Department of Engineering Science
Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment Subject: Electrospinning Machine
Site, Building & Location: Engineering Science 30.05 Chemical Engineering Lab in Thom Building
Assessment undertaken by: Vishal Kachwal
Signed:
Assessment Supervisor: Prof. Jin-Chong Tan
Signed:
Review Date : 30/07/2021
Date: 30/07/2021
JCT
Date : 4 Aug 2021
Assessing the Risk*
LIKELIHOOD (or probability)
RISK MATRIX



Consequences: Decide how severe the outcome for each hazard would be if
something went wrong (i.e. what are the Consequences?) Death would be “Severe”,
a minor cut to a finger could be regarded as “Insignificant”.
Likelihood: How likely are these Consequences to actually happen? Highly likely?
Remotely likely, or somewhere in between?
Risk Rating: Start at the left of the coloured Matrix. On your chosen Consequences
row, read across until you are in the correct Likelihood column for the hazard in
question. For example, an outcome with Severe consequences but with a Low
probability of actually happening equates to a Medium risk overall. In this case
“Medium” is what should be written in the Risk.
Hazard (potential for harm)
Persons at Risk
Spillage of AIE powder and
MOF samples/solutions and
polymer solutions
User and others
Solvent vapour
User
* Link to risk matrix
CONSEQUENCES
You can to this for each hazard as follows:
High
Medium
Low
Remote
Severe
High
High
Medium
Low
Moderate
High
Medium
Medium/Low
Effectively
Zero
Insignificant
Medium/Low
Low
Low
Effectively
Zero
Negligible
Effectively
Zero
Effectively
Zero
Effectively
Zero
Effectively
Zero
Risk Controls In Place (existing safety precautions)
Risk*
 All the synthesis and polymer processing work
are performed under a fume hood wearing all the
LOW
necessary safety equipment’s (lab coat, safety
chemical resistant gloves, eye protection etc.,)
 A limited volume of solvents (10-50 mL) to be
used. Organic solvents are transported in secured
containers between ETB40.33 and Thom 30.05.
All chemical substances used on the machine are
COSHH assessed, and control measures are
followed. Extractor available to remove the solvent LOW
fumes during the process.
Before and during the experiment other users are
informed about the substances that have been
used and cleaning techniques are applied upon
completion.
page 1
Further Actions Needed to
Reduce Risk
Synthesis
and
sample
preparation will follow the
COSHH procedures
Dated 05 Sep 2018
Hazard (potential for harm)
Persons at Risk
Electrical breakdown of air
between the nozzle and
collector
User
Usage of needles, grinded
and non-grinded
USER
High Voltage Source
(1 to 30 kV)
* Link to risk matrix
User and others
Risk Controls In Place (existing safety precautions)
Risk*
All the experiments are carried out wearing
laboratory safety equipment like gloves, lab coat,
eye protection, and other appropriate things
Electrical breakdown occurs at about 10kV/cm,
considering the appropriate distance between the
grounds and the nozzle for spinning is always LOW
more than 10cm, the breakdowns distance of ~3cm
will never be approached.
 Gloves with eye protection to be worn when
handling needles
High voltage warnings on the site. Apparatus is
enclosed in a sealed box preventing direct contact LOW
with bare hands
page 2
Further Actions Needed to
Reduce Risk
New users must be trained
in the operation of the
equipment and must follow
safety protocols
Only store grinded down
needles in the lab
New users must be trained
in the operation of the
equipment and must follow
safety protocols
Dated 05 Sep 2018