Health and Safety Risk management form
Faculty/Division: Science
School/Unit: School
Document number
Initial Issue date: 08/08/2013
Risk Assessment name
Current version: 1
of Biological Sciences
Current Version
Issue date
Next review date: 08/08/2014
08/08/2013
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Form completed by
Anne-Laure Markovina
Signature
Date
Responsible supervisor/ authorising officer
Michael Joseph
Signature
Date
Identify the activity and the location of the activity
Description
of activity
Heating agarose solutions
Description
of location
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis is performed in several teaching laboratories, including
First Year Biology labs in Carslaw (F07, rooms 301; 302, 307; 308); 2nd and 3rd year
labs in Macleay (A11, rooms 204 & 205a; A12, room 102)
DNA electrophoresis
Identify who may be at risk from the activity:
This may include fellow workers, visitors, contractors and the public. The types of people may
affect the risk controls needed and the location may affect the number of people at risk
Persons at risk
Technicians when preparing and pouring agarose gels;
2nd and 3rd year students when running gel
electrophoresis during practical class and class
demonstrators
How they were
consulted on the risk
Technical staff is responsible for assessing risk and
updating risk assessments before a task is undertaken.
Technical staff advises supervising and academic staff
of potential risk before practical class. Academics in
charge inform demonstrators and students about the
risks. Up to date risk assessments are posted on the
School’s website and are displayed in the class on the
day of the practical
List legislation, standards, codes of practice, manufacturer’s guidance etc used to determine control measures necessary
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
MSDS for agarose, Sigma-Aldrich, Product code A2929, ChemAlert
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Consider the hierarchy of hazard control and record what controls will be used in the short term and longer term
Elimination
Not possible Eliminate the hazard or task if the risk outweighs the potential benefits.
Substitution
Not possible Substitute the hazard with something less hazardous e.g. less toxic substance.
Isolation
Not possible Isolate the hazard by using barriers or distance.
Engineering
Not possible Look for physical design solutions, controls, safety lockouts or automation to reduce or eliminate risks.
Minimise
Not possible Minimise the size or volume of the hazard or time of exposure to the hazard.
Rearrange Workflow Not possible Rearrange activities to minimise lifting/handling/overuse injuries
Administrative
Possible
Establish Safe Work Practices e.g. restrict access, have Safe Work Practice documentation and procedures for hazardous tasks.
Training and Supervision Possible Provide training and supervision appropriate to level of expertise of the person(s) involved. Record training in SWP.
Personal Protective Equipment Possible Use only as a secondary measure to supplement other risk controls e.g. gloves, lab coats, safety glasses.
Identify hazards and control the risks.
1. An activity may be divided into tasks. For each task identify the hazards and associated risks. Also list the possible scenarios which could sooner or later cause harm.
2. Determine controls necessary based on legislation, codes of practice, Australian standards, manufacturer’s instructions etc.
3. List existing risk controls and any additional controls that need to be implemented
Task or
Hazard
Associated harm
Existing risk controls
Current risk
Scenario
Heating agarose
solutions
DNA
electrophoresis
Superheated solutions
Super heating of
overflowing from bottles
agarose solution to melt can potentially cause
agarose powder
significant burn injuries to
skin on hands and arms
Running
electrophoresis
Potential for serious
electrical shock or
electrocution due to
leaking chamber, faulty or
corroded electrode cables
or faulty power supply
ALWAYS wear heat resistant gloves when handling hot
agarose bottles
NEVER fill a glass bottle/flask to more than 1/3 of the
container’s total volume
IF USING GLASS BOTTLES, ensure that lid is unscrewed
before heating solution in microwave
DO NOT heat solution above 50% power
ALWAYS swirl solution gently during heating to prevent
superheating
NEVER leave heating of agarose solutions unattended
Inspect electrodes and cables for defects before use. DO
NOT use electrophoresis equipment suspected of electrical
fault or damage. Report any defects to lab manager/safety
officer for repairs or replacement
ENSURE area around electrophoresis chamber is free of
leaks or spills BEFORE and DURING electrophoresis
ENSURE electrophoresis chamber has a secure lid, which
prevents accidental contact with the electrified buffer
solution in the tank
Any additional
controls required?
Medium
None
Medium
None
Residual risk
Low
Low
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List emergency procedures and controls
List emergency controls for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances and/or emergency shutdown procedures
For smaller burns, wash and cool the area under cold running water until the skin returns to normal temperature (up to 20 minutes for a thermal burn, at least 20 minutes for a chemical burn or 30
minutes for a bitumen burn). If this is not possible apply a cold-water compress. Do not use iced water as this can worsen the injury
DO NOT remove clothing or anything that is sticking to the burn. It helps to protect against infection and prevent fluid loss
Cover the burn with clean, non-stick material, such as a freshly washed pillowcase. Fix it in place with a scarf or a piece of clean cloth. Clean plastic cling wrap can be a useful dressing
DO NOT use adhesive dressings, apply fat, ointment or lotion, break a blister or touch a burn
If the burn is larger than a 20 cent coin, see your doctor or go to the emergency department of your local hospital
If the person suffered an electrical burn, take patient to the nearest hospital
St John Ambulance Australia. Managing burns and scalds (updated Sep 2012). http://www.stjohn.org.au/images/stjohn/information/fact_sheets/FS_burns.pdf (accessed Mar 2013)
Implementation
Additional control measures needed:
None
Resources required
Responsible person
REVIEW
Scheduled review date:
Are all control measures in place?
12 months
2 years
Date of implementation
3 years
Are controls eliminating or minimising the risk?
Are there any new problems with the risk?
Review by: (name)
Review date:
Acknowledgement of Understanding
All persons performing these tasks must sign that they have read and understood the risk management.
Note: for activities which are low risk or include a large group of people (e.g. open days, BBQ’s, student classes etc), only the persons undertaking the key activities need to sign below. For all others involved in such
activities, the information can be covered by other methods including for example a safety briefing, induction, and/or safety information sheet (ensure the method of communicating this information is specified here)
Risk management name and version number:
Name
I have read and understand this risk management form
Signature
Date
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