH Risk Assessment (Chemical)
6.5
7.0
Direct supervision during one or more stages of the work [ ]
None – all work being undertaken by trained staff [ ]
Are there risk implications for persons not directly involved in the activity? (see 5.0)
The following people may need to have information about these control measures and sign the
declaration?
Academic staff [ ]
Postgraduates [ ]
Undergraduates [ ]
Technical staff [ ]
Secretaries [ ]
Cleaners [ ]
Visiting staff [ ]
Maintenance staff [ ]
Contractors [ ]
Scheme of Work
Consider each stage of the activity from setting up/transporting substances to final disposal, and highlight here
physical components and/or activities of medium or high risk, and the specific precautions you have provided prior
to starting the activity
8.0
Emergency procedures and Monitoring
8.1
8.2
Are written emergency instructions provided at the place of work? Yes [ ] No [ ]
Are materials provided for neutralising accidental spills of the chemicals?
YES [ ]
Specify ............................................
Not required [ ]
Is the location of the following known to all persons involved in the activity ?
Spillage kit [ ] safety shower [ ], eye-wash bottles [ ], First-Aid box [ ] fire alarm and
8.3
exit [ ]
8.4
Monitoring for airborne contaminants will be required yes [ ] no [ ]
8.5
Biological monitoring of workers will be required yes [ ] no [ ]
9.0
Disposal of Hazardous Waste
Disposal of waste chemicals will be done by one of the following methods (consult the University Chemical
Safety Adviser if in doubt).
Flushing small quantities down the drain with excess water
Collection of large quantities of waste solvents in labelled drums*
Collection of waste oils in labelled drums*
Collection of acrylamide gels and ethidium bromide gels in labelled containers*
Onward transmission to a licenced company*
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/seps/chemicalwaste.html
Collection of radioactive waste in specified containers for storage and removal by the university
authority.*
To normal laboratory waste collection, after rendering safe
* Note there is a cost involved for this service.
Tick the appropriate box above and/or specify any other disposal method required ...........................................
9.0 Do you think that the precautions above adequately control the risks of handling the substances
specified during this activity?
Appendix – RA1 COSHH Risk Assessment (Chemical)
No [ ] – what additional control measures are required to contain the substances where the risks are
either medium or high? Seek advice from the project supervisor or safety co-ordinator.
Yes [ ] – complete this assessment by ensuring all persons involved in the activity
sign the final page.
Appendix – RA1 COSHH Risk Assessment (Chemical)
ACCREDITATION OF RISK & COSHH ASSESSMENT
Document Ref nr: ………………………………………….
Title of activity: ___________________________________________________________________________
A
B
NAME
Name of Assessor: __________________
Checked by: ____________________________
Signature of Assessor: _______________
Signature: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________
Date: __________________________________
I have received a paper or computer disk copy of this Chemical Risk and COSHH
assessment and understand my responsibility in relation to the risks and the measures which
must be taken to control such risks outlined in the above risk assessment.
DATE
SIGNATURE for copy held in lab
*
Review dates: When this assessment is reviewed, add the signature of the reviewer, the date, and whether
the assessment was changed.
Appendix – Safe combination of chemicals for storage
Unsafe Combination of Chemicals in Storage
X = Unsafe Combination
Inorganic Acids
Organic Acids
Caustic Alkalis
Amines and Alkanolamines
Halogenated Compounds
Alcohols,Glycols and Glycol Ethers
Aldehydes
Ketones
Saturated Hydrocarbons
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Alkenes
Petroleum oils
Esters
Monomers and Polymerisable Esters
Phenols
Ethoxides
Cyanohydrins
Nitriles
Ammonia
Halogens
Ethers
Elemental phosphorous
Molten Sulphur
Acid Anhydrides
X = Unsafe Combination
Inorganic Acids
X Organic Acids
X X Caustic Alkalis
Amines and Alkanolamines
X X
X
X X Halogenated Compounds
Alcohols,Glycols and Glycol Ethers
X
X X X X
X Aldehydes
X
X X
X Ketones
Saturated Hydrocarbons
Aromatic hydrocarbons
X
Alkenes
X
X
Petroleum oils
Esters
X
X X
Monomers and Polymerisable Esters
X X X X X X
X X
X
X Phenols
X X X X
X X
X X Ethoxides
X X X X X
X
X Cyanohydrins
Nitriles
X X X X
X
Ammonia
X X
X X
X X X X X
X
X X X X X X X X X X
X Halogens
X
X
X Ethers
Elemental
X X X
X
phosphorous
Molten Sulphur
X X X X
X
X
Acid Anhydride
X
X X
X X
X
X X X X