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 Valiyaveettil,Suresh, Dr.
Chan Sau Han,Edith,Dr. Hoang
Truong Giang
Activity being assessed:
Mdm Low Eng Hah
CM 3291/Expt 2
Synthesis of Cu(II)-Tetraphenylporphinate
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. Propanoic Acid [ 50ml] : Flammable. Corrosive - causes burns
2. Benzaldehyde [ 1.7 ml ] : Combustible.May be harmful by skin contact. May cause allergic
reaction.
3. Pyrrole [ 1 ml ] : Combustible. Harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption
4. Dimethylformamide [ 20 ml ] : Harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. May act
as a
carcinogen.
5. Hydrated Copper (II) Acetate [ 0.16g] : Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed
6. Sillica Gel [ <50g] : Harmful if inhaled
7. Dichloromethane [ 75 ml ] : Harmful if swallowed or inhaled.
8. Methanol [ for washing] : Toxic by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption
9. Toluene [for column] : Toxic by inhalation.
10. Hexane [ for column] : Harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption
11. Acetone [for washing] : Harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption.
12. Chloroform : 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.
Chloroform solution should be prepared in the fumehood!!
Incompatible materials (special precautions):
1. Propanoic Acid : Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents
2. Benzaldehyde : Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, reducing agents.
3. Pyrrole : Incompatible with strong acids, strong oxidizing agents
4. Dimethylformamide : Incompatible with strong oxidising agents, halogenated hydrocarbons,
chloroformates, active halogen compounds, strong acids, strong reducing agents.
5. Hydrated Copper (II) Acetate : Incompatible with oxidizing agents.
6. Sillica Gel : . Incompatible with strong acids
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7. Dichloromethane : Incompatible with alkali metals, aluminium, strong oxidising agents, strong
caustics, some forms of plastic, titanium.
8. Methanol : May react violently with acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, oxidizing agents,
reducing agents and alkali metals.
9. Toluene : Substances to be avoided: oxidising agents, oxygen
10. Hexane : Incompatible with oxidising agents, chlorine, fluorine, magnesium perchlorate.
Readily forms explosive mixtures with air.
11. Acetone : . Incompatible with halogen acids and halogen compounds, strong bases, strong
oxidizing agents, caustics, amines and ammonia, chlorine and chlorine compounds, strong
acids, nitrosyl compounds.
12. 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:
1. Propanoic Acid : Irritant. Corrosive - causes burns. Inhalation and through skin contact.
2. Benzaldehyde : Eye irritant. Harmful by inhalation or ingestion. May be harmful by skin
contact. May cause allergic reaction.
3. Pyrrole : Ingestion may be fatal. Long-term exposure may cause liver damage.
4. Dimethylformamide : May act as a carcinogen. Ingestion or absorption through skin may be
fatal. Long-term exposure may result in kidney or liver damage. Irritant.
5. Hydrated Copper (II) Acetate : Contact with dust may cause irritation. Harmful by inhalation.
6. Sillica Gel : Harmful if inhaled. May be harmful if swallowed. Irritant.
7. Dichloromethane : Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. May be harmful by skin contact. Eye and
skin irritant.
8. Methanol : Toxic by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. Exposure may cause eye,
kidney, heart and liver damage. Chronic or substantial acute exposure may cause serious eye
damage, including blindness. Irritant.
9. Toluene : Toxic by inhalation, ingestion or by absorption through skin. Serious irritant.
10. Hexane : May cause impaired fertility. Harmful by inhalation, Irritant. Prolonged exposure
may cause serious health damage.
11. Acetone : Irritant. Liquid may cause permanent eye damage (corneal clouding). Contact with
skin may cause defatting, leading to irritation. Long-term exposure may cause liver damage.
12.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
Level of risk remaining:
Low
Emergency action if :
Spill:
1. Propanoic Acid : Prevent from entering drains. Absorb with solvent absorbent.
Neutralize with soda ash/ lime.
2. Benzaldehyde : Absorb with solvent absorbent.
3. Pyrrole : Absorb with solvent absorbent.
4. Dimethylformamide : Absorb with solvent absorbent.
5. Hydrated Copper (II) Acetate : Sweep to safe place
6. Sillica Gel : Sweep to safe place
7. Dichloromethane : Absorb with solvent absorbent.
8. Methanol : Eliminate ignition sources. Control vapour with water spray
Absorb with solvent absorbent.
9. Toluene : Absorb with solvent absorbent.
10. Hexane :Absorb with solvent absorbent.
11. Chloroform : Absorb with solvent absorbent.
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Fire:
1. Propanoic Acid : Water spray.
2. Benzaldehyde : Use dry-powder fire extinguisher [provided in the lab.]
3. Pyrrole : Use powder fire extinguisher [provided in the lab.]
4. Dimethylformamide : Water spray. Use dry powder fire extinguisher [provided in the lab.].
5. Hydrated Copper (II) Acetate : Water spray.
6. Sillica Gel : No information found
No specific fire fighting procedure given. Not considered to be a fire hazard.
7. Dichloromethane : Water spray.
8. Methanol : Water spray or dry powder fire extinguisher [provided in the lab.]
9. Toluene : Use dry powder fire extinguisher [provided in the lab.]
10. Hexane : Usedry powder fire extinguisher [provided in the lab.
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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