ohsrm PART B
School of Molecular Bioscience
Hazardous procedure: Disposing of hazardous chemical waste
Step 3. Assess the risk
Assess the risk for the top priority hazards identified in PART A ie., begin with those rated 1, then 2 etc.
Ref. #
1
DISPOSING OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE
Priority
Identification Date
4
17/3/2010
4
17/3/2010
3
Task: Decanting chemical wastes into labeled (name, date,
contents) plastic drums or glass bottles and taking to room 225 for
storage/disposal
Task: Placing solid chemical wastes into labeled (name, date,
contents) Hazardous Waste bags and taking to room 225 for
storage/disposal
Hazard: Acute poisoning
3
17/3/2010
4
Hazard: Chronic poisoning
4
17/3/2010
5
Hazard: Sensitisation (allergic reaction)
5
17/3/2010
6
Specific chemicals: Phenol
3
17/3/2010
7
Specific chemicals: Chloroform
4
17/3/2010
8
Specific chemicals: Ethidium bromide
4
17/3/2010
9
Specific chemicals: Acrylamide
4
17/3/2010
10
4
17/3/2010
11
Specific chemicals: Alcohols (methanol, ethanol,
n-propanol, isopropanol, butanol)
Specific chemicals: acetonitrile
3
17/3/2010
12
Specific chemicals: sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
4
17/3/2010
13
Specific chemicals: formaldehyde
3
17/3/2010
14
Specific chemicals: photographic developer
5
17/3/2010
15
Specific chemicals: photographic fixer
5
17/3/2010
2
What makes it hazardous? Consult with the workers to find out which factors are relevant:

The physical activity required

The work environment

The nature of the hazard itself

The individual(s) involved
Physical exertion required if lifting full 15 L polypropylene or 20L
metal drums (eg solvent waste)
Rm 225 can become congested. Noxious odours can fill the room,
Fire ot toxic gas generation may result if chemical interactions occur
due to spills in this room. Room 225 may contain many unfamiliar
hazardous or volatile waste items.
Phenol causes burns, is toxic by inhalation, ingestion and absorption
through skin. Other waste chemicals (or their fumes) are hazardous
to humans via acute effects (poisoning – eg. methanol, formaldehyde)
or chronic effects (eg. cancer – ethidium bromide, chloroform). Many
chemicals can cause sensitization on prolonged contact
Training in the handling of many hazardous chemicals is necessary.
Record the names of those consulted when assessing the risk
Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Craig Jackson, Nick Coleman
Date
17/3/2010
Step 4. Control the risk(s)
Control the risks(s) by addressing the risk factors found in Step 3.
Consider the hierarchy of hazard control and record what controls will be used in the short term and longer
term. Record also who is responsible for implementing the control(s) and the due by date(s).
Describe the risk control(s)
Know the risks of the chemicals you are working
with: attend the Chemical Safety course run by the
University OHSIM, and read the Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS) and comply with any MSDS
requirements.
Be familiar with the location and usage of Spill Kits
in the School, and how to deal with wastes
generated from spill cleanup. Ask your supervisor
for help if necessary.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment:
nitrile or latex gloves, enclosed shoes, lab coat or
gown, a face shield or safety glasses/goggles if
splash risk exists, respirator in case of chemicals
that are serious poisons by inhalation.
Use a fume cupboard when decanting organic
solvents and any other chemical that creates
noxious fumes. (eg. concentrated acids)
NEVER mix dissimilar chemicals in the same waste
container – eg. corrosives should always be
separate from organic solvents, and radioactive
materials should must be separated from other
wastes, and from each other (each isotope needs
to be separated). Never mix biological waste (eg
agar or liquid media) with chemical waste.
Transport wastes in a labeled, tightly sealed drum
or glass bottle. Use a trolley to transport heavy
drums to room 225. Garbags or Biohazard bags
containing solid waste should be labeled and kept
in a secondary container (bin) when being
transported.
Ensure all chemical waste are labeled with the
type of compound, its concentration, and the
appropriate warning “TOXIC” or “CORROSIVE” or
“RADIOACTIVE” or “BIOHAZARD”
Keep phenol, acids, bases and solvents away
from each other and away from other reactive
chemicals that may be stored in rm 225.
Keep at hand absorbing or neutralizing agents (e.g.
vermiculite) to absorb spills (Spills Kit).
Lock room 225 when you leave.
Develop and display (in the laboratory) a Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP) for disposing of
hazardous chemicals.
Read and follow SOP guidelines
Who is responsible for implementation
Individual researcher and supervisor
Due by date
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual user and their supervisor
30/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
SMB Safety Committee, researcher and
supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
If any serious incidents occur isolate the area, warn
immediate personnel to keep away and call: Robert
Czolij xt 16941, Zia Ahmad xt 12224 or Security
Services xt 13333 (or 0000).
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Record the names of those consulted when deciding on risk control measures
Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Craig Jackson, Nick Coleman,
PART B completed by: Robert Czolij
Date:
17/3/2010